On June 5, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) celebrated the World Environment Day at its headquarters in Naqoura. The day is dedicated to raise global awareness of environmental issues and to help stimulate political attention, public action, and personal commitment to environmental preservation.

The ceremony was presided by UNIFIL Deputy Head of Mission Imran Riza and the Director of Mission Support Wolfgang Weiszegger who were joined by Chief of Environmental Management Unit Ayman Abdulwahab,representatives of the local municipalities, Lebanese Armed Forces, Mayors and Mukhtars.

Addressing the ceremony, Mr. Wolfgang Weiszegger said:" World Environment Day is the United Nations' principal vehicle for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the environment. Over the years it has grown to be a broad, global platform for public outreach."

He added: "The well-being of humanity, the environment, and the functioning of the economy, ultimately depend upon the responsible management of the planet's natural resources. And yet, evidence is building that people are consuming far more natural resources than what the planet can sustainably provide."

UNIFIL Environmental Welfare Focal Point Monita Youssef performed a self-composed song on the theme of the day.

Based on the results of the "Environmental Management System Milestones Framework Survey" issued in May 2015, UNIFIL is number one in fulfilling 100% of the Environmental Management System (EMS) milestones requirements over all the entities mentioned in the report.

World Environment Day also serves as the 'people's day' for doing something positive for the environment, galvanizing individual actions into a collective power that generates an exponential positive impact on the planet.