By Arnold Ageta
The seventh session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) convened in Nairobi with an urgent plea from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive Director, Inger Andersen, asking delegates to rise above geopolitical tensions and deliver “sustainable solutions for a resilient planet.”
Addressing ministers and delegates from over 170 Member States, Andersen underscored the gravity of the task ahead, citing the accelerating environmental challenges that demand ambitious, consensus-driven action.
“This Assembly is the world’s most-influential environmental decision-making body,” Andersen stated. “This Assembly has consistently demonstrated unity to set the trajectory for action on the three planetary environmental crises: the crisis of climate change; the crisis of nature, land and biodiversity loss; and the crisis of pollution and waste.”
The Executive Director warned that current trends paint a bleak picture, necessitating deeper commitment from the global community.
“The rise in average global temperatures will likely exceed 1.5°C within the next decade, bringing escalating consequences with every fraction of a degree,” Andersen cautioned.
She also highlighted the concurrent crises of disappearing ecosystems, intensifying dust storms, and ongoing toxins polluting air, water, and land.
Acknowledging the current turbulent geopolitical waters, Andersen called on the assembled nations to maintain focus.
“I ask that we all commit to keeping our eyes on the horizon, to reaching across the table for consensus, and to being ambitious so that we can safeguard our collective future,” she said.
Despite the tough times, Andersen celebrated recent environmental progress in 2025, including important advances at the climate talks in Belém, the entry into force of the BBNJ Agreement on marine biodiversity, and the gaveling of the new Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution.
UNEA-7 will deliberate on 15 draft resolutions and 2 draft decisions, many of which address emerging and critical issues like Artificial Intelligence, Sustainable Use of Minerals and Metals and strengthening the environmental dimension of antimicrobial resistance.
The Assembly is also focused on promoting coherence between UNEA resolutions and the decisions of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), a crucial element in strengthening the “tapestry of global environmental governance,” as Andersen described it.
Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Dr. Deborah Barasa, in her opening statement welcomed delegates to the Nairobi calling it a “vibrant city that has become a beacon for our shared environmental future” emphasizing Kenya’s renewed commitment to the work of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
Dr. Barasa declared that the current moment demands bold, integrated, and inclusive action stressing that a resilient planet goes beyond protecting ecosystems, requiring using resources wisely, building just and inclusive societies, ensuring that economic growth respects the boundaries of the planet, and embracing innovation.
The CS said that the deeply intertwined crises of climate change, loss of biodiversity, land degradation, toxic pollution, and unsustainable consumption and production, all exacerbated by factors like political instabilities.
“Kenya is actively engaging in the Assembly by sponsoring three and co-sponsoring two important resolutions, which reflect areas where innovation, collaboration and policy leadership can deliver meaningful impact,” she announced.
She also noted the Assembly’s vital role in approving the Medium-Term Strategy (MTS) and Programme of Work , which will shape UNEP’s strategic direction, and expressed optimism that UNEA-7 would culminate in a strong Ministerial Declaration.
“Let us resolve that UNEA-7 will not just talk about the future, it will help create it. Let us embrace the boldness, collaboration, and urgency this moment demands,” she concluded.
With nearly 6,000 registered participants, including 79 ministers, UNEA-7 is seen as a pivotal gathering of global voices, from youth and Indigenous Peoples to industry and scientific communities.
