ASIA and PACIFIC

World Environment Day was observed in Bangladesh with a number of programmes, including a rally and walkathon, a discussion meeting, a seminar and an Environment Fair.

The Honorable President, Justice Shala Buddin Ahmed, the Honourable Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, the Minister of Environment and Forest, Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury and the Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Forest, Syed Margub Mershed, each delivered a message on that day.

The Ministry of Environment and Forests, as well as the Department of Environment, organized a childrenís rally and walkathon from Shisha Academy to Osmani Memorial Hall, which was led by the Minister of Environment and Forests. Thousands of children, men, women, boy scouts, girl guides and environmental activists paraded in Dhaka City with banners and placards illustrating environmental slogans.

A painting competition was held, posters were developed, documentary films shown and audiocassettes of songs on the environment were released. Similar activities were undertaken in the various districts and towns to create environmental awareness.

The Minister of Environment and Forests also inaugurated a day-long Environmental Fair at Osmani Memorial Hall in Dhaka. He was the guest of honour at a discussion meeting, which was attended by the UN Coordinator in Bangladesh.

In addition, the Forum for Environmental Journalists of Bangladesh, the Coalition of Environmental NGOs, the Association of Development Agencies in Bangladesh, the Environment and Development Alliance, the National EIA Association of Bangladesh and the World Conservation Union (IUCN) organized four separate open discussion meetings at Osmani Memorial Hall on 5 June.

Bangladesh radio and television aired a number of programmes on the environment and national newspapers published special supplements highlighting the significance of the day.

World Environment Day was officially launched by the Minister of Development.

This year the private sector and non-governmental organizations played a major role in supporting the World Environment Day activities, which were designed to address important current and emerging issues of concern to Brunei Darussalam. A major focus was on the forest fires and smoke haze issue. Other issues relating to waste and environmental education were also covered. Some of the activities included:

• Release of a documentary entitled Brunei Darussalamís Experience in Tackling the 1998 Forest Fire and Haze (5 June)
• Exhibition on Brunei Darussalamís Experience in Tackling the 1998 Forest Fire and Haze (5 ? 12 June)
• Launch of a teaching resource book entitled English in the Environment (5 June)
• World Environment Day Quiz (5 ? 12 June)
• World Environment Day Childrenís Drawing and Colouring Competition (6 June)
• Seminar on Paper Packaging (9 June)

The national World Environment Day ceremony was held in Kep City in Cambodia. The day was graced by the presence of the Under-Secretary of State of the Ministry of Environment and the Governor of Kep City. With a great turnout of participants, a talk aimed at encouraging the involvement of people in the preservation and conservation of natural resources was held. The ceremony was followed by a clean-up campaign where participants used bags, baskets, gloves, brooms, etc.. to clean up Kep Cityís beach.

HONG KONG

In Hong Kong, World Environment Day was celebrated under the theme "Save the Environment for Future Generations". The main event was held at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre with a workshop on the environment, where representatives of the Environmental Protection Department and major green groups participated in a WED forum. In addition, awards were given at a special ceremony to schools, teachers, students and housing estates, which participated in various environmental protection activities and competitions in the past year.

INDIA

World Environment Day was celebrated in various parts of India. In Bangalore, more than a dozen functions were held throughout the city. The Indian National

Federation of UNESCO clubs and Associations (INFUCA) organized a painting competition for high schools. More than 150 children participated in this event, attracting various State dignitaries. Lectures on the environment were given and prizes awarded to winners of the competition. The event attracted a number of news media and received wide publicity.

In the village of Ghana, the UN Secretary Generalís message was read and lectures about the preservation of the environment were given. Emphasis was placed on the importance of air, water and food. The activities included tree planting and other locally organized eco-fest activities.

INDONESIA

The Government of the Republic of Indonesia, through the State Ministry of the Environment, commemorated World Environment Day with a celebration on Friday, 4 June 1999 at the State Palace with the presence of President B. J. Habibie and Madame Hasri Ainun Habibie.

The theme of the 1999 World Environment Day Our Earth, Our FutureóJust Save It! was officially translated into the Indonesian language. The State Ministry of the Environment created several environmental awards to encourage the implementation of environmental management policies by government institutions, the public and other agents of developments.

At the academic level, various activities were held before, during and after World Environment Day, including:

The main international celebrations held in Japan were a resounding success. UNEP is most grateful to the Government of Japan for the exquisite way in which WED í99 was orchestrated. The courtesy, warm hospitality and unparalleled efficiency with which the many events were organized have set a shining example of collaboration between federal and municipal governments, NGOs and the private sector.

In addition to the Global 500 Award ceremony, graced by the Emperor and Empress and the Prime Minister of Japan, and which received extensive coverage in most of the countryís media, a number of other important activities were undertaken. Of note, was the World Conference on Global Commons, organized by the Japanese NGO Global Environmental Action (GEA) and the Government of Japan. The Conference, opened by Crown Prince Naruhito, Prime Minister, Keizo Obuchi, the Chairman of GEA, Gaishi Hiraiwa and the former President of Costa Rica, Jose M. Figueres, was attended by the former Prime Minister of Japan, Toshiki Kaifu, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General of Economic and Social Affairs, Mr. Nitin Desai, the Chairman of the Global Environment facility (GEF), Mr. Maurice Strong, and UNEPís Executive Director, Mr. Klaus Toepfer.

The aim of the conference was to review current environmental problems and challenges and to exchange opinions on the preservation of the global environment as "global commons" in the 21^st century. Discussions at the three-day meeting, which ended on World Environment Day itself ? 5 June ? dealt with financial mechanisms and empowerment of international organizations; science, technology, information and communication; resource management and energy-related technology development; urban environmental problems and regional cooperation. The Executive Director of UNEP took advantage of this opportunity to launch the World Bank/UNEP Report Protecting Our Planet - Securing Our Future: Linkages among Global Environmental Issues and Human Needs.

UNEPís Executive Director also made a presentation at a meeting of Business Leaders in Japan from the utility, packaging, insurance and financial sectors, on industryís role in globalization, trade and environment. Some of the participants included: Tokyo Gas Co. LTD, Cosmos Oil Co. LTD, Yasuda Fire & Marine Insurance CO., Toyota Motor Corporation, Tokyo Electric Power Company, Shiseido Co. LTD, East Japan Railway Company and the Sanwa Bank Limited.

Another important event, which formed an integral part of the WED celebrations, was the launch of the Third International Photographic Competition, entitled Focus on Your World. The aim of this competition, once again sponsored by Canon Inc., is to raise awareness of our environment through photography. Entries were invited from every corner of the world to illustrate how people see our planet.

In addition, Prof. Harvey Shapiro of Osaka University of Arts undertook a project whereby the environment-friendly actions of the student bodies of Nara University and Osaka University were analyzed. The results show that 2,091 actions were undertaken for World Environment Day.

DEMOCRATIC PEOPLEíS REPUBLIC OF KOREA (DPRK)

On 5 June the newspapers Rodong Sinmun and Minijujoson carried articles on environmental protection, the history of WED, the importance of environmental protection and the achievements attained in DPRK under the leadership of the Great Leader General Kim Jong II.

The Korean Central Broadcasting station aired a commentary on World Environment Day, where the major global environmental problems were presented and discussed including the interaction between sustainable development, environment protection and environmental challenges of the future.

The three television channels of the DPRK: Pyongyang TV, Education and Culture TV and Mansudae TV, all showed environment-related films such as "Forest Sways", Four Seasons of Pyongyang, and In Beautiful and Clean Surroundings.

Pyongyang TV also broadcast an interview with an official of the National CCE entitled WED and Environmental Protection.

There was also a photo exhibition entitled Environmental Protection in DPRK from 1 to 5 June organized by the NCCE. More than 5,000 people visited the exhibition, which was held at the Peopleís Cultural Palace.

On 5 June, a National Seminar entitled Our Earth, Our Future ? Just Save It! was held in the Ministry of Land and Environment Protection (MLEP). Two hundred (200) officials and scientists from various ministries and academia attended the seminar including the MLEP, the Environment and Development Centre, the Ministry of City Management, the Ministry of Public Health, the Ministry of Education, the Academy of Sciences, the State Hydro-Meteorological Administration and the Korean Nature Conservation.

The Seminar focused on environmental progress and addressed the chronic problems related to global warming, depletion of the ozone layer, water and marine pollution, impact of certain chemicals and pesticides on air pollution. The participants made recommendations for future policy.

REPUBLIC OF KOREA

The Republic of Korea has been celebrating 5 June as National Environment Day since 1996. This year, June was designated as Environment Month in order to enhance public awareness and to encourage individuals to protect the environment. A variety of environmental events were held to strengthen citizensí awareness of the importance of environmental protection. With the theme Environment for Eternal Life: Preparing for a New Millennium, a variety of events were organized by the Ministry of Environment and environment groups across the nation.

The main ceremony was held on 5 June at the Sejong Cultural Center under the auspices of the Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with the Korean Association of Environment Society Organizations. Other events were hosted by the National Institute of Environmental Research; Korea Resource Recovery & Reutilization Corporation; Environmental Management Corporation; National Park Authority and the Environmental Preservation Association. Other governmental institutions, local governments and the armed forces were also encouraged to take part. A number of civic organizations, including environmental groups and businesses hosted various environmental events, including:

• A clean up of the Han River;
• An exhibition of environment-friendly and recycled products;
• A clean-up of national parks around the country.

Environmental Preservation Promotion Awards were given out to various media that promoted environmental preservation, through photography, TV campaigns and video production. There was also a presentation and award ceremony recognizing good practices in environmental management.

In addition, a symposium to promote an "Environmentally Friendly World Cup" was held by civic organizations on 4 June to discuss environmentally sound practices during the World Cup in 2002. The Seoul Project of Saving Pandas took place from 5-6 June 1999. Other seminars included an International Seminar on the Environment; ENVEX í99, an International Seminar on Environmental Technology; and a Workshop for Environmentalists í99.

A Childrenís Environmental Painting Contest and Exhibition was held from 1 May ? 12 June.

MALAYSIA

The Malaysian National newspaper The New Straits Times conducted a national survey entitled Save Forests, Save Rivers, Save Water. The results were published on 5 June to commemorate World Environment Day. According to the survey most respondents were professionals between the ages of 20 and 30, 60% under the age of 40. The respondents were most concerned about garbage clogging their rivers and waterways and blamed poor enforcement as the leading cause, but also said the publicís apathy towards their surroundings was also a major cause of environmental degradation. About 70% of the respondents were against the idea of building dams to increase water supply but they were also against paying more for their scarce water resources. Most respondents felt that the best way to tackle most of their waterway problems was to form a water resource management board to oversee the fair use and protection of the 150 water basins in Malaysia.

The Business Times newspaper carried a column by the Science, Technology and Environment Minister Datuk Law Hieng Ding on 5 June, addressing the need to raise community awareness and action on environmental issues.

Students of Sekolah Menengah Sik took a field trip to the popular picnic spot at Sungai Cepir in Sik, not only to admire the natural beauty of the place but also to help pick up the loads of garbage that picnickers inevitably leave behind. The students are not the only caretakers of this spot, the villagers of Kampung Bendang Man also take particular care of the area and encourage visitors to pick up after themselves.

A Department of Environment official and two young Malaysians traveled to Japan to take part in the World Environment Day festivities. The two youngsters joined the Junior Eco-Club, held alongside the World Environment Forum held from 6 ? 8 June.

Radio One held a call-in environment quiz for children, while TV1 hosted a talk by the Department of Environmentís Director-General Rosnani Ibarahim who discussed current environmental issues. Late in June, the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia in Kepong organized an environmental exhibition open to the public and added that more activities would be organized later this year.

MYANMAR

The National Commission for Environmental Affairs commemorated World Environment Day with a ceremony inaugurated by Secretary of State, Peace and Development Council, Lt. Gen. Khin Nyunt. The event was attended by ministers, heads of departments, the diplomatic corps, UN agencies, NGOs and representatives of various organizations and agencies.

Prizes were given to the winners of the 1999 World Environment Day photo competition at the ceremony. An exhibition displaying the prize-winning photos, as well as, documents and environment-friendly technology from various ministries was also held.

On this special day, World Environment Day songs and special programmes were broadcast on TV and radio.

NEPAL

The celebrations in Nepal brought with it an opportunity to develop new ideas towards the sustainability of our Mother Earth. This included finding ways to fund skill development training for rural women, eco-tourism sites and developing marketing approaches to conserve culture and bio-diversity, amongst others.

The Youth Awareness Environmental Forum organized this yearís event with a cycle rally, blood donations, a prize-giving ceremony, a radio programme on "The role of Government in maintaining the environment and development" and an anniversary of the Environmental library.

On the occasion of World Environment Day, the City of Auckland launched its environmental policy at a special event, which was attended by the Minister for the Environment, the Honourable Simon Upton.

The City developed a poster and banners, which were placed at various key points. The City also organized an exhibit on the environment, as well as a Community Fun Day, which involved music, dance, childrenís theatre, as well as a bike and electric car race.

PAKISTAN

In Pakistan, World Environment Day cerebrations were very successful thanks to the joint efforts of the UNIC Islamabad office and the Ministry of Environment.

The Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA), the Ministry of Environment and the UN system held a poster competition for children ages 5 to 18 on 3 June 1999 at the National Arts Gallery in Islamabad. In the provincial capital of Quetta (Baluchistan), they organized a World Environment Day debate competition where a UNICEF official spoke on behalf of the UN. In Islamabad, the Ministry of Environment hosted a Mela or fair on the UN grounds in which hundreds of people participated. UN documentation was provided and various quizzes on the environment were given to young people who received posters from the Global Environment Facility.

UNIC also held a press briefing on environmental issues in Pakistan and Afghanistan on 4 June with the speakers from the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency; the Global Environmental Facility in Pakistan, UNDP; the National Energy Conservation Centre (ENERCOM); and the UN Coordinator for Afghanistan. This press conference resulted in several articles in newspapers such as The Dawn, The News, The Pakistan Observer and The Nation. In addition to articles, The Dawn and the Business Recorder published a three-page colour supplement on 5 June with messages from the Secretary-General and UNEPís Executive Director as well as write-ups on the UNís efforts to protect the environment.

PHILIPPINES

The department of Environment and Natural Resources, a leading agency in the protection of our Environment, commemorated the World Environment Day by involving the people.

THAILAND

The UNEP/ROAP in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the National Council for Child and Youth Development (NCCYD), Thai Airways (TG) and the Think Earth Project, organized a painting competition for young people and held the Focus on Your World II photo exhibition at the Thailand Cultural Center on 5 June 1999.

Fifty youth aged 10 to 18 years, from every region of the country, participated in the painting competition. These young people were from disadvantaged groups who live in Bangkok slums and in poor rural areas. The ceremony presided by General Pichit Kullavanijaya, Privy Councilor, was attended by a number of dignitaries including the Secretary-General of the National Cultural Commission.

In addition, a roundtable meeting to discuss partnership and public participation for a sustainable lifestyle was organized. Several television and radio stations interviewed ROAPís Regional Director, the Deputy Regional Director, Programme Officer and other staff for information on the World Environment Day activities.

On 5 June, the Regional Youth Programme for Asia and the Pacific launched their UNEP Asia-Pacific Youth Council Website: http://www.unepapac.org, with the support of the Asia/Pacific Youth Advisor from Singapore, Vinothini Apok and with support from the Hong Kong Bank.

The historic Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem Canal was brought back to life on World Environment Day this year in Bangkok. The canal that was dug during the reign of King Rama IV, had been used as a major transportation route and for fresh water supplies until Bangkokians began dumping waste into the canal some 40 years ago. On 5 June, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, assisted by the private sector, hosted a boat rally on the canal where participants raced to collect as much refuse as possible from the canal. There were thousands of spectators cheering and watching the rally along the canal. Several corporations either sponsored or participated in the rally. And many participants hoped to encourage others to clean up canals in the city as well.

In addition to this innovative rally to clean up a significant part of Bangkokís history, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration workers could also be seen around the city cleaning up its stretches of concrete sidewalks.

The Amari Watergate Hotel organized a contest on World Environment Day to find the best practical ideas for conserving the environment in areas, like water supply, natural resources, wild animals, population and forests.

TUVALU

The 1999 World Environment Day celebrations in Tuvalu were the most successful to date according to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. Two weeks prior to 5 June radio programmes on the environment were aired and poster competitions held in schools. On 4 June, a two-and-half-hour public forum was held at the Vaiaku Falekaupule meeting hall. This event was followed by a prize-giving ceremony to the winners of the poster competition.

On 5 June, from 6:00 a.m., youth groups assembled at designated grounds to begin foreshore restoration activities, which included the removal of waste, such as plastics, engine parts and the like. Salt tolerant trees were also planted to reduce erosion. The dayís celebrations ended with a special social night or "twist" at the Vaiaku Lagi Hotel, where prizes were awarded to a number of youth groups who participated in the foreshore clean-up exercise.

VIETNAM

In Vietnam, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment published a special World Environment Day issue of the INFOTERRA newsletter, in which the significance of the day was emphasized and the message of UNEPís Executive Director read.
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