Prime Minister attends UN Climate Ambition Summit

The one-day conference – which comes as the the world grapples with devastating floods and fires– is intended to build global momentum toward slashing planet-heating pollution ahead of the UN's COP28 climate summit in Dubai in December.

Of the nearly 200 countries present in New York for the General Assembly, only 34 nations and seven non-governmental bodies secured speaking slots at the UN summit.

According to the UN, almost all indicators are off-track or heading in the wrong direction. Extreme weather events are displacing millions of people, the world is heating up, and out-of-control wildfires continue to cause death and destruction, from Canada to the Greek islands.

Coal, oil, and gas still account for 75 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, which continue to fuel the climate crisis.

While the damage from the climate crisis is already extensive, and global greenhouse gas emissions remain at record levels, change is possible.

There have been many climate meetings, but this one is unique as it will feature only the “first movers and doers” - those leaders who have responded to the Secretary-General’s call for accelerated action to tackle the climate crisis.

The Summit aims to champion solutions and inspire more leaders to step up and join the “first movers and doers./.