Environment

UN agencies responded on Tuesday to President Trump’s executive orders ending US membership of the World Health Organization and its adherence to the Paris Climate Agreement, highlighting the massive potential negative impact on public health and efforts to curb global warming.

The government has committed to ambitious renewable energy targets – 50 per cent power generation from renewables by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2070. Coal remains indispensable in the short term. Plans to nearly double coal production by 2030 reflect the urgency to meet rising energy demands.

In urban areas, the winter months reveal unique indoor air quality challenges. The fine particles from outdoor pollution sources infiltrate homes, offices, and public buildings, significantly degrading air quality.

By combining grassroots involvement with scientific expertise, the annual water bird census remains a cornerstone of Nepal’s conservation efforts, offering hope for the sustainable preservation of its wetlands and the diverse species they sustain.

Case studies from Ethiopia, Mexico, and the Netherlands highlight how targeted actions, informed by robust governance and a focus on resilience, can catalyse broader progress.

For UNDP, this is not only an area that requires urgent action but also a natural point of thematic convergence that brings together two of our areas of expertise: climate action and governance.

He described the UN as “a force of construction” that is always strengthening how it works and delivers, proving the maxim that global problems need global solutions.

The 2025 Annual Meeting of The World Economic Forum's relevance as a global gathering sits within and beyond the official programme.