Assembly/AU/Dec.406(XVIII) Page 1 DECISION RECOGNIZING THE LIFE AND WORK OF WANGARI MUTA MAATHAI Doc. Assembly/AU/14(XVIII) Add.6 The Assembly, 1. RECOGNIZES the role and contributions of Prof. Wangari Maathai in the fields of environment, sustainable development and women’s empowerment, as well as her unwavering dedication to promoting peace, democracy and human rights in Africa and the world at large, and PAYS TRIBUTE to this Africa’s daughter and her contribution to the world; 2. ACKNOWLEDGES Wangari Maathai’s vision on protecting and promoting human well-being through her pioneering Green Belt Movement (GBM) and grass-roots activism, inspiring people to promote worldwide sustainable development; 3. ALSO ACKNOWLEDGES the achievements of Wangari Maathai, as the first African woman to receive a Nobel Peace Prize recognizing her work to promote peace, security and sustainable development in Africa; 4. WELCOMES the ongoing international movement involving Governments, Civil Society Organizations, Regional and International Institutions to honor the value, vision, contribution and dedication of Wangari Maathai, thus inspiring people to call for human rights, peace and democracy, and environmental conservation; 5. DECIDES in recognition of her numerous achievements in her capacity as the first Presiding Officer of the African Union-Economic, Social and Cultural Council (AU –ECOSOCC), African Union Peace Ambassador, Founder of the Green Belt Movement, Goodwill Ambassador to the Congo Basin Forest Initiative, UN Peace Messenger for Environment and Climate, and UNEP Champion of the Earth, to designate 3 March as Wangari Maathai Day to be observed in conjunction with Africa Environment Day, each year beginning in 2012; 6. MANDATES the African Union (AU) Commission to take the necessary measures, together with Member States, for the observance of Wangari Maathai Day by the African Union, and as such, CALLS UPON all Member States, United Nations Agencies, and International and Civil Society Organizations, to actively observe Wangari Maathai Day; 7. ENCOURAGES Member States to name public landmarks including streets, parks, squares, schools and institutes of peace in universities and other national monuments after Wangari Maathai, as a way to memorialize her life’s work and serve as a tribute to inspire current and future generations to preserve the planet;