5th Session of UN Environment Assembly to begin in Nairobi

The fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly begins in Nairobi, Kenya today. 

The UN Environment Assembly is the world’s top environmental decision-making body. Every two years, the United Nations Environment Assembly brings together representatives of 193 UN Member States, companies, civil society, and other stakeholders.

‘Strengthening actions for nature to achieve sustainable development goals’ is the overarching theme of this Assembly.

The assembly considers nature as critical to achieving the goals of the unanimously accepted 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The 2030 Agenda aspires to end poverty and conflict, create equitable and inclusive societies, and assure protection of the planet and natural resources. 

Other important discussions at the Assembly will include chemical waste and nitrogen management, nature-based solutions, biodiversity, and the circular economy. A Leadership Dialogue on the theme of ‘Strengthening Actions for Nature to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals will also be held alongside multilateral environmental accords.

This meeting, the Assembly will consider the creation of an international negotiating committee to begin work on a global, legally binding agreement to combat plastic pollution. Given the worldwide plastic pollution crisis, the high-level, society-wide debates may be the most significant global environmental development since the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement.