Nairobi, Mar 2 (Representative) The sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) wrapped up on Friday evening in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, with delegates adopting resolutions to advance collective efforts in addressing global climate challenges. Held under the theme of “effective, inclusive and sustainable multilateral actions to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution,” the five-day assembly adopted 15 resolutions, two decisions and a ministerial declaration to help tackle multiple ecological crises. Leila Benali, president of UNEA-6 and Morocco’s minister for energy transition and sustainable development, said the assembly endorsed resolutions on improved water resources management, curbing air pollution and land degradation. In addition, Benali said that delegates unanimously adopted resolutions calling for better ocean governance and promoting synergies in the multilateral environmental agreements.
“The ministerial declaration reflects the great urgency of the environmental planetary crisis and the differentiated impact and threats of the multiple environmental challenges we face,” Benali said. More than 7,000 delegates from 182 UN member states and more than 170 ministers had registered for the five-day conference that ended on Friday, according to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). The assembly focused on discussion covering a wide range of topics including the circular economy, solar radiation modification, climate justice, sand and dust storms, and the sound management of chemicals and waste. Some of the key highlights of the assembly included a whole day dedicated to discussing multilateral environmental agreements, a science-policy-business forum, and a high-level segment attended by several African heads of state and government. Inger Andersen, the UNEP executive director, said that UNEA-6 injected fresh vitality into multilateralism to help address the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature loss and pollution in a coherent and harmonized manner.
Andersen noted that resolutions on halting desertification and ecosystem degradation will boost progress toward securing a green, food-secure, healthy and resilient planet. Abdullah bin Ali Al-Amri, the incoming president of UNEA-7 who is also the chairman of the Environment Authority in Oman, called for solidarity among nations to boost the response to planetary hazards. Strengthening multilateral environmental governance combined with adequate financing and cooperation will be key to securing a green, secure, and livable planet for future generations, Al-Amri said.