Ambassador Alfonso de Alba, the Envoy for the forthcoming Climate Summit, introduced the upcoming Summit, which will be held on 23 September 2019 in New York.

The theme of this year’s Summit- A Race We Can Win. A Race We Must Win- will seek to challenge Member States, civil society and the private sector, to take action on the following key areas: energy transition, climate finance and carbon pricing, industry transition, nature-based solutions, cities and local action, and resilience.

In addition, there will be an added focus onmmitigation in new major emitters, public mobilisation and social and political drivers. A coalition of governmental actors will be invited from every region to collaborate in developing each of these themes.

Dr. Susan Gardner, Director of UN Environment’s Ecosystems Division, in describing the nature-based solutions work stream, indicated that China and New Zealand shall lead the coalition in this multi-stakeholder process. In addressing such critical climate issues, the Summit will seek actions that protect or restore nature in ways that provide benefits to local society and communities in a cost-effective manner. Dr. Gardner stated that groups interested in participating in the Summit should either contact one of the host countries or the Ecosystems Division Nature-based Solutionsmteam.

The Summit will be preceded by two preparatory days and will be held in close association with the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, and the High Level Dialogue on Financing for Development.

UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, has indicated that the outcome of this Summit should aim to identify concrete actions in each of these areas to produce a transformative effect on our environment.