Kathmandu - The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has invited its Member States to express interest in hosting the global observance of World Environment Day (WED) for 2027 or 2028, offering countries a rare opportunity to place their environmental priorities on the world stage.
Observed annually on 5 June, World Environment Day is the world’s largest platform for environmental outreach. Each year, it mobilizes governments, civil society, youth groups, businesses, and communities across more than 150 countries, reaching hundreds of millions of people through campaigns, events, and media engagement.
According to UNEP, hosting World Environment Day allows a country to demonstrate environmental leadership while shaping global conversations on urgent ecological challenges—from climate change and biodiversity loss to pollution and sustainable development.
The scale of global attention surrounding the event is significant. The 2025 World Environment Day brought together more than 10,000 participants, including government representatives, international organizations, and civil society partners. That same year, over 56,000 high-profile media stories were published in 56 languages, amplifying the host nation’s environmental actions and policy vision worldwide.
Previous editions also show the campaign’s expansive reach. In 2024, World Environment Day messages appeared on billboards, airports, ferries, and metro systems in 112 countries, while the digital campaign reached more than 400 million people on social media. The observance additionally inspired around 4,000 environmental events and activities globally, translating awareness into grassroots action.
UNEP encourages interested countries to submit an Expression of Interest by 16 February 2026. Host nations are expected to work closely with UNEP to organize high-level events, public campaigns, and inclusive activities that inspire meaningful environmental action at national, regional, and global levels.
As environmental crises intensify worldwide, UNEP emphasizes that World Environment Day is not only about visibility but about leadership—turning global attention into concrete commitments for a healthier and more sustainable planet.
Countries wishing to apply can find further details through UNEP’s official World Environment Day platform.
