Wangari Maathai, the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, urged Japan to take the lead in preserving the world's biodiversity in a speech Tuesday in Tokyo.

In Copenhagen, people’s expectation was that delegates would have an ambitious and legally-binding agreement. Because this was not achieved many were disappointed. However, we did move forward especially politically. We have to continue working with governments, the business sector, civil society and citizens in order to overcome the obstacles identified.

For years, we have been hearing African leaders calling for "African solutions to African problems." And for many more years, we have been waiting to see our leaders rise to the occasion and demonstrate strong leadership to resolve the many conflicts that plague our continent.

Today, we are starting to see results. African leaders recently took their boldest steps yet to confront one of the most persistent and deadly conflicts: Sudan.