The 2015 edition of an annual peace trek organised by UNEP and Afghanistan’s National Environmental Protection Agency has celebrated the International Day of Peace in the mountains of the Shah Foladi protected area of Afghanistan.

Trekking under the motto ‘Partnerships for Peace – Dignity for All,’ the expedition underlined the importance of all parts of society working together for peace.

The event was held in order to raise public awareness around the importance of peace and environmental protection in Afghanistan. It acknowledges the relationship between peace and environment and how resource depletion and climate change impacts can create or contribute to conflict. In Afghanistan, facilitating peace through environmental initiatives is vital.

UNEP’s partners, as well as the children of Jawzari village, hiked with peace flags from Jawzari Village along a community access trail up to the ridgeline of the stunning Koh-e-Baba Mountains.

Now in its seventh year, the trek would not have been possible without the close partnerships between the government, civil society, local communities and the generous support of the Global Environment Facility, UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, the UK Department for International Development, the European Commission and the Ministry of Environment of Estonia.

For more information on UNEP’s work in Afghanistan see our website unep.org/Afghanistan,
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