BAKU, June 5 (Xinhua) -- The global commemoration of World Environment Day 2026 kicked off here on Friday, inaugurating a series of events, campaigns, and creative initiatives across the nation and internationally, with the aim of enhancing public engagement and advancing climate action.

Held under the theme "Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future," the event was organized by Azerbaijan's Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Rashad Ismayilov, Azerbaijan's minister of ecology and natural resources, said that hosting the World Environment Day in partnership with UNEP underscores the country's engagement with the global environmental agenda and its commitment to international cooperation on nature protection.

Ismayilov also announced that Serbia will host World Environment Day in 2027.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in a video message, said that "the past eleven years have been the eleven hottest on record." He also cautioned that rising temperatures, polluted air, degraded land and collapsing ecosystems are already harming health, livelihoods and food security.

Led by UNEP and held annually since 1973, World Environment Day has grown into one of the world's largest platforms for environmental awareness and action. ■