African ministers demand urgent climate action, biodiversity protection

Officials attending the 20th session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, have called for faster action to address the continent's environmental challenges and stronger protections for its biodiversity.

The five-day conference, which ended on Friday, was held under the theme "Four Decades of Environmental Action in Africa: Reflecting on the Past and Imagining the Future" and marked the 40th anniversary of AMCEN.

More than 1,000 delegates, including ministers and representatives of multilateral agencies, civil society, academia, and industry, discussed topics such as climate change, biodiversity loss, plastic pollution, deforestation, and climate finance.

"You have collectively shaped the African environmental agenda, championing climate action, protecting biodiversity, addressing land degradation and pollution, and ensuring African voice is heard on the global stage," said Zainab Hawa Bangura, director-general of the United Nations Office at Nairobi.

The officials urged faster action to protect Africa's forests, biodiversity, and communities. Meanwhile, calls for climate reparations were amplified, along with demands for holding polluters accountable and securing direct funding for indigenous-led conservation efforts.

"As we mark this important milestone, let us draw inspiration from AMCEN's legacy and renew the dedication of the environmental challenges and opportunities ahead. Together we can build on this strong foundation to secure a sustainable future for generations to come," said Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, deputy executive director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).

Furthermore, a political declaration was adopted at the conference, establishing bold priorities to ensure Africa's voice is heard at the UN Climate Change Conference in Belem (COP30) in Brazil later this year and in the future.

Since its inception in 1985, AMCEN has served as a vital forum for African countries to collaboratively tackle the environmental challenges facing Africa. Across its diverse sessions, AMCEN has fostered the development of crucial resolutions that have not only influenced regional policies but have also bolstered Africa's role in global environmental governance.

African ministers demand urgent climate action, biodiversity protection

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned on Sunday that Tehran would view the United States and Israel's military bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" should Washington take military action against Iran.

At a parliamentary session convened to review an emergency proposal on assembly regulations, Qalibaf emphasized that, at this highly sensitive juncture, Iran must accurately and thoroughly identify the schemes of its adversaries.

Qalibaf said that Iran is currently confronting Israel and the United States simultaneously on four fronts: economic, cognitive, military, and counterterrorism. Of them, the economic warfare and the cognitive and psychological warfare began many years ago and have persisted to this day, growing increasingly complex and intense in recent years.

The remarks came as U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran, taking advantage of its nationwide unrest.

Protests have erupted in several Iranian cities since late December over the sharp fall of the rial and long-standing economic hardship. Iranian authorities have acknowledged the demonstrations and voiced willingness to address economic grievances, while warning against violence and vandalism.

Amid the ongoing protests, deadly clashes have been reported lately between police and what the government described as "rioters." However, no official death toll has been released.

Also on Sunday, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will address the country's economic situation and political environment in a televised interview later that day.

Iran swears to counterattack if attacked