This year is the 50th yearទី Anniversary of World Environment Day after it was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972. Over the past five decades, the day has grown to be one of the world’s largest platforms for environmental advocacy. Tens of millions of people participate online and through live events, events and activities around the world.
“The threat of plastic pollution is a visible threat affecting communities around the world,” said Jean-Luc Assi, Côte d’Ivoire Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development. From the government and business to civil society to find and solve the champion.
Côte d’Ivoire has banned the use of plastic bags since 2014, supporting the transition to reusable packaging. Abidjan’s largest city has also become a hub for startups seeking to get rid of plastic pollution.
More than 400 million tons of plastic are produced each year worldwide, half of which are designed for single use. Of those, less than 10 percent are recycled. An estimated 19-23 million tons end up in lakes, rivers and seas each year.
Microplastics – Small plastic particles up to 5 mm in diameter find their way into food, water and air. It is estimated that each person on the planet consumes more than 50,000 plastic particles per year, and more if absorbed. Disposable plastics waste or burn human health and biodiversity and pollute all ecosystems from mountain tops to seabed.
With the science and solutions available to solve the problem, the government, companies and other stakeholders must expand and accelerate their efforts to resolve the crisis. This underscores the importance of this World Environment Day in mobilizing change activities from all corners of the globe.
This year’s World Environment Day will be supported by the Government of the Netherlands, one of the countries that is ambitious in its plastic life cycle. It is a signatory to the Global Commitment of the New Plastic Economy and a member of the Global Partnership on Plastic Pollution and Sewage Waste. It is also a member of the ambitious Alliance, which calls for strong and ambitious international legal instruments to combat plastic pollution.
“Plastic pollution and its devastating effects on health, economy and the environment cannot be ignored. Urgent action is required. At the same time, we need a really effective and robust solution, “said Vivianne Heijnen, the Dutch environment minister. “As part of a number of policies focused on plastics, the Netherlands and the European Union are fully committed to reducing the production and use of single-use plastics, which can and must be replaced by durable and sustainable alternatives.”
Today’s announcement follows a resolution adopted in 2022 at the United Nations General Assembly to develop legal instruments on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, with the ambition to conclude negotiations by the end of 2024. The first meeting of intergovernmental negotiations. The Committee (INC-1) was convened in Uruguay in December and the second meeting is expected to take place in Paris in 2023. The device is based on a comprehensive approach that addresses the complete life cycle of plastics.
“We must seize every opportunity and engage with all stakeholders to solve the plastic problem completely,” said UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen. “Côte d’Ivoire and the Netherlands are among the countries facing this challenge and taking advantage of the circular plastic economy. 50th Anniversary Commemorationទី “World Environment Day is a time for governments, businesses, communities and individuals to get involved.”
The campaign for World Environment Day 2023 will use the hashtag #BeatPlasticPollution.
Notes to Editors
About World Environment Day
World Environment Day is a major vehicle for the United Nations to promote global awareness and action for the environment. Held annually since 1973, the day has also become an important platform for advancing the environmental dimension of the Sustainable Development Goals. With the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) leading more than 150 countries participating each year. Major corporations, NGOs, communities, governments and celebrities from around the world embrace the World Environment Day brand as the champion of environmental causes.
About the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)
UNEP is a leading global voice on the environment. It provides leadership and encourages partnerships to take care of the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling countries and people to improve their quality of life without harming generations. Next.
For more information, please contact:
UN Environment Program Information and Media Unit
