The sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA6) marked a pivotal moment for environmental governance, and the Founder of the UN Association of Tajikistan, Sadullo Ishankulov contributed to this important event. As a delegate from Children & Youth Major Group to UNEP, he contributed his expertise and insights throughout UNEA6, participating in high-level discussions, workshops, such as UNEP Strategic Foresight and panels.

“The world needs action, speed and real, lasting change.” As the sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) came to a close, Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), drew attention to the need to tackle the triple planetary crisis and slow climate change, restore nature and land, and create a pollution-free world.

Under the theme “Effective, inclusive and sustainable multilateral actions to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution,” UNEA-6 quickly became a marathon effort that saw the adoption of 15 resolutions, two decisions, and a Ministerial Declaration. Resolutions covered topics ranging from the environmental aspects of minerals and metals, the sound management of chemicals and wastes, and highly hazardous pesticides to sustainable lifestyles, sand and dust storms, land degradation, and environmental assistance and recovery in areas affected by armed conflict.

UNEA-6 also highlighted the importance of cooperation with multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) with a full day devoted to discussions. More than 170 ministers participated in a High-level Segment that featured three leadership dialogues and a multi-stakeholder dialogue.

A number of other events took place prior to or alongside UNEA-6, including the Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum, the Youth Environment Assembly, meetings of the International Resource Panel, the Climate and Clean Air Conference, the United Nations Science-Policy-Business Forum on the Environment, the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution, and the Cities and Regions Summit, and dozens of side events.

UNEA-6 convened from 26 February – 1 March 2024, in Nairobi, Kenya. A record 7,000 delegates from 182 UN Member States, civil society, Indigenous Peoples, international organizations, scientists, and the private sector participated in the meeting.

In the week leading up to UNEA, delegates convened in Nairobi for the sixth session of the Open-ended Committee of Permanent Representatives (OECPR-6), from 19-23 February 2024, to negotiate the resolutions and decisions, which were then forwarded to UNEA for final negotiations and adoption.

References:

Earth Negotiations Bulletin, International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD).