Government through the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI) in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other key stakeholders says it has mapped out strategies and interventions to protect the environment as the world marks World Environment Day.

The United Nations has since 1975 declared 5^th June of every year as World Environment Day.

2024 marks the 51^st Anniversary of the World Environment Day and will be hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which has overtime demonstrated pioneering efforts as part of commitments to the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030) in restoring degraded landscapes, combating desertification and building resilience to drought thus, advancing efforts to achieve environmental conservation and sustainability.

The objective of the celebration is to create regular public awareness and education on emerging environmental issues, serve as a global platform to accelerate, amplify and engage people, communities and governments around the world, and stimulate action on critical environmental challenges facing the planet.

The Ministry and other government agencies is expected to undertake a  tree planting exercises, public education and awareness creation, “What Do You Know Quiz”, exhibitions,  on sustainable land management practices.

Minister of Environment Science, Technology and Innovation, Ophelia Mensah Hayford says this is to facilitate dialogues on nature-based solutions suitable for ecosystem restoration, to advance efforts to achieve sustainable development goals (13 & 15).

According to her, this is also to restore degraded landscapes, combat desertification, build effective resilience to drought, and ensure a sustainable future for both the planet and the next generation.

In a press release signed by the Minister she said, “Let’s therefore use this day as a catalyst for social change as we adopt sustainable land management practices and invest in resilient strategies to protect our planet’s existing natural resources and promote a greener, safer and better future for all.”

The Ministry says to appreciate this year’s theme with a focus on land restoration, desertification and drought resilience, it is imperative to recall that in March 2019, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution declaring 2021-2030 as the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.

To support accelerated progress on these commitments, government says this year’s celebration aims to emphasise the need for collaboration between governments, private sector organisations and individuals globally, to increase efforts on ecosystem restoration at a mass scale to protect and restore degraded landscapes, tackle desertification and build drought resilience which is critical for advancing efforts to achieve sustainable development goals (esp. 13 & 15) and ensuring a sustainable future for the planet, species and the next generation.