BY OLANIYI BAMIDELE OLADIMEJI

The sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) will take place from 26 February to 1 March at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.  

The high-level segment of UNEA-6 will take place on 29 February and 1 March 2024, and will address the theme “Effective, inclusive and sustainable multilateral actions to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.” The segment consists of an opening plenary with statements by key dignitaries, national statements, three leadership dialogues, a multi-stakeholder dialogue, and a closing plenary, during which the Assembly will take action on a draft ministerial declaration as well as draft resolutions and decisions.

To highlight the importance of cooperation with multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs), a full day (28 February) will be devoted to the discussion, with an opening plenary meeting and two consecutive high-level dialogues. The outcomes of the two dialogues will be presented at the closing plenary of UNEA-6.

The Assembly will be preceded by the sixth meeting of the Open-ended Committee of Permanent Representatives, from 19 to 23 February at the same location, which will help lay the groundwork for the Assembly. Informal consultations in the form of working groups/contact groups will be organized as hybrid meetings, with a combination of in-person and online participation through an online platform. Additional information on the agenda and documentation will be made available soon.

The Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum (GMGSF) will also take place prior to UNEA-6, on 24 and 25 February, providing an avenue for Major Groups and Stakeholders to craft their stances, statements, and contributions for the UNEA-6 process.

As the world’s highest decision-making body on the environment, UNEA aims to help restore harmony between humanity and nature, improving the lives of the world’s most vulnerable people.

UNEA-6 will focus on how multilateralism can help tackle the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste. Backed by strong science, political resolve and engagement with society, the Assembly will be an opportunity for world governments, civil society groups, the scientific community and the private sector to shape the global environmental policy.

As the planet’s only universal membership forum for the environment, UNEA provides a unique platform for courageous decisions and new ideas to chart a bold plan for urgent, collective environmental action. In so doing, UNEA-6 aims to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.