5 June: World Environment Day

The high increase of population living in urban environments poses a series of challenges and consequences to urban management. This year’s themefor World Environment Day, Green Cities, highlights these issues under the overall slogan Plan for the Planet!

Countries all over the world organized events to celebrate this International day as global celebrations were held in San Francisco , USA during the first week of June 2005. Along with the support of the United Nations Environmental Programme each day focused on a specific theme: Urban Power, Cities on the Move, Redesigning Metropolis, Pure Elements, and Flower Power. In the spirit of the 1960’s peace movement that took place in San Francisco during the “Summer of Love”, and as flowers are a universal symbol of peace, love and harmony, the United Nations Environmental Programme named June 5, WED2005 “Flower Power Day”.

Among the high-level activities carried-out during World Environment Day, majors from cities around the world gathered in San Francisco to share their environmental innovations and commit to taking action towards further environmental sustainability. The celebrations also fostered the adoption of the San Francisco Urban Environmental Accord, which includes commitments based on existing and emerging best-practices in the area of urban environment. The Accord includes 21 actions organized by urban environmental themes and its implementation should be carried-out through a participatory process that ensures equity and inclusion of all citizens.

For more information on the celebrations organized in San Francisco to celebrate World Environment Day, please click here.

To read more about the activities organized all around the world to celebrate World Environment Day, please click here.

To read the message of the UN Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan, on the occasion WED, please click here.