New York, May 21 (QNA) - The United Nations General Assembly voted overwhelmingly in favor of a resolution supporting strong action to combat climate change, despite US diplomatic efforts to to have the measure withdrawn.

The General Assembly, comprised of 193 member states, adopted a non-binding resolution endorsing the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice last July, which stated that countries' failure to protect the planet from the effects of climate change constitutes a violation of international law.

In a statement, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, "this is a powerful affirmation of international law, climate justice, science, and the responsibility of states to protect people from the escalating climate crisis."

Over 140 countries voted in favor, 8 against, and 28 abstained.

The United States, Russia, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, along with other countries, opposed the resolution. Climate change is primarily caused by emissions from burning coal, oil, and gas.

The resolution calls on countries to adopt national climate plans aimed at limiting global temperature rise to well below 1.5 degrees Celsius, to phase out subsidies for the exploration, production, and exploitation of fossil fuels, and to urge countries responsible for climate damage to provide compensation.

The resolution is part of international efforts to achieve the goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement, which set a limit of 1.5 degrees Celsius on global warming compared to pre-industrial levels.

The initial draft of the resolution included more stringent provisions based on an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice, including a call for the establishment of an international register of climate damage. However, these provisions were removed during consultations prior to the vote in order to broaden support for the resolution. (QNA)