The way forward is together

Amid global tensions and shifting national priorities, multilateralism is undoubtedly facing challenges. Even so, 2025 was a year in which nations showed that environmental multilateralism is the beacon that rises high above the fog of geopolitical differences to rally the world in united action.

As you will see in the coming pages, UNEP remains at the centre of this environmental multilateralism, backing global efforts to tackle climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, land degradation and desertification, and pollution and waste – and so creating a better and more resilient future for people and planet.

Nowhere was the strength of environmental multilateralism more evident than during the seventh session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) in December. At the global gathering in Nairobi, nations backed UNEP as the leading global environmental authority. They handed down new mandates through 11 resolutions and three decisions that cut across the environmental changes facing the world – covering the sound management of the minerals and metals essential to the energy transition, tackling glacier melt and wildfires, protecting coral reefs, boosting the environmental dimension of antimicrobial resistance, backing the sustainable use of AI and more.

UNEP was heavily involved in many other key multilateral efforts. The new Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution – which completes the trifecta of scientific panels on climate, biodiversity and pollution – was established in June, fulfilling the request of Member States at UNEA 5.2 to create such a panel. UNEP supported nations to ratify the Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction, which in 2025 passed the threshold to enter into force.

Meanwhile, UNEP reports, like the Emissions Gap Report and the Global Environment Outlook, provided the science for policymakers to act. UNEP also supported nations as they implemented Multilateral Environmental Agreements, such as the Paris Agreement and Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. And, UNEP supported vulnerable communities to adapt to the climate crisis, safeguard themselves from natural disasters and recover from the environmental fallout of war.

While there are so many other highlights, the clear theme is that countries trust UNEP to deliver. But the world is in choppy financial waters. UNEP’s budget has tightened, personnel have departed, and our ability to deliver is being tested even as Member States ask more of the organization.

UNEP needs a steady source of predictable, flexible financing – particularly to the Environment Fund, which is UNEP’s backbone. It funds our science, helps us respond to emerging environmental issues, allows us to bring nations together and enables us to take a long-term approach. Additionally, it leverages and supports the capacity for nearly US$3.3 billion of policies and programmes globally.

UNEP is tremendously grateful to all our funding partners. Last year, more than 100 Member States contributed to the Environment Fund, with a record number at their full-share level — and UNEP expresses deep gratitude to those Member States that are in a position to contribute above their full share and have chosen to do so. This strong performance underscores the increasing confidence of Member States in UNEP and widening commitment to its work. I call on all Member States to make their full contributions so that we at UNEP can deliver what you have asked us to deliver, with results and impact.

The environment is undoubtedly the foundation upon which peace, prosperity, economic growth and stability rest. Every single Member State, every single city, every single business and every single individual will benefit from a stable climate, thriving biodiversity, healthy and thriving lands, and a pollution-free planet.

To achieve these goals, the world needs environmental multilateralism more than ever. And Member States need a strong UNEP to realize this ambition.