UN chief urges global action on climate financing and debt relief

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Jakarta on Sept 7. Guterres came to Asean with a plea to show leadership in the fight against climate change. - Nikkei Asia via Laotian Times

VIENTIANE (Loatian Times): The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the urgent need for a robust debt workout mechanism to facilitate global climate financing, citing challenges faced by energy transition initiatives in Indonesia and Vietnam as prime examples of the critical need for action.

Guterres praised the innovative Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETP) that allowed Indonesia and Vietnam, both members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), to secure pledges from developed countries and international financial institutions.