NAIROBI, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- The seventh session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) opened on Monday in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, amid calls for a lasting solution to mounting threats facing the planet.
Nearly 6,000 delegates, including environment officials, representatives of multilateral agencies, academia, industry, and civil society from over 170 countries, are attending the five-day conference under the theme "Advancing Sustainable Solutions for a Resilient Planet."
In a video message, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed stressed the urgency to tackle ecological threats such as climate change, habitat loss, and pollution in a bid to secure a resilient future for humanity.
"We must act with a sense of urgency to safeguard the health of our planet. Now is the time to invest in a stable climate and thriving ecosystems, ensuring that multilateralism delivers tangible results for people and the planet," said Mohammed.
As the world's highest-level decision-making body on matters related to the environment, UNEA has been held since 2014 with universal membership of all 193 UN member states.
During this year's edition, delegates will discuss 15 draft resolutions and three draft decisions calling for enhanced protection of glaciers, sustainable production of metals and minerals, and reducing the ecological footprint of Artificial Intelligence.
Sustainable management of transboundary freshwater resources, a shift to circularity, migratory species, ocean governance, and climate justice are among the topics set for discussions.
UNEA-7 President Abdullah Bin Ali Al-Amri said the forum will give impetus to the global green agenda, guided by science and the spirit of consensus.
Strengthening multilateral environmental agreements, promoting inclusivity and cooperation, will occupy center stage at the assembly to help chart resilient pathways for the planet and its inhabitants, Abdullah said.
Deborah Barasa, cabinet secretary in Kenya's Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry, said that UNEA-7 will build on ongoing global efforts to secure a healthier, safer, greener, and more resilient future for the planet.
Kenya will leverage the assembly to rally the world towards ending plastic pollution and adopting innovations to hasten green and inclusive economic growth, Barasa added. ■
