Nairobi, March 1, 2024 – The sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) concluded today, following a week-long series of deliberations and negotiations among Member States. The assembly, held at the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, saw participation from over 5,600 delegates representing 190 countries.
Under the leadership of Leila Benali, the Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development of Morocco and President of UNEA-6, delegates worked tirelessly to deliver resolutions aimed at addressing critical environmental challenges. These resolutions cover a wide range of issues, including the management of metals and mineral resources, chemicals and waste, water resource management, sustainable land management, and governance of oceans and seas.
The assembly concluded with the adoption of 15 resolutions, in addition to two decisions and a ministerial declaration. These outcomes represent significant progress in advancing global efforts to combat the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
In her closing remarks, Leila Benali expressed pride in the assembly’s success, highlighting the commitment of Member States to advance the human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. She emphasized the importance of partnerships with civil society, youth, the private sector, and philanthropies in implementing these mandates.
The Executive Director of UNEP, Inger Andersen, commended the assembly’s achievements, noting the adoption of resolutions addressing key aspects of the planetary crisis. These resolutions aim to secure essential resources for the transition to net-zero, protect the environment during and after conflicts, and enhance efforts on chemicals and waste management.
Furthermore, the assembly witnessed the inauguration of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEA) Day, dedicated to international agreements addressing pressing environmental issues. This event underscored the significance of cooperation and coordination among nations to tackle global environmental challenges effectively.
A Ministerial Declaration issued at the closing of UNEA-6 reaffirmed Member States’ commitment to combat climate change, restore biodiversity, and create a pollution-free world. The declaration outlined ten actions to be undertaken by environment ministers to address these pressing issues.
In a significant development, Abdullah Bin Ali Amri, Chairman of the Environment Authority of Oman, was elected as the President of UNEA-7. In his inaugural speech, Bin Ali Amri emphasized the urgent need for collective action to confront environmental challenges, stressing the importance of unity and cooperation among nations.
The assembly also highlighted alarming findings from the 2024 Global Resource Outlook and the Global Waste Management Outlook, which underscored the need for urgent action to reduce consumption and transition towards a circular economy.
Looking ahead, Member States agreed to convene UNEA-7 from 8-12 December 2025, signaling their continued commitment to addressing the global environmental agenda.
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