Home / Press Information Department / Statement by His Excellency Munir Akram, President of ECOSOC at the Virtual Opening Plenary of the Fifth Session of UN Environment Assembly
Statement by His Excellency Munir Akram, President of ECOSOC at the Virtual Opening Plenary of the Fifth Session of UN Environment Assembly
Islamabad, February 24, 2021 (PPI-OT): It is a privilege to speak at this Opening of the Fifth Session of the Environment Assembly. It was a hospitable and bio-diverse planet which accommodated the emergence and evolution of the human species – providing nutrition, food, clean air, fresh water, rich oceans, natural medicines and bountiful raw materials. It allowed humankind to survive, grow, prosper and build great civilizations, says a press release received here today from New York. Our great prophets and holy books prescribed not only respect for each other, but also for Nature and its bounties. Unfortunately, in the industrial era we have severely abused nature. In the past 50 years, the world’s population has doubled, the global economy has grown nearly fourfold and global trade has increased tenfold, driving up the demand for energy and materials. Many types of pollution are increasing, with negative impacts for nature.