Launch of the UN Report “Seizing the Moment of Opportunity: Supercharging the New Energy Era of Renewables - RC's talking points

Welcome: Ambassador Jose Mauro Cuoto, Violeta Jovanovic/ED NALED, Yakup Beris/UNDP. Youth representatives from UNICEF Youth Board, which are working on energy and climate issues. Private sector is the motor for transformation in the energy sector. Thank the diplomatic community, international organizations and civil society for being here. 

Two brief messages from my side:

Today, we meet as the SG’s report is launched: “Seizing the Moment of Opportunity - Supercharging the new energy era of renewables, efficiency, and electrification”. The report has been prepared by the SGs Climate Action Team with input from across the UN system and leading global institutions. It synthesizes the latest science and evidence on the progress and opportunities of the clean energy economy. Its message is clear: We stand at a unique and defining moment in history. The world is undergoing a breakthrough in the rapid and widespread transition from energy systems dominated by fossil fuels to those powered by homegrown, low-cost renewables. Renewable energy technologies have undergone a remarkable transformation, with spectacular cost declines and manufacturing capacity growth. This is, indeed, a moment of opportunity. 

Accelerating the transition away from fossil fuels to clean energy, with a particular focus on the roles of renewables, electrification, and energy efficiency, are themes that are highly relevant for Serbia. It is also important to highlight that this transition will have major effects, not only related to climate change, but also in terms of health due to reduced air pollution, as well as new types of economic sectors and employment opportunities. 

The second message is related to the broader climate change agenda. Ten years since the Paris Agreement was adopted, countries need to raise their ambition and follow through on implementation of their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). 

It is of critical importance that countries come forward with even more ambitious, economy wide NDCs ahead of COP 30, that align with the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5C as compared to pre-industrial levels.  We are running out of time to close the emissions gap, and we only need to look at the scale of impacts we are already seeing to understand the urgency of the situation.

Countries’ NDCs are whole-of-government efforts that can drive immediate decarbonization and strengthen resilience to climate impacts, in alignment with national development priorities. They also act as investment plans, spurring socio-economic development and the achievement of the SDGs.  

The Secretary-General is inviting Heads of State and Government to come to New York to announce their NDCs and strengthen the global response to the climate crisis. This will be a special high-level event convened under his auspices at United Nations Headquarters, together with the President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, on the 24 September 2025. We hope to see Serbia, that is in the final stages of formulating its NDC 3.0, to be present it at this event. 

With that, I leave the word to our panelists, Starting with The Ambassador of Brazil, Jose Mauro Cuoto, representing the Presidency of the 30th Climate Change Conference that will be held in Belem do Para in December this year.

The UN system support to countries efforts to address climate change mitigation, adaptation and to access climate finance. It has been steadfast for the last 20+ years. To hear from how this work takes form in Serbia, Let us hear from Yakup Beris, UNDP representative.

The private sector has a key role in the energy transition. We are pleased to have NALED with us today, that has recently formed a Council for Sustainable Energy that brings together private sector, government and civil society to support energy policies.