The world must take concrete and substantive progress on the Glasgow-Sharm El-Sheikh work programme to implement the global goal on adaptation, according to a statement signed by COP26 President Alok Sharma, COP27 President Designate Sameh Shoukry, and UNFCCC Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa.

The IPCC issued its sixth assessment report on global climate change on Monday, saying that the impacts of global warming are now irreversible, but there is still time to avoid the very worst.

The report added that 40 percent of the world’s population are highly vulnerable.

“We must also act with urgency to put in place the technical and financial support to deal with loss and damage, including through the Santiago Network and Glasgow Dialogue,” the statement said.

“We all must respond to this report by collectively honouring the commitments made under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement, delivering on the Glasgow Climate Pact now and through COP27 and beyond to ensure we can build a sustainable, climate resilient world.”

The statement said that although the report indicated that adaptation action is taking place in all regions of the world, attempts to adapt to climate change’s impacts have fallen short.

“Adaptation limits have already been reached in places across the globe and more will emerge as temperatures rise, especially if 1.5°C of global warming is exceeded,” the statement said, adding that with a decisive and immediate response, bringing transformational adaptation together with rapid mitigation led by countries’ plans, a climate resilient society can be created with benefits for all.

Egypt is set to host the UN Climate Change Conference 2022 in the Egyptian city of Sharm El-Sheikh.