UN Declares April 22 International Mother Earth Day

General Assembly President Miguel D'Escoto stressed that developed countries bear the responsibility for supporting an urgent shift to sustainable development.

"The technologies and financial resources they command can also assist developing countries in the transition to modes of production that are sustainable and assure the universal rights to such dwindling resources as clean air and water and healthy food," he said.

Addressing the Assembly, D'Escoto emphasized the role of indigenous communities in environmental management and development because of their traditional knowledge and practices. "States should recognize and duly support their identity, culture and interests and enable the effective participation of indigenous peoples in the achievement of sustainable development," he said.

The UN General Assembly during debate on global warming. April 22, 2009 (Photo courtesy UN)

His remarks came during a General Assembly meeting on the protection of the global climate for present and future generations.

While noting that the world has been slow to respond to the emergencies posed by global warming and "the reckless damage we are doing to our planet," D'Escoto paid tribute to the United Nations, which he said "has been in the forefront of a global campaign to raise consciousness about the right of all humans to live a healthy life in harmony with nature."

The 1972 UN Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm marked the beginning of a global awareness of the interdependence between people, other living species and our planet, as well as the establishment of World Environment Day on 5 June and the UN Environment Programme, he said.

"Today the United Nations and so many dedicated non-governmental organizations that organized this event reaffirm our relationship to Mother Earth and our responsibility to coming generations to enhance our rights to a healthy environment and thereby promote the opportunities for peace and justice for all citizens," D'Escoto said.

The General Assembly's recognition of Earth Day comes as more than 700 leaders from business, civil society, international organizations and government today opened the two-day Business for the Environment Global Summit. They are meeting in Paris to discuss ways of powering green growth around the globe.

The event, now in its third year, is the world's leading international conference for business-driven action for the environment. As the world struggles with a deep economic recession, the conference is focusing on green solutions that can turn crisis into opportunity.

"Today's crises are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make a transition to a low-carbon, resource efficient society," said Achim Steiner, UN under-secretary-general and UNEP executive director. "Business has a key role to play in this transformational process."

Participants to B4E include the chief executives of Suzlon, Suntech, Alcatel-Lucent and Siemens France, as well as the seven inspirational laureates of the 2009 UNEP Champions of the Earth awards, announced in an award ceremony today.

This year's winners are: Norwegian Environment Minister Erik Solheim; tropical forest and climate campaigner Kevin Conrad; photographic and public awareness pioneer Yann Arthus-Bertrand; wind power entrepreneur Tulsi Tanti; biomimicry specialist Janine Benyus; recycling innovator Ron Gonen; and the Ethiopian youth organization Tena Kebena.

No monetary reward is attached to the prize - each laureate receives a trophy specially designed for the occasion and created from environmentally-friendly materials.

"Passion, creativity, intellect, vision and drive unites each of our 2009 winners," said Steiner, "key qualities urgently needed with less than 230 days to go to the crucial UN Climate Change Convention meeting in December."

In 2007, governments agreed to shape an ambitious and effective international response to climate change, to be agreed at Copenhagen in December 2009. The expected agreement will follow after the Kyoto Protocol that limits emissions of greenhouse gases, which expires at the end of 2012.

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