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STORY: UN / CLIMATE CHANGE RESOLUTION
TRT: 01:47
SOURCE: UNIFEED
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGES: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 20 MAY 2026, NEW YORK CITY / FILE
FILE – NEW YORK CITY
1. Wide shot, United Nations headquarters
20 MAY APRIL 2026, NEW YORK CITY
2. Wide shot, General Assembly Hall
3. Med shot, President of the United Nations General Assembly Annalena Baerbock walking up to the rostrum
4. SOUNDBITE (UPSOUND) Annalena Baerbock, President of the United Nations General Assembly:
“The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/80/L.65; entitled Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice on the Obligation of States in Respect to Climate Change. Recorded vote has been requested. We shall now begin the voting process. Those in favor of draft resolution A/80/L.65, please signify, those against, abstentions.”
5. Wide shot, screen showing voting process
6. Wide shot, screen showing vote
7. SOUNDBITE (UPSOUND) Annalena Baerbock, President of the United Nations General Assembly:
“The result of the voting is as follows: in favor, 141; against, 8; abstentions, 28. Draft resolution A/80/L.65 is hereby adopted.”
8. Med shot, President of the United Nations General Assembly Annalena Baerbock striking the gavel at the rostrum
9. Wide shot, General Assembly Hall members States applauding
The UN General Assembly on Wednesday (20 May) adopted a landmark resolution calling on all UN Member States to take all possible steps to avoid causing significant damage to the climate and environment, including emissions produced within their borders, and to follow through on their existing climate pledges under the Paris Agreement.
The resolution drawn up by Vanuatu - a Pacific island nation on the frontline of the climate crisis, and several other countries - was adopted after intense discussion including multiple proposed amendments with 141 votes in favour, eight against and 28 abstentions.
Those voting against were Belarus, Iran, Israel, Liberia, Russia, Saudi Arabia, the US and Yemen.
Governments are urged to cooperate in good faith and continuously coordinate efforts to tackle climate change globally and ensure that climate policies safeguard the rights to life, health, and an adequate standard of living.
When the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the UN’s principal judicial body, ruled in July 2025 that States have an obligation to protect the environment from greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the decision was hailed as a breakthrough.
The Court also ruled that if States breach these obligations, they are legally responsible and may be legally required to stop the wrongful conduct, offer guarantees that it won’t happen again, and make full reparation, depending on the circumstances.
Although the ICJ’s advisory opinions are not binding, they carry significant legal and moral authority – helping to clarify and develop international law by defining States’ legal obligations.
Wednesday’s General Assembly adoption following up on the ruling, sends a strong message that tackling the climate crisis is a legal duty under international law, and not just a political choice.
