Katja Kircher is a research leader at the Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute. Her main research interest is sustainable transport, with a focus on cycling. Her vision for future mobility is a world without private cars. 

Restore the land. Unlock the opportunities. The Republic of Colombia will host this year's event. Desertification, land degradation, and drought are among the most pressing environmental challenges of our time, with up to 40% of all land area worldwide already considered degraded.

The climate and social justice mechanism aims to gradually reduce greenhouse gas emissions through a carbon currency that will decrease over time. Every citizen receives a carbon budget, and companies are required to label their carbon footprint, which encourages them to decarbonize.

The future belongs to the Tropics. The Tropics have just over half of the world’s renewable water resources (54%), yet almost half their population is vulnerable to water stress. Biodiversity is greater in the Tropics – however, loss of biodiversity is also greater in the Tropics than in the rest of the world.

The declaration of the International Day of Hope is more than symbolic—it is a global invitation to act. It calls on Member States, regional and international bodies, civil society, and individuals to cultivate environments where hope can thrive.