United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for a more equitable distribution of the economic benefits from critical minerals, warning that the clean energy transition must not reproduce the exploitation and inequalities associated with past resource development.
Speaking at the opening of the 81st UN General Assembly (UNGA81), Guterres said countries producing critical minerals and communities affected by mining should retain a significantly larger share of the value generated from their natural resources.
“Producing countries and affected communities must retain a far greater share of the value created from their resources,” Guterres said. “No more plundering. No more exploitation.”
The comments come as demand for minerals used in clean energy technologies increases the strategic importance of resource-rich economies and intensifies debate over how value is distributed across global supply chains.
Guterres said the transition away from fossil fuels presented an opportunity to rebalance global power relations but warned that the process could either be orderly and fair or impose further costs on vulnerable countries and communities.
Renewables and Energy Security
Guterres described the expansion of clean energy as one of the most significant shifts in global power relations in recent years.
“The sun belongs to no one. The wind cannot be embargoed. Innovation can come from everywhere,” he said.
He argued that renewable energy offers a path toward energy security, independence and sustainable growth, adding that renewables are now the cheapest source of new electricity in most of the world.
Guterres called on governments to adopt national plans for transitioning away from fossil fuels in line with the 1.5-degree Celsius climate target, with clear timelines and protections for affected workers and communities.
He said the central question was whether the transition would be based on international cooperation or become a chaotic and costly process that leaves people and countries behind.
Climate Finance Gap
The UN chief also pressed developed countries to increase financial support for climate adaptation in developing economies.
He called for adaptation finance to be tripled and urged governments to ensure that the Loss and Damage Fund operates at scale.
Guterres contrasted the profits earned by major Western oil companies since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with international public adaptation finance for developing countries.
He said five major Western oil companies had accumulated nearly half a trillion dollars in profits, compared with $34 billion in international public adaptation finance in the latest year reported.
“Polluters must pay,” Guterres said, arguing that those who contributed most to climate change and benefited most from fossil fuel use should do more to address the resulting damage.
He also urged governments to end deforestation, invest in electricity grids and storage, and reduce methane emissions.
Guterres said the climate crisis was not only an environmental challenge but also a question of economic power, intergenerational equity and access to development opportunities.
