Climate, Biodiversity, Pollution: UNEA-6 aims to forge Sustainable Solutions

More than 70 Ministers and 3,000 delegates are set to convene in Nairobi, Kenya for the sixth UN Environment Assembly, known as UNEA-6. UNEA-6 is being hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme in partnership with the Government of the Republic of Kenya from February 26 to March 1, 2024, at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.

At least 20 draft resolutions and two draft decisions have been submitted for countries to discuss.

During a press conference held at Serena Hotel Nairobi on Thursday morning, UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen noted that UNEA-6 will place particular focus on how stronger multilateralism can help countries to go further and faster in efforts to end the triple planetary crisis of droughts, fossil fuels, and exposure to pollution and chemicals.

She explained that last year was the hottest on record, bringing more intense storms, droughts, and wildfires. Species are under massive pressure; forests are falling, and soils are turning infertile. Millions of people are dying each year from exposure to pollution and chemicals.

“There is a global response to the crisis. Last year’s climate talks signaled the end of fossil fuels and the Loss and Damage fund became operational, with US$700+ million pledges. We saw a new Global Framework on Chemicals and the first full year of operation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. We’re in the final stages of negotiations on a global instrument on plastic pollution – a key outcome of UNEA-5. There are dozens of other global and regional multilateral environmental agreements, many of them hosted by UNEP,” stated Andersen.

Adding, “So, we have the commitments. We know the solutions. There is more than enough finance in the world to get the job done, if redirected to the right places. The job now is to go further and faster in efforts to end the triple planetary crisis.”

Ms. Andersen noted that UNEA-6 will drive united, inclusive, and multilateral action that addresses every strand of the triple planetary crisis as one indivisible challenge. “In addition to the core resolutions, we will have a Youth Environment Assembly, convened by youth, for youth. We will have leadership dialogues on finance, on science, data, and digitalization, and on multilateralism. We will have a day dedicated to bringing together the many multilateral environmental agreements that global governments have signed up to, with a view to creating united and amplified action.”

She further explained that UNEA-6 won’t solve the world’s problems overnight. What it will do is unite nations under the banner of environmental action, focus minds and energies on key solutions to the triple planetary crisis, and guide the work of UNEP in this critical period for people and the planet.

She applauded Soipan Tuya, Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change & Forestry of the Republic of Kenya for the government’s support and partnership in hosting the sixth UN Environment Assembly, known as UNEA-6.

In her address, Hon Roselinda Soipan Tuya said that the Kenyan government was proud to welcome to Nairobi all delegates from the 193 United Nations Member States including Heads of State and Government; colleague Ministers of Environment and other high-ranking Dignitaries and UN Officials for the 6th Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6).

She explained that the assembly this year under the Presidency of the Kingdom of Morocco with the theme “Effective, inclusive, and sustainable multilateral actions to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution”.

“It is a privilege for Kenya to host UNEA every two years in Nairobi by virtue of our Country being the global headquarters of UNEP, which is one of the two United Nations agencies headquartered in the Global South. The other one being UN Habitat which is also headquartered here in Nairobi,” she said.

Hon Tuya told members of the press that UNEA is the world’s highest-level decision-making body for matters related to Environment. It sets the global environmental agenda, provides overarching policy guidance, and defines policy responses to address emerging environmental challenges. Most importantly, she explained that UNEA undertakes environmental policy review and provides strategic direction for the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).

As host President and Chairperson of the Committee of the African Union Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC), His Excellency President Dr. William Ruto will deliver UNEA-6 National and Welcoming Statement on February 29, 2024, at the high-level segment that will be attended by several other visiting Heads of State and Government, and dignitaries.

On the same day in the evening, and in line with the established UNEA tradition, the minister will host a reception for all delegates during which she will showcase Kenya’s world celebrated hospitality.