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The R20 Austrian World Summit: Inspiring pioneers towards a sustainable future
Friday, 25 May 2018

The R20 Austrian World Summit held in Vienna on May 15th, 2018 gathered high-ranking officials, decision-makers, businesses, investors and climate experts dedicated to showcase, promote and implement the Paris Climate Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
With the objective of building bridges between key stakeholders and a focus on sharing ideas, skills and experiences, the Summit presented solutions for tackling climate change and fostering new and innovative financial mechanisms at the sub-national level.
Revisiting the R20 Austrian World Summit
In his keynote address in the opening session, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres stressed the need to scale up investments in clean, green infrastructure globally. For that, he explained, “we need leadership from the finance and investment community and by local, regional and national governments who will decide on major infrastructure plans over the coming years”. Applauding the Summit’s emphasis on city and sub-national action, Antonio Guterres encouraged innovative solutions to localize climate finance. “We need financing to reach the people and places that need it most. Mobilizing and equipping local governments with the capacity and financing to accelerate climate action is necessary if we are to bend the emissions curve.
Mobilizing and equipping local governments with the capacity and financing to accelerate climate action is necessary if we are to bend the emissions curve.
Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary General