Outcomes of the Third Session of the UN Environment Assembly

Last year, the third session of the United Nations Environment Assembly took place at the UN Environment Programme headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya from 4th to 6th December. This Assembly is the world’s highest decision-making body on the environment, with a dual role to govern the UN Environment Programme and discuss how to address important environmental issues at the bi-annual summit.

The theme of the third Assembly was “Towards a Pollution Free Planet.” A background report on the theme was produced. Read it here. 

This assembly was arguably the most successful one to date. For the first time, a ministerial outcome declaration was approved by consensus as a global action Plan on Pollution. In addition, 11 resolutions were also adopted. These resolutions call for action, partnership and knowledge building on combating the spread of marine litter, eliminating exposure to lead asset batteries, environment and health, managing soil pollution, pollution prevention in terrorist affected areas, mainstreaming biodiversity, improving air quality. Read all the resolutions here.  

The success of the Third Assembly is a good signal on the of the global relevance of pollution, and is hoped to provide concrete solutions and action by member states, intergovernmental organizations, major groups and other stakeholders. 

It was agreed that the next UNEA will be held from 11th to 15th March 2019. This next session will run for 5 days, compared to previous sessions which were held over 3 days. In preparation for the next UNEA, the Bureau of the Environment Assembly and the Committee of Permanent Representatives (CPR) will hold several meetings to discuss and plan the next Assembly. Numerous items will be discussed, including; lessons learned from the 3rd UNEA, the theme of the next Assembly and draft resolution drafts. Read the Roadmap to UNEA-4 here.