UN Staff in Liberia, along with Monrovia City Corporation and partners, commemorate World Environment Day & World Oceans Day

Today, in commemoration of World Environment Day (June 5) and World Ocean Day (June 8), United Nations staff members, in collaboration with the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC) and the Environment Protection Authority (EPA), participated in a clean-up campaign. The event was led by the UN Resident Coordinator, Ms. Christine Umutoni, in the backyard of the UN House, which is also a beach site.

The themes for this year— “Our Land, Our Future” for World Environment Day and “Action for Ocean and Climate” for World Ocean Day—highlight the urgent need for environmental conservation and climate action. This initiative is part of ongoing global efforts to protect and restore natural habitats, emphasizing the importance of maintaining clean and healthy environments for future generations.

The clean-up campaign not only aimed to remove litter and debris from the beach but also to raise awareness about the critical issues facing our environment and oceans. By working together, the UN, MCC, and EPA demonstrated a commitment to sustainable practices and community engagement in environmental stewardship.

Giving her remarks at the clean-up campaign, Ms. Umutoni delivered the UN Secretary General’s message for world ocean day highlighting that “Now is the time for governments, businesses, investors, scientists and communities to come together in defense of our ocean”. 

About the environment, she noted that the message of the UN Secretary General is that” Countries must deliver on all their commitments to restore degraded ecosystems and land…”.

Ms. Umutoni emphasized the importance of collective action in addressing environmental challenges, urging individuals and organizations to contribute to the protection of the planet. 

The event was a reminder of the significant impact that dedicated efforts can have on improving the health of our land and oceans.