Download the logo
Today’s launch of the three-day hybrid (inperson and online), fifth session of United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2) took place in Nairobi. It was a meeting of ministers of environment from over 150 countries.
Our Assembly meets at a time of extreme geopolitical turmoil. We must show that multilateral diplomacy can work, Espen Barth Eide, President of UNEA-5 and Norway’s Minister for Climate and the Environment said. Plastic pollution has become a global epidemic. Plastics are paradoxically among the most durable products humans have made, yet we still throw them away. Plastic can be used again and again if we put it in a circular economic system. I believe it is time to establish a legally binding agreement to eliminate plastic pollution.
Inger Andersen (Executive Director of UN Environment Programme (UNEP) stated: We have made tremendous progress over the last week in negotiations towards an internationally legally binding instrument that will end plastic pollution. I believe that once the Assembly ratifies it, we’ll have something truly monumental.
Ambitious action to reduce plastic pollution must track the lifespan of plastic products, from source to sea. This should include legal binding support to developing countries and strong monitoring mechanisms. Incentivizing all stakeholders, including the private sector, Ms. Andersen said.
In the closing plenary meeting on Wednesday, February 2, 2022, the Assembly will decide in writing the resolution on plastic pollution and other urgent environmental issues.
The UN Environment Assembly meets bi-annually to determine global environmental priorities and develop international environmental law. UNEP’s work will be defined by the decisions and resolutions taken by MemberStates at the Assembly. The pandemic caused Member States to agree on a two-step approach toUNEA-5. An online session will take place 22-23 February 2021 and an in-person meeting will take place between 28 February 2022 and 2 March 2022.
Over 3,400 participants attended in person and 1,500 online from 175 UN member states, 79 ministers, and 17 high-ranking officials. The theme for UNEA-5 was Strengthening Actions For Nature to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals. This highlights the vital role that nature plays in our lives as well as in sustainable development in all areas, including economic, social and environmental.
The Assembly will be followed[email protected], a special session of the Assemblymarking UNEPs50ThAnniversary where Member States are expected address how to create a resilient, inclusive post-pandemic society
Distributed by APO Group for United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
APO issued this Press Release. The content has not been approved by African Business. The content of this announcement is solely at the issuer’s responsibility.