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In many countries, this annual event is used to enhance political attention and action. Heads of State, Prime Ministers and Ministers of Environment deliver statements and commit themselves to care for the Earth. More serious pledges are made which lead to the establishment of permanent governmental structures dealing with environmental management and economic planning. This observance also provides an opportunity to sign or ratify international environmental conventions. 

On this World Environment Day, let us examine the state of our environment. Let us consider carefully the actions which each of us must take, and then address ourselves to our common task of preserving all life on earth in a mood of sober resolution and quiet confidence.

WHERE WILL THE MAIN 2001 CELEBRATION BE HELD
Each year, UNEP, the United Nations agency responsible for coordinating World Environment Day activities, selects a city as the main venue for the international celebrations. This year, for the first time, this special event will take place in two cities, namely Torino, Italy and Havana, Cuba. In addition there will be significant links to Vietnam and Nairobi, Kenya. 

The main event to be held on 5 June will culminate with the presentation of UNEP's Global 500 awards to environmentalists, from every corner of the world, who have made outstanding contributions to the protection of the environment. 

These environmentalists are members of a broad and growing environmental movement that is flowering around the world. They have taken the part that most of us hesitate to take for want of time and caring, and in honoring them UNEP seeks inspiration from their extraordinary deeds. 

WHEN DID IT ALL BEGIN
World Environment Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 to mark the opening of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment. Another resolution, adopted by the General Assembly the same day, led to the creation of UNEP.