Towards the 7th Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly

The seventh session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) took place from 8 to 12 December 2025 at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. UNEA-7, preceded by the seventh meeting of the Open-ended Committee of Permanent Representatives (OECPR-7), held from 1 to 5 December 2025.

Briefing on the 7th Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly | GENeva UNEA Briefing

A GENeva Briefing on the 7th Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly took place on 25 November 2025 at the International Environment House I and online.

→ Rewatch the recording and access documents.

About the United Nations Environment Assembly

The United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) is the world’s highest-level decision-making body on the environment. Established in June 2012 as a result of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development. Since 2014, UNEA has held six sessions during which 105 resolutions have spurred action on critically important issues, including air pollution, biodiversity and health, financing for development, plastic pollution, marine litter, environmental education, water management, nature-based solutions, sustainable consumption and production, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, climate change, Science-Policy Panel for chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution, the illegal wildlife trade and protecting the environment in areas affected by armed conflict and disasters, minerals and metals management, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, amongst many others.

About UNEA

About UNEA-7

The seventh session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) took place from 8 to 12 December 2025 at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. UNEA-7 was preceded by the seventh meeting of the Open-ended Committee of Permanent Representatives (OECPR-7), held from 1 to 5 December 2025.

The UNEA-7 Bureau was elected for a period of two years starting at the closure of the sixth session of UNEA on 1 March 2024 and it is composed of ten members, comprising one President, eight Vice Presidents and one Rapporteur, with two members representing each of the five United Nations regions.  The Sultanate of Oman — represented by His Excellency Abdullah Bin Ali Al-Amri, Chair of the Environment Authority of Oman — was elected to the presidency of UNEA-7.

UNEA-7 wasbe held under the theme “Advancing sustainable solutions for a resilient planet”, sending a strong message to accelerate sustainable solutions and effective responses for a safer and more resilient planet.

UNEA-7 Official Website

→ UNEA-7 was webcasted on UN Web TV, and official side events, associated events and MEA side events recordings are available on the UNEP YouTube channel, and stay update with the short updates.

UNEA-7 Outcomes

The Seventh Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7), the world’s highest-level decision-making body on the environment, concluded on 12 December 2025 with the adoption of 11 resolutions, 3 decisions, and a Ministerial Declaration.

These resolutions address issues of interest for multilateral processes of international Geneva, ranging from the sound management of minerals, metals, chemicals, and waste to the sustainable use of Artificial Intelligence, international cooperation against wildfires, antimicrobial resistance, the protection of glaciers and of coral reefs, and finding sustainable solutions through sport. UNEA-7 also adopted the UNEP Medium-Term Strategy for the next four years, endorsing UNEP as the leading global environmental authority. The assembly elected the President of UNEA-8, His Excellency Matthew Samuda of Jamaica, and the new UNEA bureau members. UNEA-8 will take place at the headquarters of the United Nations Environment Programme, in Nairobi, from 6 December to 10 December 2027.

UNEP Final Press Release

UNEA-7 Outcomes

Releases and announcements at UNEA-7 include:

The seventh edition of the Global Environment Outlook (GEO-7): A Future We Choose was released on 9 December 2025. Resulting from the work of nearly 300 multidisciplinary scientists, GEO-7 offers an in-depth look at the state of the global environment. While many of its findings are concerning, GEO-7 shares a message of hope that if humanity acts quickly, it can still undo decades of environmental damage and forge a more sustainable future for billions of people. → Read UNEP press release and learn more on the interactive quick summary
The UN Task Force on Critical Energy Transition Minerals (UN Task Force on CETM) was launched on 10 December. Endorsed by the UN Secretary-General and chaired by UNEP, UNCTAD and UNDP, the Task Force will coordinate the United Nations’ activities across all principles and actionable recommendations. → Read more on UN.org
UNEP announced the 2025 Champions of the Earth on 10 December 2025. Now in its 20th year, UNEP’s Champions of the Earth award is the UN’s highest environmental honour, celebrating environmental leaders who deliver important solutions in their fields. This year’s laureates are extraordinary leaders tackling some of the most urgent challenges of our time: climate justice, methane emissions, sustainable cooling, resilient buildings, and forest conservation. → Read more on UNEP press release

Reactions and analyses on what happened at UNEA-7:

UN Environment Assembly wraps up in Nairobi | UN News | 12 December 2025
UN Environment Assembly – UNEA-7 Coverage | Earth Negotiations Bulletin | 8-12 December 2025
UNEA 7 ends with new commitments but misses agreements on key environmental issues, says WWF | WWF | 12 December 2025
UNEA-7: Key Compromises in Text, but Environmental Progress on the Margins | CIEL | 12 December 2025
Push for global minerals deal meets opposition, more talks agreed | Climate Home News | 12 December 2025
UNEA7 misses the opportunity to bring about a global minerals framework, EEB warns | EEB | 12 December 2025
UNEA-7: Alarming Signals for Science-Based Decision-Making, Civil Society Participation, and Multilateralism | OceanCare | 12 December 2025
A breakthrough on plastic pollution remains within reach | UNEP ED Speech | 12 December 2025
At UNEA7 in Nairobi, UNECE, BRS Conventions and partners call for stronger risk management of critical energy transition minerals | UNECE | 10 December 2025
Why the UN Environment Assembly is essential to a safer, more resilient planet | Inger Andersen | 9 December 2025

UNEA-7 Theme | Advancing sustainable solutions for a resilient planet

The theme of the Environment Assembly sessions is chosen following broad consultations with Member States and a wide cross-section of stakeholders and endorsed by the Bureau at least one year ahead of the session.

The theme “Advancing sustainable solutions for a resilient planet” was chosen by the UNEA Bureau during the joint meeting of the Bureaux of UNEA and the CPR on 11 December 2024. It sends a strong message to accelerate sustainable solutions and effective responses for a safer and more resilient planet.

This theme recognizes that striving for a world that is just, equitable and inclusive hinges on advancing sustainable development, promoting sustained and inclusive economic growth, social development and environmental protection to benefit all, as recognized in the “Future We Want.”Thus, a resilient planet is one where healthy ecosystems are prioritized; where resource intensity is reduced and efficiency is enhanced; where consumption and production demands are reoriented towards sustainability; and where new technologies and practices can sustainably anticipate and prevent environmental risks. To be successful and truly catalyze the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, all of these conditions must be underpinned by effective and inclusive environmental governance and respect for the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.

UNEA-7 Programme

Monday, 8 December 2025 | Opening Plenary

Monday to Wednesday, 8 – 10 December | Committee of the Whole

Wednesday, 10 December 2025 | MEAs Day

Thursday 11 December 2025 | Multistakeholder Dialogue

Thursday and Friday, 11 – 12 December 2025 | High-level segment and National Statements | Leadership Dialogues

Friday, 12 December 2025 | Closing Plenary

UNEA-7 will follow the structure:

For a detailed outlook on the items to be addressed at UNEA-7, consulting the Provisional Agenda (UNEP/EA.7/1) is advised.

What to Expect from UNEA-7

UNEP Executive Director, Inger Andersen, released the first part of her report on UNEA-7 “Priorities for advancing sustainable solutions for a resilient planet” (UNEP/EA.7/2), suggesting possible areas for UNEA-7 resolutions for the consideration of Member States, such as:

Addressing the global hydrological cycle
Tackling nutrient pollution
Critical energy and digital transition minerals
Protecting the stratosphere
Deploying and scaling environmentally sustainable artificial intelligence

The second part (UNEP/EA.7/2(II)) of the report takes a broader view, reflecting on UNEA’s evolution over the past decade. It draws lessons from its first ten years and explores how the Assembly can continue to grow as a vital platform for global environmental governance. This reflection aims to ensure UNEA remains responsive, inclusive, and effective in addressing the complex environmental challenges of our time.

Draft Resolutions

The draft resolutions or decisions submitted by Member States for adoption by UNEA represent current collective thinking on pressing environmental issues, build consensus and are a vital first step in spurring action. They also define priority areas of work for UNEP and are therefore central in the process. All draft resolutions and decisions had to be announced and submitted by the main proponent by 29 September 2025, 10 weeks in advance of UNEA-7 pursuant to UNEA decision 6/7 and as indicated in the CPR based review.

Submitted draft resolutions/decisions are made available on the e-Proposals platform (replacing the resolutions portal) on the e-deleGATE . All relevant information including contact details of the focal points for the main proponents of the resolution, co-sponsors, concept notes, secretariat technical notes and different versions of the draft will be made available on e-Proposals.

Guidance to Member States on the submission of draft resolutions and decisions to UNEA-7
Roadmap for the intersessional period, including guidelines for the organization of work for OECPR-7 and during UNEA-7
Appointment and responsibilities of the co-facilitators for UNEA-7

Draft resolutions and decisions to be discussed at UNEA-7 for adoption as of October 2025 include:

Cluster A combines draft resolutions relating to Nature – Climate

India | Strengthening global response on management of fires.
Dominican Republic | Strengthening global response on the massive influx of sargassum seaweed blooms.
Vanuatu | Active protection of deep-sea ecosystems.
Fiji | Accelerating global action to promote the climate resilience of coral reefs.
Tajikistan | Preservation of glaciers and the broader cryosphere.
Indonesia | Karst ecosystem for global water, biodiversity, climate resilience, and economic development.

Cluster B combines draft resolutions relating to governance and law

Kenya | Environmental sustainability of Artificial Intelligence systems.
Sri Lanka | Enhancing the meaningful participation of Children and Youth in environmental governance.
Kenya | Promoting sustainable solutions through sport for a resilient planet.
Peru and Kenya | Enhancing the international response to address crimes that affect the environment
Japan and Panama | Maximizing existing resources through enhanced coherence and synergies in multilateral environmental agreements and implementation

Cluster C combines draft resolutions relating to circular economy, chemicals, waste and pollution

Kenya | Environmental dimensions of antimicrobial resistance.
Colombia + Oman | Advancing Options for International Instruments on the Environmentally Sound Management of Minerals and Metals.
Switzerland | Sound management of chemicals and waste.

Cluster D combines draft decisions relating to strategic, budgetary, and governing bodies matters

Draft decision on MTS 2026- 2029 and PoW and budget for the biennium 2026-2027
Draft decision on Provisional agenda, dates and venue of UNEA-8
Draft decision on Management of trust funds and earmarked contributions
Mexico | 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

Seventh Open-ended Committee of Permanent Representatives (OECPR-7)

Every second year, the Committee of Permanent Representatives meets as the Open-ended Committee of Permanent Representatives. It holds a five-day meeting, chaired by the Chair of the Committee of Permanent Representatives, immediately before the session of the Environment Assembly. During the meeting, representatives of Member States meet in formal plenary sessions and informal working groups and contact groups to negotiate draft resolutions and decisions for consideration and possible adoption by the Environment Assembly.

Usually, the Presidency of the Environment Assembly also conducts informal consultations on the margins of the meeting of the Open-ended Committee of Permanent Representatives to seek consensus on a draft ministerial declaration for consideration at the upcoming session of the Environment Assembly.

The seventh Open-ended Committee of Permanent Representatives took place from 1 to 5 December 2025.

OECPR-7 Official Website

Ministerial Declaration of UNEA-7

The roadmap for an iterative, open, transparent, participatory and inclusive intergovernmental consultations on the draft ministerial
declaration of UNEA-7 has been developed based on established practice and experience gained for this process since UNEA-1, as well as the guidance provided by the Committee of Permanent Representatives (CPR) in its decision 167/1 on UNEA-6 lessons learned. It has been forwarded in conjunction with a letter by UNEA-7 president, inviting to consider the following questions:

What would the Ministers for the Environment propose as the most important elements and or key messages that would enable the ministerial declaration to take forward the UNEA theme in the most impactful manner?
What key messages or conclusions from recent scientific reports would the Ministers for the Environment recommend for consideration in the ministerial declaration?
What proposed collective actions and policy solutions should the Ministers for the Environment adopt to advance the UNEA theme and promote effective and inclusive environmental governance?
Any other message(s) would the Ministers for the Environment wish to be considered or included in the ministerial declaration?

Consultations have been held on 15 April 2025 (First intergovernmental consultations on the draft ministerial declaration) and 16 June 2025 (Second intergovernmental consultations on the draft ministerial declaration).

Revised Final Draft (27 November 2025) | Letter from the President of UNEA circulating the revised final draft of the Ministerial Declaration

Final Draft (17 October 2025) | Letter from the President of UNEA circulating the final draft of the Ministerial Declaration

First draft (29 May 2025)

Zero draft (28 March 2025)

Ministerial Declaration Revised Final Draft (27 Nov 2025)

Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum (GMGSF)

The 21st Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum (GMGSF) will take place on 6 and 7 December 2025. It will provide an avenue for Major Groups and Stakeholders to craft their stances, statements, and contributions for the UNEA-7 process, encompassing formal meetings and negotiations conducted within the Assembly.

The Forum informs civil society stakeholders about existing and future UNEP policies. It also provides a platform for representatives from Major Groups to exchange ideas and find common ground in order to contribute to multi-stakeholder policy talks during UNEA. Preparatory Regional Consultative Meetings (RCMs) among civil society are held prior to the Forum to ensure that regional perspectives on all UNEP mandates are incorporated in UNEA.As the Forum is also open to organizations that are not accredited by UNEP, it offers an opportunity for both accredited and non-accredited stakeholders to exchange perspectives among themselves and with representatives from the UNEP Secretariat and interested Member States. The primary objective is to foster dialogue and collaboration in addressing significant environmental issues within the framework of the UNEA-7 agenda.

Youth Environment Assembly 2025

The Youth Environment Assembly (YEA) is a premier platform that unites young environmental leaders, advocates, and policymakers from across the world to engage in policy dialogues, knowledge exchange, and collective action. As the largest youth-led environmental forum within the United Nations Environment Programme, YEA plays a vital role in shaping youth contributions to UNEA, UNEP, MEAs and other relevant processes.

YEA 2025 took place on 29 and 30 November 2025 and on 7 December 2025 in the lead-up to the 7th session of the UN Environment Assembly, aligning with its overarching theme. The Assembly will serve as a space for youth to formulate the Global Youth Declaration on Environment, ensuring that young people’s perspectives, solutions, and priorities are integrated into UNEA-7 discussions and outcomes. Through interactive sessions, capacity-building workshops, policy consultations and high-level segments, YEA 2025 will amplify youth voices in advancing environmental multilateralism and sustainable solutions for a resilient planet.

Consultations for UNEA-7 draft resolutions and the Global Youth Declaration took place in the run-up to the meetings. → Learn more

YEA 2025

The Role of Geneva

Highly engaged in the process, actors and stakeholders from International Geneva have provided

Written submissions for the Draft Ministerial Declaration:

Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions
Convention on Wetlands
Global Cities Hub – Geneva
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) 21 Feb 2025 | 30 Apr. 2025 | 30 June 2025
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights | 30 Apr. 2025 | 30 June 2025
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) | 14 Apr 2025 | 25 June 2025

Information documents

Information on the work carried out within the framework of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions as it relates to the seventh session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEP/EA.7/INF/11)
Update on the United Nations System-Wide Framework of Strategies on the Environment.
A summary of UN collaborative efforts on the environment | UN EMG

Multilateral Environmental Agreements Day

Following the success of the first MEAs Day at UNEA-6 in 2024, the second Multilateral Environmental Agreements Day will take place on 10 December 2025.

These engagements provide a compelling platform to highlight cooperation between UNEP and MEAs as well as among MEAs – celebrating success stories, championing integrated solutions, and inspiring greater collective environmental action. The day is convened under the agenda item “Cooperation with multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs)”, as endorsed in UNEA decision 6/7.

The day will feature:

An opening plenary session will be held on 10 December 2025 from 10 am to 10.30 am EAT in Conference Room 1. This will be presided over by His Excellency Abdullah Bin Ali Al-Amri, Chair of the Environment Authority of Oman and President of UNEA-7, followed by a statement by the UNEP Executive Director.
High-level dialogues:
- “Signed, Sealed, Delivered?” – Turbocharging MEA implementation through whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches.
- “Keeping the Promise” – Boosting SDG implementation through the MEAs.
A closing with a moderated high-level plenary discussion highlighting the conclusions and key outcomes of the day. The session will reflect on proposed solutions, shared insights, and suggested areas for future action. The moderated discussion on the conclusions will be held on 10 December 2025 from 5 to 6 pm EAT in Conference Room 1.

A summary of these discussions — including the main messages and recommendations for action — will be presented during the closing plenary on Friday 12 December, and captured in the official proceedings report of UNEA-7.

MEAs Day

Minamata Convention at UNEA-7

MEAs Pavillion

The MEAs pavilion will host side events and exhibitions organized by the MEAs, while also offering space for all participants to connect and share ideas.

Side events will be held from 8 to 12 December 2025 as part of the agenda item “Cooperation with Multilateral Environmental Agreements.” and provide a platform to showcase topics, ongoing projects, activities, and lessons learned in promoting the coherent and synergistic implementation of MEAs, in alignment with the UNEA-7 theme: “Advancing sustainable solutions for a resilient planet.”
MEAs exhibitions will provide a platform for the MEA Secretariats and UNEP to showcase their work with key partners, promoting integrated approaches and solutions that advance cooperation, collaboration and synergies in implementing MEAs.

MEAs Pavilion

Side Events & Geneva Engagement

Each of the Official Side Events is intended to enrich and complement the UNEA-7 session by providing a unique opportunity to discuss the theme, share experiences, find solutions and inspire partnerships towards tackling climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.

Official Side Event | Beat the heat: Local and Regional Action for a resilient planet

8 December 2025 | 13:15 – 14:45 EAT / 11:15 – 13:45 CET

Global Cities Hub – Geneva

Official Side Event | Flow Forward: Transboundary water cooperation to restore and sustain water ecosystems from source to sea

8 December 2025 | 13:15 – 14:45 EAT / 11:15 – 13:45 CET

IUCN, UNECE, European Commission, Finland, and Slovenia

MEAs Side Event | Joining Forces: How MEAs Drive Compliance and Enforcement Against Illegal Traffic

8 December 2025 | 15:00 – 16:15 EAT / 13:00 – 14:15 CET

BRS Conventions, Green Customs Initiative Secretariat
Green, CITES, Minamata Convention on Mercury

Associated Event | Prosperity Through Resilience: Sustainable Public Finance as the Engine of Circularity, Competitiveness, and Inclusive Economic Growth

8 December 2025 | 15:30 – 17:00 EAT / 13:30 – 15:00 CET

Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action, UNEP, with the participation of PAGE

The Water Continuum: Uniting Climate, Nature, and People Through Water Flow

8 December 2025 | 15:30 – 17:00 EAT / 13:30 – 15:00 CET

UNEP, with the participation of UNECE

Official Side Event | Synergies in the Chemicals and Waste Cluster: The Role of Emerging and Established Instruments

8 December 2025 | 18:15 – 19:45 EAT / 16:15 – 17:45 CET

Switzerland, with participation of the BRS Conventions, Minamata Convention and IPCC

MEAs Side Event | Leveraging AI for better cooperation, collaboration and impact for MEAs

9 December 2025 | 14:30 – 15:45 EAT / 12:30 – 13:45 CET

Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol, CBD, Minamata Convention on Mercury, CITES, Cartagena Convention, Ozone Secretariat, BRS Conventions, CMS