At the UN General Assembly and Climate Week in New York, world leaders urged climate action as El Niño drives heatwaves, wildfires and floods worldwide.

Climate Week opens alongside UN General Assembly

World leaders gathered in New York Monday for the UN General Assembly as the city’s annual Climate Week began. The event runs parallel to the UNGA and follows months of extreme heat across Europe and the United States, wildfires in Africa and flash flooding in Asia. A record‑breaking El Niño has intensified weather patterns worldwide.

Australian and Icelandic leaders discuss national impacts

The Australian prime minister addressed the climate crisis’s impact on the country during a panel discussion. The Icelandic prime minister addressed similar impacts on Iceland, noting the changing conditions affecting both nations.

Global context

Leaders placed the climate discussion on the agenda despite ongoing challenges such as war and inflation that have drawn attention elsewhere. The focus remains on the immediate effects of heat, drought and shifting weather patterns that are already visible in both Australia and Iceland. Extreme heat has baked farmland in Europe, while the United States has recorded temperature records in several states. Wildfires have scorched large areas of Africa, and flash floods have inundated communities across Asia.

Scientific backdrop

The current El Niño is the strongest on record, driving higher sea surface temperatures and altering precipitation patterns. Scientists have linked the phenomenon to increased drought risk in some regions and heavier rainfall in others.

Next steps

Climate Week continues through the week with additional sessions on mitigation and adaptation. The UN General Assembly is scheduled to conclude on Sept. 24, after which leaders will return to their capitals to report on the discussions.