Press Conference with Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change

Press Conference with Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change

ANSHU AGARWAL

The MAHABAHU MIRROR and Mahabahu Climate Forum attended the Press Conference with the Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change, Simon Stiell, organised by the United Nations Information Centre for India and Bhutan.

The event took place in New Delhi on 21^st July 2026. Stiell was on an official visit to India to meet with senior government officials, Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav, UN representatives, non-governmental organisations and private sector leaders, to discuss the vast economic, commercial and developmental opportunities for India in doubling down on its shift to clean energy and India’s competitive advantages in the global clean-tech race.

At the press conference, Stiell opened his remarks with a cricket analogy, saying India’s clean energy growth is “Sachin Tendulkar and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi rolled into one.” He emphasised the combination of India’s stellar record in clean energy growth and the beginning of a new chapter with remarkable potential. He highlighted India’s impressive record in its clean-energy journey, especially the growth of its solar-power potential.

He stated that India’s growing status in the world solar market in terms of generation cost makes it a “solar superpower.” In his opening remarks, Stiell also highlighted India’s skilled tech workforce, sharing that India has the potential to become a global hub for clean tech manufacturing in the race for clean energy. He stated that India’s growth in fossil-fuel-free power is a milestone. He added, “Decarbonisation is central to India’s impressive development strategy. This is forging a new path for others to follow.”

Stiell also shed light on the upcoming COP31 (Conference of the Parties), mentioning the Action Agendas targets announced by the COP31 Presidency, including the need for developed countries to triple their adaptation finance to $300 billion a year by 2035. He indicated that COP31 will tackle concerns with ‘forcing factors’. Stiell answered questions from the Press regarding his conversations with government officials, enquiring about the major implementation challenges the Indian state faces in reaching its climate goals. He stated that “India has assured us of their commitment towards achieving an implementable road map towards sustainability.”

The press also raised concerns about addressing the effects of rapid climate change, as evidenced by the severe heatwaves in 2026, one of Europe’s worst. Stiell highlighted that the world is likely heading toward a 5°C increase compared to the average temperature of 1.5°C before the Paris Agreement, and that significant efforts are needed to achieve the 1.5°C target and ensure a viable future for our planet. Stiell underscored India’s crucial role in climate multilateralism and stressed the importance of ongoing participation in global efforts to tackle climate change via shared objectives, treaties, summits, and financial tools.

MAHABAHU MIRROR

We can clearly observe the extreme impact of climate change in North East India, and efforts at the local and regional levels need to complement the global-level initiatives discussed at the Press Conference to address the adverse effects of environmental degradation and rapid climate change.

The Mahabahu Climate Forum is committed to building on the goals initiated by the United Nations and complementing their efforts by driving change at the regional and national level, while also connecting the local actions with global objectives. 

Anshu Agarwal Doctoral Research Scholar, Department of Sociology, Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi; and Research Editor, MAHABAHU MIRROR and Mahabahu Climate Forum. She attended the press conference.

Mahabahu Climate Forum

22-07-2026

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