Photo taken in Nairobi, Kenya on February 28, 2022. It shows the UN Environment Assembly’s fifth session. The UNEA-5’s fifth session resumed in Nairobi, Kenya on Monday.(Xinhua/Dong Jianghui)
NAIROBI (Xinhua), Feb. 28, 2008 — Monday’s UNEA-5 session began in Nairobi, Kenya, where delegates renewed their call for action on the triple planetary crisis (climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss) in order to ensure a green, resilient future for humanity.
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 revive ecosystems and manage the climate crisis.
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.
Keriako Tobiko is the minister of Environment and Forestry in Kenya. He stated that delegates representing 198 countries will be attending the biennial UN environment forum. They should propose resolutions that aim to leave a green, healthy, and plastic-free planet for future generations.
Tobiko stated that human activities have increased plastic pollution, extinction of species, and runway greenhouse gas emissions. He added that the long-term solution depended on enforcing legislation and public awareness, and incentivizing recycling.
Photo taken in Nairobi, Kenya on February 28, 2022. It shows the resumed fifth session UN Environment Assembly (5 (UNEA-5)). Monday saw the resumption of the fifth session of UNEA-5 in Nairobi, Kenya.(Xinhua/Long Lei)
Espen Barth Eide (president of UNEA-5 and Norway’s Climate and Environment minister) speaks at the resumption of the fifth session UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5), in Nairobi, Kenya on February 28, 2022. Monday was the start of the UNEA-5’s fifth session.(Xinhua/Dong Jianghui)
KeriakoTobiko, Kenya’s minister of Environment and Forestry, speaks during the reopened fifth session (UNEA-5) in Nairobi Kenya on February 28, 2022. Monday saw the resumption of the fifth session of UNEA-5 in Nairobi, Kenya.(Xinhua/Long Lei)
Inger Andersen is the executive director for UN Environment Program (UNEP) at the resumption of the fifth session UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5), Nairobi, Kenya, 02/28/2022. The UNEA-5’s fifth session resumed in Nairobi, Kenya on Monday.(Xinhua/Dong Jianghui)