World Pest Day is observed on June 6 to raise awareness about the impact of pests on human health, food, and the environment, and the role of R&D to combat pests.
Dr. Lava Kumar, Head of the Germplasm Health Unit and Virology and Molecular Diagnostics at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)
Plant pests and diseases cause up to 40 percent of crop losses annually, amounting to approximately $220 billion, disproportionately affecting Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) farmers. Climate change, trade, and agricultural intensification are driving the increased outbreaks of pests and diseases.
To combat the threat of plant pests and diseases, the Sustainable Farming Programme (SFP) is boosting investment in accessible diagnostic tools, strengthening surveillance programmes and promoting integrated pest management (IPM).
“We are scaling technologies to help farmers manage pests and diseases, particularly biocontrol for pests such as fall armyworm, mealybugs and pod borers, said Dr. Lava Kumar, Head of the Germplasm Health Unit and Virology and Molecular Diagnostics at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).
Dr. Kumar noted that simultaneous efforts have focused on assessing the impact of climate change on pests using tools such as Insect Life Cycle Modeling (ILCYM). The SFP programme also has a biorisk management facility to strengthen West Africa regional capacity to combat pests.
SFP is building on the priorities identified during a needs assessment conducted across 26 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, to identify knowledge and capacity gaps in pest and disease surveillance and response strategies.
The survey identified major research and capacity gaps of National Plant Protection Organisations (NPPOs) and highlighted the need to equip NPPOs to best respond to the growing threats of plant pests and diseases. However, many NPPOs lack the capacity to properly carry out the necessary diagnosis, surveillance, and extension work at the scale and speed required to contain such crop disease and pest crises, particularly in the low- and middle-income countries in the Global South.
The survey found that banana/plantain, maize, potato, and rice were the crops most targeted for pest and disease surveillance efforts.
Confirming priority crops will help set priorities for developing common diagnostic methods, sharing protocols across regions and support/share knowledge to improve the diagnostic capacity as a preparedness strategy for emerging pests, according to the Sustainable Farming Programme.
The SFP believes young scientists could play a crucial role for this digital transformation to raise the standards in data management over the next few years.
To roll out the pest and diagnostics and surveillance roadmap, the Sustainable Farming Programme will rely on the regional diagnostic hubs hosted by the CGIAR Germplasm Health Units across the continents.
This worldwide survey, benefiting from the long-term partnerships of CGIAR Germplasm Health Units, could be seen as the foundation block of an urgently needed global plant health diagnostics and surveillance network to counter the growing risks of future plant disease and pest outbreaks.
Research and capacity building by the Sustainable Farming Programme is supporting plant health, mycotoxin-free crops, integrated water management, context specific mechanisation, climate adaptation and mitigation on farms, and farm system integration.
The initiative marks a crucial step toward a global plant health network to ensure farmers can detect, contain, and combat outbreaks before they devastate crops.
Covering more than 70% of the earth, oceans are the engine of Earth’s life support system. It is estimated that oceans are home to more than 80% of life on Earth, additionally, these ecosystems play crucial roles, from regulating climate through absorbing greenhouse gases, producing about 50% of the Earth’s oxygen to providing food and livelihoods to billions of people.
A boat in the ocean in Mankwadze, Ghana. Photo credit: Kossiso Udodi via Unsplash
In Africa, more than half – 38 coastal and island countries out of the continent’s 54 countries rely heavily on the blue economy including fishing, shipping, maritime transport, tourism and energy among others. According to the African Union, the continent’s blue economy is currently valued at about $300 billion, creating about 49 million jobs, and is expected to hit $405 billion by 2030. These and other vital benefits are entirely dependent on healthy oceans.
Unfortunately, ocean ecosystems are under threat – from climate change and overfishing to marine pollution and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. These pressures jeopardise marine life and human wellbeing alike. One alarming indicator of ocean decline is the changes in breeding success of seabirds. As sentinels of ocean health, seabirds respond quickly to environmental changes; their declining numbers are a red flag for the broader health of marine ecosystems.
Strategic Conservation through Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs)
To effectively safeguard marine biodiversity, it’s essential to identify and prioritise areas that are critical for conservation. Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) offer a scientifically robust and globally standardised framework for this purpose. Recognised as sites of global significance for the persistence of biodiversity, KBAs guide the selection, establishment, management and monitoring of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs).
By integrating marine KBAs into national and regional planning, governments can strategically direct conservation resources to the most important areas of the ocean. This approach not only enhances the effectiveness of MPAs but also facilitates harmonised reporting under international agreements such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the forthcoming Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement.
Notably, the gap in achieving conservation targets is particularly striking in the High Seas – areas beyond national jurisdiction – which constitute 64% of our ocean’s surface and 95% of its volume. Currently, only about 1.5% of these areas are protected. Recognising and conserving KBAs in these regions is critical for bolstering resilience and adaptation in the face of climate change.
Marine Flyways Approach
Seabirds are not only indicators of ocean health but also integral components of marine ecosystems. Many seabird species undertake extensive migrations across the globe, following established routes known as marine flyways. BirdLife International has identified six major marine flyways that represent the broad and repeatable movements of migratory seabirds.
These flyways provide a powerful framework for coordinating conservation efforts at an ocean basin scale. By identifying and safeguarding a network of critical sites along these routes, we can ensure the full life-history needs of migratory seabirds are met. This includes addressing urgent challenges such as bycatch in fisheries and the impact of invasive species.
Implementing conservation strategies at the flyway scale requires robust governance structures and international collaboration. By adopting this approach, we can accelerate ocean action and contribute significantly to achieving global biodiversity targets, including the goal of conserving at least 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030.
Ensuring Sustainable Fisheries
Sustainable fisheries are essential for long-term ocean health. This includes enforcing regulations against IUU fishing and ensuring that local communities have fair access to marine resources. BirdLife in collaboration with partners, is advancing transparency and sustainable practices across fisheries in West Africa. A major focus of this work is reducing bycatch – the capture of non-target species such as seabirds and sea turtles through a range of interventions including bycatch mitigation techniques, engaging fishing communities through citizen science initiatives, and capacity building.
In Cabo Verde, BirdLife is working with local fishing communities through an innovative programme known as Guardians of the Seas (GOS) to promote stewardship, monitor marine megafauna, reduce bycatch, and foster sustainable fishing practices across the archipelago. Across the wider West African region, BirdLife has supported the development of various training materials, conducted research and trained over 315 fisheries observers – representing more than 50% of the region’s observers – in countries including The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, Senegal, Cabo Verde, and Sierra Leone.
Strengthening Ocean Governance
Effective ocean governance is fundamental to the protection of marine ecosystems. From June 9 to 13, global leaders will gather in Nice, France, for the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3). A key milestone in ocean governance is the Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, adopted in March 2023, which aims to conserve marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction – the High Seas.
The Agreement requires ratification by at least 60 countries to come into force. As of May 2025, only 29 countries had ratified it, including only three African nations: Malawi, Seychelles, and Mauritius. Lastly, all stakeholders – governments, the private sector, civil society, researchers and local communities must work together to secure the future of our oceans.
As we mark World Oceans Day on Sunday, June 8, let us remember: our very survival depends on healthy oceans. It is our shared responsibility to protect them – for people, for planet, and for future generations.
By Tabea Zwimpfer, Marine Programme Coordinator for Africa at BirdLife International. Email: tabea.zwimpfer@birdlife.org
The Chairman of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Dr. Layi Fatona, led a team of company executives, including Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Tony Attah, on a courtesy visit to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, at his office in Abuja, as part of Renaissance’s engagement with key stakeholders since it finalised, in March 2025, the landmark purchase of SPDC shares, taking full ownership of SPDC’s 30% participating interest in the joint venture.
From left, Chairman of the Board of the Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Dr. Layi Fatona; Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun; and the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Renaissance, Tony Attah, during a recent visit to the minister in Abuja
The meeting enabled the Renaissance team to reiterate its commitment to the Federal Government’s economic priorities to increase oil and gas output, improve revenue generation for the country and deepen Nigerian Content and Nigerians’ participation in the industry.
Renaissance’s success in ramping up production to over 200,000 barrels per day in the first month of taking over the operations of the JV earned the company applause from the Minister, Edun.
Renaissance, according to the organisation, is a rapidly expanding energy leader, committed to powering Nigeria and Africa’s energy security and industrialisation through sustainable energy solutions.
As the operator of Nigeria’s largest oil and gas Joint Venture assets (NNPC/Renaissance/TotalEnergies/AENR JV), Renaissance produces from diverse onshore, swamp, and shallow water locations across the Niger Delta. The JV’s participating interests are: NNPC (55%), Renaissance (30%), TotalEnergies (10%), and AENR (5%).
World Environment Day 2025 was observed on Thursday, June 5. Led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), this year’s campaign focused on tackling plastic pollution, urging countries, organisations, and individuals to act together to protect the planet.
Plastic pollution
While plastics have benefits, including energy savings and resource conservation, the rising plastic pollution poses a significant threat to our planet and health.
Around the globe, plastic pollution is contaminating water supplies, food sources, and the air we breathe. As plastics break down, they enter the food chain. Microplastics have been detected in human arteries, lungs, brains, and breast milk.
Global plastic consumption is projected to reach 516 million tonnes this year, and if current consumption patterns continue, it will rise to over 1.2 billion tonnes annually by 2060.
Environmental factors contribute to the deaths of about 13 million people worldwide each year. Almost half of these fatalities are attributed to air pollution. The health and economic costs of unhealthy air pollution currently amount to $2.9 trillion.
On World Environment Day, the World Health Organisation (WHO) urges communities to advocate for lasting solutions to combat plastic pollution. Historically, recycling has been a key strategy for mitigating plastic waste. However, only 9% of plastics produced globally are recycled, and it is estimated that just 21% of plastic today is economically recyclable, meaning the value of recycled materials covers the costs of collection, sorting, and processing.
The benefits of addressing plastic pollution include cleaner oceans and landscapes, healthier individuals and ecosystems, improved climate resilience, and stronger economies. Transitioning to a circular economy for plastics is essential for a sustainable future. We must rethink how we design, produce, and utilize plastics. Products should be designed with multiple uses in mind and recycling.
This transformation, stated the WHO, requires the engagement of stakeholders across the plastics value chain. A just transition is necessary to protect the livelihoods of waste pickers and affected communities, leaving no one behind.
Solutions exist. In 2022, at the UN Environment Assembly, Member States agreed to initiate negotiations on a legally binding international instrument to address plastic pollution, including its impact on marine environments. Since then, countries have convened 5 sessions of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) on Plastic Pollution to work towards a comprehensive agreement.
“On World Environment Day, we must seize the opportunity to unite our efforts in combating plastic pollution and preserve our planet for future generations,” stated the WHO.
In what appears to be a powerful convergence of music, activism, and leadership, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, and the British trip hop collective Massive Attack joined forces to endorse the Fossil Fuel Treaty on Thursday, June 5, in Manchester, on World Environmental Day.
They signed a declaration and opened a Treaty banner on the solarised rooftop of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority headquarters just before a sold-out concert. Climate activist and writer, Tori Tsui, was also invited on stage representing the Treaty Initiative to amplify the call. The event, which drew 15,000 fans to Co Op Live, the UK’s largest entertainment arena, became a rallying cry for climate justice, human rights, and global solidarity.
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said:“Throughout its history, Greater Manchester has always been one of the first to face up to the challenges of the future. This is no different when it comes to the green economy. Our Five-Year Environment Plans and carbon neutral city-region ambitions are putting us in the strongest position to tackle this monumental issue.
“We won’t be listening to the siren voices trying to lock us into a dependence on fossil fuels without a thought for the future generations who will have to deal with the devastating consequences of the climate emergency. It’s great to have Massive Attack joining us in Greater Manchester. We applaud the clarity and leadership they have provided on these issues for many years, and we are pleased to endorse the call for a Non-Proliferation Treaty with them here today.”
As the first designated Nuclear Free City in the 1980s, Manchester has always been an outward-looking city. It helped build momentum toward international treaties on nuclear weapons and is now doing the same on today’s biggest threat: fossil fuels. Mayor Burnham’s support follows an endorsement from Manchester City Council last December.
Known for their groundbreaking music and activism, Massive Attack used their platform to amplify the urgency of the climate crisis.
Robert Del Naja, known as “3D”, Founding Member of Massive Attack, delivered an unbending call to action to peer artists:“We’re proud to endorse the call for a Fossil Fuel Treaty, and love the universality of it; coming first from Pacific nations representing the most vulnerable frontline communities facing climate breakdown, and made open to everyone in civil society, in every country, to support – in our case as artists. We hope others will now consider supporting it too.
“It feels significant to us to endorse this proposal here in Manchester, with its rich history of landing blows for justice and progress, including being the world’s first Nuclear Free City; triggering international treaty momentum to ban the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Fossil fuels are a weapon of mass destruction too, and we need to combat them with the widest possible level of civil resistance.”
Climate activist and writer Tori Tsui, Senior Advisor of the Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative, invited on stage, echoed the call for global action: “The fossil fuel industry is a death machine, and we’re all caught in its gears. The time for waiting is over. The fossil fuel industry has had decades to change, and instead, they’ve doubled down on destruction while the rest of us pay the price. But we’re not here to beg for change – we’re here to demand it. The Fossil Fuel Treaty is our line in the sand. It’s a declaration that we will no longer tolerate a system that sacrifices people and the planet for profit.
“We’re calling on every government, every leader, every individual to join us. To every artist, musician, creator: your voice is a weapon. Your art is a rebellion. Use it to shake the world awake. Stand up for people, not polluters. Fight to protect what we love: our families, our communities, and this planet we call home. The future isn’t something we inherit – it’s something we build together.”
The event was part of Massive Attack’s “Act 1.5” concert series, aimed to significantly reduce carbon emissions through innovative, low-carbon touring practices. The series, developed in collaboration with climate researchers, achieved a remarkable 98% reduction in electricity emissions compared to standard outdoor events and significant cuts in transport and catering emissions. The concert was a celebration of art and activism, blending Massive Attack’s iconic sound with visuals and messages urging climate action. Fans were encouraged to visit fossilfueltreaty.org to learn more and get involved.
The initiative has garnered support from other artists. Among them is This is Our Home, a collective of Pacific musicians and storytellers dedicated to climate justice, who partnered with the iconic British rock band Coldplay to advocate for a fossil fuel treaty. Their collaboration culminated in a powerful joint performance at a major concert in Lyon last November.
Additionally, English musician, songwriter, and record producer Brian Eno, along with the music industry climate foundation EarthPercent – which he co-founded – also lend their voices to the cause. EarthPercent operates at the intersection of music, activism, and environmental advocacy, further strengthening the global push for this critical proposal.
In 2025, 16 countries are participating in discussions on a global, binding treaty to address fossil fuels. They’re joined by over 130 cities and subnational governments, including the State of California, and 17 national capitals such as Paris, London, and now the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, alongside a massive global coalition: over 1 million citizens, 4,000 civil society organisations, 3,000+ academics and scientists, hundreds of health professionals and institutions including the World Health Organisation, faith leaders including the World Council of Churches, 850+ elected officials, the European Parliament, 101 Nobel laureates, 25 banks, unions representing 35 million workers, businesses, youth advocates, and Indigenous peoples.
They are all coming together to demand a just, equitable and financed transition through the negotiation of a Fossil Fuel Treaty.
The Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) has announced the selection of three renowned scientific experts as co-chairs of a vital new multi-year methodological assessment of integrated biodiversity-inclusive spatial planning and ecological connectivity.
IPBES Officer-in-Charge, Neville Ash
This groundbreaking “Spatial Planning and Connectivity Assessment” will provide decision-makers around the world with insight and options for avoiding land- and sea-use change that negatively affect biodiversity, as well as exploring pathways to improve the use of spatial planning for the effective conservation, restoration and sustainable use of nature and its contributions to people. The work will pay particular attention to different regional and national circumstances, and to how spatial planning and connectivity underpin sustainable outcomes for people and nature.
Prof. María José Martínez-Harms (Chile), Dr. Luis Inostroza (Chile and Czechia), and Prof. Peter Verburg (the Netherlands) have been appointed to steer a balanced, interdisciplinary team of experts in spatial planning and ecological connectivity in relation to biodiversity and nature’s contributions to people. The dozens of other authors from around the world who will work with them on this landmark assessment will be announced by IPBES in the coming weeks.
The assessment will look at participatory approaches to spatial planning, including those involving Indigenous Peoples and local communities, with particular attention to the needs of developing countries. The authors will address approaches for the identification of areas for conservation, sustainable use and restoration, including protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures.
Making the announcement, IPBES Officer-in-Charge, Neville Ash, said: “As countries around the world work to deliver on the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, this assessment is directly relevant and timely. It will illustrate the potential and importance of spatial planning in achieving a range of national and international ambitions, including directly informing the delivery of Targets 1-3 of the Global Biodiversity Framework by decision-makers at every level.”
IPBES also announced the selection of the institution that will host the Technical Support Unit for the assessment: the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
The first author meeting of the assessment is already planned for September 2025 in Laxenburg, Austria, with a first draft of the report expected to be ready for open expert review in the second quarter of 2026.
The United Nations Habitat Assembly has adopted UN-Habitat’s Strategic Plan for 2026–2029, placing adequate housing, land, basic services, and the transformation of informal settlements and slums at the heart of global efforts to build inclusive, climate-resilient, and sustainable cities.
Governments and key stakeholders engage in discussions on UN-Habitat’s strategic plan for the period 2026–2029 during a high-level dialogue on housing at the resumed second session of the United Nations Habitat Assembly on 29 May 2025 in Nairobi, Kenya. Photo credit: UN-Habitat/Peter Ndolo
The adoption – by a strong majority vote of 105 in favour – marks a milestone in the fight against the growing global housing crisis and sets the direction of the Programme’s work over the next four years.
The strategic plan was endorsed during the resumed second session of the United Nations Habitat Assembly, which brought together ministers, local authorities, civil society, and other key stakeholders. It outlines a clear path to support Member States in expanding access to land and housing, improving basic services, and fostering inclusive prosperity and climate resilience in cities worldwide.
“An estimated 2.8 billion people worldwide are affected by different forms of housing inadequacy. The pandemic and inflation have opened the doors to the worst housing affordability crisis in more than a decade. The plight of 1.1 billion people living in informal settlements and slums and more than 300 million homeless people, in particular, calls for urgent and effective collective action,” said Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat.
“This is why UN-Habitat’s strategic plan 2026–2029 prioritizes housing, land, and basic services for all. Without access to adequate housing, dignity and development are out of reach for billions. We must act urgently, boldly, and together,” added Rossbach.
A global priority rooted in rights
By 2050, 68 per cent of the world’s population will live in cities – driving the need for at least 40 million new homes, especially in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia.
Housing deficits are especially acute in regions experiencing rapid urban growth. Asia, with over 842 million homes, still faces a shortfall of more than 100 million units. Africa has over 190 million homes but a deficit of 70 million, reflecting deep under-provision, particularly in informal settlements where basic services are lacking. In sub-Saharan Africa, 53.6 per cent of urban residents live in slums – the highest rate globally – and the region could see an additional 360 million people living in these conditions by 2030 if action is not taken.
Through access to housing, land and basic services, UN-Habitat aims to have an impact on three major global challenges:
Equitable and inclusive prosperity for poverty eradication
Preparedness, response, recovery and reconstruction
Environment and climate action
These areas reflect the urgent need for integrated urban solutions that link housing with livelihoods, climate resilience, and peacebuilding.
Housing as the foundation of development
The Assembly also held a high-level dialogue on adequate housing during its resumed session. Co-chaired by Kenya and France, the session showcased political commitment and featured ministers, city leaders, civil society, and housing experts who shared good practices and innovative policies.
“Housing is a catalyst for social inclusion, equality, and sustainability,” said Anne Hidalgo, Mayor of Paris. “It is urgent to see cities not as a local issue, but as a global lever – for climate action, for social justice, and for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.”
“Housing is extremely important in any society, especially societies with inequalities,” said Sakaja Arthur Johnson, Governor of Nairobi City County. “Housing is at the top of our agenda because we want to give our people dignity, we want them to be able to have hope.”
Participants reaffirmed that adequate housing is not just a roof over one’s head but the foundation for safety, health, and opportunity. They called for rights-based housing policies, scalable financing mechanisms, and stronger partnerships with communities, the private sector and international development banks.
UN-Habitat will support governments and partners through integrated action on planning, finance, governance, innovation, and capacity-building. The strategic plan provides a roadmap to accelerate impact, align with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and respond effectively to overlapping crises – from climate shocks and conflicts to economic instability.
The United Nations Habitat Assembly, the highest global decision-making body on sustainable urbanisation, is composed of all 193 UN Member States and meets every four years to determine strategic directions for the organisation.
The Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON) has forged a strategic partnership with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) to strengthen enforcement of construction standards.
From left: Chairman of CORBON, Samson Opaluwah and COREN President, Prof.Sadiq Abubakar, during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday in Abuja
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the two building regulators on Thursday, June 5, 2025, in Abuja aimed at addressing building collapse and other systemic challenges plaguing Nigeria’s construction industry
Speaking during the signing ceremony, the Chairman of CORBON, Samson Opaluwah, said the collaboration underscored a shared commitment by the two bodies to address the systemic challenges in the building sector.
“This signposts a milestone in our joint endeavour to foster professional excellence, collaborative delivery and the optimisation of human resources in the built environment in Nigeria.
“This MoU lays a foundation for the forging of a strong partnership for mutual collaboration, knowledge exchange, capacity building and joint delivery of national development outcomes by Builders and Engineers in related fields.
“Infrastructure development and management which is the bedrock of modern civilisation requires that every nation optimises their resources in their delivery especially the human capital component which our members represent.
“Through our joint efforts, we shall encourage best practices and strive towards improved project management, quality delivery and innovative practices in the nation’s building and engineering industry,” he said.
According to Opaluwah, the partnership also aimed at maintaining the highest levels of professionalism and the deployment of best expertise in the development and management of Nigeria’s infrastructures.
He listed some benefits of the MoU to include mutual understanding and appreciation of specific and special expertise and boundaries and enhanced capacity building for registrants to improve professional expertise.
The benefits also included, sharing of best practices and innovations in the building and engineering industry; improved regulation, monitoring of standards, increased opportunities for collaboration in research, innovation and development of efficient and effective infrastructure.
He commended COREN for the willingness to collaborate towards mutual growth, rather than competition and confrontation.
On his part, the COREN President, Prof.Sadiq Abubakar, said the council had existed for over 53 years and saddled with the responsibilities of regulating engineering in Nigeria, among others.
“The area we are addressing today is the construction industry, where we have several regulators. CORBON and COREN are just two of the seven regulators in the industry.
“We innovatively created FORBEN, the Forum for Regulators in the Built Environment of Nigeria for effective collaboration.
“This is because if we are going to become competitors, and be confronting ourselves, Nigeria is going to lose.
“While we are bickering and competing, we are going to definitely leave regulatory gaps that people will exploit,” he said.
Abubakar said that building collapse has become a monster, and urged CORBON to join hands with COREN to bridge regulatory gaps.
Communities, civil society, businesses, and governments around the world on Thursday, June 5, 2025, marked World Environment Day under the theme #BeatPlasticPollution, with official celebrations held in the Republic of Korea’s Jeju Province.
World Environment Day 2025 celebrations in Jeju, Korea
Plastic pollution permeates every corner of the planet. By 2040, plastic leakage to the environment is predicted to grow by 50 per cent, and that pollution creeps into our bodies through the food we eat, the water we drink, and even the air that we breathe. World Environment Day 2025 calls for collective action to tackle plastic pollution. It comes exactly two months before countries resume negotiations towards a global treaty to end plastic pollution.
In his message for World Environment Day, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said: “Plastic waste clogs rivers, pollutes the ocean, and endangers wildlife. And as it breaks-down into smaller and smaller parts, it infiltrates every corner of Earth: from the top of Mount Everest to the depths of the ocean; from human brains; to human breastmilk.
“Yet there is a movement for urgent change. We are seeing mounting public engagement…
“Steps towards reusability and greater accountability… And policies to reduce single-use plastics and improve waste management. But we must go further, faster,” he added.
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,” Lee Byounghwa, Vice Minister of Environment for the Republic of Korea, said at the official commemoration in Jeju. “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.”
Korea has taken important steps to eliminate plastic pollution. Jeju Province is running an ambitious campaign to reduce plastic pollution, drawing on the combined might of governments, businesses, and citizens. The idea: to reduce the number of single-use plastic products used by consumers while reusing and recycling as much as possible, a process known as circularity. The province’s goal is to end plastic pollution by 2040. A pillar of that plan is convincing residents to abandon single-use plastics.
Speaking at the official 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.”
Writing in the Republic of Korea’s Kukmin Daily, former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said: “In my 10 years as Secretary-General of the UN, I realized that plastic pollution is a global problem, and that a universal effort of the international community is needed to solve it. World Environment Day on June 5th should be a turning point for governments, civil society, companies, the scientific community, and the future generation to take action together.”
Governments, businesses, educational institutions, civil society, and communities worldwide joined in efforts to advocate for an end to plastic pollution and addressed plastic pollution in their spaces.
In Mexico, President Claudia Sheinbaum launched a National Strategy for Beach and Coast Cleanup and Conservation (2025-2030) on 5 June, aiming to eliminate 100% of plastic waste from the country’s beaches and coasts within five years.
Airports around the world – in Baghdad, Beijing, Brussels, Geneva, and Kansai (Japan) – reached millions of travellers with public messages about plastic pollution, as did other large public transport hubs, including metro stations in Beijing and Mexico City. Several cities lit up to mark World Environment Day – billboards in New York’s Times Square carried World Environment Day messages, while Geneva’s iconic Jet d’Eau lit up in green, as did city halls and prominent buildings in Brussels and other Belgian cities.
On June 4, the Global Partnership on Plastic Pollution and Marine Litter (GPML) – for which UNEP serves as the secretariat – launched the Global Plastics Hub, a one-stop platform for data, knowledge, and collaboration to end plastic pollution. The Hub is intended to offer a single point of access for accurate, up-to-date information on marine litter, plastic pollution, and related topics, as well as a virtual forum in which stakeholders can come together.
As part of World Environment Day 2025, UNEP’s initiative, the Tide Turners Plastic Challenge, held a summit in India showcasing inspiring stories and best practices from youth leaders across the country who have taken meaningful steps to reduce plastic waste in their communities.
Tide Turners is one of the largest youth-led environmental movements, mobilizing young people to take action against plastic pollution. Since its inception in Kenya, the programme has expanded globally and has engaged over 980,000 youth in 60+ countries as key drivers of environmental sustainability, particularly in the global campaign to #BeatPlasticPollution.
In Chicago, a 245-foot mural titledStand Tall, created by acclaimed Dutch artist Mr. Super A, was unveiled on May 31 on the iconic Prudential Building (Pru)’s skyline. The mural was curated by the non-profit (SAM), and is part of the global #EcosystemRestorationMurals series, an initiative by SAM in collaboration with UNEP and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), in support of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration – a worldwide drive to halt, prevent and reverse the degradation of nature. Street Art for Mankind (SAM), and is part of the global #EcosystemRestorationMurals series, an initiative by SAM in collaboration with UNEP and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), in support of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration – a worldwide drive to halt, prevent, and reverse the degradation of nature.
More than 2,500 events marked World Environment Day in virtually every corner of the world, and millions of people engaged with the day’s hashtags – #WorldEnvironmentDay and #BeatPlasticPollution – which were trending worldwide. Notable international figures also lent their voice to the cause, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of UAE, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, and several UNEP Goodwill Ambassadors – Jason Momoa, Dia Mirza, Antoinette Taus and Alex Rendell.
Ocean Conservancy and its partner GOAL on Thursday, June 5, 2025, announced the “Protect Where We Play Tour” launch, a partnership across GOAL’s network of venues to reduce their plastic footprint by deploying a reusable cup programme during concerts and sporting events.
Reusable coffee cup
The Protect Where We Play Tour will kick off at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium, which is hosting Coldplay on June 6-7. Other tour stops this summer will include Savannah’s Enmarket Arena for The Lumineers, two nights of Billie Eilish at UBS Arena in Belmont Park, New York and others.
It is estimated that this tour will prevent 1,000,000 single-use cups from entering the waste stream. Bold Reuse, a leading reuse service provider, is supporting the tour by managing all reusable cup operations at participating venues.
“We’re so excited about this activation because it’s the perfect combination of mission alignment and funding for operational changes. We’re grateful for Ocean Conservancy’s collaboration and openness to fund tangible solutions that help facilities implement sustainable change, while also elevating their mission. These are the type of win-win partnerships that enable the positive change that our sports and entertainment industry really need,” said Kristen Fulmer, Executive Director of GOAL.
“With 50% of our oxygen coming from the ocean, whether you live on the coast or hundreds of miles inland, the future of your favourite game, concert, or event depends on a healthy, plastic-free ocean. By tapping into the joy of what it means to be a fan, we can inspire action and create a global movement that protects our planet for the next generation,” said Ocean Conservancy’s Chief Brand and Communications Officer, Jenna DiPaolo.
Select tour dates include:
June 6-7: Coldplay at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV
September 27: Lumineers at Enmarket Arena, Savannah, GA
October 25-26: Billie Eilish at UBS Arena, Belmont Park, NY
In February, Ocean Conservancy launched the Protect Where We Play Initiative, aimed at rallying sports and entertainment fans to protect the future of our planet, leveraging the reach of athletes, artists, and events to mobilise millions of fans in support of ocean conservation. The programme features “Team Ocean Captains” including WNBA’s Napheesa Collier, NFL’s Kelvin Beachum, MLB’s Brent Suter, Paralympian Ezra Frech, and American ballerina Katherine Barkman.
The Protect Where We Play Initiative is the newest Ocean Conservancy programme among decades of work to protect the ocean from plastic pollution. Since 1986, Ocean Conservancy has led the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC), mobilising nearly 19 million volunteers to remove 395 million pounds of trash from beaches and waterways worldwide.
Ocean Conservancy has also led advocacy efforts to prevent plastic pollution through policies at the state, federal, and international levels.
The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) says about 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced worldwide every year.
UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres
UNEP, in a report to mark the 2025 World Environment Day on June 5, said half of this plastic was designed to be used only once, and only 10 per cent was recycled.
It said between 19 and 23 million tonnes of plastic waste leak into aquatic ecosystems annually, and without urgent action, this figure is expected to rise by 50 per cent by 2040.
The UN environment agency stressed that plastic pollution was contaminating every corner of the planet, threatening ecosystems, wildlife and human health.
Microplastics are found in food, water and air, with the average person estimated to ingest over 50,000 plastic particles each year and far more when inhalation is included.
UNEP warned that if the climate crisis goes unaddressed, with plastic pollution as a major driver, air pollution levels exceeding safe thresholds could rise by 50 per cent within a decade.
According to the UN agency, plastic pollution in marine and freshwater environments may triple by 2040.
To rally momentum, UNEP is leading the 52nd annual World Environment Day on 5 June, the world’s largest platform for environmental outreach.
This year’s commemoration is hosted by Jeju, Republic of Korea, under the theme #BeatPlasticPollution.
Since launching in 2018, the UNEP-led campaign has advocated for a just and inclusive transition away from plastic dependency.
World Environment Day brings together governments, businesses, communities and individuals in a shared mission to protect and restore the planet.
The day also advances progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially those linked to climate action and sustainable consumption.
A major focus of the day is the ongoing push for a global treaty to end plastic pollution. Countries are currently negotiating an international, legally binding agreement, with the next round of talks scheduled for August.
UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, called for an “ambitious, credible and just agreement” that addresses the full lifecycle of plastics, reflects community needs, aligns with the SDGs and is implemented quickly and fully.
UNEP Executive Director, Inger Andersen, echoed the call, urging nations to unite around innovative solutions and alternatives to plastic use.
World Environment Day serves as a catalyst for action, driving attention toward the UN Environment Assembly later this year.
Hopes are high that nations will finalise concrete steps to curb plastic pollution and address the broader climate emergency at the forthcoming assembly.
Meanwhile, the Kano State Government has called for collective action among individuals, organisations and governments to combat plastic pollution.
The call comes as Nigeria joins the rest of the world to commemorate the 2025 World Environment Day.
The state Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Dr Dahiru Hashim, made the call at an event to mark the day on Wednesday, June 4, in Kano, the state capital.
He was represented by his Special Assistant on Environmental Sanitation, Abdullahi Shehu -Bichi.
Hashim said the World Environment Day, established by the United Nations in 1974, was marked annually on June 5 to raise global awareness and encourage action for environmental protection.
“The theme for 2025, ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’, focuses attention on the urgent need to reduce the use of single-use plastics and to adopt sustainable alternatives,” he said.
He noted that though plastic was a cheap, lightweight and durable material, it posed serious threat to the environment due to its long degradation period.
“Most plastics are used only once and discarded within minutes, ending up in landfills, water bodies or as litter.
“The pollution takes various forms from marine debris and microplastics in water to plastic netting that endangers aquatic life,” he said.
Hashim said the theme stressed the importance of coordinated efforts to tackle the plastic menace, which affected not only the environment but also human health.
Earlier, Mr. Rahama Farah, Chief of UNICEF Field Office, said plastic pollution remained one of the biggest threats to the planet, with over 400 million tonnes produced annually.
He warned that much of this plastic ended up in rivers, oceans, soil, and even the food people consumed.
Farah said the theme of this year’s celebration, “Putting an End to Plastic Pollution,” was a global call to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastics while seeking greener alternatives.
“In Kano today, we are planting trees and engaging in plastic trash collection as part of our activities to mark the day,” he said.
“These efforts align with UNICEF’s global Green Rising initiative, which mobilises youth for climate action through volunteering, green skills development, and environmental advocacy,” he explained.
On World Environment Day, Greenpeace Africa activists staged a demonstration outside Coca-Cola’s corporate offices in Rosebank, Johannesburg, South Africa, with a striking 3-metre by 3-metre glass bottle cap installation and activists wearing elaborate costumes constructed from plastic waste. The action highlighted Coca-Cola’s status as the world’s number one plastic polluter for six consecutive years.
The visual spectacle included activists displaying banners reading “Cap it Coke” and “It tastes better in glass” as a demonstration for Coca-Cola to return to its iconic glass bottle packaging. The centrepiece was a towering glass bottle cap prop, symbolising the transition from single-use plastic bottles back to refillable glass alternatives that Coca-Cola once championed.
Hellen Kahaso Dena, Project Lead, Pan-African Plastics Project for Greenpeace Africa said: “If Coca-Cola is really serious about solving the plastic and climate crisis, it needs to stop its greenwashing, cap its plastic production and invest in refill and reuse. Ending Coca-Cola’s addiction to single-use plastic is an important step in moving away from fossil fuels, protecting communities in Africa, and combating the climate crisis.”
One activist, dressed in an elaborate theatrical costume constructed entirely from discarded plastic bottles and waste, moved through the demonstration space as a living embodiment of the pollution crisis caused by the beverage giant’s relentless production of throwaway packaging. The costume, created in collaboration with local artists, transformed plastic waste into an artistic statement about corporate responsibility and environmental destruction.
“While big corporations like Coca-cola keep churning out single-use plastics and reaping millions in profit margins, waste pickers are left to deal with the consequences, sorting through mountains of waste for the tiny fraction that can be recycled,” added Dena.
The timing of the action is particularly significant as it comes at a time when the Global Plastics Treaty (INC-5) negotiations failed to deliver a binding document, after which Coca-Cola lowered its environmental commitments. The company extended its sustainability timeline to 2035 and reduced its targets, now aspiring to achieve only 40% recycling in primary packaging and collect 75% of bottles and cans marketed.
However, Coca-Cola has continued what activists describe as a “greenwashing spree,” making superficial design changes rather than addressing the root cause of plastic pollution. In 2023, the company changed its green Sprite bottle to a clear colour claiming improved recyclability. But critics suggest this merely changed the colour of plastic waste entering landfills and oceans.
“This is corporate greenwashing at its worst. Instead of performative solutions, Coca-Cola should implement robust refill and reuse systems, cap plastic production, and advocate for a strong Global Plastic Treaty that addresses the crisis at its source,” concluded Dena.
Over 99% of plastics derive from fossil fuels, directly linking plastic production to the climate crisis. The crisis affects the same communities that consume Coca-Cola products. The company’s business model relies heavily on fossil fuel extraction, contradicting any meaningful climate commitments.
The action concluded with activists attempting to deliver their demands directly to Coca-Cola’s senior management, including CEO Sunil Gupta, CFO Norton Kingwill, and Sustainability Officer Layla Jeevanantham. No Coca-Cola representative appeared to meet the activists, and the memorandum was left at their doorstep alongside a trophy for World’s No. 1 Polluter.
