(AGENPARL) – ven 31 maggio 2024 [A colorful logo with text Description automatically generated with medium confidence] 
Media Advisory
World Environment Day 2024
Theme: Land restoration, desertification and drought resilience
Global Celebrations | 5 June 2024  
World Environment Day is the largest global platform for environmental outreach. Led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and held annually since 1973, it is celebrated by millions of people across the world.
In 2024, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will host World Environment Day with a focus on land restoration, desertification and drought resilience. Land restoration is a key pillar of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030), a rallying call for the protection and revival of ecosystems all around the world, which is critical to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. 
The press is invited to the official events planned in the host country and other regions across the globe.
West Asia and WED host country (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)
Official celebration event
Time: 7:00 – 9:30pm (Riyadh time)
Venue: King Abdul Aziz International Conference Center.
Speakers:
* Inger Andersen – Executive Director, UNEP
* H.E. Eng. Abdulrahman Abdulmohsen A. Al-Fadley – Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
* Representatives from the Secretariats of the three Rio Conventions, and the UN Environment Assembly presidency (TBC)
Other host-country activities include:
* Arab Forum for Environment, including an Exhibition, June 3–5, at Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center.
* Saudi Industrial Development Fund (SIDF) Exhibition, June 5, at King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD).
* More than 20 celebration activities organized around the Kingdom in public areas, from malls, and airports to public parks.
Some global & regional activities and events to watch out for:
Global Youth Event & Film Screening
This event will feature a film screening of Kiss The Ground – an inspiring film focused on solutions to the climate crisis. There will also be youth-led discussion with high-level experts.
Speakers
* Mr. Bruno Pozzi, deputy director of UNEP’s ecosystem division
* Ms. Ayadi Mishra, chairperson of the We Are Tomorrow Global Partnership
* Ms. Xiye Bastida, climate justice activist
* Mr. Kartik Verma, representative of the Children and Youth Major Group to UNEP
* Mr. Finian Makepeace, co-founder and producer of Kiss the Ground
Day: 4 June || 16:30 – 18:30 EAT
Location: Online
Africa
* High-level policy discussion
In Zimbabwe, UNEP and the SADC Secretariat, in collaboration with UNDP, UNICEF, UN-Habitat, UNRCO Zimbabwe, the Government of Zimbabwe, and Zimbabwe’s First Lady, Auxillia Mnangagwa, will host high-level policy discussions with civil society, farmers, and the public. The day will culminate in restorative actions at Geopomona Waste Management, a site symbolic of severe deforestation.
Day: 4 June
Location: Harare, Zimbabwe
Asia- Pacific
* Regional Premiere of Living Indus RESTORE Film
As part of a half day of events focused on the theme of World Environment Day 2024, UNEP and the UN Economic Commission for Asia and the Pacific will host the regional premiere of the RESTORE film on the Living Indus initiative. Aimed at restoring more than 30 per cent of Pakistan’s Indus River basin by 2030, the Living Indus initiative was named a World Restoration Flagship in 2024. The Living Indus initiative advances the sustainable management of the Indus River Basin, seeking to balance water resource use, ecosystem preservation, and socio-economic development.
Day: 5 June || 11:30 ICT
Location: UN Conference Centre, Bangkok, Thailand
Europe
* European première of ‘Our Blue World’ in Brussels
“Our Blue World,” narrated by Liam Neeson, showcases individuals like Li An Phoa, Kongjian Yu, Mark Nelson, and Vered Engelhard, who rediscover ancient water wisdom to address modern environmental challenges. Through their stories from Burundi, Canada, Cambodia, China, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, and USA, viewers learn about water’s vital role and its connection to the effects of climate change.
Day: 4 June || 18:30 – 22:00 CET
Location: Bozar, Rue Ravenstein 23, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
* School pupils take over the UN in Vienna
School children between the ages of 6 and 12 will hold a mock UN conference at the Vienna International Centre on how to make their urban environment greener. Artwork created by the children on how they envision their city in the future will be on display at the Centre, which is visited by thousands of people. NGOs will furthermore take part in an exhibition promoting insect hotels, composting and bee-keeping. Local media will attend.
Day: 5 June || 09:00 – 15:00 CET
Location: Vienna International Centre, Austria
* International Geneva on the road to COP 16
An annual Geneva Environment Network event held for World Environment Day will see leading diplomats and international experts highlight how the city’s multilateral diplomacy system is engaged in UNCCD COP 16 and tackling desertification, land degradation and drought.
Day: 5 June || 10:00 – 11:30 CET
Location: International Environment House II, Geneva
North America
* Unveiling of largest outdoor mural in North America
Two massive Ecosystem Restoration murals will be unveiled in Seattle, a UNEP “Role Model City” on World Environment Day. The Urban Ecosystem Restoration mural by artist, Victor Ash, is a pledge to restore nature in urban settings and bring tree equity to everyone, while the Ocean Ecosystem Restoration mural by Adry del Rocio, highlights the importance of renewing and protecting blue ecosystems. The murals will become major Seattle landmarks for years to come, and the Urban Ecosystem Restoration mural, almost 800 feet wide, is the largest exterior mural in North America.
Day: 5 June || 10:00 am PST
Location: Pike Place Market, Seattle, Washington
NOTES TO EDITORS
For more events check out:
World Environment Day events organized by UNEP partners around the globe.
Additional Resources
* World Environment Day website
* Practical guide in ecosystem restoration
* Campaign assets for World Environment Day 2024