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Latest news and updates on World Environment Day 2025

 

Happy World Environment Day!

UNEP and Pikasso collaborate to raise awareness on beating plastic pollution

A collage of billboard displays of World Environment Day 2025 messages
Credit: UNEP

A collaboration between UNEP and Pikasso advertising company has resulted in a 10-day billboard campaign in three countries. The campaign, featuring vibrant displays in nine Jordanian malls and large street billboards in Lebanon and Italy, encourages people to reduce single-use plastics, adopt sustainable habits and contribute to the global fight against pollution and waste.

UNEP and PayTM launch Plastic Pollution Literacy Kit in India

In support of World Environment Day, the United Nations in India and the PayTM Foundation, India's largest universal payment interface platform, have launched the Plastic Pollution Literacy Kit. 

PayTM announced the launch on the home screen of its app. More than 300 million users rely on the app for payment services daily. 

The Plastic Pollution Literacy Kit aims to educate stakeholders on reducing plastic waste and pollution through accessible, relatable information. The kit was prepared with technical guidance from the United Nations Environment Programme. 

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Sand artist unveils installation for World Environment Day

Ending plastic pollution, a global imperative, says UNEP’s Andersen

Inger Andersen speaks at the official World Environment Day celebration in Jeju
Credit: UNEP/Florian Fussstetter 

Speaking at the official World Environment Day celebration in Jeju, Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), said: “Ending plastic pollution is clearly a human health, planetary health, economic health and business health imperative.” 

“Ending plastic pollution is possible. But we cannot lean solely on recycling. Only by tackling the full life cycle, as well as using circular approaches, can we ensure that plastic pollution stays out of our oceans, our soils, and our bodies,” she added. “This means a complete rethink of how we design, make, use and reuse plastics.” 

“Before plastic pollution ends us, we must beat plastic pollution”

Lee Byounghwa, Vice Minister of Environment for the Republic of Korea speaking at the World Environment Day 2025 commemoration in Jeju Province.
Credit: UNEP/Florian Fussstetter

The official ceremony for World Environment Day in Jeju, Republic of Korea, highlighted the urgency of ending plastic pollution, a global crisis that affects much of life on Earth. 

 “Governments, businesses, citizens, and the international community alike are all key players in making the circular economy for plastics a reality,” said Lee Byounghwa, Vice Minister of Environment for the Republic of Korea, speaking at the ceremony. “Before plastic pollution ends us, we must beat plastic pollution ourselves. Let us set aside the comfort of convenience and start with small actions, together. When everyone acts, change happens,” he said. 

Watch now: World Environment Day 2025 ceremony

It’s World Environment Day! Follow live the official World Environment Day ceremony in Jeju, Republic of Korea.

UNEP chief meets Minister from Azerbaijan, host country of WED 2026

Picture of people outdoors and text

What’s happening Thursday

A woman spinning a wheel
UNEP/Florian Fussstetter

It's World Environment Day! More than 2,000 events are taking place across the globe, with many focused on ending plastic pollution. Here’s a partial list of what’s coming up. 

  • The official ceremony for World Environment Day in Jeju, Republic of Korea will spotlight the urgency of ending plastic pollution, a global crisis that affects much of life on Earth. Follow the live stream.
  • science and policy forum on environmental sustainability will take place in Jeju, with UNEP’s Executive Director delivering the opening remarks.
  • Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, former UNEP Executive Director Elizabeth Dowdeswell and the head of UNEP’s North America Office, Rafael Peralta, will lead Canada’s official World Environment Day celebrations.
  • In Colombia, government officials, UN representatives, academics, business leaders and civil society members will participate in a conversation on plastic pollution.
  • Brigades of volunteers and officials will assemble in the Mexican port city of Puerto Progreso to launch a national coastal clean-up and conservation campaign.
  • The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Panama will host a high-level dialogue on the environment and plastic pollution.
  • In Geneva, Switzerland a series of events will highlight how diplomacy is helping the world to address some if its biggest environmental challenges, including plastic pollution.
  • Thailand’s Department of Climate Change and Environment will host a World Environment Day celebration in Bangkok. The event aims to raise awareness about eco-friendly alternatives to single-use plastic products.
  • UNEP’s New York office will host a high-level panel discussion organized with the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea to the UN.
  • A webinar hosted by Rotary and UNEP will showcase how people around the world are making a real difference addressing plastic pollution in freshwater ecosystems.

Check out the other events happening around the world and join the global movement to end plastic pollution.   

To end plastic pollution, countries must turn ambition into action

 

If there’s a message that has resonated throughout World Environment Day, it’s this: humanity needs to act, and act soon, if it’s going to end plastic pollution. In this public service announcement, which has aired around the world, we look at the task ahead of us.