Partners mark the 50th anniversary of a landmark environmental conference with renewed calls for resolute action on climate change and nature protection

18 May 2022, Istanbul – Amplifying calls for greater ambition on climate change and other environmental challenges in Turkey and around the world, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Consulate General of Sweden in Istanbul organized a reception yesterday to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1972 UN Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm. The reception at the Swedish Palace in Istanbul was one of a series of events taking place in 59 countries ahead of Stockholm+50, an international meeting to be held on 2-3 June 2022 in Stockholm with the aim of breathing new life into efforts to protect the planet.

“We have no time to waste,” said UNDP Resident Representative Louisa Vinton. “The threats are constant and have become very literal: we see forests in flames and cities under water. That is why are working with Sweden and other partners to try to insist on urgent action now.”

The original 1972 Stockholm conference was a milestone in reconceptualising the relationship between humans and the environment to attain a better quality of life for everyone. The Stockholm Declaration, which contained 26 principles, placed environmental issues at the forefront of international concerns and marked the start of a dialogue between industrialized and developing countries on the link between economic growth, the pollution of the air, water, and oceans and the well-being of people around the world.

“After 50 years, Sweden once again invites the world to consider the pathways to a truly sustainable future,” said Swedish Consul General Peter Ericson. “Our actions and choices now will have a decisive impact on the future of humanity. It is still possible to create a better future if we act together. Together we can show that investing in the planet means investing in people; a healthy planet for the prosperity of all means that prosperity is shared by everyone.”

Stockholm+50 calls for an inclusive approach that reflects the richness and diversity of voices and perspectives of various stakeholder groups. Preparations for the meeting include consultations aimed at all the many different groups affected by climate change and pollution.

To facilitate Turkey’s contributions to the Stockholm+50 process, UNDP is conducting a series of online and physical events to raise awareness on climate action and build consensus on the decisions needed to speed up implementation of the 2030 Agenda in the UN Decade of Action.

For more information:

Faik Uyanık, Head of Communications for UNDP in Turkey, faik.uyanik@undp.org

Şevin Yalçın, Senior Commercial and Promotion Officer, sevin.yalcin@gov.se

Note to editors:

Opinions gathered as a result of the consultation process carried out by UNDP in Turkey will be compiled in a report and presented as Turkey's contribution at the meeting to be held in Sweden. The survey, which is open to anyone who wants to be a part of the consultation process and have a say in our common future, can be accessed at iklimce.org/stockholm50

For more information: stockholm50.global

UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground in 177 countries and territories, we offer global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations. tr.undp.org.

The Consulate General of Sweden in Istanbul is the official diplomatic mission of the Swedish State in Turkey. The Consulate General of Sweden in Istanbul, together with the Embassy of Sweden in Ankara, are the only institutions that have the authority to decide on visa procedures for citizens of the Republic of Turkey and third country citizens living in Turkey with a residence permit. The Consulate General is also the only authorized application center that provides consular services for Swedish citizens such as marriage, birth, death, birth registration, passport, etc. As the official diplomatic mission of Sweden in Turkey, the Consulate General carries out important studies in terms of developing social, economic, political, cultural, historical and diplomatic relations between Turkey and Sweden on the axis of international relations.