Statement at special event ahead of COP31: A Planet Fit for the Future - Restoring Trust through Climate Action

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Excellencies, dear colleagues,

Sweden aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union and would like to add the following remarks in our national capacity.

First of all, thank you, Mr President, for bringing us together at this important moment, as we look ahead to COP31 following the recent Pre-COP in Fiji and Tuvalu.

Like many others, Sweden wishes to underscore both the severity of the climate crisis and the urgency of raising global climate ambition.

Climate action is not only an environmental issue. It is also a pathway to economic competitiveness, energy security, resilience, sustainable development and global stability.

I expect COP31 to send a clear signal to markets and actors globally that the transition to net-zero is indeed accelerating. We have the solutions. Policymakers need to set regulatory frameworks in place that strengthen demand for these solutions. Swedish business actors will be on the ground at COP31 to showcase the solutions they can offer across sectors such as energy, transport, industry, waste and food systems to accelerate NDC implementation. 

This must be accompanied by an orderly and just transition away from fossil fuels and towards increased electrification, improved energy efficiency, and the rapid deployment of renewable energy and other clean energy solutions. 

The Paris Agreement remains our best framework for collective climate action, with the NDCs, and Science and innovation at its core.

To deliver on our shared goals, we need greater flows of public and private capital and better alignment of financial flows with climate-resilient and low-emission development pathways.

Sweden is among the world's largest providers of international climate finance on a per capita basis, including through the Green Climate Fund, the Global Environment Facility and the Adaptation Fund.

We encourage others to step up their support, particularly for low-lying coastal states, Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States.

Multi-hazard early warning systems are among the most effective means of protecting lives and livelihoods - yet coverage and operational capacity remain uneven.

COP31 should help accelerate efforts to close these gaps and ensure that no community is left without access to life-saving early warning systems.

Sweden remains fully committed to working constructively with all Parties and observers to make COP31 a success.

Thank you.