Towards the 6th Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly

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 five sessions during which 90 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-6

The sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) will be held from 26 February to 1 March 2024 at UNEP’s headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, pursuing decision 5/4 of 2 March 2022 (UNEA-5.2). In accordance with this decision and paragraph 10 of Governing Council decision 27/2 of 23 February 2013, the Assembly will be preceded by the Sixth Meeting of the Open-ended Committee of Permanent Representatives taking place from 19 to 23 February 2024. The Kingdom of Morocco – represented by H.E. Leila Benali, Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development – was elected to the presidency of UNEA-6.

UNEA-6, to be held under the theme “Effective, inclusive and sustainable multilateral actions to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution”, will be a moment to advance the global environmental agenda, building on the pledges made at the fifth session (UNEA-5) and on the numerous environmental processes that have unfolded between the two assemblies. Member States and stakeholders will come together at UNEA-6 to discuss how to advance the Decade of Action with a focus on addressing the interlinkages of the three planetary environmental crises. A series of leadership and multi-stakeholder dialogues and more than 30 official side events and associated events are expected to lay the grounds for strengthened future global and regional coordinated efforts by the United Nations, Member States, and partners to deliver high-impact planetary action.

Various processes led in Geneva contributed to addressing the triple planetary crisis, and to actions and measures adopted at UNEA. Many stakeholders from international Geneva joined the assembly and its preparatory meetings.

UNEA-6 Outcomes

The Sixth Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly concluded on 1 March 2024 with the adoption of 15 resolutions, two decisions and a Ministerial Declaration.

Find out more on the outcomes of UNEA-6 at:

• UN Environment Assembly advances collaborative action on triple planetary crisis | Press Release | UNEP | 1 March 2024
• Earth Negotiations Bulletin coverage
• What’s Next After UNEA-6: Why “synergies” is more than a buzzword for countries tackling the triple planetary crisis | IISD | 4 April 2024
• Inclusive multilateralism at UNEA-6 boosts environmental movement | Speech | Inger Andersen | 1 March 2024
• Empty Efforts to Derail Plastics Treaty Negotiations at UNEA-6 Fail | CIEL | 1 March 2024
• UN Environment Assembly Calls for Action to End the Use of the World’s Most Toxic Pesticides by 2035 | IPEN | 1 March 2024
• Florika Fink-Hooijer, Director General, DG Environment at European Commission, post note on UNEA-6 | 1 March 2024
• Land issues high on UN Environment Assembly agenda | UNCCD | 1 March 2024
• Nations fail to agree ban or research on solar geoengineering | Climate Home News | 29 February 2024
• Joint Global Statement of Major Groups and Stakeholders for the 6th UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-6)

Released at UNEA-6:

• Global Resources Outlook 2024. Bend the trend – pathways to a liveable planet as resource use spikes | International Resources Panel | 1 March 2024
  The global economy is consuming ever more natural resources. The prevailing resource extraction and use models are a contributing and major causal factor of the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. → Read the press release
• Global Waste Management Outlook 2024. Beyond an age of waste. Turning rubbish into a resource  | UNEP and International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) | 28 February 2024
  The report provides an update on global waste generation and the cost of waste and its management since 2018. The analysis uses life cycle assessments to explore what the world could gain or lose through continuing business-as-usual, adopting halfway measures, or committing fully to zero waste and circular economy societies.→ Read the press release

On the Road to UNEA-6

This section of the page includes information and resources on the preparations to UNEA-6.

UNEA-6 Programme

• Monday, 26 February | Opening plenary
• Monday to Wednesday, 26-28 February | The Committee of the Whole
• Wednesday, 28 February | “MEA day”
  Devoted to consideration of the item on “Cooperation with multilateral environmental agreements”, in the form of a formal opening (2nd plenary) followed by two consecutive high-level panel discussions.
• Thursday to Friday, 29 February – 1 March | High-level segment
  Composed of an opening plenary (3rd plenary) with statements by key dignitaries, national statements, three leadership dialogues, a multi-stakeholder dialogue, and a closing plenary meeting during which UNEA will take action on the draft Ministerial declaration as well as the draft resolutions and decisions. 

Check UNEA-6 Programme Page

For a detailed outlook on the items to be addressed at UNEA-6, consulting the Annoted Provisional Agenda (Advance Unedited Version) is advised.

What to Expect from UNEA-6

In her report, UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen  identified six areas where the Assembly may wish to compel more effective, inclusive and sustainable multilateral action:

1. Implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework,
2. Advancing integrated approaches for a water-secure world,
3. Ensuring responsible mining and sustainable minerals and metals use,
4. Advancing cooperation around nutrients, especially phosphorus,
5. Reviewing climate-altering technologies and measures, and
6. Aligning the financial system for sustainability.

→ Rewatch the 2 November 2023 Briefing to Member States by the UNEP Executive Director on her report to UNEA-6, and the briefings organized by the Geneva Environment Network and its partners.

Negotiatiad 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.

Draft Resolutions 

Draft resolutions and decisions to be discussed at UNEA-6 for adoption currently include:

Cluster A | Draft resolutions relating to abating pollution and promoting sound management of chemicals and waste.

1. Switzerland, co-sponsored by Mexico: Sound management of chemicals and waste.
2. United States of America and Canada, co-sponsored by Chile: Promoting regional cooperation to improve air quality globally.
3. Iran: Combating Sand and Dust Storms.

Cluster C | Draft resolutions relating to international environmental governance.

1. Malawi and Morocco: Fostering national action to address environmental challenges through increased cooperation between UNEA, UNEP, and MEAs.
2. Malawi: Enhancing the role and viability of regional forums for environmental ministers and environmental authorities and regional offices in achieving multilateral cooperation to tackle environmental challenges.
3. Japan, co-sponsored by Fiji, Canada and Chile: Promoting synergistic approach to address the triple crisis on climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution and support sustainable development.

Cluster D | Draft resolutions relating to addressing root causes of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss and pollution.

1. Senegal and Switzerland, co-sponsored by Armenia, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Gambia, Haiti, Sierra Leone, Chad: Follow-up to UNEA resolution 5/12 on the environmental aspects of minerals and metals management.
2. India: Sustainable lifestyles.
3. Cuba, co-sponsored by Brazil: Draft resolution on Circularity of a resilient and low-carbon sugar cane agroindustry

Cluster E | Draft resolutions and draft decisions relating to procedural, budgetary, and administrative matters.

Draft resolutions and decisions on administrative and organizational-related matters 

1. The Secretariat on behalf of the Chair of the Committee of Permanent Representatives. Amendments to the Instrument for the Establishment of the Restructured Global Environment Facility (GEF)
2. The Chair of the Committee of Permanent Representatives. Draft decision on Dates and provisional Agenda for UNEA-7 and OECPR-7
3.  The Secretariat. Management of trust funds and earmarked contributions.

Draft resolutions submitted on 29 February 2024 for consideration at the closing plenary of UNEA-6:

•  Saudi Arabia: 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
•  Costa Rica and by the European Union and its Member States: Strengthening ocean efforts to tackle climate change, marine biodiversity loss and pollution
• Ethiopia: Highly Hazardous Pesticides
• Ukraine: Environmental assistance and recovery in areas affected by armed conflicts
• Sri Lanka and by European Union and its Member States: Effective and inclusive solutions for strengthening water policies to achieve sustainable development in the context of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.

Multilateral Environmental Agreements Day

UNEA-6 highlighted the importance of cooperation with multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) with a full day (28 February 2024) devoted to the discussion with an opening plenary meeting (2nd plenary) and two consecutive high-level dialogues with a view to enhancing its relationship with the MEAs by strengthening convergence of actions and sharing of experiences while also providing increased visibility to the MEAs. The discussions are supported by a note by the secretariat (UNEP/EA.6/INF/6). The outcomes of the two dialogues were presented at the last plenary meeting of UNEA-6 on 1 March 2024.

Geneva hosts five of the global MEAs administrated by UNEP and other global and regional MEAs administrated by UNEP and key actors, such as IUCN and UNECE. The MEAs Day will therefore include active participation from numerous Geneva actors.

MEAs Side Events & Geneva

To complement the MEA day, a 3-day program of MEA side events was held from 28 February to 1 March 2024. The programme and events are led by the MEAs themselves and open to all UNEA-6 participants. Geneva actors will bring forward thematics of interest for International Geneva and its expertise through various sessions.

MEA exhibitions

MEAs exhibitions were organized during the full week of UNEA-6, to showcase cooperation between UNEP and MEAs, the other UN entities and MEAs as well as among the MEAs on cross-cutting topics of interest which are relevant to the theme of UNEA-6.

Side Events & Geneva Engagement

Official side events were be convened in person and virtually over the five days of the sixth session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-6), during lunch breaks and in the evenings  These enriched UNEA-6 by providing a great opportunity to discuss the theme, share experiences, find solutions, and inspire partnerships toward tackling climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Geneva stakeholders convened or joined the panels of various side events, including:

Associated Events

• Youth Environment Assembly | 17 and 18 February
• 31st meeting of the International Resource Panel | 20 – 23 February
• Annual Climate and Clean Air Conference | 21 – 23 February
• Cities and Regions Summit | 23 February 2024
• UN Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production 10 YFP Board Meeting | 24 February
• SIDS+30: The Road through Antigua & Barbuda | 26 February
• The Special session of the UN Science-Policy Business Forum on the Environment | 27 February
• Launch of the Young Champions of the Earth and the new UN World Restoration Flagships | 27 February
• 4th Ministerial Meeting of the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution | 28 February
• Canada’s Ministerial Event on the international instrument on plastic pollution leading to INC-4 | 28 February
• UNEP Business & Industry Major Group High-Level Dinner | 28 February
• Quadripartite Executive Annual Meeting – High-Level Session | 29 February

Sixth meeting of the Open-ended Committee of Permanent Representatives | OECPR-6

Preparations for UNEA-6 began in July 2022 following the appointments set out in the Roadmap for the Bureau of the Sixth Session of the UN Environment Assembly, and concluded with the Open-ended Committee of Permanent Representatives.

The Open-ended Committee of Permanent Representatives (OECPR-6) is the intersessional subsidiary body of UNEA. The OECPR serves as a preparatory meeting of the UNEA agenda and pre-negotiates and deliberates the content and wording of proposed resolutions, declarations, and decisions for endorsement and approval by the Assembly.  Comprising of all accredited representatives to the Committee of Permanent Representatives, the OECPR prepares for the meetings of UNEA.

In accordance with paragraph 10 of Governing Council decision 27/2 of 23 February 2013 and decision 5/4 of 2 March 2022, the sixth meeting of the Open-ended Committee of Permanent Representatives was held from 19 to 23 February 2024. → Consult the Draft Chair’s Summary of OECPR-6 and Rewatch OECPR-6 plenaries: Monday 19 February | Wednesday 21 February, and Friday 23 February.

Consultations on the Draft Ministerial Declaration of UNEA-6

The roadmap for an open, transparent and inclusive consultation on the draft ministerial declaration of UNEA-6 was developed based on the guidance from the Bureau of the United Nations Environment Assembly and the Committee of Permanent Representatives (CPR) and taking into account the comments provided by the Member States, observers and major groups and stakeholders at the 161st  meeting of the CPR. The revised final draft of the ministerial declaration, as well as the inputs and comments submitted by Member States and Stakeholders are available on the UNEA-6 website.

In the margins of the sixth meeting of the Open-ended Committee of Permanent Representatives, the Presidency convened the last informal consultations on 22 February 2024 to finalize the text of the draft ministerial declaration, through paragraph-by-paragraph reading, for adoption at UNEA-6.

Global Major Groups and Stakeholder Forum 

The 20th Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum (GMGSF 20) took place from 24-25 February 2024.

GMGSF 20 provided an opportunity for representatives from Major Groups and Stakeholders accredited to UNEP to prepare positions, statements and inputs to the UNEA-6 process, including formal meetings as well as the negotiations taking place under the Assembly. The Forum was open to non-accredited MGS since it is a self-organized meeting. The Forum also provided an opportunity for stakeholder representatives to engage in an exchange of views with each other, as well as representatives from the UNEP Secretariat and interested Member States.

The Role of Geneva

Highly engaged in the process, actors and stakeholders from International Geneva have provided written submissions for the Draft Ministerial Declaration: BRS Zero Draft  / BRS First Draft | IUCN Zero Draft  / IUCN First Draft | OHCHR Zero Draft / OHCHR First Draft| WWF First Draft

Actors from International Geneva participated and contributed to UNEA-6:

• BRS
• IUCN
• Minamata Convention on Mercury
• UNCTAD
• UNECE

Preparatory Events in Geneva

High-Level Briefing on the 6th Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly

A Geneva high-level briefing took place on 6 February 2024 to provide an update on the preparations and the presidency priorities for the sixth session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-6).→ Revisit the session

Links

• Sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly
• Handbook for delegates to the United Nations Environment Assembly
• Proposing the IUCN Global Standard for NbS as the main operational framework to implement UNEA Resolutions 5/5 on NbS for supporting Sustainable Development |  IUCN | February 2024
• How the UN Environment Assembly can help addressing the environmental impacts of war | PAX | 21 February 2024
• Addressing Conflicts’ Contributions to the Triple Planetary Crisis at UNEA-6 | Policy Recommendations for Member States from Civil Society | February 2024
• Towards UNEA-5.2 | GEN
• Earth Negotiations Bulletin UNEA-5.2 Summary Report