The third session of the United Nations Environment Assembly of the UN Environment (UNEA-3) will convene from 4-6 December 2017 in Nairobi, Kenya, under the overarching theme, “Towards a Pollution-Free Planet.” UNEA-3 will be preceded by the third meeting of the Open-Ended Committee of Permanent Representatives to UNEP (OECPR 3), taking place from 29 November to 1 December 2017.

UNEA-3 aims to deliver a number of tangible commitments to end the pollution of our air, land, waterways, and oceans, and to safely manage chemicals and waste, including a negotiated long-term programme of action against pollution that is linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The High-Level Segment of UNEA-3, which will take place from 5-6 December, is also expected to endorse a political declaration on pollution, aimed at outlining policy measures for, inter alia, addressing pollution to protect human health while protecting the developmental aspirations of current and future generations. The ministerial segment will debut the interactive ‘Leadership Dialogues,’ aimed at providing participants with an opportunity for high-level engagement and discussion on how to achieve a pollution-free planet.

Other UNEA-3 outcomes will include voluntary commitments by governments, private sector entities and civil society organizations to address pollution, and the ‘#BeatPollution Pledge,’ a collection of individual commitments to clean up the planet.

Discussions at UNEA-3 will draw on a background report by the UNEP Executive Director, titled ‘Towards a Pollution-Free Planet.’ The Report explores the latest evidence, as well as responses and gaps in addressing pollution challenges, and outlines opportunities that the 2030 Agenda presents to accelerate action on tackling pollution.

In addition to preparing draft decisions for UNEA-3, OECPR 3 will review progress reports on the implementation of various decisions and resolutions of previous UNEA sessions, including: UN Environment Programme’s contribution to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; support to the implementation of the Paris Agreement; sound management of chemicals and waste; prevention, reduction and reuse of food waste; marine plastic litter and micro plastics; illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife products; protection of the environment in areas affected by armed conflict; and enhancing the work of UN Environment Programme in facilitating cooperation, collaboration and synergies among biodiversity-related conventions. The meeting will also consider a progress report on the Sixth Edition of the Global Environment Outlook (GEO-6).