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The "two mountains" concept, which holds that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets," is a core environmental philosophy introduced by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

In an exclusive interview with China Media Group (CMG), Yasmine Fouad, United Nations under-secretary-general and executive secretary of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), said the principle highlights the close link between ecological protection and economic development.

Fouad warned that land degradation, desertification and drought are already costing the world hundreds of billions of dollars each year. She called for early action and greater investment in restoring degraded land, stressing that preventing environmental damage is far less costly than waiting for a crisis to emerge.

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Yasmine Fouad: Economic growth cannot come at the cost of nature