In a video message to the International Energy Agency Summit on Clean Cooking in Africa, UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the urgent need for worldwide collaboration to address the critical issue of clean cooking.
Guterres commended the International Energy Agency (IEA) and its Executive Director, Dr. Fatih Birol, for organizing the Summit, stressing the importance of the gathering in tackling a pressing global challenge.
The Secretary-General highlighted the dire consequences of traditional cooking methods, which disproportionately affect over 2 billion people, primarily those living in poverty. These methods not only contribute to health problems but also hinder sustainable development efforts and exacerbate climate change.
Of particular concern is the impact on women and girls, who bear the burden of collecting fuels and preparing meals, as well as the health risks associated with indoor pollution. Guterres underscored the need for immediate action to address these injustices, emphasizing the importance of providing universal access to clean cooking by 2030 and achieving net-zero cooking emissions by 2050.
Guterres outlined the UN’s Global Roadmap for Just and Inclusive Clean Cooking Transition as a blueprint for achieving these goals. He urged stakeholders to implement this roadmap and ensure adequate financing for clean cooking initiatives, including sustainable development and climate action.
Highlighting the responsibility of developed countries to fulfill their climate finance commitments, Guterres called for collective efforts to secure a robust financial outcome at COP29 later this year. Additionally, he urged support for the UN’s proposal for a Sustainable Development Goals Stimulus of $500 billion annually, aimed at providing affordable, long-term financing for countries in need.
In closing, Guterres urged global cooperation to address the urgent need for clean cooking solutions, emphasizing the potential to create a healthier, safer, and more equitable world for all.
The Secretary-General’s message underscores the critical importance of addressing clean cooking as part of broader efforts to achieve sustainable development and combat climate change on a global scale.
