António Guterres' harsh words on global climate inaction, 18 resolutions adopted to maintain the balance of ecosystems, and Somalia's announcement that it will ban plastic bags on its soil from June 2024 were just some of the highlights of the sixth United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6). The event closed on 1 March in the Kenyan city of Nairobi.
With Arctic ice melting, record temperatures south of the Sahara and devastating floods along the Mediterranean coast (currently in Morocco, France and Spain), the ecological emergency is no longer in doubt. “Our planet is on the brink of collapse, and ecosystems are collapsing. The consequences of poisoned rivers and rising sea levels are appalling, but those least responsible are suffering the most burning injustice”, declared Secretary General António Guterres at the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) held from 28 February to 1 March 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya.
This sixth edition of the “world parliament for the environment” brought together nearly 6,000 delegates from 182 countries, most of which are confronted with atmospheric pollution, the loss of biodiversity, desertification and many other environmental crises that follow one another year after year. Faced with this umpteenth observation and the risk of climate chaos hovering over the five continents, the ministerial declaration proclaimed at the close of Unea-6 is formal and clear.
“We recognise, with a sense of great urgency, the threats posed by climate change and environmental crises to human health and nature, which are further exacerbated by persistent levels of poverty, inequality and food insecurity. We stress the importance of promoting integrated, science-based approaches, informed by the best available science and the traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples and local communities, in order to build resilience and promote global solidarity”, says the six-page document consulted by Afrik21.
A call for multilateral action for inclusive and sustainable resilience
The discussions in Nairobi, chaired by Leila Benali, the Moroccan Minister for Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, provided an opportunity for the Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO) to make the link with the health context. Tedros Ghebreyesus indirectly addressed the climate sceptics and the countries resistant to the idea of a multilateral ecological transition by stating that “the illegal trade in wild species increases the risk of zoonotic fallout and can trigger a pandemic across the planet. More heat waves contribute to more cardiovascular disease”.
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UNEA-6 also adopted 18 resolutions dealing specifically with the promotion of sustainable lifestyles, sand and dust storms, and the rational management of chemicals and waste. On this subject, the Somali government announced on the spot that it would ban the trade and use of plastic bags from 30 June 2024. The initial impact of this measure will be assessed on 8 December 2025, the date chosen for the opening of the next United Nations Environment Assembly.
Benoit-Ivan Wansi
