'World not on track': UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warns about global temperature rises

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres launched a brief South Pacific tour in New Zealand on Sunday, warning world was "t on track" to limiting global temperature rises. In a strong mess for action on climate change, Guterres said international political resolve was fing and it was small island nations that were "really in front line" and would suffer most.

His visit, ahe of Climate Action Summit in September in New York will also take him to Fiji, Tuvalu and Vanuatu which are under threat from rising sea levels.

"We are seeing everywhere a clear demonstration that we are t on track to achieve objectives defined in Paris agreement," Guterres said on failure to limit rises to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial revolution levels.

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"And parox is, that as things are getting worse on ground, political moves seem to be fing," he ded in joint press conference in Auckland with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

However, he did excuse New Zealand from his accusation, describing Wellington's leership as "extremely important" after it introduced legislation to become carbon neutral by 2050, although greenhouse gas emissions from its ecomically vital agricultural sector will t have to meet commitment.

Ardern called climate change " biggest challenge" facing international community and said it would be "gross negligence" to avoid issue.

During his three days in New Zealand, Guterres will also meet with Muslim leers in Christchurch to show solidarity following March 15 massacre in which 51 people were killed by a lone gunman who attacked two mosques during Friday prayers.