UNIFIL marks World Environment Day

UNIFIL Force Commander Major-General Paolo Serra, flagged off a cycling race during World Environment Day at UNIFIL Headquarters in Naqoura, south Lebanon.

UNIFIL celebrates World Environment Day at UNIFIL Headquarters in Naqoura, south Lebanon.

UNIFIL Director of Mission Support Wolfgang Weisszegger delivering a speech during World Environment Day celebrated at UNIFIL Headquarters in Naqoura, south Lebanon.

UNIFIL Force Commander Major-General Paolo Serra, riding a bicycle with UNIFIL staff members during World Environment Day at UNIFIL Headquarters in Naqoura, south Lebanon.

UNIFIL Force Commander Major-General Paolo Serra and Director of Mission Support Wolfgang Weisszegger cutting the ribbon during World Environment Day at UNIFIL Headquarters in Naqoura, south Lebanon.

UNIFIL staff members cleaning-up of the compound during World Environment Day at UNIFIL Headquarters in Naqoura, south Lebanon.

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5 Jun 2014

UNIFIL marks World Environment Day

On June 5, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) organised at its headquarters in Naqoura several activities to celebrate World Environment Day under the slogan, "Burn Fat not Fuel". This was meant to encourage staff to fully participate in environmental conservation, reduce the use of vehicles and help curb wastage.

The Force Commander and Head of Mission, Major-General Paolo Serra, flagged off a symbolic cycling race, in which UNIFIL staff members, civilians and militaries working at the headquarters participated.

Speaking at the ceremony, UNIFIL Director of Mission Support Wolfgang Weisszegger stressed the need to reduce fuel consumption and called on each staff member to contribute to efforts to ensure that UNIFIL remains the model mission for environmental conservation.

"On this World Environment Day, I urge all UNIFIL staff members to take responsibility for environmental conservation. This initiative should not be limited to this day, but should instead be a daily affair in the mission."

Mr. Weisszegger said UNIFIL was working on ways of ensuring better management of water resources, as south Lebanon was experiencing a dry winter and challenged staff to conserve water.

Later, staff members carried out a clean-up of the compound.

World Environment Day is held annually to raise global awareness about the need to take positive environmental action. World Environment Day 2014 falls during the International Year of Small Island Developing States, declared by the United Nations General Assembly to raise awareness of the special needs of this diverse coalition as part of the global discussion on how to achieve a sustainable future for all.

 

Listen to the interview with Mr. Ayman Abdelwahab, Chief Environmental Officer in UNIFIL