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Archive des Actualités des Partenaires

September 2022

30 Sep

MoP 19: Mechanism, Coordination of Financing for the Protection of Tropical Forests in Central Africa

The high-level meeting on the international financial architecture for biodiversity was held on July 5 and 6, 2022 in Libreville, Gabon. The panel was composed of CAFI, AfDB, AFD and the EU on July 5, and KFW and Winrock on July 6. The finding is that there is chaos in the actions of donors to the forests of the Congo Basin. In the Congo Basin there are 35 funding initiatives in total, including a concern for coordination. It is a question of reflecting on the best coordination mechanism and also on the PES and their indicators; to look at what are the mechanisms to reassure the private sector...

30 Sep

MOP19 – CBFP- Architecture, Coordinating Funding for the protection of Central Africa’s tropical forests– Preliminary report

On 5 and 6 July 2022, Libreville, Gabon hosted a high-level meeting on the global finance framework for biodiversity. The panel was initially comprised on July 5 of CAFI, the ADB, AFD, and the EU, and completed on July 6 by KFW and Winrock. It has been observed that the donors’ activities in the Congo Basin forests are mired in chaos. There are 35 funding efforts overall in the Congo Basin, with coordination being a challenge. In order to reassure the private sector, there is a need to reflect on developing an optimal coordination system as well as review the PES and their indicators. Please download the preliminary report

29 Sep

European Parliament’s vote on the Renewable Energy Directive disappoints campaigners – FERN

On 14 September 2022, the European Parliament voted on proposals to amend the EU‘s Renewable Energy Directive (RED). Changing problematic incentives for burning forest biomass was the most contentious issue in an otherwise fairly consensual file, as most MEPs agree that overall renewable energy ambitions should be considerably increased.

29 Sep

What can the EU do about forest fires? Quite a lot… - FERN

An area of Europe equivalent to one-fifth of Belgium has burned so far this year, the greatest surface at this point in the calendar year since records began in 2006. As this and the other realities of the climate crisis made their presence felt, Professor Sten B. Nilsson wrote an opinion piece for Euractiv outlining how to prevent Europe’s forest fires.

29 Sep

Graduate students visit UNCCD to discuss the sustainable future of land – UNCCD

At the start of the new academic year, the United Nations Regional Information Centre in Bonn together with UNCCD, hosted a group of graduate students from Côte d’Ivoire, Germany and Kenya to discuss the Convention’s work on combating drought and desertification and the role of science in supporting good land stewardship. Two dozen students who visited UN Bonn are a part of the programme launched by the German Center for Development Research (ZEF) in 2021, together with the Universities of Cologne, Abidjan and Nairobi as part of the new DAAD Global Environment and Climate Center Initiative.

29 Sep

Droughtland campaign featured in the margins of the General Assembly discussions on new ways to promote SDGs - UNCCD

On the sidelines of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the UNCCD took part in a high-level event at the opening night of Goals House held at the iconic Tavern on the Green in Central Park on 18 September 2022.

27 Sep

Press Release: African Union Development Agency-NEPAD Launches Energize Africa - NEPAD

New York, September 19, 2022 – The African Union Development Agency-NEPAD in partnership with Afreximbank, co-launched the AUDA-NEPAD Energize Africa initiative on the margins of the 77th United Nations General Assembly in New York. The Energize Africa initiative recognises that Africa’s youth and women – making up more than half of the continent’s populations - must be at the core of Africa’s economic growth and inclusive development strategies.

27 Sep

Press Release: Climate Finance to Address Global Challenges on Climate Change, Land Degradation and Biodiversity Loss - NEPAD

New York, September 20, 2022 – Climate financing will play an important role in unlocking Africa’s potential to combat climate change. It is estimated that Africa requires about 2.5 trillion dollars of climate finance between 2020 and 2030 averaging about 250 billion dollars each year. However, the total annual climate finance flows in Africa for 2020 were only 30 billion dollars, which is just about 12 percent of the amount needed.

26 Sep

Global Leadership Council unveiled to scale up clean, reliable energy and stop global warming - AFDB

22-Sep-2022 - The battle to stop global warming from rising above the catastrophic 1.5 degree Celsius received a boost on Wednesday as the newly launched Global Leadership Council got down to business during the 77th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

26 Sep

FAO Report Paints a Bleak Picture of SDG Achievements – FAO

As the world faces multiple crises dominated by new conflicts, the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, economic shocks, and growing inequalities, development has been halted or even reversed across several domains, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO).

26 Sep

African Union Launches Serious Game to Mark the International Day of Peace - AU

The African Union (AU) Youth for Peace Africa Programme, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), and the United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU) have launched a serious game known as “Mission55 Conflict in Anaka”, to commemorate the International Day of Peace (Peace Day) 2022. The game, which the AU and GIZ developed, aims to raise awareness, educate and inform the public, particularly youth, on the mandate of the AU to promote good governance, peace and security in Africa.

26 Sep

Southern & Eastern Africa CSOs urged to promote the AU’s Free Movement Protocol - AU

African Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in eastern and southern Africa have been prompted to support and promote the implementation of the African Union’s Free Movement Protocol (FMP) and the Migration Policy Framework for Africa (MPFA). The call to action to CSOs was made during the opening of the second Regional CSO Sensitization Forum on the Continental Free Movement Protocol organized by the AU Economic, Social, and Cultural Council (AU-ECOSOCC) with support from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).

26 Sep

IGAD Launches its Regional Trade Policy 2022-2026 – IGAD

September 15, 2022 (NAIROBI, Kenya): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) today launched the IGAD Regional Trade Policy 2022-2026 in Nairobi. Representatives of IGAD Member States from Ministry of Trade and Heads of Chamber of Commerce and Industry, representatives of partners such as the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the Pan-African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PACCI) attended the one-day event.

23 Sep

New biodiversity commitments announced as world leaders declare nature summit COP15 a priority - GEF

New commitments aimed at catalyzing biodiversity finance and conservation were unveiled today at a high-level event convened on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly to showcase action and support for a nature-positive world. New initiatives announced include €0.87 billion of new funding from the German government; a 10 point plan for financing biodiversity, endorsed by 16 initial countries; and the next phase of the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People (HAC for Nature and People 2.0)...

23 Sep

'We need all hands on deck' - GEF

Nancy Karigithu is Kenya’s Ambassador and Special Envoy for Shipping and the Blue Economy. In an interview, she explained how the maritime sector can reduce pollution, rein in carbon emissions, and combat wildlife trafficking on a global scale.

23 Sep

The path of migratory birds connects us all - thegef

Patricia Zurita is CEO of BirdLife International, a leading conservation organization that works with 115 national partner organizations and 13 million members to protect birds and their habitats worldwide. In an interview marking BirdLife’s 100th anniversary, she shared her vision for how the world can create a healthy environment for healthy societies in the coming century.

23 Sep

Media Release: Governments Meet on Science and Evidence to Address Global Biodiversity Crisis - ipbes

Bonn, Germany – Representatives of almost 140 Governments will begin a week-long meeting on Sunday in Bonn, Germany to advance the science and evidence necessary to address the global biodiversity crisis. The ninth session of the Plenary of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (#IPBES9) will be the first in-person meeting, since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, of the global body tasked with presenting decision-makers with the best-available science and expertise, to inform policy and action on nature.

22 Sep

5 Indigenous Women Climate Activists You Should Know About - forestdeclaration

Hindou, a Mbororo Indigenous pastoralist woman, is the founder of the Association of Indigenous Peul Women and Peoples of Chad (AFPAT), a community-based organization focused on promoting the rights of girls and women in the Mbororo community and inspiring leadership and advocacy in environmental protection. She is an influential climate leader in Africa, advocating for the importance of traditional knowledge for building resilience of Indigenous and forest communities to cope with the climate crisis.

22 Sep

Southeast Asia officers level up on CITES enforcement - Traffic

Enforcement officers new to the fight against wildlife crime have put a suite of TRAFFIC resources and newly developed materials to the test in a series of trainings in Southeast Asia. The face-to-face trainings with newly designed materials have been critical in bringing up-to-date information and tools to frontliners in some of the region’s major wildlife trade hotspots. However, staff turnover, regulatory changes, and evolving trends in wildlife crime mean there is a constant need for training.” Renee Yee, TRAFFIC’s Training and Capacity Building Officer in Southeast Asia

22 Sep

Cooperation Needed to Correct Course on Gender Equality: UN Report – SDG

UN Women and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) issued a report, which presents evidence on gender equality across all 17 SDGs. Emphasizing the pivotal role of gender equality in driving progress on the entire 2030 Agenda, the report warns that global crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, violent conflict, and climate change have exacerbated gender disparities.

22 Sep

UN Report Stresses “Urgent Need” to Accelerate Progress on SDG 4 in LAC – SDG

The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) regional offices for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), and the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) published the results of a regional assessment of progress towards SDG 4 (quality education). The report highlights the urgent need for more investment and social participation to enable a systemic transformation of education.

22 Sep

The Role of Indigenous Women in the Transmission of Traditional Knowledge – CBD

On the occasion of the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, 9 August 2022, we reflect on the important role of indigenous women in the preservation and the transmission of traditional knowledge.

22 Sep

COP 15 PRESIDENCY: latest news from Huang Runqiu, President of the COP 15 and Minister of Ecology and Environment of China – CBD

On September 12, Huang Runqiu, President of the Fifteenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 15) and Minister of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, had a video meeting with Virginijus Sinkevičius, EU Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries. The two sides had in-depth exchanges on the second part of COP 15 and key issues related to the post-2020 global biodiversity framework (GBF) .

22 Sep

Join a FREE MOOC on Ecosystem Restoration by UNDP and the CBD - CBD

From 19 September to 20 November 2022, learn to develop a step-by-step ecosystem restoration plan and apply effective restoration solutions in your national and sub-national context. Now is the time to restore our damaged ecosystems. Join a FREE MOOC on Ecosystem Restoration on the Learning for Nature platform.

21 Sep

CBFP MOP 19: Civil Society Declaration on the fight against deforestation in Congo Basin countries

We, the representatives of Central African civil society who participated in-person and virtually in the 19th Meeting of Parties of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP), which was organized by the Federal Republic of Germany and took place from 5 to 8 July, 2022, in Libreville, Republic of Gabon, came together on 6 July 2022, as part of a strategic workshop of civil society organizations working to ensure effective management of natural resources in Congo Basin countries…

19 Sep

Welcome to our new partner the International Bamboo and Rattan Organization (INBAR)!

Berlin, 12th September 2022, the International Bamboo and Rattan Organization (INBAR), has officially joined the 124 members of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP). INBAR has submitted its application and consented to the CBFP members’ cooperation framework to promote sustainable management of forest ecosystems in Central Africa.

19 Sep

CBFP RDP 19: Main conclusions of Streams of the 19th Meeting of the Parties of the CBFP: Strong messages and recommendations...

Please download the recommendations, conclusions, messages coming out of the deliberations of Streams 1a, 1b, 2 and 3, Technical Segment of the MOP 19 of the CBFP of Libreville towards sustainable development for Central Africa’s countries, people, forests and biodiversity...These conclusions also serve as a roadmap for the partners to implement the "Declaration of commitment of COMIFAC Member States to the forests of Central Africa and call for equitable financing" and the “Joint Declaration of the Congo Basin donors of COP26”…

19 Sep

MoP 19 - CIFOR - USFS: Peatlands, mangroves, and other wetlands: climate responses in the Congo Basin

Please kindly consult the main conclusions of the two side events organised by CIFOR and USFS in the margins of CBFP MOP 19 on: Slot 1: Current scientific activities on peatlands (and other wetlands) in the Congo Basin and Slot 2: Early responses to protect and manage peatlands in the Congo Basin.

17 Sep

A new member of the great CBFP family: Welcome to the Republic of Korea (ROK) represented by the Korean Forest Service (KFS)!

Berlin, 12th August 2022, the Republic of Korea (ROK), represented by the Korea Forest Service (KFS), has officially joined the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP). ROK has submitted their application and consented to the CBFP members’ cooperation framework in promoting sustainable management of forest ecosystems in Central Africa.

16 Sep

UN Global Compact Unveils Strategy to Maximize China’s Contribution to SDGs – IISD

The UN Global Compact published its China strategy seeking “to unlock the potential of business and other stakeholders to maximize their impact on the SDGs and contribute to sustainable development in China and the rest of the world.” The document recognizes China’s local priorities while striving to align itself with the UN Global Compact’s Ten Principles and global ambition.

16 Sep

World Water Week 2022 Emphasizes the Need for Transformative Change – IISD

Participants at the 2022 World Water Week, which convened against the backdrop of the flooding in Pakistan, the food crisis in Africa, and the drying rivers of Europe, highlighted the need for investments and political will to implement available water solutions.

15 Sep

UNDP Report Calls for Investment, Insurance, Innovation to Shape Our Future - IISD

The latest Human Development Report, published by the UN Development Programme (UNDP), warns that due to the impacts of the multiple crises, mounting layers of uncertainty, and increasing polarization, human development has dropped to its 2016 levels, “reversing much of the progress” towards the SDGs. Yet, it argues, there is “promise and opportunity in uncertainty” to “reimagine our futures, to renew and adapt our institutions and to craft new stories about who we are and what we value.”

14 Sep

The Facilitator in conversation with EU- Parliamentarians on saving the world’s great lungs

Berlin September 7, 2022. Honourable Dr. Christian Ruck, CBFP Facilitator of the Federal Republic of Germany travelled to Brussels to co-host together with the Member of the European Parliament from the Group of the European People's Party (EPP) Dr. Angelika Niebler, a casual round table on the importance of the EU’s support in achieving better protection of the Congo Basin Forests, including through a “Fair Deal” mechanism for long-term financing of the region by means of payments for ecosystem services approach.

14 Sep

“Zero Draft” Outlines Vision, Scope of Future Chemicals and Waste Framework – IISD

Delegates to the fourth session of the Intersessional Process for Considering the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) and the Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste Beyond 2020 (IP4) advanced their work on the outline for a future global policy framework to promote chemical safety.

14 Sep

New poll reveals support for EU action to stop companies from selling forest-ravaging goods – FERN

A strong majority of Europeans think businesses are failing in their responsibility to protect the world’s forests and therefore support a new law to ban products that destroy them. On Amazon Rainforest Day, a new poll shows that an overwhelming majority of Europeans (82%) believe businesses should not sell products that destroy the world’s forests and think (78%) that the government needs to ban products that drive deforestation. When informed that the European Parliament has proposed such a law, support rises to 81 per cent.

14 Sep

A Just Transition for Smallholders – FERN

MEPs have a crucial chance to ensure smallholders around the world don’t pay the price for EU efforts to end deforestation. When the European Commission published its proposal for a Regulation on deforestation-free products in November 2021, it was hailed as a landmark in the fight against deforestation.

14 Sep

A carbon bomb in the heart of Europe – FERN

Will the EU biomass loophole give a lifeline to energy giant EPH’s coal power plants? “A carbon bomb in the heart of Europe” investigates the rapidly growing Czech energy company EPH’s exploitation of loopholes in the European Union’s (EU) Renewable Energy Directive. The loopholes allow Member States to offer subsidies to extend the life of power stations. EPH is using such subsidies to burn biomass from forests, thereby dangerously delaying the energy sector’s decarbonisation.

14 Sep

Room for improvement in the Council’s deforestation-free position - FERN

On 28 June 2022, European Union Council of Environment Ministers (Council) adopted their opinion on the Commission’s proposal for a deforestation-free regulation intended to rein in the forest destruction caused by EU consumption of coffee, cocoa, palm oil, soya, beef and wood. While the text makes certain advances, other concerns and notable omissions must be addressed by the European Parliament when it adopts its position in mid-September.

12 Sep

CBFP MOP19; Summary of proceedings of side Event II: Monitoring the implementation of the N’Djamena Declaration and the development of Country Investment Plans in preparation for N’Djamena 2

A side-event entitled "Monitoring the implementation of the N'Djamena Declaration and the Development of Country Investment Plans in preparation for N'Djamena 2” was held on 07 July 2022. Experts from the 3 geographical and thematic blocs of the N'DJAMENA Declaration attended the day of strategic reflection on the subject of transhumance. A roadmap and a logical framework which the experts had established during previous work sessions were presented at the meeting. Other presentations delivered during the gathering highlighted the wide range of activities conducted by conservation actors, from the perspective of peaceful management of transhumance.

12 Sep

MOP19 CBFP - Summary of proceedings of DYNAFAC side events: From Mbaiki to Bambidie, 40 years monitoring the dynamics of production forests

The DYNAFAC side event consisted of presentations reviewing the results of 40 years of research on forest dynamics and ended with draft recommendations for policy makers. The first presentation entitled "Structure, diversity and dynamics of Central African forests: main achievements of the DynAfFor and P3FAC projects" was delivered by Sylvie GOURLET-FLEURY (CIRAD, France) and Félix ALLAH-BAREM (ICRA, CAR), and the second presentation entitled “Population dynamics of commercial species in Central Africa: main achievements of the DynAfFor and P3FAC projects” was delivered by Jean-Louis DOUCET (Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech – University of Liège, Belgium) and Franck MONTHE (Nature+ asbl, Belgium).

12 Sep

Final Press Release: Thirteenth Workshop of COMIFAC Protected Areas and Wildlife Sub-Working Group (SGTAPFS)

The 13th Workshop of the Central African Forest Commission's Sub-Working Group on Protected Areas and Wildlife (SGTAPFS) took place in Libreville, Republic of Gabon, from 11 to 15 July 2022. The German Cooperation through the GIZ Regional Project to Support COMIFAC, the European Union through the ECOFAC VI Program, and WCS provided technical and financial support for the workshop, which was coordinated by the institution's Executive Secretariat.

12 Sep

CBFP - MOP 19- Final Press Release- Ministerial Session - Binational Supervisory and Arbitration Committee (CBSA) for Cooperation between Cameroon and Chad on Bouba Ndjidda and Séna Oura

The Binational Supervisory and Arbitration Committee (CBSA), on the Cooperation Agreement between Cameroon and Chad for the concerted management of the Bouba Ndjidda and Séna Oura cross-border protected area complex, has held its second session at the invitation of Mr. Jules Doret NDONGO, Minister of Forests and Wildlife of Cameroon and Current President of CBSA. Kindly download the documents....

09 Sep

CBFP MOP19 Climate Focus Side Event: Key Messages and Insights

The Climate Focus side event, entitled “The Forest Declaration Assessment - How to achieve the 2030 goals in the Congo Basin” took place on 5 July 2022 during the 19th Meeting of Parties of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership. Following a brief overview of the project, five regional experts took the floor in a string of presentations on a variety of forestry-related topics.

09 Sep

Congo Basin Forest Partnership : Civil Society Declaration

We, the members of the CBFP Civil Society College represented by CEFDHAC and its affiliated networks (REPAR, REFADD, REJEFAC, REPALEAC, ReRaC, SEEAC, RECEIAC, RECTRAD), and ROSCEVAC, are honoured to release this "Declaration" endorsing the conclusions of the Civil Society College held on 07 July 2022 at the Radisson Blu hotel in Libreville, Gabon, in preparation for the pre-COP 27 common position note, and recommend the following...

09 Sep

CBFP - RDP 19- Final Press Release - Ministerial Session - Tri-national Supervision and Arbitration Committee (CTSA) on the Fight against Poaching (AT-LAB): Cameroon, CAR, Chad

The N'Djamena Tri-national Supervision and Arbitration Committee (CTSA) on the Cooperation Agreement between Cameroon, the Central African Republic and Chad on the fight against poaching (AT-LAB) held its third meeting. The meeting was convened by Mr. MAHAMAT AHMAT LAZINA, Chadian Minister of the Environment, Fisheries and Sustainable Development and Chairman of the CTSA.

09 Sep

CBFP MOP 19 - WWF Side Event: African Forest Elephants - Update on field activities and reflections on joint efforts to ensure their long-term conservation and coexistence with people

The overall objective of this workshop was to mobilise more partners for a synergy of efforts for the preservation of this species which is central to the ecological processes of the Congo Basin forests. Specifically, it aimed to Bring together the different technical partners to share experiences on forest elephants and their coexistence with humans;To question CBFP partners on the importance of continuing to support conservation actions for the last remaining populations of forest elephants...

09 Sep

Biodiversity Conservation – SGTAPFS13: COMIFAC: 13th meeting of COMIFAC’s Central African Protected Areas and Wildlife Sub-Working Group

The COMIFAC Executive Secretariat, Directors of Wildlife and Protected Areas, Heads of national sub-regional park agencies, as well as COMIFAC’s technical and financial partners, gathered in Libreville from 11 to 15 July 2022 for the 13th meeting of the Protected Areas and Wildlife Sub-Working Group of the Central African Forest Commission (COMIFAC). The meeting was held with technical and financial support from WCS, the European Union as part of ECOFAC 6 and the German technical cooperation through the GIZ Regional Project to support COMIFAC mandated by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development abbreviated BMZ.

09 Sep

APAC 2022: Central Africa reassures

The first African Parks Congress (APAC) of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), entitled ‘African protected areas for people and nature’ took place from 18 to 23 July 2022 in Kigali, Rwanda. The fair held during the event featured a hundred exhibitors, with several organizations represented - including the Central African Forest Commission. With exhibits highlighting the sub-region’s know-how as well as networking opportunities to forge international partnerships, Central African actors did everything they could to be noticed, making the ECCAS-COMIFAC pavilion the most visited pavilion at APAC 2022.

09 Sep

19th Meeting of Parties to the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (MOP19): ending and closing

From July 5 and July 8, 2022, the city of Libreville, Gabon hosted the 19th Meeting of Parties to the Congo Basin Forest Partnership. Through workshops, talks, and round tables, participants spent four (4) days figuring out how to speed up the implementation of the COMIFAC Declaration, the Glasgow Declaration on the "Fair Deal," and all other outcomes of the international conferences.

09 Sep

SDG Ambition Accelerator to Help Companies Usher Transformative Change – IISD

The UN Global Compact, with support from partners, is offering a six-month accelerator to challenge and support participating companies in setting ambitious corporate targets and accelerating integration of the SDGs into core business management. The programme aims to unlock business value, build resilience, and enable long-term growth.

08 Sep

Wild foods found to be widely collected across all agro-ecological zones of Zambia - CIFOR

New research in Zambia highlights the high volumes collected of a wide range of wild foods – from insects to freshwater fish to leafy greens and tubers – in rural areas across all of the country’s agroecological zones. “Across Zambia, many types of wild food were collected by every rural household surveyed, except one, and in substantial amounts,” said Ashley Steel, a forest officer with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and lead author of the paper, which was published this month in People and Nature.

07 Sep

Towards Transforming Education Summit: Is Acceleration the Right Approach? – IISD

Acceleration has been one of the more popular concepts in the discussions on the 2030 Agenda. The notion of picking up the pace on development goals is indeed appealing. Yet, we should be mindful not to pursue acceleration for its own sake. Ahead of the Transforming Education Summit convening from 16-19 September in New York, the education community needs to ensure that its outcome brings real positive change to all students.

01 Sep

2022 Africa Climate Week: Experts discuss Africa’s needs and priorities ahead of COP27 - AFDB

Amid a call for urgent action to safeguard the continent from climate change, Gabon’s President Ali Bongo Ondimba opened the 2022 Africa Climate Week by highlighting his country’s efforts to boost climate action and calling for continuous collective efforts.