About UNEA-5

In light of the restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Member States and Stakeholders decided that the Fifth session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5) should take place in a two-step approach.

The first session of UNEA-5 (UNEA-5.1) was held online on 22 - 23 February 2021

The resumed in-person session of UNEA-5 (UNEA-5.2) took place online and in Nairobi on 28 February - 2 March 2022.

UNEA-5 was followed by a Special Session of the UN Environment Assembly, UNEP@50, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the creation of UNEP in 1972. UNEP@50 was held online and in person in Nairobi, 3-4 March 2022, under the overall theme of "Strengthening UNEP for the implementation of the environmental dimension of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”

UNEA-5 Theme

UNEA-5 put nature at the heart of the global economic recovery and sustainable development discussions.

The theme UNEA-5 was “Strengthening Actions for Nature to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals”. This highlighted the pivotal role nature plays in our lives and in social, economic and environmental sustainable development.

Nature is key to meeting the ambitions of the 2030 Agenda adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015. The 2030 Agenda aims to end poverty and conflict, build just and inclusive societies, and ensure the lasting protection of the planet and its natural resources. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the framework for how countries can achieve this.

Full of diversity and complexity, nature underpins our economies and our societies. Humanity is destroying these life-giving services through over-exploitation, unchecked development and climate change. Collectively we need to protect and restore our natural world.

UNEA-5 emphasized that collectively we have the knowledge, technology and the resources to make the transition to a nature-positive future that will benefit our health, our economies and our future. Now is the time to act for nature.

Learn more about the UNEA-5 theme here