To highlight the role of action on the environment as part of conflict prevention, peacekeeping, and peacebuilding strategies, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) declared 6 November the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict (A/RES/56/4). The Day recognizes that there can be no durable peace if natural resources that sustain ecosystems and livelihoods are destroyed. 

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has found that at least 40% of all internal conflicts have been linked to natural resource exploitation over the last 60 years. Conflicts involving natural resources are also twice as likely to reoccur. In 2016, the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) 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 and reaffirmed its strong commitment to the full implementation of the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

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date: 6 November 2024
location: worldwide
www: https://www.un.org/en/observances/environment-in-war-protection-day