United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has bid farewell to the UN Climate Change team at the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye, marking his final participation in the annual climate summit as Secretary-General.
Guterres, who has consistently placed climate action at the centre of his leadership over the past decade, was commended by the UN Climate Change team for his advocacy for science-based climate policies and his support for communities most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
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The UN Climate Change team acknowledged his leadership, conviction and sustained commitment to advancing global climate action.
At his final COP press conference as Secretary-General, Guterres maintained his call for urgent and decisive action to address the climate crisis, urging world leaders to remain guided by scientific evidence.
“Face the facts. Follow the science. Choose the future. And never give up,” he said.
Meanwhile, climate negotiations continued at COP31, with delegates engaging in intensive discussions and consultations to reach consensus on outstanding issues.
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The conference also featured a meeting of the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action, which brings together finance ministers from different countries to integrate climate considerations into economic policies, national budgets and investment decisions.
Discussions highlighted the importance of mobilising adequate financial resources to translate climate commitments into practical action, particularly in supporting climate-resilient development and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
In another significant moment, representatives of Indigenous Peoples paid tribute to Guterres in recognition of his advocacy for Indigenous rights and his acknowledgement of their contributions to protecting ecosystems and addressing climate change.
Participants also attended an event on the Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism, a framework designed to facilitate carbon-credit transactions and support emissions-reduction activities under the Paris Agreement.
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Beyond the formal sessions, photographs from the conference captured delegates holding consultations in corridors, attending meetings and working late into the night as negotiations progressed.
The scenes reflected the intensive diplomatic engagements and sustained efforts required to reach agreement on the outstanding issues before the conclusion of COP31.