environment

UN environment chief says green plan central to African development

15 December 2003
The success of an environmental plan for African countries is essential to the continent’s development, a senior United Nations official told a two-day meeting which opened today in Algiers.

Effects of global warming worrying sportsmen, UN-backed report says

13 November 2003
Smog, more intense sunlight and declining ski conditions are among growing environmental changes caused by global warming and pollution that are worrying sportsmen and sportswomen around the world, according to a United Nations-supported international survey released today.

Visiting Galapagos, Annan calls for environmental protection

9 November 2003
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today visited the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador and issued a strong call for protection of the natural environment.

Annan calls for expanded laws against environmental damage in war

6 November 2003
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan called today for tougher international laws to protect the environment in times of armed conflict.

Annan congratulates Gorbachev on 10th anniversary of Green Cross International

8 October 2003
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has congratulated Mikhail Gorbachev on the tenth anniversary of the founding of the Green Cross International, a worldwide environmental group.

UN environmental agency opens office in China in battle against pollution

19 September 2003
The United Nations environmental agency opened an office in Beijing today in recognition of the important progress being made in meeting environmental challenges in China, the world's largest developing country, and to support future policies for curbing pollution and achieving sustainable development.

World’s protected areas top 100,000, exceed size of India and China – UN report

9 September 2003
Crucial progress is being made towards conserving the world’s most spectacular habitats and wildlife, with protected areas now topping 100,000 in number and exceeding by far the land surface of India and China combined, according to a United Nations draft report released today, the most comprehensive ever on the issue.

Annan notes achievements in protected areas, but says success is not guaranteed

8 September 2003
Though protected areas now cover 12 per cent of the earth's surface, a happy ending is by no means guaranteed, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said today in a message to delegates gathered to discuss places set aside for their natural beauty or status as refuges for the world's most valuable plants and animals.

Antarctic ozone hole grew more rapidly this year – UN agency

5 September 2003
The ozone hole in the Antarctic that appears annually at the start of the southern hemisphere spring has grown more rapidly than usual this year, the United Nations World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said today.

Annan appeals for fresh thinking, renewed financing to solve world’s water crisis

5 June 2003
With water-related diseases killing a child every eight seconds and 2.4 billion people lacking adequate sanitation, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan appealed today for innovative ideas and redoubled financing to help “2 billion of our fellow human beings, who are dying for want of water and sanitation.”