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Adelaide to take world stage with environment agenda

The City of Adelaide will play host to a range of international delegates, visitors and media when the main international event for World Environment Day is held there on 5 June. Adelaide has been selected to host the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), providing a once in a lifetime opportunity to showcase the City internationally as a place with a healthy and sustainable environment.

This will be the first time World Environment Day has been hosted in the Pacific region. In February, Adelaide City Council accepted an invitation from the State Government to participate in and contribute funds toward the program of events. The official UNEP events will include an international reception for up to 20 Global 500 Laureates, the Global 500 Awards ceremony and a cultural event for the Laureates.

The Global 500 Laureates who will be visiting Adelaide, are recognised internationally for their contribution to the environment. They include a diverse range of people representing both developing and developed countries. While these official events are the responsibility of the Commonwealth and State Governments, Adelaide City Council will provide a range of supporting activities to celebrate World Environment Day.

Adelaide's Lord Mayor has sent letters to all other Mayors in Australia inviting them to be part of this event, whether it be in Adelaide or by organising local events in their own areas. The State Government has commited around $250,000 to the event, which has the theme '2000 the Environment Millennium &endash; Time to Act'.

In past years, World Environment Day has been a significant event in Adelaide City Council's environment program and the Environmental Management Plan &endash; Local Agenda 21 initiative. The previous host cities for the UNEP have included Tokyo in 1999 and Moscow in 1998.

For further information, contact Media Adviser, Megan Grey, telephone (08) 8203 7717

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