NAIROBI — China will be the global host of the World Environment Day which will take place on June 5 with the main event being held in Hangzhou, capital city of Zhejiang province, officials said on March 15.

Chinese delegation and UN Environment Programme (UNEP) made the announcement on the sidelines of the UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi.

“China will be a great global host of 2019’s World Environment Day celebrations. The country has demonstrated tremendous leadership on tackling air pollution domestically. It can now help spur the world to greater action,” said Joyce Msuya, acting executive director of UNEP.

This year’s World Environment Day, titled “air pollution,” seeks to rally governments, industries and communities toward the support for policies, legislations and innovations that can boost air quality.

Msuya acknowledged that air pollution is a global challenge but hailed China’s bold actions to contain it amid rapid industrial progress.

“China will now be leading the push and stimulating global action to save millions of lives,” said Msuya.

A report launched during the UN Environment Assembly revealed that China’s capital Beijing has made sound progress in reduction of air pollution in the last two decades.

The report, titled “Review of 20 Year’s Air Pollution Control in Beijing,” said the city has leveraged on clean technologies, strong regulatory tools and public awareness to boost air quality.