World Environment Day kicks off in Jeju with participation of Azerbaijan's delegation

The World Environment Day has commenced in Jeju, South Korea.

According to Report, the event is organized by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

A delegation from Azerbaijan, led by Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Umayra Taghiyeva, is participating in the event.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres addressed the participants via a video message.

The World Environment Day is dedicated to finding ways to combat plastic pollution, he said, noting that plastic pollution is choking our planet, harming ecosystems, well-being, and the climate.

Plastic waste clogs rivers, pollutes oceans, and threatens wildlife, the UN chief noted, further stressing that as it breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces, it finds its way into every corner of the Earth — from the peak of Mount Everest to the depths of the ocean, from the human brain to breast milk.

Nonetheless, there is a movement for urgent change, he said.

The UN Secretary-General also called for more serious efforts to end the problem of plastic pollution and to build a better future for all humanity.

Azerbaijan is expected to be announced as the host country for the event in 2026 later today.