The absence of leaders from some of the world’s largest carbon-emitting nations has cast a shadow over the opening of this year’s Global Climate Summit, which began on Tuesday with urgent calls for stronger action to combat climate change.
According to Reuters (Nov. 5, 2025), heads of state from China, the United States, India, and Russia — collectively responsible for more than half of global greenhouse gas emissions — did not attend the high-level session in person. Their absence drew criticism from environmental activists and smaller nations bearing the brunt of climate-related disasters.
BBC News reported that the summit, hosted in Geneva, Switzerland, focuses on accelerating emissions reductions, financing clean energy transitions, and supporting climate adaptation in developing countries. Several European and African leaders used their opening remarks to urge major economies to show leadership through concrete commitments rather than distant pledges.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed disappointment over the lack of top-level participation, saying, “Climate change doesn’t wait for anyone. Leadership delayed is leadership denied.”
Al Jazeera noted that while senior envoys represented the absent nations, their limited mandates raised concerns about the prospects of achieving binding agreements on fossil fuel phaseouts and global carbon finance mechanisms.
Meanwhile, youth climate movements and advocacy groups staged peaceful demonstrations outside the summit venue, demanding that world powers take responsibility for historic emissions and honor their promises on the $100 billion annual climate finance pledge.
Excerpts
“Leadership delayed is leadership denied.” — António Guterres, UN Secretary-General
“” — Climate Activist, Geneva
“Without concrete commitments, this summit risks being another talk shop.” — EU Representative
Sources
Reuters — “Top Polluters’ Leaders Skip Global Climate Summit,” Nov. 5, 2025
BBC News — “Climate Summit Opens Without Key Leaders,” Nov. 5, 2025
Al Jazeera — “Major Emitters Absent as Climate Talks Begin,” Nov. 5, 2025
The Guardian — “UN Urges Action as China, US, Russia Leaders Miss Climate Summit,” Nov. 5, 2025
