UNEP IN 2022

Multilateralism delivered high-impact outcomes at the resumed second session of the fifth UN Environment Assembly (UNEA 5.2), which took place in February in Nairobi.

The political declaration of UNEA 5.2 – an event attended by more than 3,400 in-person and 1,500 online participants – emphasized the urgent need to halt the decline of biodiversity and the fragmentation of habitats. Resolutions on nature covered issues such as biodiversity and health, sustainable lake management, and a universal definition of nature-based solutions. Resolutions on resilient infrastructure, a greener recovery from COVID-19 and the environmental aspects of minerals and metals management reinforced the importance of circular economies.

Big strides were made on chemicals, waste and pollution. The resolution to start negotiating a deal on ending plastic pollution plugs a critical gap in environmental action. While the resolution to establish a science-policy panel on the sound management of chemicals and waste, and prevent pollution, will give these critical issues a scientific body similar to those for climate (the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) and biodiversity (the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services).

UNEA also held a special session to commemorate UNEP’s 50th anniversary and take stock of the fruits of environmental multilateralism over the past five decades. Heads of State and delegations from 175 countries issued a landmark declaration strengthening their commitment to environmental action. They paid tribute to UNEP’s work, which has delivered successes such as protecting the ozone layer and phasing out leaded petrol.

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© United Nations Environment Programme, 2023