If the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) marks its 80th session as The key crossroads – Not only as a platform for global diplomacy, but also as a moral compass in an ever-elevating climate era.
Beginning in 1945, as a beacon of peace and multilateralism, it must now develop to address the greatest existential threat of our time: climate change. In this way, it must ensure the human rights aspect of this crisis to ensure justice to those who are the least responsible but most affected.
During this year of history, UNGA is unable to provide only symbolic gestures. It must embrace real emergency climate action, especially in areas where adaptation and loss and damage funds are taken, and promote the recognition that climbing changes are not only environmental or economic issues, but also violations of fundamental human rights.
This injustice Starker is everywhere in Pakistan, facing one of the worst climate disasters in recent history. In 2022, Disastrous flooding It flooded one-third of the country, affected 33 million people, killed more than 1,700 people and showed millions. Economic losses are estimated to exceed US$30 billion. Monsoon or cloud explosion triggers 2025 Flood More than 800 death sentences were left in June.
For a country with less than one percent of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, damage is not only tragic, but also unjust. Pakistan’s experience is a grim reminder that climate change has no borders and its impact is disproportionately under the least resources that the state and population bear.
The United Nations General Assembly is unable to provide only symbolic gestures. It must embrace real emergency climate action.
Repeated flooding in Pakistan Not just natural disasters;They are the most vulnerable symptoms of global systems. As the climate crisis is intensified, extreme weather events will no longer remain isolated, but will become more frequent and intense.
create COP27 Loss and Damage Fund It is a historic moment to recognize the responsibility of high-launch countries to support those suffering the worst climate impacts. However, nearly two years later, the fund has been underfunded and underdelivered. Without substantial and sustained contributions, the fund’s commitments will remain empty.
Adaptive efforts aimed at helping communities adapt to climate change have also suffered from severe underfunding. According to the United Nations, adaptive financing needs in developing countries may increase to $300 billion per year by 2030, but current traffic is only a small part of it. This shortage directly translates into life-destroying lives, and livelihoods are destroyed and cancelled.
UNGA’s 80th session must serve as a turning point. Member States must go beyond their commitments and bind financial commitments to finance adaptation, losses and damages. They must realize that climate financing is not a charity, but compensation for harm, and a step towards a more just and stable world.
The ethical requirements for climate action are gained significant legal and ethical weights with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion issued in July 2025. Climate systems, especially those related to human rights and intergenerational equity.
This landmark case marks a profound shift in how the world perceives climate change – not only a matter of science or geopolitical, but also of justice and human dignity. The International Court of Justice advises that the government has laws that protect its citizens from climate harm and that it must act cautiously in reducing emissions and financing flexibility.
Forced displacement, food insecurity, water shortage and growing inequality are fundamental human rights violations. Countries that violate climate obligations and cause harm may have to pay compensation to affected countries.
With its long-term commitment to human rights, the United Nations must spend this moment in line with its climate response. It must support mechanisms that hold states and companies accountable for climate-related harm and raise voices from frontline communities.
As world leaders gather in New York to commemorate UNGA’s 80 years, there are both celebrations and celebrations. The United Nations has chaired decades of dialogue, diplomacy and peacebuilding, but it is now necessary to propose the same determination to address the challenges of climate justice.
We need a dedicated “United Nations Climate Justice Commission” to monitor, report and recommend that states fully fill their human rights bonds under climate laws. We need strong financial commitments to adapt, loss and damage, not billions, but trillions. We need to seek legal avenues for remedies for victims of climate injustice.
Climate change is a decisive question for our generation, and how we solve it will define the legitimacy of global governments for decades. 80 UNGA results should not be limited to lofty speeches, but reflect the threatened desire of the majority of the global population. In the case of delay, indifference and responsibility, it must be justice.
Eighty years ago, the founders of the United Nations promised to “save future generations from the scourge of war.” Today, the scourge is climate change, and this generation is already here. Let the legacy of 80 UNGA become one of the courage, sympathy and commitment of all for a future of livability and equality. The United Nations must advance to this occasion at the age of 80.
The author is the CEO of the Civil Society Climate Change Alliance.
aisha@csccc.org.pk
Published on September 20, 2025
