The development of industry has led to rapid pollution of nature and the environment by human activities. Humanity, realizing that it was disrupting the natural balance of the world, began to seek ways to restore and maintain this balance. Efforts were made to transform industrial enterprises, cars, and all kinds of waste in ways that would not harm nature. States took action to protect the world through international organizations.

We must do everything we can to ensure that people can live in a clean world today and in the future.

The celebration of June 5 as World Environment Day was announced on December 16, 1972, at the 27th session of the United Nations General Assembly. During this session, a new organization was established within the UN system - the UN Environment Program (UNEP). World Environment Day is held every year by this organization.

A similar initiative occurred on May 11, 1971, when an appeal was addressed to the Secretary-General of the UN, signed by 2,200 scientists and cultural figures from 23 countries. They warned humanity about environmental pollution with the appeal, "Either we stop pollution, or pollution will destroy us".

The General Assembly, in its resolution regarding the celebration of this day, calls on countries and organizations within the UN to carry out activities aimed at protecting and improving the environment every year on this day.

Each year, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) announces the capital cities from European countries that will celebrate World Environment Day in the European region. In 2010, alongside the Italian cities of Genoa and Swiss Geneva, Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, was also chosen as a central city.