At the opening of the VI. UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-6), its President Leila Benali assured that “the world needs more environmental multilateralism in the face of wars or electoral processes that prevent governments from devoting more resources to solving the environmental crises that threaten the planet.”
“The triple planetary crisis (climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution) that has brought Earth to a crossroads where several “tipping points” converge will be the backbone of the meeting starting this Monday and running until next Friday, March. will take 1, at the United Nations complex in the capital of Kenya.
Benali, also Moroccan Minister for Energy Transition, noted that humanity is currently experiencing wars and conflicts with significant international repercussions, which are preventing governments and key stakeholders from devoting time and resources to the most pressing environmental problems.
“This year, he recalled, 50 percent of the world's population will elect their leaders and this could give way to some populist movements in some parts of the world and many countries are no longer focused on adopting a successful environmental agenda.”
For her part, the Executive Director of the UN Environment Program (UNEP), Inger Andersen, warned that it is important to unite the whole world in support of actions in favor of the environment, because “no one on this planet is immune.” Impact of the triple planetary crisis. “
This sixth session since the establishment of the UNEA-6 Assembly in 2014 will be attended by 150 ministers and deputy ministers from more than 180 countries and a record number of six thousand delegates, including seven heads of state, as well as experts, activists and industry representatives.
Among the leaders set to attend the global event is Kenya's President William Ruto, who will feature in the high-level segment on February 29 and March 1.
According to the event program, 20 resolutions and two decisions will be debated, focusing on issues such as solar radiation modification, mining, desertification and the circular economy of the sugarcane agricultural industry.
In addition, they will address other issues related to highly hazardous pesticides, increase the resilience of ecosystems and communities to drought, and improve regional cooperation on air quality.
This year, UNEA celebrates its tenth anniversary as a space “that has historically played a fundamental role in shaping global environmental policy,” said a UNEP statement.
According to the UN body's text, the gathering comes at a “critical” time for the planet, which is suffering from worsening climate change and pollution as a leading cause of premature death in the world. and the extinction of a million species.
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