Princess Basma Bint Ali calls for unified action to combat climate change at Seoul meet

AMMAN — HRH Princess Basma Bint Ali, Goodwill Ambassador for the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) for Near East and North Africa, and founder of the Royal Botanic Garden of Jordan, has participated in the XV World Forestry Congress.

The 15th congress was held in the South Korean capital Seoul with the participation of delegations from 142 countries, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Addressing the gathering of forestry stakeholders, which was opened by South Korea’s outgoing President Moon Jae-in,   Princess Basma highlighted the importance of unified action to draw up a global plan to face climate change through effective methodologies to build a healthy ecosystem, which requires modifying global legal and ethical frameworks in a way that improves the environment and preserves nature and biodiversity.

“We do not have the luxury of time,” said the princess, adding “but what we do have is the opportunity to make change”. 

She also urged governments and civil society institutions to prioritise the environment sector and climate change, and to modify and improve laws and regulations to help adapt to climate change, as well as to support civil society institutions to establish mega projects and launch initiatives to instill the culture of qualitative afforestation to achieve food security.

On the sidelines of the conference, the princess met President Moon Jae-in over means of advancing cooperation to preserve the environment and combatting climate change, Petra added.