KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA

Jeddah
On the occasion of World Environment Day, the Arab NGO Network for Environment and Development (RAED) -Saudi Arabia, is planning a number of initiatives which emphasize the Green Cities Concept and Principles. The programme action plan focuses on educational and awareness events. Community participation will be ensured by involving educational organizations, the private sector and NGOs. There will be various scientific lectures and workshops and they plan to involve youth and school organizations in activities such as beach cleaning and a painting contest.

LEBANON

Beirut
To commemorate WED 2005, Environment & Development magazine is organizing a School Artistic Festival at the UNESCO palace in Beirut on 6 June. Schools from all over Lebanon will present artistic shows that reflect several environmental issues in the form of a song or a play. The Festival will be accompanied by a free-style art show of drawings and figures exhibition portraying the "Greener City" theme of WED 05.

PALESTINE

Gaza Strip
As they have done for a number of years, the General Union of Non-Governmental Environmental Organizations (GUN-GEO) in Palestine will implement various activities in the Gaza Strip on World Environment Day, including: workshops on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and the Stokholm Convention; a clean-up campaign on Gaza beach; and a tree-planting campaign in the Middle Area of Gaza Strip schools. These activities will be extensively publicized in the Palestinian Media in order to let the people of Palestine know the importance of WED and ecourage them to participate.

QATAR

Doha
On the occasion of The Kainat Foundation - a non-governmental organization dedicated to raising environmental awareness by involving youth and children in schools and colleges - is organizing a series of events, in collaboration with governmental and non-governmental organizations, including the environmentally active institution MES Indian School in Doha. They include: a mock Parliament on Environment; a bicycle race to raise environmental awareness; a tree planting; and Poster, Slogan, Poetry, Essay, Web Designing, Photography, and Drawing competitions for GCC school children.

SYRIA

Homs
The Syrian Red Crescent Organization, Homs Branch, invites photographers from around the world, amateur or professional, to participate in its 2005 World Environment Day Photo Gallery which will be exhibited in the Museum of Azzehrawi Palace, Homs on 5-9 June 2005. Further information is available at http://wed.4eco.com