Latin America and the Carribean

UNEP Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (ROLAC)

Costa Rica
On 5th June, Costa Rica hosted the regional celebration of the World Environment Day 2011. A ceremony was held with the participation of the Minister of Environment, Energy and Telecommunications, Mr. Teófilo de la Torre, Mrs. Mara Murillo, the Regional Deputy Director for the United Nations Environment Programme, the mayor, Johnny Araya, the Minister of Environment, Energy and Telecommunications, , and the Environment Vice-Minister Ana Lorena García.

The event took place in Colon Avenue, which hosted a National Environment Fair, an exhibition of national enterprises that offers clean technologies and products (electric cars, solar heaters, solar energy generation, recycled products, etc).

There were more than 60 stands along the avenue where people had the opportunity of receiving information about recycling, alternative energies and biofuels among others. In the same way, a great number of environmental friendly products were also exhibited.

After the opening meetings there was time for awarding the paintings that a group of children made in allusion to environmental themes.

Mexico
The national celebration took place on June 6 in Guadalajara, Jalisco, and was attended by President Felipe Calderon, who recently received the Champions of the Earth Award 2011 for his international leadership in combating climate change. The event took place in the National Forestry Commission head office which celebrated its 10th anniversary.

During the event, President Calderon was awarded by the Rainforest Alliance Sustainable Standard-Setter for his work on environmental protection. The president presented the Environmental Merit Award to six researchers or institutions in six different categories such as research, formal or informal environmental education, among others.

During the celebration, President Calderon unveiled a plaque honoring the fallen brigades, who have lost their lives fighting against forest fires.
The event was also attended by the Regional Director and Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean of the United Nations Environment Programme, Margarita Astrálaga.

Panama
From June 4 to 6, UNEP participated in the exhibition Terra Expo, organized by the private sector.  The event took place in the Atlapa Convention Centre, gathering exhibitors of international ‘green’ products, services and innovative solutions.

The event was attended by the First Lady, Marta Linares de Martinelli.
UNEP had a stand facilitating information on different areas such as Environment Education, Ozone, Resource Efficiency, Early Warning and Assessment.

UNEP delivered a presentation on Green Economy,  and promoted regional publications such s the LAC Atlas and GEO-LAC report, and distributed WED 2011 booklets and posters.

UNEP also supported the film exhibition with the following titles: Forests  and Men, Branching out for a Green Economy , Oceans and Home.