Climate Report/Overshoot, Iran & other topics - Daily Press Briefing | United Nations

Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General. Highlights: - Climate Report/Overshoot - Iran - Occupied Palestinian Territory - Syria - Nepal - Sudan - Democratic Republic Of The Congo - Ukraine - Nicaragua - Briefings/Tomorrow - Financial Contribution CLIMATE REPORT/OVERSHOOT In a video message on the launch of the latest UN Environment Programme (UNEP) report, called “Limiting Overshoot: Navigating exceedance of 1.5°C and pathways towards return”, the Secretary-General noted that humanity is speeding past the limit to avoid climate catastrophe. He pointed out that we are set to breach the 1.5 degree limit within the next few years, and this summer’s scorching heat, raging wildfires and deadly floods are a warning of what lies ahead. The Secretary-General warned that every fraction of a degree will cost lives, will destroy livelihoods, will deepen inequality and push ecosystems closer to irreversible damage. He stressed that we must make the overshoot as small and short as possible, limiting how high temperatures rise and how long they remain above 1.5, and that the fight for 1.5 degrees is the fight for humanity. IRAN The Secretary-General is gravely concerned by the renewed exchanges of fire overnight between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Secretary-General is deeply alarmed by reports of civilian casualties, including in a strike that reportedly hit a wedding ceremony in Iran. The Secretary-General condemns all attacks against civilians. He recalls that all parties must respect their obligations under international humanitarian law, including the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution. As we have seen, few countries in the region are immune from this escalation, with airspace and critical shipping routes continuing to be heavily impacted. The Secretary-General reiterates his call for an immediate cessation of military action and urges all concerned to exercise restraint and refrain from actions and rhetoric that could further escalate already high tensions. Further escalation, as you can imagine, would have devastating consequences for civilians and for the wider region and beyond. The Middle East escalation has had a devastating impact on civilians and added further pressure on humanitarian needs and operations across the region and beyond. In a region already facing many humanitarian crises, this risks further deterioration at a time when humanitarian operations are already overstretched and underfunded, as we tell you repeatedly. Despite the challenges, we and our humanitarian partners continue to respond with life-saving assistance wherever we can, and whenever we can. The Secretary-General urges the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran to return urgently to diplomacy. A comprehensive and durable settlement can be achieved only through dialogue and negotiations. Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-09-02


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