UN Secretary-General’s Clean Energy Vision Broadcast Live in Islamabad
Islamabad – July 23, 2025 (Adnan Hameed) : In parallel with events across the world, the United Nations Information Center (UNIC) in Islamabad organized a live streaming of the Secretary-General’s speech from New York for Pakistani media representatives. The event was part of a coordinated global initiative to amplify the SG’s message and underline the economic opportunities that bold climate action presents, especially for developing countries like Pakistan.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has issued a powerful global call to “supercharge the clean energy age,” declaring that the world stands at a pivotal “moment of opportunity” to shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy and reshape the global economy.
Speaking at the launch of a new report titled “A Moment of Opportunity: Supercharging the Clean Energy Age”, Guterres emphasized that while the world is gripped by geopolitical conflict and climate chaos, a parallel transformation is underway — driven by clean energy innovation, economic logic, and growing public demand.
“The sun is rising on a clean energy age,” Guterres declared, citing that over $2 trillion was invested in clean energy last year — $800 billion more than in fossil fuels. He noted that solar and wind are now significantly cheaper than traditional fossil fuel sources and account for almost all new power capacity worldwide.
The Secretary-General urged world leaders to use upcoming climate plans (NDCs) and the COP30 summit in Brazil as opportunities to set clear, ambitious, and coherent targets to triple renewables and double energy efficiency by 2030.
He also warned that despite progress, the transition remains neither fast enough nor fair enough. While OECD countries and China dominate renewable power installations, Africa — despite having 60% of the world’s best solar resources — receives only 2% of global clean energy investment.
“Countries that cling to fossil fuels are not protecting their economies — they are sabotaging them,” Guterres warned, highlighting how renewables now offer the most affordable and secure energy path, freeing nations from the volatility of fossil fuel markets.
In a wide-ranging address, the Secretary-General outlined six key action areas to accelerate the clean energy transition: Six Pathways to Power the Planet
1. Bold National Climate Plans (NDCs):
Every country must submit ambitious, economy-wide strategies aligned with the 1.5°C goal—well ahead of COP30 in Brazil this November.
2. Modern Energy Infrastructure:
More investment is needed in grids, storage, and electrification. Three times more renewable energy is waiting to be connected than what was added last year.
3. Meeting Energy Demand Sustainably:
With AI and digital technologies consuming more power, Guterres challenged major tech firms to go 100% renewable for data centers by 2030.
4. Just Transition for All:
Clean energy must also mean social justice—support for fossil fuel workers, women, youth, and Indigenous Peoples, plus fair extraction of critical minerals.
5. Trade and Investment Reform:
Cut tariffs on green tech. Diversify supply chains. Reform outdated treaties that fossil fuel interests exploit to delay the transition.
6. Financing the Future:
Developing nations are being left behind. Only 2% of clean energy investment reached Africa in 2024. Guterres urged reform of global finance and more debt-for-climate swaps to unlock trillions in sustainable investment.
Guterres stressed the need to reform global financial systems and increase support from multilateral banks to unlock private capital for clean energy projects in the Global South.
He also issued a heartfelt message to young people, acknowledging the failures of older generations while expressing hope that youth can lead the change. “My generation has largely failed,” he said. “But the tools are now available for a just transition. I believe the new generations will accelerate and consolidate a new way for humanity to live in harmony with nature.”
The Secretary-General concluded by urging public pressure on governments to act with ambition and urgency, warning that while the fossil fuel age is “flailing and failing,” the clean energy future won’t happen on its own. “This is our moment of opportunity. Let’s make the most of it.”
Following the live address, Mr. Samuel Rizk, UNDP Resident Representative in Pakistan, engaged in an interactive discussion with local journalists. He responded to media questions, contextualizing the speech and its recommendations within Pakistan’s national climate and energy landscape. He also reiterated the UN’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s climate resilience, policy reforms, and access to international climate finance.
