It will become increasingly challenging in the years ahead for nations to differentiate between legitimate protection against issues related to climate change and protectionism, said Fabian Zuleeg, CEO of the European Policy Centre, at a sub-forum of the Hongqiao International Economic Forum on Tuesday.
As an important part of the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE), the Hongqiao International Economic Forum is taking place in Shanghai in tandem with the expo from Tuesday to Sunday, attracting more than 260 distinguished guests from political, business and academic circles.
Speaking at the sub-forum titled "China and 30 Years of the WTO: History and Evolution", Zuleeg noted that climate change should not be influenced by geopolitical and geo-economic issues.
"We have to continue to emphasize that climate change is an existential issue for humanity. It is not something which should be influenced by the current geopolitical and geo-economic problems. Essentially, we are facing an exponential challenge, which every year is getting worse. And our policies are not even denting the overall trends. And that cannot go on forever. So we have to do something, to do more and to do more decisively when it comes to climate action," he said.
"The big question for me in the coming years is we have a rise both in protectionism but also in protection and legitimate protection against certain issues, including environmental degradation and climate change. So how do we distinguish between the two and make the rules enforceable and applicable, so that we can distinguish between legitimate and trade distorting? And that, I think, is a very big task for the next years," Zuleeg noted.
Distinguishing between legitimate protection, protectionism remains big task: EPC head
In his new year's call to world leaders, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday urged world leaders to get "priorities straight" and invest in development, not destruction.
"As we enter the new year, the world stands at a crossroads. Chaos and uncertainty surround us. Division. Violence. Climate breakdown. And systemic violations of international law. A retreat from the very principles that bind us together as a human family. People everywhere are asking: Are leaders even listening? Are they ready to act?" Guterres said in his New Year message for 2026.
The scale of global suffering remains severe. More than one-quarter of humanity lives in conflict-affected areas, over 200 million people require humanitarian assistance, and nearly 120 million have been forcibly displaced by war, crises, disasters or persecution, according to UN statistics.
"As we turn the page on a turbulent year, one fact speaks louder than words: Global military spending has soared to 2.7 trillion dollars, growing by almost 10 percent. That is thirteen times more than all development aid, equivalent to the entire Gross Domestic Product of Africa. All, while conflict rages at levels unseen since World War II. On this new year, let's resolve to get our priorities straight. A safer world begins by investing more in fighting poverty and less in fighting wars," said the UN chief.
A UN report released in September 2025 showed that rising military spending comes at a high opportunity cost, noting that less than 4 percent of current global military expenditure could end world hunger by 2030, just over 10 percent could vaccinate every child worldwide, and reallocating 15 percent would be sufficient to cover annual climate adaptation costs in developing countries.
"Peace must prevail. It's clear the world has the resources to lift lives, heal the planet, and secure a future of peace and justice. In 2026, I call on leaders everywhere: Get serious. Choose people and planet over pain. And I urge everyone who hears this message: Play your part. Our future depends on our collective courage to act. This new year, let‘’s rise together: For justice. For humanity. For peace," he said.
UN chief issues New Year's call to world leaders for peace, development
