Beirut, Lebanon, 7 June 2019
What: The commemoration of World Environment Day at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) headquarters in Beirut, with the participation of Rafic Hariri Foundation in the implantation of Rafic Hariri Rose at the entrance of the building.
When: Friday 7 June 2019 at 10:00hrs (sharp)
Where: ESCWA Headquarters, Riad el-Solh Square, Beirut, Lebanon
Who:
- Message of the UN Secretary General, Mr. Antonio Guterres;
- Statement of Ms. Nazek Hariri delivered by Ms. Salwa Alsiniora Baassiri, Director-General of Rafic Hariri Foundation;
- Statement by Ms. Rola Dashti, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCWA;
- Key Messages on the “Status of Air Pollution in Lebanon” by Ms. Najat A. Saliba, 2019 Laureate of the L’Oreal-UNESCO International Award for Women in Science, and Director of the Nature Conservation Centre at the American University of Beirut.
Why: The Arab region faces pressing environmental challenges, namely water scarcity, desertification and land degradation, low natural resource use efficiency, improper waste management and pollution. These challenges are further exacerbated by high population growth rates.
The United Nations marks this day on 5 June every year in order to increase awareness on environment issues and to mobilize resources and political will to improve responsible conduct by individuals, enterprises and communities in preserving and enhancing the environment.
The theme for 2019, “Beat Air Pollution,” is a call to action call to combat this global crisis. This year’s topic invites everyone to consider how change can be done in everyday lives to reduce the amount of air pollution and thwart its contribution to global warming and its effects on people’s health.
The ESCWA Communication and Information Unit (ECIU) kindly asks media representatives wishing to cover this meeting to confirm their attendance at +96170008879.
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For more information:
-Nabil Abu-Dargham, Head, ECIU, +961-70-993-144; email: dargham@un.org
-Ms Rania Harb, Public Information Assistant, +961-70-008-879; email: harb1@un.org
