Film screening "Reasons for Hope" in a Viennese cinema as part of the "Cine-ONU" series, highlights three inspirational Restoration initiatives with Jane Goodall, followed by a panel discussion with UNEP, the Zoo Schönbrunn, and experts. 

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An event was organized from the 23rd to the 26th of April in Astrakhan (Southern Russia), to mark World Environment Day and the International Year of Camelids, together with partners such as the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (marking their 30th anniversary in 2024), the Orenburg Region and Kalmykia of Russia, and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.

The Astrakhan region is characterized by an arid steppe–semidesert environment with challenges such as desertification, extensive cattle and sheep raising, and large-scale salt extraction. The event included numerous activities such as exhibitions, forums, and field trips, aimed at showcasing the importance of camel breeding, sustainable agriculture, and environmental conservation.

This initiative is linked to the WED theme of this year “Our land, our future”, as it aims to advocate for increased investment in the camelid sector, promotes sustainable agriculture, and seeks to fortify livelihoods in rural communities.

"World Environment Day (WED) 2024 presents a pivotal opportunity to address pressing environmental challenges on land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience, with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia hosting this annual event this year.

Join us as we uplift the work of young faith leaders: Mr. Bony Seun (Cambodia); Ms. Patricia Kombo (Kenya); Mr. Michael Ochem (Ghana); Mr. Peter Manongi (Tanzania); and Mr. Jagroop Singh (India) championing efforts on land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience. 

Find out how the Faith for Earth Coalition and partners are celebrating World Environment Day!

On 4 June, the United Nations Brussels will host the European Première of 'Our Blue World' in Brussels. Film screening followed by panel discussion, with the Director of the film, the Chief Scientist of UNCCD, a UK farmer and a high-level representative from the Brussels Capital Region.

Organized by UNEP and UNRIC, in collaboration with OHCHR, FAO, UNDRR, UNESCO, Bozar and the United Kingdom Mission to the EU.

This public event for an audience of 800 + including EU and UN stakeholders, general public and media, is organised with EU support and is a EU Green Week Partner Event.

View screening

The event dedicated to WED 2024 was organized by UNEP Russia (Ekaterina Tegina) together with the Non-Profit Organization “Cheerful Physical Training”, the environmental NGO “Guardians of the Bitsa Forest” and Indian cultural Centre with participation of the UNIC Moscow interns, volunteers and children of the Educational Center for Children of Migrants and Refugees of the Russian Red Cross. The event included lectures on the WED theme and related topics, discussion club, eco-quests and eco-painting, live-concert, horse-riding, and games. 

The link to photo album will follow.

On the occasion of World Environment Day, the UNEP Europe Vienna Office is organizing an exhibit at the Vienna International Center (VIC) in collaboration with local NGOs and associations. 

Each participating organization will host an interactive booth focusing on various aspects of land revival. At the heart of this event lies a partnership with a local school, where students will participate in a simulated conference on land restoration. They will engage in debates, guided by professional scientists.

This offers them a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in discussions focusing on restoring land, halting desertification, and building drought resilience. It will also foster a deeper understanding of the relevance of World Environment Day and of UNEP’s work.

Astrakhan oblast will be actively participating in the SPIEF and will have its own exhibition at the SPIEF EXPO. FALOR and UNEP Russia have jointly organized an event to be held at the SPIEF EXPO on 5 June 2024, dedicated to:

• Celebration of the WED 2024;
• 30th anniversary of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification;
• UN International Year of Camelids (IYC).

View announcement.

Two of the largest murals in North America will grace a revitalized Seattle waterfront in celebration of World Environment Day and the City of Seattle which has been selected as a Generation Restoration "Role Model City" by UNEP in recognition of its urban restoration efforts. The murals, created in just two weeks and curated by the non-profit, Street Art for Mankind, focus on two major aspects of ecosystem restoration: an urban ecosystem restoration mural by world-renowned artist, Victor Ash, is a pledge to restore nature in urban settings and calls for tree equity; and an Ocean Ecosystem Restoration mural by popular 3-D artist, Adry del Rocio, highlights the importance of connecting cities to the blue ecosystems that sustain them. The urban restoration mural, at nearly 800 feet wide, is the largest in North America and highlights the importance of green spaces which lay at the heart of urban planning for the benefit of people and nature. The 3-D ocean mural is a celebration of Seattle’s unique link with the sea and the need to strengthen the connection between coastal cities and oceans. Coastal regions are home to 40% of the global population, and 12 out of the world’s 15 largest cities are located by the sea.

Join the unveiling event.

On 5 June, Geneva’s iconic Jet d'eau will light up in green, emphasizing the importance of protecting freshwater ecosystems, which are home to 10% of the Earth’s species. While only occupying 5-8% of the Earth's surface, lakes, rivers, and wetlands hold 20-30% of global carbon. This underscores the need to manage and restore these vital ecosystems to combat biodiversity loss, pollution, and climate change.

Since 1891, the Jet d'eau has brought vibrancy to the heart of the Geneva, after being originally created to release pressure from a hydraulic plant that powered the city's industries. Initially reaching a height of just 30 meters, it was moved to Geneva’s Eaux-Vives neighbourhood and made into a landmark that now towers at 140 meters. Managed by the city’s electricity supplier, efforts are underway to make the Jet d'eau more energy efficient by reducing its water flow rate while maintaining its impressive height.

We thank the city of Geneva for their efforts in promoting World Environment Day!

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On June 6, an observance event will take place at United Nations Headquarters in New York to mark World Environment Day 2024. Organized in collaboration with the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations, the event will focus on land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience, under the slogan of “Our Land. Our Future.”

Member States, observers, civil society representatives and other stakeholders will have the chance to share initiatives that promote land restoration and sustainable land management, restore degraded ecosystems, and foster community resilience.