The history of World Environment Day can be traced back to 1972 when the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment was held in Stockholm, Sweden. 

World Environment Day is observed annually on June 05 to raise awareness about environmental protection and sustainability. 

This year the theme of World Environment Day 2023 is “Beat Plastic Pollution“, highlighting people’s actions towards plastic pollution reduction. The day encourages individuals, governments and international bodies to prioritize eco-friendly practices for a greener world and the protection of the environment. 

When Ecosystems Are Damaged It Is Not Only the Habitat of Species That Are Destroyed.

I am reminded of a young woman in Nairobi, Kenya with her brilliant initiative turning “Trash into Cash” Nzambi Matee is a Kenyan trained mechanical engineer, environmentalist, hardware designer, inventor and serial entrepreneur. She is well known for her innovative and creative ways of converting waste into sustainable materials. 

Under the theme #BeatPlasticPollution, World Environment Day 2023 provides an opportunity to raise the volume on the call for governments, cities and businesses to invest in and implement solutions to ending plastic pollution. 

The African Development Bank, based in Abidjan, has long supported Côte d’Ivoire to celebrate World Environment Day. This has a particular resonance this year, on the event’s 50th anniversary, with Côte d’Ivoire as the global host.

The Bank will support several activities, such as beach cleaning in Grand Bassam on Saturday 3 June, and a panel discussion and an exhibition of solutions to plastic pollution in Abidjan on Monday 5 June.

On Circular Economy, the Bank has been promoting its Africa Circular Economy Facility (ACEF) and the African Circular Economy Alliance (ACEA).