ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan will lead a climate change conference as Pakistan hosts World Environment Day 2021 for the first time in history on June 5.
This year’s observance of World Environment Day with the collaboration of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) will be on the theme of ‘ecosystem restoration’ and focus on resetting our relationship with nature.
It will also mark the formal launch of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021 – 2030. Last year, China was the host of the global summit on World Environment Day.
Prime Minister Imran Khan will chair the global summit on the environment which will also be attended by the UN Secretary-General, Pope Francis, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
The prime minister will highlight the Billion Tree Tsunami project, Clean Green Pakistan project, electric vehicle policy, national parks, green jobs, and other climate change initiatives taken by the incumbent government at the conference.
A mega ceremony to mark World Environment Day 2021 would also be held on June 5 in Islamabad, where key announcements would be made to pursue an effective climate change policy in the country.
World Environment Day takes place every year on June 5 and is the UN’s flagship day for promoting worldwide awareness and action for the environment. Over the years, it has grown to be the largest global platform for environmental public outreach and is celebrated by millions of people across the world.
On March 1, Adviser to Prime Minister and Minister on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam had made the announcement that Pakistan has been mandated to host World Environment Day this year.
He said the country received the honour after the international community acknowledges its leading role in environment conservation despite being a developing country. He joined UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen in acknowledging the urgency of preventing, halting and reversing the degradation of ecosystems worldwide.
As host of World Environment Day, Pakistan will highlight environmental issues and showcase the country’s own initiatives and its role in global efforts. The day will be celebrated across the world through various events and activities, in line with latest COVID-19 regulations.
The UN Decade is intended to massively scale up the restoration of degraded and destroyed ecosystems to fight the climate crisis, prevent the loss of a million species and enhance food security water supply and livelihoods.
The UN Decade runs from 2021 through 2030, which is also the deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the timeline scientists have identified critical for avoiding the worst impacts of climate change.
