Hundreds of delegates gathered today in Kigali, Rwanda for the official start of the World Environment Day celebrations in the 2010 global host country, Rwanda. The Environment & Conservation Conference included keynote speeches from Rwandan Minister of Environment and Lands, Stanislas Kamanzi, UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner and Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Executive Secretary Ahmed Djoghlaf.

UNEP launched a new report that states restoring lost and damaged ecosystems—from forests and freshwaters to mangroves and wetlands—can trigger multi-million dollar returns, generate jobs and combat poverty. The report, entitled Dead Planet, Living Planet: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Restoration for Sustainable Development, underlines that far from being a tax on growth and development, many environmental investments in degraded, nature-based assets can generate substantial and multiple returns.

The TUNZA Regional Youth Conference on Biodiversity continued today in Kigali, Rwanda. The conference began on 2 June and will see 35 youth from around all sub-regions of Africa share and discuss biodiversity in Africa. 

Around 10 thousand people took part in a wave of community tree planting in Kigali, Rwanda today. This was part of a three day environmental celebration for World Environment Day. Once a month, the Rwandan people take part in what is known as "Umuganda", national activities for environmental local action, which include tree plantings, neighbourhood clean ups and rubbish collection.

The Rwandan government organized today's special Umuganda to coincide with WED. After planting trees in a five square kilometre area, participants gathered for dancing, singing and to listen to remarks from dignitaries attending the event.

The WED celebrations will continue in Musanze District throughout the evening, with a major cultural celebration called Igitaramo held in KinyaRwanda (Rwanda’s national language). This ceremony will be held as a precursor to the annual Kwita Izina baby gorilla naming ceremony. The Musanze District includes the famous Volcanoes National Park, home to Critically Endangered Mountain Gorillas.

Everywhere. Every year. Everyone.
 
People around the world celebrated WED 2010 with more than 1,000 activities in 109 countries. The official WED celebrations took place in Rwanda where the three-day celebration culminated in the Kwita Izina gorilla naming ceremony. The ceremony included remarks from H.E. Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, as well as Achim Steiner, UNEP Executive Director. Mr. Steiner announced the designation of Don Cheadle as a UNEP Goodwill Ambassador. Cheadle spoke of his strong personal conviction to raise awareness on environmental issues, “I find myself repeatedly reframing the questions; If not now, when? If not us, who?”
 
During the day’s festive events, special guests named 14 baby gorillas born in the last year. UNEP held an online contest to select the People’s Choice and Kid’s Choice names for the ceremony. UNEP Goodwill Ambassador Don Cheadle announced the People’s Choice: Zoya; and UNEP Climate Hero Luo Hong announced the Kid’s Choice: Waka Waka. The contest received more than 5,000 votes. Mr. Steiner also named a baby gorilla – he chose “Legacy.”  During his remarks, he announced that UNEP was leaving a legacy to Rwanda to support solar power for school children and gorilla conservation.
 
Thousands of people attended the event which was held at the edge of Volcanoes National Park. Rwanda is home to nearly one-third of the world’s remaining gorillas.