United Nations

The United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) participated in World Environment Day events in both Sydney and Canberra. In Sydney on 5 June 2009, Mr. Christopher Woodthorpe, the Director of UNIC Canberra, attended the Landcare/Coastcare Australia World Environment Day celebrations, at which a national campaign was launched to encourage more Australians to join up to the already 100,000 strong Landcare volunteer network. At this event, UNIC Canberra’s Director delivered the Secretary-General’s World Environment Day message which highlighted the need for transition to a new era of greener, cleaner development. UNIC Canberra’s Director also attended an event held in Sydney launching the Clean Up the World 2008 Activity report. The report provides an overview of last year’s Clean Up the World activities around the world.

On 14 June 2009, UNIC Canberra’s Director attended a special tree planting ceremony hosted by the Mexican Ambassador, Her Excellency Martha Ortiz de Rosas. Mexico is a leading partner in the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Billion Tree Campaign, pledging and planting approximately 25 per cent of the trees under the campaign. Members of the Diplomatic Corps attended the tree planting in Canberra, where another tree was added to the goal of one billion.