Balakrishnan calls for sustained, ambitious global response

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Balakrishnan calls for sustained, ambitious global response

The moment of delivery is the most dangerous moment in a new world order. Why will we have a more divided, less prosperous and less peaceful world?

He highlighted three areas where there is an urgent need to build resilience.

One of the most pressing challenges facing humanity today is climate change, according to Balakrishnan.

We need a sustained and ambitious global response. It's absolutely critical that all countries adhere to the Paris Agreement and the Glasgow Climate Pact. We need to increase cooperation in the transition to net zero. This will require significant economic restructuring, technological breakthroughs, investments and behavioural changes with the UN-led multilateral system key in getting everyone together to move in the same direction without leaving any behind, he said.

He highlighted Singapore's moves to raise climate ambition to achieve net-zero emissions by or around mid-century and progressively raise carbon taxes, which were announced at Budget 2022.

A related issue is food security, a threat to which has been exacerbated by climate change, the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, he said. The minister said that 828 million people were affected by hunger last year, 46 million more than in 2020 and 150 million more than in 2019 based on a UN report.

We need to reverse this trend. We need to make sure food supply chains remain open and operate smoothly.

We must be innovative and use technology to adapt to new challenges. For example, working together to develop climate-resilient food systems, while developing the necessary precautions for food safety.