Jeju Island on June 5, 2025, will serve as the venue for World Environment Day. Shown is spring water in the town of Gujwa-eup in Jeju City. (Korea.net DB)
By Aisylu Akhmetzianova
Jeju Island next year will host World Environment Day, the first time for the country to do so since 1997.
The Ministry of Environment and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on Oct. 28 said Jeju Special Self-Governing Province will serve as the venue of the event on June 5, 2025.
Held on June 5 every year by the UNEP and the host country since 1972, World Environment Day is one of the world's largest events related to the environment.
Next year's event is expected to raise global awareness of the importance of ending plastic pollution, in conjunction with the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution slated from Nov. 25 to Dec. 1 in Busan.
"Jeju Island's commitment to a future free of plastic pollution aligns perfectly with the goals of World Environment Day 2025," UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen said. "By showcasing its pristine natural beauty and innovative environmental initiatives, Jeju will inspire others to take action and safeguard our planet."
As the first in the country to adopt a deposit system for disposable cups, Jeju is leading efforts to end plastic pollution through projects like its vision announced in 2022 to eliminate such waste by 2040.
Minister of Environment Kim Wansup said, "The 2025 World Environment Day will be a starting point for the gathering of global efforts to end plastic pollution."
