UN Secretary-General Flags Israeli ‘Intimidation,’ Warns of Climate Goal Collapse

UN Chief Warns Against Israeli ‘Intimidation,’ Sounds Alarm on Collapsing Climate Goals.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday urged the international community not to be “intimidated” by Israel amid threats to annex parts of the occupied West Bank, while also warning that global climate targets are on the verge of collapse.

In an interview with AFP ahead of the UN General Assembly’s high-level week, Guterres said countries should continue recognizing a Palestinian state despite potential Israeli retaliation. “With or without doing what we are doing, these actions would go on. At least there is a chance to mobilize the international community to put pressure for them not to happen,” he said.

The assembly, attended by more than 140 world leaders, is expected to focus on the war in Gaza and the Palestinian issue. France announced that 10 countries plan to recognize Palestinian statehood, despite Israeli objections. Guterres described the situation in Gaza as “horrendous,” citing famine, collapsing health care, and mass displacement.

Guterres also sounded the alarm on climate action, warning that efforts to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels — the core goal of the Paris Agreement — are faltering. “We are on the verge of this objective collapsing,” he said, urging countries to submit updated Nationally Determined Contributions and drastically reduce emissions in the coming years. With COP30 in Brazil approaching, major powers including China and the EU have yet to unveil updated pledges, while current warming already stands at 1.4°C.