The eyes of the world are increasingly on Glasgow, where COP26, expected to be one of the most important climate conferences since the adoption of the Paris Agreement, starts on Sunday.

The main objective of COP26 is to make progress in raising ambitions in three areas: reducing greenhouse gas emissions to the extent that global warming is limited to 1.5 degrees, adapting to climate change and mobilising additional financial resources in line with the commitments given to developing countries. In particular, fulfilling the promise of a financial target will help to advance other topics; developing partner countries link funding to maintaining mutual trust.

Slovenian Environment Minister Andrej Vizjak stressed that increased climate efforts are essential if we are to reduce or halt global warming to less than 2 degrees Celsius, or even better 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels, and achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

This time, our country will play a very active role in achieving these goals: as EU Council Presidency, it will represent and represent the EU together with the European Commission, lead negotiations with third countries and coordinate EU Member States.