International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict: Nov 6, 2022

The International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict is observed annually on November 6 to raise awareness about the consequences that war and conflict have on the environment.

• This day protects the environment as a source of security and peace and to prevent its use in military conflicts.

Conflict prevention and Peacebuilding Initiatives:

i.Six United Nations (UN) agencies and departments coordinated by the UN Framework Team for Preventive Action, have partnered with the European Union (EU) to assist nations in recognizing, averting, and resolving tensions over natural resources.

• The agencies are United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UN Human Settlements Programme (UNHABITAT), Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO), Department of Political Affairs (DPA), and, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA).

ii.The Environmental Law Institute (ELI), UNEP, and the Universities of Tokyo and McGill initiated a global research programme to gather good practices on managing natural resources during post-conflict peacebuilding.

iii.The UNEP, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equity and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), UNDP and PBSO collaborated on improving the understanding of the relationship between women and natural resources in conflict-affected settings, and make the case for pursuing gender equality, women’s empowerment and sustainable natural resource management together in support of peace-building. The first outcome of the collaboration is a joint policy report “Women and Natural Resources Unlocking the Peacebuilding Potential”

Background:

i.On 5 November 2001, the UN General Assembly declared November 6 as the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict

ii.On 27 May 2016, the United Nations Environment Assembly adopted resolution UNEP/EA.2/Res.15, which recognized the role of healthy ecosystems and sustainably managed resources in reducing the risk of armed conflict.

• It is also committed to the full implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

About United Nations Development Program (UNDP):

Administrator– Achim Steiner
Headquarters– New York, New York, United States