The United Nations Environment Assembly is the world’s highest-level decision-making body for the environment. The Assembly meets biennially in Nairobi, Kenya, to set priorities for global environmental policies and to develop international environmental law.

Due to the global pandemic, the fifth session of the UNEA will be split into two events, with UNEA 5.1 taking place virtually from 22-23 February 2021, and UNEA 5.2 expected to take place as an in-person event in February 2022.

The overall theme of UNEA 5 is “Strengthening Actions for Nature to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”. The theme encourages increased action to protect and restore nature and nature-based solutions to achieve the SDGs across all social, economic, and environmental facets. The event will facilitate collaboration between Member States and Civil Society and offer a platform to share best practices in sustainability and environmental advancement.

The outcome of the Assembly will be a ministerial declaration and resolutions which will aim to accelerate intergovernmental action on the environment and contribute to the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Throughout the proceedings, Soroptimist International will strongly advocate for Member States to commit to investing in a green economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and the promotion of gender equality across all investments in sustainable development.

Follow the link to read SI UN Representative, Mary Muia’s blog ‘Eating Better: For Us, and the Planet!’  and discover why food production and consumption will be a key topic at UNEA 5.

Click HERE for more information about UNEA.

(Lead photo from UNEP)