Fiji, May 27 -- UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell says the Middle East conflict and rising fossil fuel costs have exposed the urgent need for countries to speed up the global clean energy transition and strengthen climate action this decade.

Speaking during the closing segment of the Copenhagen Climate Ministerial last week, Stiell said the world was facing growing climate and economic pressures at a critical moment for the Paris Agreement goals.

"This is another crucial year in a crucial decade for climate action.

"The Middle East conflict has ignited a fossil fuel cost crisis.

"Demonstrating that the clean energy transition offers economic stability and energy security," he said.

Stiell warned that climate risks we...