Torill EidsheimCOPENHAGEN, 22 April 2021 – Marking International Mother Earth Day 2021, leaders of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly's economic and environmental committee – Chair Doris Barnett (Germany), Vice-Chair Artur Gerasymov (Ukraine), and Rapporteur Elona Gjebrea Hoxha (Albania) – stressed the urgency to better protect our planet and its delicate environment to safeguard citizens’ security and health. “As UN SG Antonio Guterres reminded us,” they tweeted, “we need to reverse the degradation of ecosystems and shift to a more sustainable economy that works for both people and the planet.” (Click here for the tweet.)

Special Representative on Arctic Issues Torill Eidsheim (Norway) issued the following statement:

“Today – 22 April – is Mother Earth Day. I believe this is the most important mother’s day of all!

“Ecosystems support all life on Earth. The healthier our ecosystems are, the healthier the planet – and its people. Restoring our damaged ecosystems will help to end poverty, combat climate change.

“Some of the most iconic species in the world are endemic to the Arctic, such as the polar bear, walrus and narwhal. But the Arctic also contains thousands of lesser-known species. In all, the Arctic is home to more than 21,000 known species of highly cold-adapted mammals, birds, fish, plants and microbe species. This extensive biodiversity provides essential services and values to people.

“I am very proud that the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly has chosen to bring the Arctic to the attention of such a wide organization. Right now, it is paramount that we are all pulling in the same direction to reduce the loss of biodiversity and fight global climate change.

“May you have a wonderful, reflective Mother Earth Day!”

Please find the statement on here on Twitter and on Facebook here.