NEW YORK: The President of UN Economic and Social Council and Pakistan Permanent Envoy to the United Nations, Munir Akram has called for urgent action to stop deforestation.

Addressing a virtual event to commemorate the International Day of Forests being observed today (Sunday), he said that forest restoration would bring gains for both livelihoods and the environment. He warned that the world's forests are fast retreating.

Munir Akram said we must take urgent action to stop deforestation and forest degradation and provide alternatives to rural populations dependent on wood-burning through renewable energy installation and job creation in rural areas.