Led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), World Environment Day mobilises stakeholders from over 150 countries to formulate action plans for safeguarding the environment
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World Environment Day is an annual observance, celebrated since 1973, with an aim to raise awareness about the importance of protecting the environment, highlighting that following eco-conscious practices is not a choice but a necessity.
Led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), this global initiative mobilises stakeholders from over 150 countries to formulate action plans for safeguarding the environment.
World Environment Day 2025: Date, theme and host country
The day is observed annually on June 5. The Republic of Korea will officially be hosting World Environment Day 2025.
Every year, the observance is centred on a particular theme which represents an environmental issue that needs urgent attention.
The theme of this year ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’ addresses the rising menace of plastic waste and its visible and hidden impact on the environment as well as living beings.
The theme for 2024 was ‘Our Land, Our Future. We are #GenerationRestoration’.
UN Secretary-General’s message
In his message for World Environment Day, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said, “This World Environment Day focuses on solutions to beat plastic pollution. And rightly so. Plastic pollution is choking our planet – harming ecosystems, well-being, and the climate. Plastic waste clogs rivers, pollutes the ocean, and endangers wildlife. And as it breaks-down into smaller and smaller parts, it infiltrates every corner of Earth: from the top of Mount Everest, to the depths of the ocean; from human brains; to human breastmilk.”
“Yet there is a movement for urgent change. We are seeing mounting public engagement, steps towards reusability and greater accountability and policies to reduce single-use plastics and improve waste management. But we must go further, faster,” he added, reiterating the need to formulate a new global treaty to end plastic pollution when global representatives meet with this objective two months later.
World Environment Day significance
World Environment Day serves as a call to action for mobilising communities and initiating action on pressing environmental issues like plastic pollution, climate change, biodiversity loss, among others.
The day is observed with activities ranging from awareness sessions to sustainable initiatives. Several region-specific campaigns promoting sustainability and eco-consciousness are also organised on this day.
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