UN officials highlight cooperation, science to combat global climate challenges

Officials at the ongoing seventh session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) have called for cooperation to combat escalating global environmental challenges and emphasized the crucial role of science in this effort.

UNEA-7 opened on Monday in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital. This year's forum aims to reach a consensus on a number of challenges facing the world today such as climate change and pollution.

Delegates will discuss 15 draft resolutions and three draft decisions calling for enhanced protection of glaciers, sustainable production of metals and minerals, and reducing the ecological footprint of Artificial Intelligence.

Inger Andersen, executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), urged the assembly to work together to fight the accelerating global environmental challenges.

"We are all interconnected on this planet and we all want the same thing, a better future for ourselves and for our families. The foundation stone of such a future are a stable climate, a safe and clean sustainable environment and a pollution-free future," said Andersen.

At a press briefing later on Monday, UNEA-7 President Abdullah Bin Ali Al-Amri said he hoped science would prevail.

"The science is very important and the scientists are doing their best in order to provide us with scientific facts; the role of the presidency and the UNEP is to support these scientific facts as much as I can, but the decision by the end of the day will be made by member states," he said.

Hailing from over 170 countries, nearly 6,000 delegates are attending the five-day conference under the theme "Advancing Sustainable Solutions for a Resilient Planet." Attendees include environment officials and representatives from multilateral agencies, academia, industry, and civil society.

As the world's highest-level decision-making body on matters related to the environment, the UNEA has been held since 2014 with universal membership of all 193 UN member states.

UN officials highlight cooperation, science to combat global climate challenges

The second phase of the urban ring greenway in Shijiazhuang City, north China's Hebei Province, was made fully accessible to the public on Wednesday, providing citizens with a new type of urban public space integrating cycling, jogging, and walking.

The greenway was completed after over two years of construction, which started in March 2023. It was carried out in two phases.

The first phase, spanning 51 kilometers, was completed in December 2023. The second phase, 50 kilometers long, saw the final gap successfully connected in the early hours of December 3, following the successful rotation of a swivel bridge spanning the Shijiazhuang-Taiyuan High-speed Railway. The Shijiazhuang ring greenway comprises 55.23 kilometers of pathways and 81 bridges measuring 45.77 kilometers.

Along the route, 18 service stations are planned, with 56 main entrances and exits established. It links the three major water systems, the Hutuo River, Taiping River, and the city's ring water system, and connects 76 parks and gardens along the way.

The cycling and walking paths are clearly separated by a rainbow-colored line, making it an excellent venue for citizens' leisure and fitness activities.

"It really provides us cycling enthusiasts with an excellent sports venue where we can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Shijiazhuang. Even though it's winter now, our enthusiasm for cycling on the ring greenway has not decreased but increased instead," said Zhao Zesong, a cycling enthusiast.

"During the ride, I also noticed there are many service stations, including facilities for bike repairs and rentals, which makes our daily cycling very convenient," said Zhang Luheng, another cycling enthusiast.

Urban ring greenway made fully accessible to public in north China's Shijiangzhuang