The 79th United Nations General Assembly concluded on Saturday, September 28, 2024, with a growing global consensus on the urgent need to phase out fossil fuels.
More than 40 countries echoed the new Pact for the Future, calling for a transition away from oil, gas, and coal production as the new baseline to protect humanity from the worsening climate crisis, air pollution, and conflict.
While the increasing acknowledgment of the need to transition from fossil fuels at the heart of international diplomacy represents progress, there remains no action plan for how the world can enact a global, fair and equitable transition. Observers believe that this strengthens the case for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty – the bold, international plan required to rapidly and equitably transition from the devastation wrought by fossil fuels.
President of Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Wesley Simina, underscored this critical demand in his UNGA address, officially endorsing the Fossil Fuel Treaty initiative. By doing so, FSM became the 14th nation to join the growing bloc of climate pioneer countries.
In their statements, President David Ranibok Adeang of the Republic of Nauru and Prime Minister Feleti Teo of Tuvalu, which had already joined the call for a Fossil Fuel Treaty, underlined their country’s commitment by urging all countries to support this initiative for a sustainable and equitable future.
FSM’s endorsement, coupled with support from former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s and the increasing number of leaders referring to the importance of phasing out fossil fuels in their UNGA addresses, confirm that the Fossil Fuel Treaty is the missing legal framework we need to turn words into genuine action.
UNGA speeches calling for a Fossil Fuel Treaty
President Wesley Simina of the Federated States of Micronesia: “As we take action on non-CO2 pollutants, we also need all countries to come together and agree on a global plan to transition away from fossil fuels in a fair, just and equitable manner. In this connection, I am announcing that Micronesia endorses the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative. We must accelerate all of our efforts to tackle the climate crisis.
“The international community is set to adopt a legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, in Busan, Republic of Korea, later this year. This treaty must address plastic pollution at its source – plastic production, particularly primary plastic polymers derived from fossil fuels. Micronesia’s Bridge to Busan Declaration, launched earlier this year, calls for international support to regulate plastics production in the treaty.”
President David Ranibok Adeang of the Republic of Nauru: “We are pleased to endorse the call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, and we urge countries to back this initiative for a sustainable and equitable future. And we also eagerly await the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on climate change and will closely follow and support the implementation of the court’s guidance in the pursuit of climate justice.”.
Prime Minister Feleti Teo of Tuvalu: “The science is very clear – atmospheric temperatures continue to rise due to the increasing emissions of greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels. Therefore, phasing out fossil fuels is crucial to global efforts to reduce carbon emissions and curb global warming. Towards that objective, Tuvalu and several other like-minded nations are leading the promotion for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative. The initiative is to garner international support on a binding treaty arrangement that regulates and limits the use of fossil fuel with the ultimate objective of total phase out.”
UNGA speeches mentioning the need for a fossil fuel phase out and/or international cooperation for a just transition
Prime Minister Gaston Alphonso Browne of Antigua y Barbuda: “Fossil fuel companies have become the architects of our demise while generating ostentatious profits for the owners. We must fight to end this madness, and I emphasise that we must fight to end this madness in protection of our planet and interests of humanity. We need a fossil fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty to halt the reckless destruction of our environment, to end fossil fuel subsidies, and to chart a course toward a sustainable future with a negotiated and graduated transition.
“Let COP29 be the moment we draw a line in the sand. Let it be known that we can no longer afford the luxury of delay, while we recognise that fossil fuels still play a vital role in the energy security of many countries, and we do not expect the production to seize overnight. We should not support companies extracting oil and gas to continue generating extravagant profits at the expense of our planet.”
Prime Minister Philip Edward Davis of Bahamas: “We must prioritise energy solutions around sources of renewable energy, redirecting the vast subsidies given to the fossil fuel industry towards renewable energy and climate adaptation and mitigation would be a powerful start.”
Denis Bećirović, Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia & Herzegovina: “Regarding climate change, Bosnia and Herzegovina is fully aware of the global situation and is determined to contribute to global efforts. We are committed to the transition to renewable energy sources and reduction of harmful gas emissions.”
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil: “Brazil stands out as a source of opportunities in this world revolutionised by energy transition today, we are one of the countries with the cleanest energy mix. 90% of our electricity comes from renewable sources such as biomass, hydroelectric power, solar power and wind power. We made the choice for biofuels 50 years ago, long before the discussion about alternative energies gained traction. We are at the forefront of other important niches, such as green hydrogen production. It is time to face the debate about the slow pace of the planet’s decarbonisation and work for an economy less reliant on fossil fuels.”
Lejeune Mbella Mbella, Minister for External Affairs of Cameroon: “This appeal and this movement focus, in particular on the better representation of developing countries in these institutions, as well as more equitable taxation, appropriate monetary policy, more sustainable debt, a better adapted energy transition, healthy agriculture, controlled industrialisation and decent work.”
Faustin Archange Touadera, President of Central Republic of Africa: “This 79th session is taking place at a very turbulent time, a time marked by mounting geopolitical crises, the war between Russia and Ukraine, the war between Israel and Hamas, the war in Sudan and in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, terrorism, deteriorating economic conditions which are strangling growth in Africa, as well as rising fuel prices, we stand convinced that only dialog can help us to put an end to conflict in a lasting way.”
Gabriel Boric Font, President of Chile: “In Chile, we are playing our part. We are changing our energy matrix. We are leaving aside fossil fuels, moving towards carbon neutrality, protecting our seas and our woodland.”
Gustavo Petro Urrego, President of Colombia: “The richest 1% of humankind is responsible for climate change, which is gaining ground and is getting ready to destroy the world with oil and carbon, because that is how the world grows rich. (…) The time has come for people to act. Local action needs to be taken globally. We need to come together. Fossil fuel capital cannot continue. People must stop the rising tide of capital. The poison thrown into the atmosphere is lethal, and the chimneys that belch it out must be plugged. Every corner of the world can be a battle against those chimneys.”
Tiémoko Meyliet Koné, Vice-President of Côte d’Ivoire: “To that end, Cote d’Ivoire reiterates its call to developed countries to honour their pledges in climate finance and in supporting the energy transition. The loss and damage fund should be rapidly filled up and used to relieve the suffering of populations in climate distress.”
Taye Atske-Selassie Amde, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia: “This stands as a substantial goal, contribution to the absorption of greenhouse gas and a tangible measure against the adverse impact of climate change, based on its long-term low emission development strategy, it also appears on the path to sustainable energy transformation by developing and transitioning to non-fossil fuel energy sources.
Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere, President of Fiji: “The phase-out of unabated coal power, transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems will contribute to the achievement of net zero targets by 2050.”
Emmanuel Macron, President of France: “Therefore we build an agenda that allows, at the same time, progress to be made in the fight against inequality and for social development, for education, for climate and biodiversity and global health, then solutions need to be made, and these solutions need to be based on the proposals of the states themselves. And this is what we’ve, for example, started to do with partnerships for a just energy transition, not having a one size fits all solution for all from capitals, where we go to inspect countries and ask them to all follow exactly the same recipe.”
Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of Guyana: “Madam President, even with our newfound natural resource oil and gas, it will require less than 20% of sequestered carbon to offset our emissions at maximum output. We have preserved our biodiversity and know its value. We believe it is only fair and just that this global asset be monetised in a fair carbon market.”
Péter Szijjártó, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary: “If you look at the share of Russian gas in the LNG ports in western part of Europe, you might be surprised. Or if you have a look at the oil arriving to the western countries in Europe where it originally came from, you might be surprised as well. And if you look at who is the number one uranium supplier of this very country, the United States, you would be surprised as well. In order to avoid your homework to look for it, this is the Russian Federation, dear colleagues.”
Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani, Prime Minister of Iraq: “This transformation is a complicated matter for Iraq due to the economic structural challenge represented by relying on the public sector to take in the workforce and to use oil revenues to pay the salaries of millions of employees. This dual challenge facing Iraq is the excessive dependence on oil revenues and limiting its ability to diversify economically.”
William Samoei Ruto, President of Kenya: “Strengthening these foundations requires reforming the international financial architecture. Facilitating debt relief, concessional financing, grants, and de-risking lending instruments is essential to increasing investment to develop vital infrastructure and expand critical sectors. Consider Africa’s immense untapped potential in clean energy resources. Harnessing this potential is crucial not only for the continent’s economic growth and social resilience, but also for global priorities like accelerating the energy transition, combating climate change, and diversifying supply chains.”
Hilda Heine President of the Marshall Islands: “We need governments to show both ambition and cooperation, as we all agreed last year, to triple renewable energy deployment, double energy efficiency, and most importantly, to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels and end the subsidies that support them. Despite this, we have seen some of the planet’s wealthiest countries break their pledges, as they double down on fossil fuels.
“This failure of leadership must stop. No new coal mines, no new gas fields, no new oil wells. The financial needs for this energy transition, for adapting to climate impacts, and for repairing the rising loss and damage are in the trillions of dollars. In Baku later this year we will decide whether that money is made available to developing countries. We must see vastly increased contributions.”
Nangolo Mbumba, President of Namibia: “Namibia is working to develop a sustainable energy mix to support its ambitious industrialisation agenda and to contribute to the world’s efforts to combat climate change. We are establishing green industrialisation ecosystems, for decarbonising industries that find it difficult to lower their greenhouse emissions. Investment in these key sectors is critical and Namibia is urging developed nations to scale up support for developing countries to facilitate gradual energy transitions.”
Kashim Shettima, Vice-President of Nigeria: “Mister President, Nigeria remains unwavering in his commitment to SDG 13 climate action, including the net zero ambition and transition from fossil fuel energy to clean energy. As a demonstration of this commitment, the government established the Presidential Committee on climate action and green economy solutions and appointed a special presidential envoy on climate action. We will redouble our efforts to address the challenges posed by climate change, including the urgent need to transition from fossil fuel energy.”
Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, President of North Macedonia: “At national level, with the support of the United Nations and its agencies, we are incorporating the 2030 Agenda into our long-term development strategies, policies and laws. High on our agenda are climate action and green and just transition, gender equality and fighting against discrimination against women and girls, as well as inclusion of young people in decision-making processes.”
Espen Barth Eide, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Norway: “In Dubai, we agreed to transition away from fossil fuels in a just, orderly and equitable manner. In Montreal, we agreed to reset our partnership with nature. In Nairobi, we launched a negotiation process towards the treaty to end plastic pollution. And here in New York, we agreed to take better care of our common oceans. What is true for all these agreements and the pact for the future alike, however, is that the real verdict lies in our ability to implement them. We must act.”
Uduch Sengebau Senior, Vice-President of Palau: “Mitigation is equally important. Palau is committed to reducing carbon emissions and transitioning to renewable energy. Solar, wind, and ocean energy provide opportunities to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels and secure a cleaner, more sustainable future. Our Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) reflect this commitment, and we remain mindful of the environmental impacts of renewable energy waste, such as solar panels and batteries, which require responsible management.”
James Marape, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea: “The acceleration of climate change, for instance, is a direct result of mankind’s insatiable appetite for resources. In an attitude of ‘survival of the fittest’, nations and corporations jostle and stampede over each other to harvest resources, causing environmental degradation, deforestation, burning of fossil fuel, and pollution, spiralling our planet into climate catastrophes that will further engender poverty.”
Luís Montenegro, Prime Minister of Portugal: “Portugal remains committed to investing in renewable energies and phasing out fossil fuels. We want to incorporate 47 percent renewables into final energy consumption by 2030. We have also favoured the introduction of innovative financial mechanisms, including SIDS. An example of this is the agreements signed by Portugal with Cape Verde and São Tomé and Príncipe to transform debt into climate investment, thus supporting the energy transition.”
Klaus Werner Iohannis, President of Romania: “The impact of climate change is a growing threat to our security and its consequences are already obvious. As these negative events increase, they impact democracy, economies, energy, connectivity and geopolitics, it is vital to further enhance international cooperation and ensure the much-needed civil protection mechanisms. Romania actively participates at international level in the exercises, projects and actions to provide emergency response, especially to limit the impact of wildfires. The UN system is essential to mainstream our efforts and to create synergies, we need to accelerate our work to keep the 1.5 degrees target alive, and since climate change is a threat multiplier, Romania supports an integrated approach to the climate and security Nexus within the United Nations system. Green transition also includes energy transition while ensuring energy security as an important development marker.”
Luca Beccari, Minister for Foreign Affairs of San Marino: “We support the commitment taken at COP28 last December, which included the imperative of transitioning away from fossil fuel in the energy system in a just, orderly and equitable manner, tripling renewable energy capacity globally and doubling energy efficiency by 2030 in line with 1.5 degree pathways.”
Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia: “President, on the energy front, we are working to achieve energy security and to guarantee access to energy at reasonable prices and to mitigate the effects of climate change, we seek to ensure stability in international markets, the international oil markets, and to guarantee access to this energy and guarantee security in the supply chains. In order to ensure a prosperous international economy. We are also fighting against climate change, in particular by adopting a holistic approach to the energy transition. In that regard, we seek to respect the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement making the most of all the techniques we have available to us in order to limit our greenhouse gas emissions”.
Bassírou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, President of Senegal: “We must do that by respecting the principle rather of common but differentiated responsibility. The industrialised country, historically responsible for mass greenhouse gas emissions, must step up their efforts to finance a just and equitable energy transition which does not penalise developing nations.”
Wavel Ramkalawan, President of Seychelles: “The obligations outlined in the Paris Agreement are the lifelines that give us a chance if all States did their utmost to adhere to them. Our reliance on fossil fuels is unsustainable and detrimental. We must accelerate energy transition towards renewables and mobilise investment in the technology and infrastructure to give us any prospect of real energy security.”
Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa: “As signatory to the Paris agreement, we are contributing our fair share towards the global effort and have a Just Energy Transition Plan to guide our carbon journey and climate resilient development.”
Ramadhan Abdalla Mohammed Goc, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of South Sudan: “Mister President, distinguished delegates, it’s worth mentioning that the conflict in the Republic of Sudan has also directly impacted the economic situation in Republic of South Sudan, with oil production significantly reduced since April this year, given the fact that our economy is entirely relying on revenues that we collect from the sale of oil that pass through Port Sudan.”
Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón, President of the Government of Spain: “Science that puts a human being at the heart of our concerns, and its concerns and its science that today reminds us that there’s only one alternative we need to eliminate, eliminate fossil fuels. There needs to be more renewable energies and more energy efficiency. (…) At the same time, energy produced by fossil fuels is drastically reducing.”
Chandrikapersad Santokhi, President of Suriname: “Carbon negative, and carbon-neutral countries, must be supported, for maintaining that status. We are in favour of a just transition, to a carbon-less economy, over the coming decades,but we also expect, to be allowed, to develop our natural resources, in an environmentally friendly and balanced manner, in compliance with international standards, and practices.”
Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, President of Togo: “This is in particular true for our efforts when it comes to climate adaptation and resilience, Africa is a region that is one of the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, even though Africa, as a continent, contributes the least to greenhouse gas emissions, the harmful impact of climate Change seen in Africa in terms of food security and the migration challenges that this causes cannot be underestimated.”
Robinah Nabbanja, Prime Minister of Uganda: “Uganda calls on developed countries to provide the necessary financial, technical as well as capacity building to support developing countries to effectively address climate change. We demand for climate justice, recognizing that richer countries, having historically profited from high emission activities for the development of their economies, bear a great obligation to lead in mitigating these impacts.
“Therefore, high income countries should reduce their emissions and equally support developing countries in their graduate transition to low emission development pathways without using the environment as a political and economic tool to break or slow down their development. We emphasise that climate finance should be additional to official development assistance.”
Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the UK: “We have lifted the de facto ban on onshore wind in England, ended new oil and gas licences and created Great British Energy as we become the first major economy to transition to clean power by 2030.”
Kassim Majaliwa Majaliwa, Prime Minister of United Republic of Tanzania: “It is worth remembering that globally, an estimated 2.4. billion people are still using polluting fuel for cooking. This contributes to health problems, food insecurity, gender inequality and environmental damage, including millions of premature deaths, limited access to education, employment for women and children, and increased household gas emission and deforestation.”
Joseph R. Biden, President of the USA: “Now, we call on our partners to match our pledge and make this a billion dollar commitment to the people of Africa beyond the core necessities of food and health. The United States, the G7 and our partners have embarked on an ambitious initiative to mobilise and deliver significant finance in the developing world. We’re working to help countries build out their infrastructure to clean energy transition, to the digital transformation, to lay new economic foundations for a prosperous future. It’s called the Partnership for global infrastructure and investment.”
