Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte highlighted how the city government is working to attain success in its climate programs through united actions during the opening plenary of the sixth United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) in Nairobi, Kenya on Monday, February 26. 

Mayor Joy Belmonte's X account

Belmonte is the summit’s rapporteur of the cities and regions to raise their concerns and propositions to the UNEA.

Belmonte explained the united action of government and society to successfully scale these solutions up and benefit more residents.

“United action at all levels of government and society is vital to achieving a green, sustainable, and livable future for all," she said. 

“There is also a dire need for local authorities to have accessible financial resources and interventions to effectively implement environmental programs at the grassroots level, especially for those who belong to the most marginalized sector of the community,” she added. 

The mayor also stressed that local authorities should be given a platform to actively participate in future UNEA resolutions and other environmental initiatives.

“The challenges we face are immense, but our potential for collective action is even greater. Let us embrace the shared responsibility amplified at the summit,” Mayor Belmonte said.

“Addressing the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution require a united front, where international agencies like the United Nations, national governments, cities, the private sector, NGOs, and communities at all levels collaborate more closely together in the pursuit of our collective goals,” she added.

Also present in the UNEA-6 were Councilor Vito Sotto Generoso and Kristine Lea Sy-Gaon of the Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Department (CCESD).

In 2023, Belmonte was hailed as the UN Environment Programme Champion of the Earth for policy leadership.