6 November: International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict

Every year on 6 November, the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict is observed at the initiative of the United Nations. This date was established by the UN General Assembly in 2001 (resolution 56/4) to draw attention to the fact that the environment often becomes a "silent and invisible victim" of wars.

Humanity traditionally measures the losses from military actions by the number of human casualties and destroyed cities, but conflicts also cause colossal environmental damage. Throughout history, wells have been destroyed, crops burned, forests cut down, and livestock slaughtered to achieve military objectives.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), 40% of all internal conflicts over the past 60 years have been linked in one way or another to the exploitation of natural resources. These can be valuable resources such as timber, diamonds, gold, and oil, as well as vital ones—fertile land and water. Conflicts caused by competition for resources are twice as likely to resume after a ceasefire is reached.

The environmental damage from armed conflicts has long-term consequences. Water pollution, destruction of agricultural land, decimation of forests and wildlife—all of this seriously undermines the foundations of life for future generations and hinders the restoration of stability. The UN emphasizes that there can be no lasting and sustainable peace where natural resources necessary for survival are damaged or destroyed.

In 2016, the UN Environment Assembly adopted a resolution recognizing the key role of healthy ecosystems and sustainable resource management in reducing the risk of armed conflicts. The organization continues its work to integrate environmental protection into conflict prevention and peacebuilding strategies.