Antalya:The climate crisis is outrunning humanity, and the world must accelerate its efforts to address it, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Wednesday at the COP31 Leaders' Summit in Antalya, Turkey. Speaking at the opening ceremony, he called on leaders to put an end to the world's addiction to fossil fuels.

According to Cyprus News Agency, Guterres emphasized the urgency of the climate crisis, stating that the last four years had been the hottest on record. He warned that this trajectory is leading to "mutual destruction" and urged humanity to fight harder rather than surrender.

Guterres highlighted progress in renewable energy and transport, noting that solar power had met nearly three-quarters of the net global increase in electricity demand, and nearly one in three cars sold this year was electric. He argued that the case for fossil fuels was collapsing and insisted on the necessity of phasing them out, while acknowledging that this would not happen automatically.

Moreover, Guterres emphasized the need for a new climate justice compact based on shared responsibility and benefits, stressing that climate justice is the defining challenge of the next decade. He called for a just transition, warning of the chaos that could ensue if the world fails to act.

In his closing message, Guterres, whose term as UN Secretary-General ends soon, vowed to continue advocating for climate action, urging everyone to keep fighting for a sustainable future.