The Government of Afghanistan, together with UNEP, the Wildlife Conservation Society, the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development and the DFID climate action initiative have celebrated World Environment Day (WED) with a week of events.

Activities took place in four provinces and marked the country’s significant progress in environmental protection while raising awareness of the challenges ahead. Both national and international organisations engaged in discussions on the shared responsibility to protect the environment and to support government efforts in conservation, wildlife protection, climate change mitigation and adaptation.

The Chief Executive of Afghanistan, Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, inaugurated WED at Radio Television Afghanistan in Kabul and stated that “Decades of war caused problems for our environment. We need a collective effort to overcome problems that challenge wildlife & environment.” Other key speakers included Prince Mostapha Zaher, the Director General of the National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA).

Other events included the first National Science Conference on the Environment hosted in Balkh province as well as an eco-trek in Daikundi province involving more than 90 participants. In Bamyan province, UNEP and NEPA celebrated WED together with the Provincial Governor’s Office and the Directorate of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock in one of the seven major valleys of Shah Foladi - Afghanistan’s third protected area.

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