JOIN THE WORLDWIDE CELEBRATION OF POSITIVE ACTION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.
Rwanda Global Host country
Rwanda has been selected by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as the global host country for World Environment Day 2010 which will be celebrated on 5th June 2010. The selection of Rwanda by UNEP is a testament to the country's commitment to environmental and sustainability issues,World Environment Day (WED), which aims to be the biggest global celebration for positive environmental action, is coordinated by UNEP every year on 5 June.
This year's theme is 'Many Species. One Planet. One Future.' – a message focusing on the central importance to humanity of the globe's wealth of species and ecosystems. The WED theme also supports this year's UN International Year of Biodiversity.
Rwanda's combination of environmental richness, including rare and economically-important species such as the mountain gorilla, allied to newly evolving and pioneering green policies is among the reasons why UNEP welcomed its offer to be the global 2010 host.
While the country faces many challenges ranging from overcoming poverty and developing sustainable energy resources to land degradation, this 'land of a thousand hills' is developing forward-looking strategies including the development of renewable energies such as solar power and biogas generation. It is already internationally-renowned for introducing a ban on plastic bags, and nationwide environmental clean-up campaigns.
Paul Kagame, the President of the Republic of Rwanda, said: "The environment, from the country's biological diversity to developing modern and sustainable businesses, is at the heart of our vision for the future of Rwanda. We are honoured to host World Environment Day on behalf of both the African and the whole international community, and we look forward to organizing a truly global celebration of the diversity of life on our planet."
