Sponsored by

Canon Inc.

with the support of

United Nations Department of Public Information

Joint United Nations Information Committee

International Photographic Council

JAL Japan Airlines

National Geographic Magazine

Time magazine

Television Trust for the Environment

Following two successful international photo competitions in 1991-1992 and 1994-1995, UNEP, generously supported by Canon Inc., invited photographers – professional and amateur, adults and young people – once again to show us the world as they saw it. The results were beautiful and horrific, charming and powerful.

From among the 16,690 entries from 160 countries, the judges selected just 124 entries as prize winners and winners of honorary mentions. All the photos in the image version of this issue of Our Planet are drawn from among these.

Based on the images submitted to the competition, UNEP, with the support of Canon Inc., is organizing a wide range of activities around the world to raise environmental awareness, starting with an exhibition and award ceremony in New York on 11 September 2000 and features in international magazines.