BERLIN, April 21 (Xinhua) -- The 17th Petersberg Climate Dialogue opened in Berlin on Tuesday with senior United Nations officials calling for faster climate action and a quicker shift away from fossil fuels amid rising geopolitical tensions and energy costs.
In a video message to the meeting, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that fossil fuels are damaging both the planet and the global economy, urging countries to accelerate the renewable energy transition for climate stability, energy security, and a livable future.
UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell said that the world is facing the threat of fossil-fuel-driven stagflation and that climate cooperation is key to fending off the twin crises of global heating and fossil-fuel cost chaos.
Hosted by Germany since 2010, the two-day dialogue brings together ministers and senior representatives from over 40 countries ahead of the 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31). About 400 participants are expected to discuss priorities for 2026 and build support for more ambitious climate action. ■
