Addressing the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy highlighted the grave threats posed by climate change to the global community.
The 78th session of the UNGA, attended by leaders from over 145 nations, served as the platform for Zelenskyy's urgent call to action.
"Humanity is failing on its climate policy objectives," Zelenskyy warned. He further cautioned that the failure to address climate change could lead to extreme weather conditions disrupting global life and potentially being weaponized by malevolent states.
The Ukrainian leader pointed to the tragic loss of life due to natural disasters, citing Morocco and Libya as examples. Amid these global crises, Zelenskyy accused Russia of instigating a large-scale war that has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands.
Zelenskyy urged the United Nations to take decisive action against Russia, asserting that collective unity could serve as a deterrent to further aggression. "It takes our unity to make sure that aggression will not break in again," he stated.
According to a BBC analyst, Zelenskyy accused Russia of exploiting world food shortages, energy resources, and nuclear power. This allegation appears to reference Russia's refusal to renew a grain deal that facilitated Ukraine's grain export across the Black Sea, coupled with Russia's bombardment of Ukrainian ports.
"Since the start of the full-scale war, the Ukrainian ports have been blocked by Russia," Zelenskyy revealed. He added that Ukrainian ports on the Danube River continue to be targeted by missiles and drones.
The Ukrainian president went on to label the Russian invasion as a "genocide."
Zelenskyy has previously drawn a connection between climate change and Russia's war on Ukraine. In November 2022, he spoke at a United Nations' climate change summit about the detrimental impact of the war on global efforts to combat climate change, as reported by France24.
"We must stop those who, with their insane and illegal war, are destroying the worlds ability to work united for a common goal," Zelenskyy urged, according to France24.
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