5 June 2003: World Environment Day - Water : Two Billion People are Dying for It: International Year of Freshwater 2003

World Environment Day, commemorated each year on 5 June is one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action.

The World Environment Day theme selected for 2003 is Water - Two Billion People are Dying for It! The theme calls on each of us to help safeguard the most precious source of life on our planet ? water. This theme has been chosen to support the United Nations International Year of Freshwater, 2003 and World Water Day (22 March). You will note that the logo of the International Year of Freshwater has been incorporated in our World Environment Day logo to highlight this important United Nations Year.

The main international celebrations of the World Environment Day 2003 will be held in Beirut, the first time in the Arab world. UNEP is honoured that the government of Lebanon will be hosting this important United Nations day. View Programme of Events

Broadly, our agenda is to give a human face to environmental issues; empower people to become active agents of sustainable and equitable development; promote an understanding that communities are pivotal to changing attitudes towards environmental issues; and advocate partnership which will ensure all nations and peoples enjoy a safer and more prosperous future. World Environment Day is a people's event with colourful activities such as street rallies, bicycle parades, green concerts, essays and poster competitions in schools, tree planting, as well as recycling and clean-up campaigns.