By Abbas Nazil
Libya has achieved a significant diplomatic milestone after being chosen as Vice President of the eighth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly, a top global forum that brings together environment ministers from across the world.
The decision was taken during the closing session of the Assembly on 12 December in Nairobi, Kenya, where delegates concluded discussions on global environmental priorities and governance.
Representing Libya in this role is Ibrahim Al-Arabi Al-Muneer, the Minister of Environment in the Government of National Unity, who also currently chairs the African Ministers of Environment Council.
His election places Libya in a prominent position within the world’s highest environmental decision-making body at a time when climate change and environmental degradation remain pressing global concerns.
The election process attracted strong international engagement, with more than 90 environment ministers and about 60 deputy ministers participating in the vote.
Libya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the country won the position with broad backing and faced limited resistance, even though Ethiopia had actively campaigned for the same role.
According to the ministry, the result reflects growing international confidence in Libya’s environmental leadership and diplomatic engagement within multilateral institutions.
Throughout the Assembly, Libya reiterated its adherence to the goals and guiding principles of the United Nations Environment Assembly.
The Libyan delegation emphasized its readiness to contribute constructively to global efforts aimed at addressing environmental challenges.
Libya confirmed its commitment to implementing major international environmental agreements, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
It also reaffirmed support for the Convention on Biological Diversity and international treaties designed to combat desertification and land degradation.
On the national level, Libya highlighted ongoing efforts to develop policies focused on the sustainable use of natural resources.
The country stressed the importance of tackling pollution in all its forms, with particular concern for coastal regions increasingly threatened by climate change impacts.
In its closing remarks, Libya expressed a strong desire to deepen cooperation with international partners to strengthen environmental protection across Africa.
It called for closer collaboration to support African countries facing mounting environmental pressures.
Libya also underscored the urgent need for accessible and flexible financing mechanisms that would enable environmentally vulnerable nations to implement effective adaptation and response strategies.
Officials noted that such financial tools are essential for translating environmental commitments into tangible action on the ground.
Libya’s election to the Vice Presidency is widely seen as recognition of its evolving role in regional and global environmental diplomacy.
The position is expected to give Libya a stronger voice in shaping environmental policy discussions and advancing African priorities within the United Nations system.
