- UNEA-6 yielded 15 resolutions, two decisions, and a ministerial declaration, underscoring the commitment of member states to collaborative action.
- These resolutions span a broad spectrum of environmental concerns, from the management of metals, minerals, chemicals, and waste.
- They also touch on environmental recovery in conflict-affected areas, water resource management, sustainable lifestyles, and the rehabilitation of degraded lands and waters.
The sixth session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-6), which concluded last week in Nairobi, Kenya, marked a leap in the journey toward united global environmental governance.
Under the banner of addressing the triple planetary crisis—climate change, nature loss, and pollution—UNEA-6 brought together over 5,600 participants from 190 countries.
This assembly, held at the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) headquarters, was not just a meeting; it was a chance to the global community’s resolve to forge effective, inclusive, and sustainable solutions to the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.
UNEA-6 settles on 15 resolutions for a pollution free world
The assembly yielded 15 resolutions, two decisions, and a ministerial declaration, underscoring the commitment of member states to collaborative action.
“As governments, we need to push for more and reinvented partnerships with key stakeholders to implement these mandates. We need to continue to partner with civil society, continue to guide and empower our creative youth, and also with the private sector and philanthropies,” said Leila Benali, UNEA-6 President and the Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development of Morocco.
These resolutions span a broad spectrum of environmental concerns, from the management of metals, minerals, chemicals, and waste, to environmental recovery in conflict-affected areas, water resource management, sustainable lifestyles, and the rehabilitation of degraded lands and waters.
This comprehensive approach signifies a concerted effort to tackle the intertwined issues of the triple planetary crisis through a multifaceted and integrated strategy.
A notable highlight of UNEA-6 was the inauguration of the first Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEA) Day. This initiative underscores the importance of international environmental agreements as critical instruments of environmental governance and law.
By dedicating a day to MEAs, UNEA-6 underscored the role of these agreements in addressing global and regional environmental challenges, fostering a deeper understanding and commitment to international environmental norms and standards.
The assembly also demonstrated a strong commitment to inclusivity and inter-generational equity by welcoming youth to host their own environmental summit. This initiative reflects a growing recognition of the vital role that young people play in driving environmental action and the need for their voices to be heard in the decision-making process.
The Ministerial Declaration issued at the close of UNEA-6 reaffirmed the collective resolve of member states to combat climate change, restore and protect biodiversity, and create a pollution-free world.
This declaration is a powerful statement of intent, laying the groundwork for accelerated action and collaboration at all levels of governance.
Human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment
Leila Benali, highlighted the assembly’s success in advancing the core mandate of ensuring the human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.
Benali’s call for reinvented partnerships with civil society, youth, the private sector, and philanthropies is a clarion call for a more inclusive and collaborative approach to environmental governance.
Inger Andersen, UNEP’s Executive Director, underscored the assembly’s outcomes as a significant step forward in addressing the triple planetary crisis. Andersen’s commitment to taking forward the new resolutions, coupled with UNEP’s role in reviewing environmental progress and advocating for action, signals a robust framework for international environmental governance.
“You called for the world to do better on protecting the environment during and after conflicts. You delivered resolutions that will help UNEP and Member States do more on chemicals and waste, and sand and dust storms.
“UNEP will now take forward the responsibilities you have entrusted to us in these new resolutions. In addition to keeping the environment under review. In addition to fulfilling our obligation to serve as an authoritative advocate for action across the triple planetary crisis,” Andersen added.
“The world needs action. The world needs speed. The world needs real, lasting change. UNEA-6 has delivered an extra boost to help us deliver this change and to ensure every person on this planet enjoys the right to a safe and healthy environment,” she said.
The election of Abdullah Bin Ali Amri, who is Chairman of the Environment Authority of Oman, as the President of UNEA-7 highlights the continued momentum and leadership in tackling environmental challenges.
Amri’s call for teamwork, urgency, and determination to protect the planet resonates with the collective aspiration for a sustainable future.
“We share one Earth, bask under the same sun, and we must recognize that there is no backup plan. There’s no other planet waiting for us to escape to. Hence, it’s imperative that we unite our efforts with urgency and determination to safeguard our precious planet and protect its natural splendor,” noted Amri.
Additionally, the data presented during UNEA-6, including the Global Resource Outlook 2024 and the Global Waste Management Outlook 2024, serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for action.
The projections of increased natural resource extraction, climate damage, biodiversity risks, and waste accumulation underscore the critical need for a shift towards sustainable consumption and production patterns.
Read also: Global unity in focus as 7000 delegates gather in Kenya for UNEA-6
The way forward: UNEA-7 set for December 2025
The decision to hold UNEA-7 in December 2025 sets the stage for continued progress and action. As the world grapples with the monumental challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, UNEA-6 has laid a foundation for collaborative and effective environmental governance.
The resolutions and commitments made during the assembly are a testament to the global community’s determination to safeguard our planet for future generations.
By advancing a comprehensive set of resolutions, fostering inclusivity, and emphasizing the importance of international environmental agreements, UNEA-6 has charted a path towards a more sustainable and equitable future.
As the world moves forward, the spirit of collaboration and urgency embodied by UNEA-6 will undoubtedly continue to inspire and guide global environmental action.
