Chaired by the Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leila Benali, this session, which continues until March 1 at the headquarters of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), will focus on the review and adoption of several resolutions and decisions on the role of multilateralism and the importance of sustainable, inclusive and effective actions.
Held under the theme “Effective, inclusive and sustainable multilateral actions to address climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution,” this 6th assembly will also be an opportunity to examine and adopt several resolutions relating to the themes of the protection of biodiversity, the fight against climate change, the circular economy and the fight against pollution.
In her opening speech, Ms. Benali insisted on the need to advance the global environmental agenda and capitalize on commitments made in this direction, calling for the acceleration of multilateral action to strengthen the environmental foundation of sustainable development. .
“As we meet here in 2024, we must be self-critical and work towards an inclusive, networked and effective multilateralism capable of making a tangible difference in people’s lives,” the minister insisted.
Time is running out to tackle not only the three global environmental crises of climate change, loss of nature and biodiversity, as well as pollution and waste, but also all of the global environmental challenges, including desertification. and drought, she warned.
“During this Assembly, we will strive for united, inclusive and multilateral action that addresses each element of the three global environmental crises as a single indivisible challenge,” said the President of UNEA-6, emphasizing the importance of importance of the engagement of civil society, the private sector, young people and other key stakeholders, in order to guarantee a global and participatory approach, involving all stakeholders.
The 6th assembly of the UN-Environment will be marked in particular by the organization of a High-level Segment which will be ratified by the adoption of a Ministerial Declaration reaffirming the common global commitment to building a resilient and inclusive world and to strengthen multilateralism in favor of environmental protection and sustainable development.
Several other high-level events will be organized on the sidelines of UNEA-6, including three Leadership Dialogues on science, data and digitalization, the global financial system and environmental multilateralism.
Additionally, this session will see the official launch of the “Al-Mizan: A Compact for the Earth” initiative inspired by the Islamic principles of sustainability and ecological responsibility.
The work of the Assembly will also be marked by the holding of the Ministerial Session of the 4th session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC4), as well as the organization for the first time in the history of the Assembly a day dedicated to strengthening synergies between multilateral environmental agreements aimed at improving global environmental governance.
UNEA is a universal environmental decision-making body that brings together, among others, 193 United Nations Member States, entities of the United Nations system, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, to discuss policies aimed at setting the global agenda environment, adopt strategic decisions and provide policy guidance and review the UNEP work program and budget.
The United Nations Environment Assembly meets every two years and elects during each session a bureau of 10 members (1 president, 8 vice presidents and a rapporteur) respecting the principle of equitable regional distribution.
Morocco was elected President of this Assembly during UNEA-5.2, held in March 2022 for a two-year mandate.