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The global environment is facing a host of threats, many caused by human actions. From biodiversity loss, climate change and land degradation to plastic pollution and deteriorating air quality standards, the Earth ecosystems are facing unprecedented challenges. Policymakers and global citizens have long agreed that there is a need for concerted action to reverse these trends that threaten life on Earth.

From 26 February to 1st March, representatives of the 193 Member States of the United Nations, business leaders, civil society and environmentalists from around the world will come together in Nairobi, Kenya, for the sixth session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-6). It will focus on the theme, ‘Effective, inclusive and sustainable multilateral actions to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution’. It will be preceded by the sixth Open-Ended Meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives (OECPR-6), which will be held at UNEP Headquarters from 19-23 February 2024. Special events and side events will also be held on the margins of the meetings

As the world’s top decision-making body on the environment, UNEA aims to help restore harmony between humanity and nature, improving the lives of the world’s most vulnerable people. UNEA is where countries table resolutions and decisions on environmental issues. The sixth Open-Ended Meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives (OECPR-6) serves as a preparatory meeting of the UNEA agenda and pre-negotiates and deliberates the content and wording of proposed resolutions, declarations and decisions for endorsement and approval by the Assembly.  

The President William Ruto, who is the President and the Chairperson of the Committee of the African Union Heads of State and Government on Climate Change, is expected to deliver UNEA-6 National and welcoming statement on 29th February 2024, at the high level segment. UNEA-6 will be presided over by Leila Benali, Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Morocco.

The Executive Director, UN Environment Programme, Ms. Inger Andersen, said the Assembly UNEA-6 has been organized around six thematic areas that were considered by members in developing the draft resolutions to compel more effective, inclusive and sustainable multilateral action. During the press conference held on…..Ms. Andersen said 22 resolution have been developed and are being negotiated by the Member States along five clusters. “This will include two pollution action regulations, minerals, metals, hazardous pollution, water, ocean and seas, climate justice and sustainability, said Ms. Andersen.

The President of the United Nations General Assembly (PGA), Mr. Dennis Francis, will undertake official travel to Geneva, Switzerland from 25 to 27 February 2024, and to Nairobi, Kenya from 28 February to 2 March 2024. The event comes at a crucial time for the planet when urgent action is needed to avoid the worst effects of the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss and pollution and waste. The PGA will deliver his address at the Opening of the High-Level Segment.

In Geneva, the PGA will attend the opening of the 55th session of the Human Rights Council as well as participate in the Human Rights Council’s High-level panel on “Harnessing multilateral efforts to embed, amplify, and realize the rights of persons with disabilities with a focus on full and effective participation and inclusion in society.” 

As part of his visit to Geneva, the PGA will launch a campaign jointly with UN-Women and the President of the Human Rights Council aimed at preventing sexual harassment in the workplace.  

During his official visit to Kenya, the PGA will pay a courtesy call on H.E. Dr. William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya; and hod a bilateral meeting with H.E. Mr. Musalia Mudavadi, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs; and H.E. Ms. Roselinda Soipan Tuya, Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry.

UNEA-6 will also hear progress reports on the implementation of previous decisions, including on the work towards an international legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution, including in the marine environment. Delegates will also hear progress reports related to, among other issues , including chemical waste and nitrogen management, nature-based solutions and biodiversity and the circular economy. A Leadership Dialogue will also be held with multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) on the theme ‘Strengthening Actions for Nature to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“We need to push harder on super pollutants. I encourage all of you to build on the momentum from COP28. Include super pollutants in Nationally Determined Contributions as they are being renewed. Finalize Methane Roadmaps. And, crucially, find new ways to finance action,” said Inger Andersen, UNEP’s Executive Director. “Just as you need a superhero to defeat a supervillain, we need super solutions to face down super pollutants. And we need you to mastermind these solutions.”

Whilst in Kenya, the PGA will take the opportunity to engage with civil society, and visit projects managed by UN-Habitat in the vicinity of Nairobi. Building on his address to the Human Rights Council in Geneva, the PGA and use UNEA-6 to champion the impact of climate change and environmental crises on human rights, including through an address at the University of Nairobi.