Transforming landscapes: UNEP celebrating World Environment Day in the Caribbean

On World Environment Day, celebrated 5 June, communities across the globe united under the banner of "Our Land; Our Future" to champion the cause of land restoration, combat desertification, and bolster drought resilience. Globally, more than 2 billion hectares of land are degraded – an area nearly the size of India and the Russian Federation combined. 

This year, World Environment Day underscored the need for a collective effort to address pressing environmental challenges on a worldwide scale. In few places however, is this message more resonant than in the Caribbean, where the delicate balance of ecosystems and communities faces increasing threats.

“World Environment Day 2024 is a reminder of our collective responsibility to protect and restore our natural heritage." 

This is how Christopher Corbin, Coordinator of the Cartagena Convention Secretariat (CEP), based in Kingston views the observance. As one of the co-organisers of a special event in the city launching a call for mural designs that raise awareness about critical environmental issues, Corbin shared his hope that the initiative would promote reflection on actions for sustainable development.

 “Together with the Caribbean Environment Programme, let's forge ahead with determination and hope, embracing sustainable practices to safeguard our planet for generations to come." 

Among the different initiatives led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in the region, this event celebrated the power of art as a catalyst for significant transformations and showcased the intersection of art and environmental advocacy. 

Under the overarching theme of "Our land. Our future", the event was co-organised by the UNEP Caribbean Sub-Regional Office with the support of Kingston Creative. Representatives from other United Nations agencies, the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), the Caribbean Policy Research Institute (CAPRI), and the Digicel Foundation attended the event, highlighting the urgency of the initiative.

The forthcoming mural in Kingston will serve as a tangible symbol of the partners’ commitment to environmental restoration. Integrating concepts related to the World Environment Day initiative will stand as a permanent reminder of each individual's collective potential to transform the environment and communities toward a more sustainable future. This initiative embodies the spirit of the #RestorationGeneration, showcasing the power of collaboration and creativity in driving positive change.

Mr. Vincent Sweeney, Head of UNEP Caribbean Sub-Regional Office, also delivered a special message virtually, marking World Environment Day.

Notes to Editors About UNEP CSRO

The UNEP Caribbean Sub-Regional Office, located in Kingston, Jamaica, was formally opened by the Government of Jamaica and the UNEP Executive Director in November 2016. The Sub-Regional office is a catalyst, advocate, educator and facilitator to promote the wise use and sustainable development of the Caribbean environment. Currently, the office works in over 23 countries, territories and dependencies in the region, supporting the management of more than 70 global, regional and national projects in several Caribbean priority areas including natural resource management; climate change adaptation and resilience; access to water and proper sanitation; reduction of air, terrestrial and marine pollution; sustainable consumption and production; environmental governance; renewable energy and energy conservation; as well as disaster response and risk reduction.

About UNEP CEP

UNEP established the Caribbean Environment Programme (CEP) in 1981 as one of its Regional Seas Programmes in recognition of the importance and value of the Wider Caribbean Region’s fragile and vulnerable coastal and marine ecosystems including endemic plants and animals. Countries of the region then adopted an Action Plan also in 1981 that led to the development and adoption of the Cartagena Convention on 24 March 1983. The Cartagena Convention is the first and only regionally binding treaty of its kind. It promotes the protection and development of the marine environment of the Region and provides the legal framework for the Caribbean Environment Programme.

About the UN Environment Programme

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global voice on the environment. It provides leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.

For more information and to arrange interviews, please contact:

UNEP News Desk (Nairobi)
Tel: +254 717 080 753 unenvironment-newsdesk@un.org www.unep.org

For media inquiries and further information, please contact:

Daniele Mariani
UNEP Communication and Knowledge Management Expert for the Zero Waste in the Caribbean Project daniele.mariani@un.org
+1 876 922 9267 EXT. 6251