As a deadly heatwave continued to grip Europe on Tuesday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued an impassioned appeal for more ambitious global action on climate change caused by fossil fuels, to prevent irreversible damage.In a major keynote speech at London Climate Action Week, the UN chief highlighted how the world’s dependence on oil is driving both the climate crisis and an energy sovereignty crunch, the latter linked to massive shipping disruption in the Strait of Hormuz and the war involving Iran, Israel and the United States.“These crises may seem separate but they share the same destructive origin: fossil fuels. And they demand the same answer: a fast, fair transition to clean energy and a surge in adaptation, resilience and climate justice for those already facing climate harm,” Mr. Guterres said, in a call for political leadership to push through global change akin to that required to phase out leaded gasoline and to ban chemicals that created a hole in the ozone layer.In brief: the UN plan for energy independence Cut emissions fast: emissions must peak now and reach net zero by 2050, including through a global push to curb methane pollution.Accelerate clean energy: renewables pick-up needs to continue, subsidies must end for fossil fuel projects and fossil fuel profits taxed to support vulnerable communities and the energy transition.Clean up AI: require major AI companies to disclose the environmental impact of their data centres and power them with renewable energy by 2030.Ensure a just transition: ensure the shift to clean energy creates jobs, supports communities and delivers development benefits for developing countries.Boost climate resilience: increase investment in adaptation, early warning systems and other measures to protect people most vulnerable to climate impacts.Unlock fair finance: expand affordable funding for developing countries to invest in clean energy, climate adaptation and sustainable development.Defend science and truth: strengthen trust in science, combat climate disinformation and protect environmental journalists and human rights defenders.Earth’s tipping pointsIt is more than a decade since world leaders agreed in Paris to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, a remarkable show of international unity, led by the UN. Today, although that Agreement stands – and despite the US officially withdrawing for a second time in January this year – UN-backed scientists warn that average annual temperatures are likely to exceed that threshold in coming years.“Every fraction of a degree matters,” the Secretary-General insisted, as he forewarned of the irreversible damage to coral reefs unable to survive in too-warm waters, the melting ice sheets that threaten to reshape coastlines and displace millions, and the real possibility that some small island nations could disappear under the waves.Faced with this existential scenario, “the task before us is to strictly limit the overshoot, shorten its duration and bring temperatures down below 1.5°C as fast as possible”, Mr. Guterres maintained.‘Mother of all energy shocks’And while he pointed out that “any peace agreement is welcome and would bring much needed relief”, in reference to a 60-day pause in hostilities to allow ongoing Iranian-US talks in Switzerland, the UN chief noted that the Middle East crisis had unleashed “the mother of all energy shocks” comparable to the oil disruption of the 1970s and the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.As damaging as the Middle East war has been for highly industrialized nations, the UN Secretary-General insisted that developing countries have been hit even harder:“It is a debt shock, a food shock, a development shock”, he told the London audience.A just future from renewables“The good news is – unlike every past energy crisis – we now have a clear way out, a clean way out,” the Secretary-General continued.He noted that since 2010, the cost of solar energy has plummeted by almost 90 per cent, onshore wind by more than 70 per cent, and battery storage by 95 per cent.Renewables avoided more than the annual carbon dioxide emissions of the US, the EU and Japan combined, Mr. Guterres said, adding that clean energy investment now attracts almost twice as much as fossil fuels.“There are no embargoes on sunlight and no blockades on the wind,” he said.A seven-point plan for energy independenceAs part of the Secretary-General’s blueprint for a clean break with fossil fuels, he outlined seven key steps:1: Emissions must peak immediately and fall steeply this decade, reaching net zero by 2050. The G20 group of wealthy nations “must lead” on this, as it is responsible for around 80 per cent of global emissions, Mr. Guterres said. Ambitious measures include a global Call to Action on Methane to reduce emissions of the gas traps around 80 times more heat than carbon dioxide, but which breaks down in the atmosphere within just a decade or two.“The world phased out leaded gasoline. We eliminated ozone-depleting chemicals. Methane pollution must be next,” the UN chief stressed.2: Clean energy projects should be promoted and public subsidies ditched for new fossil fuel projects. “The eight largest fossil fuel companies reported pocketing an extra $6.5 billion in the first quarter of this year alone…I urge governments to tax them" to help vulnerable families and communities and accelerate the shift to clean, affordable energy, Mr. Guterres said.3: Every major AI company should “measure and publicly disclose the full environmental impact” of data centres: their carbon, water and land footprints – and commit to power every data centre with renewable energy by 2030. Today, AI data centres already consume more electricity than most nations; “it’s time to come clean”, the UN chief noted.By 2030, AI data centres could use enough water to meet the basic needs of all 1.3 billion residents of sub‑Saharan Africa for an entire year, the UN chief said.4: “No more extraction without development:” Mr. Guterres called for greater support for the move to clean energy in a way that benefits workers and communities everywhere and developing countries too, driven forward by the UN Climate Conference – COP31 – in Türkiye. “The transition itself is no longer in question,” he stressed, adding: “It will be either managed or chaotic, fair or unequal, a source of stability or of greater division; and these choices are still ours to make.”5: Protect those most at risk from climate chaos by helping them adapt, because this “saves lives, safeguards homes and communities, helps economies absorb shocks and holds societies together”, the Secretary-General insisted. Contingency systems need to be put in place before shocks become humanitarian and economic catastrophes, Mr. Guterres added. At the same time, developed countries must deliver on their “long-standing commitment to double adaptation finance, with a clear trajectory toward tripling it”, he said.6: Support fair finance to support phasing out fossil fuels and the green transition at scale and at speed: because many developing countries face borrowing costs that are two to three times higher than in wealthier economies.“Countries rich in renewable potential are being locked out of the clean energy revolution,” the UN chief maintained, pointing to African countries which receive only two per cent of global clean energy investment even though they possess 60 per cent of the world’s best solar resources.Mr. Guterres highlighted the $600-800 billion in additional lending capacity of multilateral development banks, such as the World Bank. This should be used “aggressively” to finance the infrastructure of the future and climate adaptation, along with other investment measures such as taxing high-emitting sectors, he maintained.Equally, “developed countries must keep their promises", including support to the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage and the Green Climate Fund, the Secretary-General continued, noting that the $300 billion pledged to developing countries must be delivered along with concrete steps to mobilize $1.3 trillion a year by 2035.7: Finally, the UN Secretary-General urged support for science as the bedrock of truth and early warning systems - and to tackle climate falsehoods, since "disinformation is spreading deliberately to delay climate action, entrench vested interests, and erode trust”.Human rights defenders and journalists reporting on the climate and the environment should be protected and trust in evidence and institutions bolstered, Mr. Guterres insisted, pointing to the Global Initiative for Information Integrity on Climate Change, led by the UN, UNESCO and Brazil in support of this goal.  

Marking the World Day Against Child Labour on 12 June, the International Labour Organization (ILO), UNICEF and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Türkiye convened a high-level roundtable to commemorate the World Day Against Child Labour.  Held under the auspices of the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Türkiye, the event brought together representatives of government institutions, workers’ and employers’ organizations, UN agencies, civil society organizations and academia to celebrate the progress, reaffirm commitment and discuss pathways for translating commitments into coordinated and accelerated action.   Addressing the meeting, UN Resident Coordinator Babatunde Ahonsi highlighted that “Child labour has no place in our societies. Every child has the right to learn, to be protected and to develop their full potential”. He underlined that elimination of child labour is closely linked to the broader Sustainable Development Goals. “As we approach the final years of the 2030 Agenda, we are reminded that progress towards Sustainable Development Goal Target 8.7 remains essential to achieving the broader vision of sustainable development”, he said.The roundtable, titled “Accelerating Action to End Child Labour: From Commitment to Integrated and Coordinated Action,” focused on strengthening national efforts in line with the Marrakech Framework for Action adopted at the Sixth Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour.Opening the discussions, ILO Director for Türkiye Yasser Hassan highlighted key messages emerging from recent global discussions as reflected in “Marrakech Global Framework for Actions Against Child Labour”.“Progress is possible, child labour is not inevitable, and determined action delivers results,” Hassan said, referring to the message of the latest ILO–UNICEF Global Estimates on Child Labour. He noted that while progress has been achieved, hazardous work remains one of the worst forms of child labour and continues to affect children across all age groups.Hassan stressed that understanding child labour goes beyond determining whether children are working. “We must also consider the conditions in which children work, the risks they face, and the impact on their education, development and well-being,” he said.He highlighted that winning the fight against child labour is possible through prevention, and that “strong social protection systems remain one of the most effective ways to prevent child labour.”Translating commitments into actionEmphasizing the importance of implementation, Hassan underscored the need to build on international labour standards and existing national efforts. “At the centre of this agenda are ILO Convention No. 138 on Minimum Age, Convention No. 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, instruments ratified by Türkiye and backed by enforcement and child protection systems,” he said.He called for continued coordination among stakeholders, stronger monitoring and accountability mechanisms, improved data collection, and sustained efforts to address legal and enforcement gaps. He also highlighted the importance of promoting responsible business conduct and human rights due diligence across domestic and global supply chains.Hassan further emphasized the indispensable role of workers’ and employers’ organizations in shaping workplaces and policies that deliver decent work and support integrated action against child labour.Addressing emerging risks in the digital ageReferring to discussions at the Marrakech Conference, ILO Director Yasser Hassan highlighted the opportunities and risks associated with digital transformation.“Digital transformation can boost productivity and reduce poverty, but it can also bring new risks, including technology-facilitated commercial sexual exploitation of children,” he said. “We must ensure that technology is designed and governed with children’s rights at the core.”He also stressed the growing importance of multilateral cooperation and multi-stakeholder partnerships in tackling complex challenges that transcend borders and generations.“Alliance 8.7, the leading global partnership to eliminate child labour and forced labour, reflects this reality,” Hassan said, concluding with a message echoed by the ILO Director-General at the Marrakech Conference: “Let us choose implementation over intention, accountability over aspiration, and accelerated action over incremental progress.”Strengthening coordination through social dialogue, multilateral and mutli-stakeholder partnerships The roundtable provided a platform for senior representatives from the UNICEF and FAO who highlighted the importance of strengthening child protection and ensuring more child-sensitive social protection systems, guaranteeing education continuity and quality, tackling poverty, and support action for rural development through strengthening family farming system, promoting women’s economic empowerment,  rural employment for adults, and enhanced income opportunities in the agri-food value chains. The roundtable was honoured by the presence of Mr. Lutfihak Alpkan, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Security, who underlined that commitment of the government to combating child labour through a holistic and comprehensive approach referring to the progress achieved by Türkiye due to sound legal and policy frameworks and coordinated implementation with the involvement of public actors at central and local level as well as the involvement of social partners. He referred to relevant policy documents including the National Employment Strategy 2025-2028, which prioritizes green and digital transformation, skill matching, inclusive employment, sustainable job creation and rural development. Senior representatives of Ministry of National Education, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, other public institutions alongside senior representatives of workers’ and employers’ organizations, TÜRK-İŞ HAK-İŞ, DİSK, TİSK and TESK who contributed to the discussions by reaffirming their commitment to tripartite dialogue for policy making and implementation as well as for collective and coordinated action for strengthened prevention, protection and remedial measures. The event was participated by EU Delegation in Türkiye as well as by representatives of ILO development partners from CAOBISCO and FERRERO.The event concluded with participants raising the red card to child labour, demonstrating their collective support for the ILO’s 2026 campaign to accelerate action towards the elimination of child labour.

The Zero Waste Forum 2026 took place in Istanbul from 5 to 7 June 2026 under the theme “The Road to Antalya: Zero Waste as Climate Action,” bringing together ministers, mayors, business leaders, representatives of international organizations, technical experts, academia and civil society ahead of COP31, which Türkiye will host in Antalya in November 2026.The United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in Türkiye maintained a strong and highly visible presence throughout the Forum, demonstrating a whole-of-UN approach to advancing climate action, circular economy solutions and sustainable development.UN agencies participated across the Forum programme, contributing to three High-Level Ministerial Sessions, twelve technical sessions and one UN side event, while also engaging visitors through the UN Türkiye Stand and a range of outreach activities.The UN’s contributions spanned a wide range of interconnected themes, including circular economy approaches in industry and technology, sustainable agriculture and food systems, climate change mitigation, energy transition, urban resilience, financing for circular solutions, sustainable consumption and production, gender equality, youth engagement, health and inclusive green transformation.Strong UN Leadership Across High-Level SessionsThe United Nations was represented at the highest level by Dr. Babatunde Ahonsi, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Türkiye, who participated in the High-Level Ministerial Sessions on Industry and Technology, Environment and Climate Change, and Agriculture and Forestry, delivered the closing remarks at the Cities Day with Mayors Roundtable, and moderated the UN Women COP31 side event.Throughout the Forum, the Resident Coordinator highlighted the importance of transforming production and consumption patterns, reducing waste, accelerating industrial decarbonization and strengthening partnerships ahead of COP31. He emphasized that circularity is not only an environmental imperative but also a pathway to innovation, competitiveness, resilience and sustainable development.At the policy level, several UN entities were represented in ministerial discussions. UNEP, UNDP, FAO, WFP and UN Women contributed expertise on climate action, circular economy, sustainable agriculture, energy transition, food systems transformation and gender-responsive approaches to zero waste. Senior representatives, including the Resident Coordinator, the UNDP Resident Representative, the UN Women Country Director, the FAO Representative, the WFP Representative and the Director of UNEP’s Climate Change Division participated in high-level discussions throughout the Forum.Technical Expertise Across the Forum ProgrammeThe UN system also played a prominent role in the Forum’s extensive technical programme.UNEP had the broadest engagement, providing speakers and moderators across numerous sessions on climate mitigation, circular economy financing, waste pricing, organic waste management, industrial circularity, construction and demolition waste, urban sustainability, and data and indicators for zero waste.UN-Habitat contributed to the Cities Day and technical discussions on urban planning, energy systems and waste prevention, while FAO led discussions on food safety, food donations and surplus redistribution. UNFPA highlighted the health and climate impacts of open burning, while UNICEF opened a plenary session focused on children and youth, emphasizing the critical role of younger generations in advancing the zero-waste agenda.The RCO also contributed to discussions on aviation-related waste management, further demonstrating the breadth of UN engagement across sectors.Together, the contributions of RCO, UNEP, UNDP, FAO, WFP, UNICEF, UN Women, UNFPA, IFAD and UN-Habitat showcased the depth of UN expertise and thought leadership across the Forum’s priority themes.UN Türkiye Stand Attracts Nearly 1,000 Visitors A major feature of the Forum was the UN Türkiye Stand, made possible through the in-kind support of the Zero Waste Foundation, which served as a hub for dialogue, outreach, learning and partnership-building throughout the three-day event.Nearly 1,000 Forum participants visited the stand to learn more about the work of the United Nations in Türkiye and its support to national efforts on climate action, sustainable development, disaster resilience, food systems transformation, circular economy approaches, gender equality, youth engagement, sustainable urbanization and the Sustainable Development Goals.The stand showcased the collective work of the UN system in Türkiye through videos, interactive materials and direct engagement with visitors, highlighting how UN entities are supporting Türkiye’s green transformation and preparations for COP31. Particular interest was generated by the “Zero Waste UN Display”, an innovative exhibit created by young people, UN Volunteers and UN interns using materials that had previously been sitting unused in office archives and storage areas. The display demonstrated how creativity, reuse and resource efficiency can transform waste into a powerful message for climate action and responsible consumption. The stand welcomed a wide range of visitors, including government officials, mayors, private sector leaders, civil society organizations, students, members of the diplomatic community and international partners.Among the distinguished visitors were İbrahim Yumaklı, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat, Csaba Kőrösi, President of the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly and Samed Ağırbaş, Chairperson of the Zero Waste Foundation and COP31 High-Level Climate Champion.The UN Türkiye Stand also hosted bilateral meetings, networking opportunities and a social media campaign inviting visitors to share their personal climate and zero-waste commitments, helping to amplify public engagement and awareness.Building Momentum Towards COP31The Forum highlighted the growing recognition that zero waste and circular economy approaches are essential tools for tackling climate change, strengthening resilience and accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.Throughout the discussions, participants emphasized the need to move from commitments to implementation, strengthen partnerships and scale innovative solutions capable of delivering tangible climate and development benefits.As preparations continue for COP31 in Antalya, the United Nations in Türkiye will continue working closely with government institutions, local authorities, the private sector, academia, civil society and young people to advance climate action, support sustainable development and accelerate the transition towards a more resilient, inclusive and circular future. 

Nearly 200 students, young climate advocates, academics and United Nations representatives came together at Bahçeşehir University in Istanbul for a United Nations Türkiye session titled “Youth Leadership in Climate Action: From Advocacy to Impact,” highlighting the critical role of young people in shaping sustainable and climate-resilient communities ahead of COP31, which Türkiye will host in Antalya in 2026.Organized as part of the Global Youth Summit for Sustainability 2026, the session focused on strengthening youth engagement in climate action, advancing dialogue on global climate processes, and exploring pathways for young people to contribute to policy design and implementation. Opening the session, the United Nations Türkiye Resident Coordinator Babatunde Ahonsi underlined the growing urgency of the climate crisis and its direct impact on daily life, cities, livelihoods and future opportunities for young people. “We are meeting at a time when the world feels increasingly unstable. Climate change, biodiversity loss, inequality, rapid urbanization, and technological disruption are converging in ways that no generation has experienced before,” Ahonsi said. “These are not distant or theoretical challenges. They are already shaping your daily lives.” Highlighting how climate change is increasingly affecting cities and communities through floods, heatwaves and environmental degradation, Ahonsi stressed that climate action must be approached not only as an environmental issue, but also as a development and justice issue. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that young people are not only consulted, but actively involved in designing solutions and shaping decisions that will affect their future. Ahonsi also drew attention to the opportunities presented by youth innovation and participation, noting that young people around the world are already building climate applications, mapping flood risks and using digital tools to hold decision-makers accountable.“As we move toward COP31 in 2026, Türkiye is stepping into a global spotlight on climate action,” Ahonsi said. “But COP31 is not only about international negotiations. It is about whether we can accelerate real transformation at national and local levels across energy systems, cities, food systems and disaster resilience.” Welcoming participants to the university, Bahçeşehir University Rector Esra Hatipoğlu emphasized the importance of cooperation with the United Nations system and highlighted the university’s role in promoting international engagement and sustainability.“We are hosting CIFAL Istanbul, UNITAR which carries out important work in Türkiye and the MENA region. As you know, we highly value our relationship with the United Nations,” Hatipoğlu said, adding that it was especially meaningful to host the UN at the university. The panel discussion was moderated by Bülent Açıkgöz Development Finance and Partnerships Officer at UN Türkiye and brought together experts working on climate transparency, youth participation and sustainability; focusing on how global climate governance can be effectively connected to local action and youth leadership. Speakers included Zeynep Bakır from UNDP, Nilgün Çavuşoğlu from UNICEF and Kamil Koray Eryılmaz, Young Climate Envoy of Bahçeşehir University. Opening the panel discussion Açıkgöz emphasized the strong links between climate action and sustainable development. “Climate action is not a standalone agenda; it is deeply interconnected with all Sustainable Development Goals,” he said. “Progress on climate directly shapes outcomes in health, education, poverty reduction, gender equality, and sustainable cities. At the same time, intergenerational justice lies at the heart of climate justice, because the decisions we take today will define the rights, opportunities, and wellbeing of future generations.”Zeynep Bakır highlighted the scale and urgency of the global climate crisis and its deep development implications, while outlining key international frameworks such as the COP process and the role of its Climate Promise initiative in supporting countries to develop more ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and long-term climate strategies. Discussions emphasized the importance of translating global commitments into practical, country-driven and locally anchored climate action.Çavuşoğlu underscored the importance of inclusivity and meaningful youth participation in climate decision-making, particularly for young people from vulnerable and marginalized communities. The discussion highlighted intergenerational equity as a core principle of climate governance and stressed the value of youth-led initiatives as platforms for innovation, awareness and accountability.Complementing these perspectives, the BAU Climate Envoy Eryılmaz focused on the role of youth leadership in bridging advocacy, academia and policy implementation. Discussions highlighted the importance of empowering youth-driven innovation, scaling local climate solutions and strengthening structured youth engagement in the lead-up to COP31, ensuring that young people are not only heard but actively shape climate policies and outcomes.