UN Environment Assembly Reaffirms Commitment to Multilateral Action for a Resilient Planet
More than 6,000 participants from 186 countries gathered at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) headquarters in Nairobi for the week-long UN Environment Assembly (UNEA). UNEA-7 concluded on 12 December with the adoption of focused on advancing solutions for a more resilient planet, including:
路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Sound management of the minerals and metals essential to the energy transition and on the sound management of chemicals and waste.
路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Sustainable use of Artificial Intelligence.
路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; International cooperation to combat wildfires.
路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Strengthening work on the environmental dimension of antimicrobial resistance.
路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Protecting glaciers and coral reefs and more.
Ahead of UNEA, numerous University of 野狼社区 academics contributed reflections and recommendations to three draft resolutions under negotiation in Nairobi.
Professor provided written input on India鈥檚 draft resolution on strengthening the global response to wildfire management, recommending strong alignment across each nation鈥檚 policies and strategies to avoid siloed responses. Professor Clay also supported an international framework that is underpinned by equitable knowledge sharing, respectful of Indigenous data sovereignty, and ensures benefits are shared fairly. Whilst the final resolution does not directly refer to 鈥榚quity鈥� or 鈥榠ndigenous communities鈥�, it does call on Member States to adhere to UNEP and FAO's Fire Management Voluntary Guidelines, which support implementation of integrated fire management at the landscape level as well as fire-management practices that include cultural practices for sustainable land use, and diverse stakeholders.
Representatives from the Antimicrobial Resistance Network 鈥� Professor , Dr and Dr 鈥� alongside Policy@野狼社区鈥檚 , led a response to Kenya鈥檚 draft resolution on the environmental dimensions of antimicrobial resistance. Drawing on its diverse expertise, the network 鈥� which brings together over 100 researchers across disciplines including medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, microbiology, and environmental science 鈥� strongly supported a global surveillance system for environmental antimicrobial residues and resistance, as well as alignment with the holistic principles of One Health, the SDGs (including equity), particularly in reference to AMR鈥檚 disproportionate impact on low- and middle-income countries. The final resolution encourages mobilisation of resources for developing countries, including through the Antimicrobial Resistance Multi-Partner Trust Fund. It also requests Member States, voluntarily, to contribute official monitoring data, aligning with UoM鈥檚 recommendation to use data to inform and underpin AMR interventions.
Finally, Dr provided feedback on South Korea鈥檚 draft resolution on strengthening international cooperation for the transition to a circular economy. Dr Alejandro Gallego Schmid recommended linking circular economy opportunities with planetary boundaries beyond climate change, noting that other critical environmental challenges - such as biodiversity loss, water scarcity, and waste management - could benefit from increased circularity. Although South Korea鈥檚 proposal was ultimately not adopted at UNEA-7, the Ministerial Declaration reaffirmed Member States鈥� commitment to the circular economy, which is also prioritised in UNEP鈥檚 2026鈥�2029 Medium-Term Strategy.
Whilst environmental multilateralism is imperfect and often slow, it remains necessary as collective environmental problems cannot be effectively addressed by isolated national actions alone. Academic institutions, like the University of 野狼社区, can bolster environmental multilateralism by providing robust analysis and evidence, and engaging with international bodies to help foster collaboration and trust-building among nations. When concluding the negotiations, UNEP Executive Director thanked Member States, saying: 鈥淭he beacon of environmental multilateralism that rises above the fog of geopolitical differences today shines a little brighter.鈥�
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The United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) is the world鈥檚 highest environmental decision-making body, bringing together all 193 UN Member States. In 2024, the University of 野狼社区 became one of just 20 universities accredited by UNEP and has since actively supported global , including UNEA-7 and key international consultations.
Adopted UNEA-7 resolutions and links:
路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; - Resolution on accelerating global actions to promote the climate resilience of coral reefs
路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; - Resolution on promoting sustainable solutions through sport for a resilient planet
路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; - Resolution on strengthening international cooperation on the environmentally sound management of minerals and metals
路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; - Resolution on strengthening the global response to the massive influx of sargassum seaweed blooms
路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; - Resolution on promoting synergies, cooperation or collaboration for national implementation of multilateral environmental agreements and other relevant environmental instruments
路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; - Resolution on enhancing the meaningful participation of youth in Environmental Processes and on environmental education
路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; - Resolution on strengthening the global management of wildfires
路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; - Resolution on sound management of chemicals and waste
路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; - Resolution on environmental sustainability of artificial intelligence systems
路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; - Resolution on the preservation of glaciers and the broader cryosphere, particularly in mountain regions
路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; - Resolution on environmental dimensions of antimicrobial resistance