Merkel on climate change: Achieve ambitious goals

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday called on the international community to both set and achieve ambitious goals on tackling climate change.

"We want to achieve both. That is the signal I would like to see from COP26!", she said, referring to the next United Nations Climate Change Conference, scheduled to be held in Glasgow in the UK in November 2021.

Merkel made the comment as she addressed the UN Climate Ambition Summit, which marks the fifth anniversary of the Paris Climate Agreement.

Heads of state and government from over 70 countries are taking part in the virtual gathering, which is co-hosted by the UK, the United Nations, France, Italy and Chile.

During the event, the world leaders are expected to pledge to increase their efforts to curb the greenhouse gas emissions that fuel global warming.

The Paris accord set a goal for keeping global temperatures from rising above levels that could have devastating consequences for mankind.