Ex-UN chief urges green transition to drive growth, boost competitiveness

Ban Ki-moon, former U.N. secretary-general and president of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), called for a rapid transition to a greener economy at the Global Green Growth Week (GGGW) Summit. In his opening remarks, Ban emphasized that the green transition is not only an economic imperative but also a strategic investment with the potential to create green jobs, enhance energy security, improve public health, and build more resilient societies.

The former U.N. leader identified three key priorities for turning green transition commitments into tangible, measurable results: technological innovation, large-scale capital mobilization, and stronger international cooperation. Ban stressed that countries that take decisive action in the green transition will be better positioned to compete in the future.

However, Ban acknowledged that developing countries often face significant challenges in implementing viable green projects due to a lack of affordable financing and the necessary expertise. He called for a substantial increase in funding to support the green transition, recognizing that developing nations may struggle to overcome these obstacles without adequate financial resources and know-how.