United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivered a stark rebuke of major fossil fuel companies on Tuesday, accusing them of treating the atmosphere as an "open sewer" and profiting enormously while contributing to the climate crisis. Speaking at the opening of the UN’s high-level meeting, Guterres highlighted the need for greater accountability from the energy industry, particularly in light of recent geopolitical events.

Guterres underscored that since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, five leading Western oil companies have collectively earned nearly $500 billion in profits. He contrasted this figure with the $34 billion mobilized to support developing countries in adapting to climate change, emphasizing the disparity between corporate gains and global climate financing. The secretary-general also noted the broader economic impact on ordinary consumers, who face rising costs for energy, food, and insurance amid the ongoing crisis.

Drawing a parallel with the tactics of Big Tobacco, Guterres characterized the fossil fuel industry’s continued emissions and resistance to change as an "abuse of power." He urged that those who have contributed most to pollution and reaped the greatest financial rewards must take stronger action to remediate environmental damage.

In addition to addressing the climate crisis, Guterres turned to the Middle East and expressed concern over Israel’s settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank. He warned that ongoing violence, displacement, and settlement activity threaten to undermine prospects for peace and raised the "spectre of ethnic cleansing." Guterres stressed that the two-state solution remains at risk of disappearing if current trends continue, signaling urgent alarm over the intensifying conflict dynamics.

Guterres also called on the world’s leading powers in artificial intelligence, widely considered to be the United States and China, to engage in dialogue reminiscent of the Cold War era. He urged these countries to establish frameworks for transparency, trust, and cooperation to manage the profound risks associated with advancing AI technologies. The secretary-general likened the current moment to a pivotal Cold War period when rival nations began recognizing the necessity of managing shared existential threats.

The speech outlined a broad call for leadership and responsibility on interconnected global challenges, from climate change and conflict to the governance of emerging technologies, as the United Nations seeks to steer urgent international cooperation.