Pakistan announced that it would host the World Environment day 2021 in partnership with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). The announcement was made in the online session of the 5th UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5).
Environment day, usually celebrated on June 5, is the United Nations' flagship day for promoting worldwide awareness and action for the environment. Since the restoration of nature is imperative to the survival of our planet and the human race, 'Ecosystem Restoration' is the theme of this year's World Environment Day, with a special focus on restoring friendly human relations with nature.
Environmental issues being faced by Pakistan and initiatives taken to mitigate them will also be highlighted at the event.
"In 2021, we must take deliberate steps to move from crisis to healing: and in so doing, we must recognize that restoration of nature is imperative to the survival of our planet and the human race," said Inger Anderson, the Executive Director of UNEP.
Through the 10 Billion Tree Tsunami campaign, Pakistan plans to expand and restore the country's forests. Restoring mangroves and forests and planting trees in urban settings, including schools, colleges, public parks, and green belts, are part of the plan under the campaigns. Under the Bonn Challenge, a global effort linked to the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, countries are pledging to bring 350 million hectares of the world's deforested and degraded land into restoration by 2030.
"The government is fully committed towards playing a leadership role in addressing the issue of climate change, including through the 10 Billion Trees Tsunami initiative, which will restore and enhance over one million hectares of forest land across the country. We are honoured to host this year's World Environment Day and lend our support to global restoration efforts," said Mr Malik Amin Aslam, Pakistani Environmentalist and Adviser to Prime Minister on Climate Change.