New York: Europe and the Arabs
City officials, state governors, and other leaders around the world are working to ensure their regions benefit from initiatives that address climate change and achieve prosperity in an uncertain future.
From Morocco to India, from California to Quebec City, the United Nations' "Local Leaders" series highlights how strong leadership positively impacts the lives of people in both developing and developed countries.
On the occasion of International Mother Earth Day, celebrated annually on April 22, the series aims to encourage broader climate action and demonstrate the importance of local leadership in addressing global challenges.
In this article, the UN Daily News highlights the efforts of some inspiring local leaders for change. Guelmim-Oued Noun Region, Morocco: Mbarka Bouaida, President of the Regional Council
"The region is experiencing increasingly erratic rainfall, prolonged droughts, and desertification. This places significant pressure on our water resources, ecosystems, and agricultural production.
Our strategy includes investments in seawater desalination, mountain dams, artificial aquifer recharge, and wastewater reuse.
This initiative delivers measurable environmental and social benefits. It enhances climate resilience by improving water security, promoting the circular use of resources, and reducing vulnerability in rural communities, which also helps reduce regional disparities."
California, USA: Governor Gavin Newsom
"This year began with catastrophic wildfires in Los Angeles, but Californians have long seen the growing impacts of climate change firsthand—including more extreme heat, more intense drought, and stronger and more intense storms.
Since 2014, the Cap and Trade program has generated more than $11 billion in climate investments, with more than 75 percent of those funds flowing directly to low-income communities and communities living on the front lines of the climate crisis.
California is showing that you don't have to choose between a strong economy and bold climate leadership."
Maharashtra, India: Pankaja Munde, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
"Maharashtra is one of the five states in the country most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Our state experienced 142 extreme weather events in 2024.
Our initiatives focus on decarbonizing the construction sector, incentivizing electric vehicles, expanding green spaces, promoting climate-resilient agriculture, and encouraging bamboo cultivation as an alternative to fossil fuels.
The state government's flagship climate initiative, 'Mazi Vasundhara Abhiyan' (My Land Mission), demonstrates the power of grassroots mobilization in addressing the climate challenge and underscores the vital role communities can play in driving the climate agenda."