UN Environment Assembly – UNEA

The United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) is the world’s highest-level decision-making body on the environment, with a universal membership of all 193 UN Member States. UNEA meets biennially to set priorities for global environmental policies and develop international environmental law. The Assembly provides leadership, catalyzes intergovernmental action on the environment, and contributes to the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. UNEA also serves as the governing body of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

UNEA was established as a result of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, also known as Rio+20) in June 2012, where the outcome document, The Future We Want, called on the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to strengthen and upgrade UNEP. The UNGA then adopted resolution 67/213 on strengthening and upgrading UNEP and establishing universal membership of its GC. In March 2013, the UNGA further adopted resolution 67/251, which changed the designation of the UNEP Governing Council (GC) to the UNEA of the UNEP.

Events

Showing 1 - 10 of 24 results

UNEA Flagship Side Events

During the resumed Fifth Session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA), side events focused on “Strengthening actions for nature to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals” and the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
Event 28 February 2022 - 4 March 2022

2nd UNEA Cities and Regions Summit

Participants from around the world gathered for the Summit to exchange experiences, which showcase the multiple benefits of nature for cities for tackling the triple planetary crisis. They also focused on key levers to accelerate implementation, ranging from local to global actions, and from policy to finance measures.
Event 23 February 2022

UNEA-5.2, OECPR-5.2 and UNEP@50

Member States adopted 14 resolutions, including to negotiate an international treaty to address plastic pollution and establish a science-policy panel to contribute further to the sound management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution, while celebrating the 50th birthday of the United Nations Environment Programme.
Event 21 February 2022 - 4 March 2022

Youth Environment Assembly 2022

To prepare for UNEA-5, more than 150 youth joined sessions including turning climate anxiety into action, how to effectively express opinions, and the world's way forward on plastic pollution.
Event 19 February 2022 - 20 February 2022

Online Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum (GMGSF)

UNEP Major Groups concluded four days of intensive consultations ahead of the next UN Environment Assembly, adopting a Joint Global Statement and input toward the UNEP@50 political declaration.
Event 7 February 2022 - 10 February 2022

UNEA-5 (Online Session)

The Assembly adopted the UN Environment Programme Medium-Term Strategy for 2022-2025, and the programme of work and budget for the next biennium. It also launched the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the creation of UNEP. During a high-level leadership dialogue, participants outlined their respective country’s contributions to the environmental dimension of sustainable development to building a resilient and inclusive post-pandemic world.
Event 22 February 2021 - 23 February 2021