Stockholm+50 Special Webpage

Stockholm+50 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the 1972 UN Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm that first made the link between environment and poverty and placed it at the forefront of the international agenda. Stockholm+50 celebrated the original conference by advancing transformational, whole-of-society solutions to shared environmental challenges that require urgent international action.

The conference’s outcome document—the Stockholm Declaration—included several principles that still shape global environmental management and negotiations. Another result of the meeting was the establishment of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and World Environment Day, which is held annually on 5 June.

By advocating the importance of multilateralism in tackling the Earth’s triple planetary crisis—climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution—the event acted as a springboard to accelerate the implementation of the UN Decade of Action to deliver the Sustainable Development Goals, the 2030 Agenda, the Paris Agreement on climate change, and the post-2020 global Biodiversity Framework—all while encouraging the adoption of green post-COVID-19 recovery plans. Stockholm+50 intended to create conditions that allow the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The theme of the meeting was “a healthy planet for the prosperity of all – our responsibility, our opportunity”. Stockholm+50 raised awareness about the importance of protecting our planet. It articulated a path for us to build back after the COVID-19 pandemic while overcoming the crises of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste. Three Leadership Dialogues took place during the meeting and contributed to the outcomes of Stockholm+50.

The Leadership Dialogues contributed to the outcomes of Stockholm+50 by providing clear and concrete recommendations and messages for action at all levels—mobilizing the global community behind strengthened cooperation and accelerated innovative action. The three themes of the Leadership Dialogues were:

• 1) Reflecting on the urgent need for actions to achieve a healthy planet and prosperity for all
• 2) Achieving a sustainable and inclusive recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic
• 3) Accelerating the implementation of the environmental dimension of Sustainable Development in the context of the Decade of Action

Yes, some government officials, youth representatives and research institute members joined Stockholm+50.

Stockholm+50 confirmed the “Only One Earth” concept that had been agreed on at the Stockholm Conference in 1972, recalling that our economy and society cannot exist without a healthy environment. These discussions are expected to be reflected in the G7 Summit that Japan will host in 2023, and in the formulation of the country’s 6th Basic Environment Plan, as well as in social movements, especially those rising from youth participants