China calls for stronger global climate governance

China's permanent representative to the United Nations, Fu Cong, called on Friday for stronger global climate governance and an accelerated green and just transition.

Fu spoke at a high-level meeting titled "A Planet Fit for the Future: Restoring Trust through Climate Action," convened by the president of the UN General Assembly ahead of the 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31).

He urged the international community to stand united and accelerate action to achieve balanced, positive and practical outcomes at COP31.

Multilateral cooperation remains the most effective way to address climate challenges, Fu said. He called on countries to maintain their resolve and sustain their efforts to fully and effectively implement the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement.

Fu said countries should pursue a green and just transition along pathways suited to their national circumstances and resources, ensuring a just and orderly process. He urged stronger cooperation on critical minerals to build a fair, open, inclusive and mutually beneficial governance system that promotes environmentally sustainable practices and supports the energy transition.

Fu also called for greater support to strengthen developing countries' capacity for climate action. Developed countries should fulfill their climate commitments, while multilateral development banks and the private sector should increase climate investment and financing to help address gaps in funding, technology and capacity.

Countries should expand international cooperation on early warning systems, risk assessment, disaster prevention and mitigation, and improve mechanisms for rapid disbursement from the Fund for responding to Loss and Damage, he said.

China actively promotes and contributes to global climate action and has engaged in green cooperation with more than 100 countries and regions, Fu said.

China is ready to work with all parties to strengthen trust and cooperation through climate action and build a community with a shared future for humanity, he added.