The natural environment is under sustained threat, with the Earth having crossed several tipping points due to unsustainable development practices. The triple planetary crisis (anthropogenic climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution from plastic, chemicals, and waste) as well as poor land and soil stewardship practices, need to be addressed to ensure the planet’s survival.

The United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) is the highest decision-making body on environment in the world. Since 2014, the Assembly has convened approximately every two years to address the challenges facing the planet. 

In the run-up to UNEA-7, the seventh session of the Open-ended Committee of Permanent Representatives (OECPR-7) will meet to discuss draft resolutions and decisions for the possible adoption by UNEA-7. The Committee is scheduled to work in two parallel informal working groups throughout the week. Members will address resolutions on: 

• Draft decision on Management of trust funds and earmarked contributions 
• Draft decision on Provisional agenda, dates and venue of UNEA-8
• Draft decision on MTS 2026-2029 and PoW and budget for the biennium 2026-2027 
• Accelerating global action to promote the climate resilience of coral reefs. 
• Karst ecosystem for Global Water, Biodiversity, Climate Resilience, and Economic Development.
• Preservation of glaciers and the broader cryosphere. 
• Active protection of Deep-Sea Ecosystems.
• Enhancing the meaningful participation of Children and Youth in environmental governance.
• Promoting sustainable solutions through sport for a resilient planet.  
• Environmental dimensions of Antimicrobial Resistance. 
• Sound management of chemicals and waste.
• Strengthening global response on the management of fires. 
• Environmental sustainability of Artificial Intelligence systems.
• Strengthening global response on the massive influx of sargassum seaweed blooms.
• Enhancing international response to address crimes that affect the environment, 
• Advancing Options for International Instruments on the Environmentally Sound Management of Minerals and Metals and guidance for mineral resources circularity.
• Strengthening the role of the United Nations Environment Programme Headquarters in Nairobi to address environmental challenges and enhance multilateral cooperation to address effective multilateral governance.
• Mother Earth-Centric actions for living well in balance and harmony with Mother Earth.
• Maximizing existing resources through enhanced coherence and synergies in multilateral environmental agreements and implementation.

The OECPR will also discuss implementation progress on resolutions on strengthening: international efforts to combat desertification and land degradation, restore degraded land, promote land conservation and sustainable land management, contribute to land degradation neutrality, and enhance drought resilience; and ocean efforts to tackle climate change, marine biodiversity loss and pollution. The Committee will further engage in informal consultations on the margins of the meeting on the draft Ministerial Declaration to be approved by UNEA-7.

Following the OECPR, UNEA-7 will convene under the theme “Advancing sustainable solutions for a resilient planet.” Through the week, the Assembly will convene a high-level dialogue on cooperation with MEAs. Delegates will also meet in a two-day High-level Segment featuring leadership and multi-stakeholder dialogues addressing, among other topics, system-wide MEA implementation, human health and the environment, inclusive partnerships, circularity and sustainability for industry, and environmental degradation and the global financial system.

Critically, delegates are expected to discuss and agree on the draft medium-term strategy for the period 2026-2029, as well as the programme of work and budget for the next biennium. The Assembly will also adopt the resolutions, decisions, and the Ministerial Declaration, as forwarded by OECPR-7.

OECPR-7 is set to convene from 1–5 December back-to-back with UNEA-7, which will meet from 8–12 December. Both meetings will take place at UNEP Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.

The Earth Negotiations Bulletin writers for this meeting are Tallash Kantai; Anna Dubrova; Katarina Hovden; Wanja Nyingi, Ph.D.; and Emma Vovk. The Digital Editor is Anastasia Rodopoulou. The Editor is Pamela Chasek, Ph.D.