NAIROBI, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Environment ministers and representatives of civil society organizations on Tuesday called for fair and efficient use of natural resources.

Addressing a leadership dialogue during the just ended fifth session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5), the ministers called for increased forest cover in all UN Environment members.

"We have to give special attention to increasing forest cover to help manage greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the spread of diseases from animals to humans," said the ministers.

Noting that the year 2020 was a challenging year, they put emphasis on the use of green growth, solar energy and renewable energy to build back a sustainable society better after the outbreak of COVID-19.

The ministers called for resource allocation and enhanced capacity building to make the programs sustainable. "It is important that we strengthen the management of protected areas, forestry and national parks to help mitigate climate change and contain animal diseases from spreading into the environment," said the ministers.

Afroz Shah, champion of the Earth 2016, called on environmentalists to do more than just talk to make the world a healthy place to live in.

Inger Andersen, executive director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) urged countries to seek science-based solutions in managing their environment.

"Trust science and apply science in your bid to meeting the United Nations sustainable development goals," said Andersen. Saying that COVID-19 has brought greater damage to the environment, Andersen urged nations to build a resilient and inclusive post-pandemic world. Enditem

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