The new head of UN Environment, Erik Solheim, will pay his first official visit to India from 2-6 October 2016.

In Delhi, Mr. Solheim will meet with senior government officials and participate in the World Sustainability Forum. He will also visit Mumbai on Gandhi Jayanti to participate in the one-year anniversary of the Versova beach clean-up.

In Varanasi, Mr. Solheim will witness efforts to reduce the pollution of the Ganga River.

Erik Solheim was elected by the UN General Assembly to lead UN Environment in May. He is a former Norwegian Minister of Environment and International Development, and was the chief negotiator of the Sri Lankan peace process.

Most recently, he headed the Development Assistance Committee of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).