Archives
2nd Part of the 5th Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to Develop an International Legally Binding Instrument on Plastic Pollution, Including in the Marine Environment (INC-5.2)
Many hoped this meeting would lead to the adoption of a new treaty to end plastic pollution but, try as they might, delegates were unable to reach consensus and left Geneva amid uncertainty as to what the next steps might be going forward.
15th Session of the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP15) of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
Parties sought to match the ambition needed to reverse the alarming trends of wetland loss and degradation through increased synergies with other multilateral environmental agreements, institutional strengthening, enhanced implementation tools, partnerships and networks, and adequate financial support.
International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion on the Obligations of States in Respect of Climate Change
The ICJ interpreted the “tapestry of States’ obligations” under international law, providing a clear legal benchmark against which to assess climate action. Crucially, it rejected some high-emitting countries’ argument of the pre-eminence of the climate treaties in defining obligations and consequences for failing to live up to them.
Participation Process for the German VNR and Global VNR Peer Learning
In the run up to presenting its third voluntary national review (VNR) of progress towards the SDGs, the Federal Government of Germany is supporting national review, dialogue and implementation processes and international peer learning with selected other countries presenting a VNR at the 2025 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF).
SDG 6 Water Action Agenda Special Event
On the sidelines of the 2025 HLPF, the meeting launched three new SDG 6 Country acceleration case studies discussed interconnections and expectations for AI and water as well as countries’ stated commitments to water action.
Turning the Tide: Unlocking the Power of the Ocean
Speakers stressed the close links between ocean protection, climate change, and employment, while also noting the global spotlight ocean issues have received in 2025.
20th Ordinary Session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN-20)
Africa’s foremost ministerial-level body on environmental governance adopted decisions on Ocean governance in Africa, strengthening chemicals and waste governance, climate change, biodiversity, and a draft drought protocol.
High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) 2025
Despite convening against a backdrop of enormous global disruption, most delegations at the HLPF agreed now is not the time to abandon ideals, but to double down on solidarity and commit to enhancing implementation of the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals.
2nd Part of the 30th Annual Session of the International Seabed Authority
The three weeks of meetings revealed both how far the International Seabed Authority has come over the past 30 years and how far it must go before it can effectively fulfil its mandate of controlling deep seabed activities for the benefit of humankind, while protecting the marine environment.