Juba – On 5 June 2017 more than a thousand people in South Sudan joined the rest of the world in commemorating World Environment Day under the theme “Connecting People to Nature”. Organized by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry and UN Environment’s office in Juba, this annual event plays an important role in raising awareness of environmental issues in the country.
School students participating in World Environment Day
During World Environment Day participants could enjoy radio and TV talk shows on conservation and protection of the environment, various artistic performances by local artists, and planting trees. There were also many interventions calling upon South Sudanese people to connect with nature, appreciate its beauty and importance, and take action in order to protect the environment and its resources.
Traditional dancing at the World Environment Day 2017 Celebrations
The Guest of Honor of the event was the National Minister of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism and Acting Secretary General of the ruling party of South Sudan, Hon. Jemma Nunu Kumba. In her speech, she underlined the government’s commitment to protect the environment. She also urged the people of South Sudan and the international community to support the implementation of the National Dialogue and the 2015 Peace Agreement to enhance the sustainable management of the environment and natural resources.
Arshad Khan, UN Environment Country Programme Manager in South Sudan, invited participants to reflect on how much people are part of nature and depend on it. Khan mentioned the importance for civil society to understand the link between livelihoods and natural resources, as more than 90% of the South Sudanese population depend on natural resources for a living.
The National Minister of Wildlife Conservation launching the tree planting campaign at World Environment Day celebrations.
World Environment Day 2017 finished with the launch of a tree plantation campaign supported by the Minister of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism, UN Environment and the Ambassadors from France, Japan and India.
For more information on UN Environment’s work in South Sudan see unep.org/SouthSudan
