Shenzhen City, China To Host 2002 International World Environment Day Celebrations
The City of Shenzhen in the People's Republic of China will be the venue for the main celebrations of this year's World Environment Day (WED), on 5 June. The announcement was made today by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
Nairobi, 11 March 2002 - "I am delighted that China has generously offered to host this important United Nations Day and I believe it will be a unique opportunity to push the environmental agenda forward", said Klaus Toepfer, UNEP's Executive Director.
WED, considered one of the most important events on the environment calendar is celebrated every year in more than 100 countries. The occasion serves to inspire political and community action. Governments, individuals, non-governmental organizations, community and youth groups, business, industry and the media undertake a variety of activities aimed at renewing their commitment to the protection of the environment.
With the theme, Give Earth a Chance, this year's host will organize a series of events that will not only raise environmental awareness but also promote continued environmental action.
"The theme calls on each and every one of us to contribute to the healing of the ailing planet. In spite of considerable efforts and significant achievements, many of the problems which plagued the Earth during the 20th century still linger. More than ever, we need to take the necessary steps to ensure that the environment remains at the top of the global agenda", Mr. Toepfer added.
The year 2002 marks the 30th Anniversary of UNEP and is also being celebrated as the International Year of Mountains and the International Year of Ecotourism.
Note to Editors: Each year, the main World Environment Day celebrations are held in a major city at the invitation of the Government.
Shenzhen, with a population of 4.3 million, is located in the south of China. It was established in 1980 as the country's first economic special zone. The City has received several accolades, among them, that of National Model City for Environmental Protection. In 2000, Shenzhen was honoured as the International Garden City by the International Association of Gardens and Recreational Facilities.
Individuals and organizations are invited to post details about their planned WED events and learn about what others are doing to celebrate WED across the globe. World Environment Day web site:
www.unep.org/wed
For more information, contact: Tore J. Brevik, UNEP Spokesman/Director, Communications and Publication Information, in Nairobi on tel.: (254-2) 623292; fax: (254-2) 623927; email: tore.brevik@unep.org or Nick Nuttall, Media Officer, UNEP, P.O. Box 30552, Nairobi, Kenya, tel.: (254-2) 623084; email: nick.nuittall@unep.org or Elisabeth Guilbaud-Cox, Head, Outreach and Special Events, (254-2) 623401; fax: (254-2) 62-3692; email: elisabeth-guilbaud-cox@unep.org
