United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA)
Why in news?
UNEA-7, the seventh United Nations Environment Assembly, is the world's highest-level decision-making body on environmental issues, hosted in Nairobi, Kenya. It convened from December 8-12, 2025, at UNEP headquarters, drawing over 6,000 delegates from 180+ countries.​
Theme
The assembly's theme, "Advancing sustainable solutions for a resilient planet," targets the triple planetary crises: climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
India's Role
- India advocated for people-centric equity, highlighting Mission LiFE, 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' tree-planting (over 2.6 billion saplings), and Namami Gange river rejuvenation.
- These align with circular economy measures like Extended Producer Responsibility for plastics and e-waste.​
About UNEA
- UNEA, or United Nations Environment Assembly, serves as the world's highest-level decision-making body on environmental issues.
- It governs the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) with universal membership of all 193 UN Member States.​
- Established in 2012 following the Rio+20 Conference, UNEA upgraded UNEP's former Governing Council to promote stronger global environmental governance.
- UNEA meets biennially in Nairobi, Kenya, typically in odd-numbered years, with a high-level segment for ministers.
- A Bureau of one President and eight Vice Presidents oversees operations, supported by the Committee of Permanent Representatives (CPR) for intersessional work.
- UNEA sets global environmental policy priorities, identifies emerging challenges, promotes science-policy interfaces, and initiates international environmental law negotiations.
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