By Micah Jonah
February 12, 2026
The United Nations climate chief, Simon Stiell, on Thursday warned that a “new world disorder” poses an unprecedented threat to international cooperation on climate action.
Stiell spoke in Istanbul ahead of the COP31 climate summit scheduled to hold in Antalya, Turkey, later this year, with Australia set to chair the negotiations.
He said the global community was facing extraordinary times marked by instability, insecurity and growing divisions among nations.
“COP31 in Antalya will take place in extraordinary times. We find ourselves in a new world disorder,” Stiell said during an address alongside Turkey’s Environment Minister and COP31 President-designate, Murat Kurum.
“This is a period of instability and insecurity. Of strong arms and trade wars. The very concept of international cooperation is under attack,” he added.
Although he did not mention any country by name, his remarks come amid renewed global tensions and policy shifts by major economies, including the United States under President Donald Trump.
Trump has backed fossil fuels such as oil, gas and coal and moved to withdraw the US from key international climate commitments, including the Paris Agreement. He also recently revoked a scientific finding that underpins US regulations aimed at reducing emissions.
Stiell, however, said the door remained open for the United States to return to global climate efforts.
He noted that the past three years have been the hottest on record globally, driven by rising greenhouse gas emissions that continue to intensify climate change.
The UN climate chief warned that international cooperation was under threat from forces seeking to increase dependence on fossil fuels despite scientific warnings.
“Those forces are undeniably strong. however, they need not prevail,” he said, urging countries to unite and strengthen climate cooperation.
Stiell emphasized that investment in clean energy last year was more than double that of fossil fuels, with renewable energy overtaking coal as the leading source of electricity generation.
He called on countries to implement commitments made at COP28 in Dubai in 2023 to triple clean energy capacity by 2030 and accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels.
Turkey and Australia are expected to present a detailed COP31 action agenda in March.
Kurum described regression in global climate action as unacceptable, pledging that both countries would work together to deliver a robust outcome at the summit.
