(VOVworld) – All countries should share the duty of caring for the environment in peace time and in war to ensure a healthy planet, said Sunday at International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon (Photo: AFP)

He stressed that poor governance of the environment and natural resources can lead to the outbreak of conflicts, adding that illegal natural resources exploitation should be stopped.

The International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict is held annually on November 6. The event underscores the need to protect the environment during war.