The seventh session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) started on December 8, 2025, in Nairobi, Kenya. This global gathering brings together environment ministers, youth, civil society, and private sectors to explore solutions for a more resilient planet.
UNEA is the leading global body for environmental decision-making, with all 193 UN member states participating. The Assembly meets every two years to set important environmental priorities and guide the work of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
Abdullah Bin Ali Al-Amri, the President of UNEA-7, emphasized the urgency of the moment. He noted that communities worldwide face challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. “Our success depends on trust and inclusiveness,” he said.
This year, delegates will discuss 15 draft resolutions on critical issues, such as protecting glaciers and managing seaweed blooms. Although these resolutions aren’t legally binding, they pave the way for future international agreements. Past decisions have influenced significant global policies.
Inger Andersen, the Executive Director of UNEP, stressed the need to address accelerating environmental challenges, warning that global temperatures could rise above 1.5°C within the next decade. Ecosystems are fading, land is degrading, and pollution continues to threaten our air and water. She called for a united effort towards a cleaner, safer future.
Ahead of UNEA-7, several forums connected over 1,000 youth delegates who crafted the Global Youth Declaration, highlighting their priorities. The Assembly will feature high-profile discussions on how environmental sustainability relates to industry, finance, and health. On the assembly’s second-to-last day, global leaders, including Kenya’s President William Ruto, will gather for a critical high-level segment.
On December 9, UNEP will also release its Global Environment Outlook (GEO-7) and announce five climate leaders as “Champions of the Earth” for 2025.
Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for the Environment, Dr. Deborah Mlongo Barasa, emphasized that resilience means more than just protecting ecosystems. It involves wise resource use, inclusive societies, and sustainable economic growth. She highlighted the importance of partnerships, stating that collaboration is essential for making progress.
With over 6,000 registered participants from 180 countries, UNEA-7 operates under the theme, “Advancing sustainable solutions for a resilient planet.” This event showcases a unified commitment to tackling environmental challenges today for a better tomorrow.
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Planetary resilience,Seventh UN Environment Assembly,UNEA-7
