Turning the Transition Towards Justice and Equity : UN Chief’s Call to Action at COP29

Baku. In a powerful address at the COP29 High-Level Meeting on Resourcing the Energy Transition with Justice and Equity, held in Baku, Azerbaijan, UN Secretary-General António Guterres underscored the urgency of centering fairness and community well-being in the shift towards renewable energy. “As demand for critical energy transition minerals surges, so must action,” he urged, stressing the need to avoid repeating past mistakes where developing nations were exploited and left at the bottom of global value chains. Guterres noted that the energy transition is advancing rapidly, with investments in renewable energy now outpacing those in fossil fuels. Yet, he warned that this shift could all too easily replicate the inequalities of the fossil fuel era if countries do not prioritize justice and equity in critical mineral supply chains. “Too often we see the mistakes of the past repeated in a stampede of greed that crushes the poor,” he said, pointing out that communities rich in resources are often exploited while others grow wealthy. The UN-backed Panel on Resourcing the Energy Transition, co-chaired by Nozipho Joyce Mxakato Diseko and Ditte Juul Jorgensen, delivered a report with seven voluntary principles and five actionable recommendations. These guidelines, Guterres said, aim to empower communities, foster accountability, and promote sustainable growth, especially in developing nations. He emphasized, “The goal is to ensure that clean energy drives equitable and resilient growth,” adding that the UN system will support implementing these principles in partnership with governments and stakeholders worldwide. A key recommendation of the Panel’s report is to create a High-Level Expert Advisory Group to facilitate cooperation on economic issues such as benefit sharing, value addition, and fair trade in critical minerals. This group will place developing nations “in the driving seat,” according to Guterres, and will bring Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and young people to the table alongside governments and industry leaders. Additionally, the UN aims to establish a global framework to ensure traceability and transparency across the critical mineral value chain, promoting responsible production and safeguarding human rights. The Secretary-General called upon leaders across government, industry, and civil society to support this initiative, noting that meaningful, collaborative action is essential to address the surging demand for critical minerals. He closed his remarks with a rallying call: “Together, let’s turn the transition towards justice and equity.”As the world races to meet climate goals, Guterres’ speech is a stark reminder that the energy transition must lift all communities rather than replicate historical patterns of exploitation. His appeal reflects a vision of sustainable development where prosperity is not achieved at the expense of human rights and environmental integrity.