UNEA-6 underway in Nairobi – Environment Ministers from around the world meet at a major conference to address some of the most pressing challenges facing our planet: climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. This event marks a crucial moment for international cooperation towards sustainable and inclusive solutions.
Commissioner Sinkevičius, anticipating the UN Environment Assembly, underlined the urgency of this mission. He highlighted how the loss of biodiversity is eroding the foundations of our economies and threatening the well-being of billions of people. Pollution, which is responsible for nine million deaths each year, together with the devastating effects of climate change such as rising sea levels, droughts and floods, requires a radical change in our approach to the planet. The European Union is committed to leading by example, promoting ambitious actions for a more sustainable management of natural resources.
Key EU objectives for the assembly include:
1. Fostering circular economies: The EU proposes to accelerate the transition to an economic model that minimises the impact on the environment by promoting sustainable practices in the textile sector and in the trade in used vehicles, as well as promoting the principles of a circular bio-economy.
2. Strengthening water policies: aims to improve water management to ensure global water security and resilience through stronger water policies and water conservation in the face of growing environmental challenges.
3.Protecting the oceans: The EU is committed to a global agenda to enhance the protection of the oceans, vital for biodiversity and climate. This includes supporting the implementation of the 2030 Agenda targets related to oceans and promoting international agreements to reduce marine pollution.
The sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6), underway from yesterday until 1 March in Nairobi, Kenya, and attended by representatives of 193 Member States, as well as business and civil society, is an unprecedented opportunity to establish a global environmental agenda to guide multilateral action. The goal is clear: to take concrete decisions that address the three interconnected environmental crises, demonstrating a shared commitment to a more sustainable future for all.
UNEA-6 underway in Nairobi
