World Environment Day is the largest global platform for environmental outreach led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and held annually since 1973. It is celebrated by millions of people across the world.
In 2026, the Republic of Azerbaijan will host the global commemoration of World Environment Day in Baku – the theme of the Day this year is climate action.
For decades, the world has heard the climate story—warnings, targets, distant deadlines. Too often, the response has been clouded by noise: delay, distraction, denial. UNEP’s global campaign calls on all of us to step in, to move further, to steer a world already in motion. The question is no longer if change comes, but how we guide it and how fast it happens.
The press is invited to the official events planned in the host country and other regions across the globe.
Europe and WED host country (Azerbaijan)
Official celebration event
Time: 10:00am – 1:00pm
Venue: Heydar Aliyev Center, Auditorium Hall
Speakers:
- Mr. Rashad Ismayilov, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan
- Ms. Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
- Mr. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations (video message)
- Ms. Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (video message)
- Mr. André Corrêa do Lago, COP30 President (video message)
- Mr. Murat Kurum, Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change of Türkiye, COP31 President-Designate (video message)
- Mr. Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) (video message)
- Ms. Sara Pavkov, Minister of Environmental Protection of Serbia
Other host-country activities include:
- Side event | 3:00pm – 4:00pm
“Joint Action to Reduce Methane Emissions: Agriculture, Energy and Waste Solutions”The side event will focus on advancing methane mitigation by showcasing future solutions and best practices in agriculture, energy, and waste management. It will provide a platform for governments and partner organizations to share upcoming initiatives and efforts, while promoting sustainable, climate-resilient, and low-emission development pathways. The discussions will also highlight the COP29 Presidency’s initiatives, which will drive forward climate action and support strategies that reduce methane emissions for a more sustainable future.
- Dialogue | 4:30pm – 6:00pm
“Caspian Sea at a Turning Point: Science-Policy Dialogue on Sea Level Decline and Regional Action”
Some global & regional activities and events to watch out for:
- 2 June 2026
50 cities avoiding and adapting to a 50°C world – As extreme heat intensifies worldwide, more than 50 cities have joined forces under UNEP’s new 50@50 global activation to protect communities and build resilience. Launched on Heat Action Day, 50@50 brings together cities from Rio de Janeiro to Lagos to share practical solutions, stress-test systems, strengthen preparedness, and accelerate people-centred cooling solutions.
Backed by the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group and the City of Paris, 50@50 supports the Beat the Heat implementation drive launched at the COP30 climate talks in Belém, helping cities shift from crisis response to proactive planning in the face of a rapidly warming world.
- 3 June
Cheaper. Cleaner. Unstoppable. Clean technologies that are delivering for the climate – Policy Brief Launch – This policy brief highlights a powerful and hopeful shift: many clean solutions are no longer niche—they are becoming the new normal. Across energy, transport, buildings and food systems, “positive tipping points” are emerging. As costs fall, technologies scale, and public support grows, adoption is accelerating in self‑reinforcing ways. Solar power, electric mobility, and sustainable cooling are proving that climate action can be economically competitive, socially beneficial, and globally scalable. This report shows that the transition is not only possible—it is already underway.
- 5 June
Global | Climate Dance Challenge
To mark World Environment Day, UNEP will be launching the world’s first global Climate Dance Challenge, inviting people everywhere to take part in the “Climate Limbo” as a creative signal to world leaders. Participants will be learning the move, filming and posting their own versions on TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube, tagging #NowForClimate and @UNEP, and challenging friends to join in. This collective action will be spreading the signal of public demand for stronger climate action and will be building momentum all the way to 5 June and beyond.
New York | A Global Call for Climate Action
A high-level commemoration will be held at the UN Secretariat in New York to highlight the importance of collective and transformative action to tackle climate change. Member States, UN agencies and other stakeholders will have the opportunity to share initiatives that advance the global climate agenda by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing resilience.
Santiago | Editathon on climate change and environmental action
In collaboration with Wikimedia in South America and co-organised by UNEP and FAO, an in-person editathon will be held at the FAO premises in Santiago, Chile, focusing on strengthening environmental content and tackling misinformation on Wikipedia, especially for Spanish language wikis. Participants at the event will create and improve articles related to climate action, resilience, nature-based solutions, food systems and sustainability from a regional perspective.
NOTES TO EDITORS
For more events check out:
World Environment Day events organized by UNEP partners around the globe.
In the evening of 5 June, in Brussels, the City Hall and the Committee of the Regions bridge over the Rue Belliard will be illuminated in green, as well as the city halls of Leuven and Brugge. For more info alexa.froger@un.org
Additional Resources
- World Environment Day website
- Climate Dance Challenge
- Campaign assets for World Environment Day 2026
For more information contact: UNEP Newsdesk, unep-newsdesk@un.org