On January 21, 2026, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) celebrated the winners of the 5th edition of the prestigious UNEP Kipepeo Awards, a recognition that honors outstanding contributions to addressing the planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. This year’s awards ceremony marked a milestone for the Mediterranean Action Plan (UNEP/MAP), which received a Special Mention for its long-standing efforts to protect and preserve the Mediterranean Sea.
The Kipepeo Awards, now in their fifth year, saw record participation with numerous teams nominated across three categories: Innovation, Collaborative Teams, and Environmental Impact. UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen honored UNEP/MAP with a Special Mention, recognizing its exceptional collaboration with national authorities, scientists, civil society, and local communities across the Mediterranean region in addressing environmental challenges. She congratulated the winners, praising their dedication to transformative environmental work despite facing unprecedented global challenges.
In a speech during the ceremony, the UNEP/MAP representative expressed deep gratitude for the recognition and reflected on the impact of the work done over the past 50 years.
The recognition at the Kipepeo Awards celebrates the extraordinary achievements of UNEP/MAP and highlights the importance of continued collaboration and innovation in environmental protection. The team’s dedication exemplifies the collective action needed to build a more resilient Mediterranean, leaving no one behind.
Kipepeo is the Swahili word for butterfly. Butterflies are considered one of the most emblematic animals and there are several meanings associated with them. They are associated with allegories of transformation, renewal and change. Butterflies are a lucky charm during cycles of change. As the name suggest, the UNEP Kipepeo Awards is a project in progress subject to improvements and modifications in the next years.
