By Abbas Nazil
The seventh session of the United Nations Environment Assembly has ended in Nairobi, Kenya, strongly reaffirming the value of multilateral cooperation in addressing global environmental challenges.
Held from December 8 to 12 under the theme “Advancing sustainable solutions for a resilient planet,” the assembly produced decisions that will shape international environmental governance and guide the work of the United Nations Environment Programme for years ahead.
The decisions adopted at UNEA-7 are expected to strengthen multilateral environmental agreements and accelerate global responses to climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, widely described as the triple planetary crisis.
Meeting in the Kenyan capital, ministers and representatives from around the world reached consensus on a broad range of issues, demonstrating that collective action remains essential for protecting the planet and human well-being.
The European Union, represented by Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, Jessika Roswall, welcomed the outcomes as clear evidence that global cooperation delivers tangible progress.
Roswall stressed that no single country can tackle environmental crises alone and that shared challenges require coordinated international solutions rooted in dialogue, compromise, and shared responsibility.
She acknowledged that environment ministers made progress on issues ranging from plastic pollution to the sustainable extraction and use of critical raw materials, at a time when global demand for such resources continues to rise.
A major outcome of the assembly was the agreement on a new UNEP Medium-Term Strategy for the period 2026 to 2029.
This strategy prioritises integrated actions to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution while promoting resource efficiency, circular economy principles, and sustainable consumption and production patterns.
In total, UNEA-7 adopted 11 resolutions and three formal decisions covering a wide array of environmental priorities.
Several of these outcomes aligned closely with European Union priorities, including sustainable artificial intelligence, responsible management of minerals and metals, chemicals and waste governance, and greater inclusion of children and youth in environmental decision-making.
The assembly also adopted a Ministerial Declaration reaffirming member states’ commitment to the circular economy across the full life cycle of products.
The declaration further addressed the need for stronger action against environmental crime, recognising its growing impact on ecosystems, communities, and economic stability.
Despite the overall progress, consensus could not be reached on four proposed resolutions, including those related to deep-sea ecosystems and environmental crime, leading to their withdrawal.
Even so, participants viewed the final outcomes as a strong signal that multilateral environmental cooperation remains effective despite geopolitical and economic pressures.
UNEA-7 also provided renewed political momentum for negotiations toward a global agreement to end plastic pollution.
Ministers and senior officials repeatedly underlined the need for a legally binding, ambitious, and effective treaty that addresses the entire life cycle of plastics.
They emphasised the importance of improved product design and the elimination of harmful and unnecessary plastic products.
To sustain political engagement, Commissioner Roswall hosted a ministerial breakfast together with the Danish Presidency of the Council, aimed at maintaining momentum on key environmental priorities.
During the assembly, the seventh Global Environment Outlook was officially launched, marking the most comprehensive scientific assessment of the global environment to date.
The report brings together contributions from 287 experts across 82 countries, offering an authoritative overview of environmental trends, risks, and solutions.
Its findings highlight the severe consequences of inaction while underscoring the transformative potential of sustainable policies, technologies, and innovation.
UNEA-7 once again underscored the role of the United Nations Environment Assembly as the world’s highest decision-making body on environmental matters.
With universal membership, the assembly sets the global environmental agenda and directs UNEP’s work.
Every two years, representatives from 193 member states, alongside businesses, civil society, and other stakeholders, gather in Nairobi to address shared environmental challenges.
The outcomes of UNEA-7 reaffirm that multilateralism remains a cornerstone for delivering effective and inclusive solutions for the planet and future generations.
