NAIROBI, February 28 (Xinhua), — Monday saw the resumption of the fifth session of UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5). Delegates renewed their call for action to address the triple planetary crisis of biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution in order for humanity to have a green and resilient future.
The forum will host more than 2000 participants, including diplomats, scientists, innovators, and environment ministers. It will be held in a hybrid format to chart new directions for the planet and its inhabitants.
Espen Barth Eide, president of UNEA-5 and Norway’s Climate and Environment minister, stated that faith and belief in multilateralism are crucial for boosting action on ecological hazards and hastening a green and inclusive pandemic recovery.
He stated that human actions were contributing to global warming, loss in species, and plastic litter within waterways. He added that a permanent solution lay in a shift toward less carbon-intensive and circular economic activities.
This year’s global environmental assembly will feature the adoption of a legally binding agreement on ending plastic pollution, and discussions about new ways to regenerate ecosystems.
Additionally, the forum will address harmful chemicals in the blue and agricultural sectors.
Inger Andersen (executive director of UN Environment Program) stressed that it was possible to secure a peaceful, sustainable, and green future for humanity if we take strong action against plastic pollution, carbon emission, and habitat loss.
Anderson stated that “We have a responsibility for solving the crisis of climate change, polluting and biodiversity loss,” and added that policy incentives and financing were crucial to green growth.
KeriakoTobiko, Kenya’s minister of Environment and Forestry, stated that delegates from 198 nations will be participating in the biennial UN Environmental Forum. They should come up with resolutions to ensure that future generations have a healthy, green, and plastic-free planet.
Tobiko said that human activities had led to plastic pollution, extinctions of species, and increased greenhouse gas emissions. Tobiko added that the long-term solutions depend on enforcement of legislation, public awareness, and incentives for waste recyclers.