By Abbas Nazil
The European Union has announced it will advocate for stronger multilateral environmental cooperation as global environment ministers gather in Nairobi for the Seventh United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7), the world’s top decision-making forum on environmental matters.
Running from December 8 to 12, the Assembly will negotiate resolutions under the theme “Advancing sustainable solutions for a resilient planet,” with the EU emphasizing legally binding global action, enhanced multilateralism and a unified response to the planet’s interconnected crises.
EU Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, Jessika Roswall, is representing the bloc and will lead key diplomatic engagements throughout the week.
On December 12, she will co-host a Ministerial Breakfast with the Danish Presidency aimed at revitalizing political momentum behind a Global Treaty on Plastics.
The EU views this event as critical for rallying support, refocusing priorities and pushing countries toward effective solutions to end plastic pollution.
The EU is pressing for a treaty containing strong, legally binding obligations, particularly on improving product design, phasing out problematic and single-use plastics, and eliminating plastics with hazardous chemicals.
However, the bloc says it remains ready to work flexibly with partners to balance ambition with differing national capabilities and economic contexts.
Ahead of the Assembly, the EU outlined its main objectives, including securing a robust Mid-Term Strategy for the UN Environment Programme for 2026–2029.
The strategy, according to the EU, must confront the triple crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution while promoting synergy between them.
The EU will also push for UNEP to strengthen its agenda on circular economy policies, water resilience, biodiversity conservation and pollution reduction, aligning these priorities with Europe’s broader international environmental commitments.
The bloc aims to secure meaningful outcomes on several important draft resolutions, including the use of artificial intelligence to advance sustainability and environmental monitoring, combating crimes that damage ecosystems, promoting sustainable metals and minerals extraction, improving global chemical and waste management, and enhancing children and youth engagement in environmental governance.
Commissioner Roswall is scheduled to address the Assembly during the High-Level Opening Plenary and will participate in multiple events on circular economy and resilience-building. She is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with environment ministers and key stakeholders.
UNEA serves as the central global body shaping environmental policy, with all 193 UN member states, civil society and businesses meeting biennially in Nairobi to set priorities and guide UNEP’s work. The EU participates both as a bloc and through its member states.
