UN Maldives commemorates World Environment Day with the theme:
Your planet needs you!
The United Nations estimates that due to climate change effects an additional 600 million people will face food shortages and malnourishment in the coming years, 1.8 billion will struggle to find water and 330 million will be displaced.
The UN is on the ground, providing policy and technical assistance to support governments and peoples across the world achieve the Millennium Development Goals and realize their development aspirations. Mitigate or preventing the rapidly intensifying effects of climate change to achieve sustainable human development has been one of the major areas of cooperation by the UN.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP has been supporting the Government of Maldives in meeting its national commitments under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol, and building national capacity for sustainable use and protection of natural resources. In addition, mainstreaming of climate change and environmental awareness into the education (UNICEF) and health care systems (WHO) continue to be areas of assistance of the UN.
This year’s theme for World Environment Day – Your planet needs you, inspires people around the world to make a transition to a new era of greener and cleaner development. It also reflects the urgency for nations to agree on a new deal at the crucial climate convention meeting in
“There is no better time to act than NOW – on the pledges made -- to deliver on these promises,” said UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Patrice Coeur-Bizot, about the urgency of addressing the environmental crises we are facing today. He also highlighted a first-ever national report on the economic valuation of biological diversity in the Maldives that will be launched in a few days. The report, supported by UNDP, shows the linkages between the economy of the Maldives and its natural resources and will be useful in defining the actions that could be taken now.
To mark the day, UN staff committed to an initiative aimed at “greening from the inside”, by adopting cloth bags in favor of plastic bags – ushering in a campaign to make the UN a plastic bag-free workplace. An energy monitoring initiative targeted at monitoring and reducing the carbon footprint of the UN was also launched.
The UN system is aware of the vulnerabilities to the impact of climate change faced by the Maldives. The UN remains committed to support the country find and implement solutions that reduce poverty and manage the environment for sustainable human development.
Established by the UN General Assembly in 1972, World Environment Day is one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations enhances political attention to environmental concerns. Recognizing that climate change is becoming a pressing issue of our era, the UN asks countries, companies and communities to promote low carbon economies and life-styles, such as improved energy efficiency, alternative energy sources, forest conservation and eco-friendly consumption.
For any inquiries, you may contact:
Mohamed Inaz (mohamed.inaz@undp.org); 3343237
Aminath Ibrahim (Sanu) (aminath.ibrahim@undp.org); 3343285