The United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) is the world’s highest level decision-making body on matters relating to the environment. This year, ‘UNEA6’ brought countries across the world to Nairobi in Kenya under the theme of “Effective, inclusive, and sustainable multilateral actions to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution”, thus addressing what the UN refers to as “the triple planetary crisis”.
Let’s Do It World was privileged to be part of ‘UNEA6’ under the banner of the United Nations Environment Program’s (UNEP’s) Accredited Non-Governmental Organizations. Teams from the Let's Do It World family took part – the YLE Foundation from Egypt, Nipe Fagio from Tanzania, and a delegation from Let's Do It Kenya attended and we are happy to share the thoughts about this event from the Let's Do It Kenya perspective.
The attending representatives from Let’s Do It Kenya (LDIK) were:
In addition, representatives from LDI Egypt (YLE) and LDI Tanzania (Nipe Fagio) attended the event.
“Events like UNEA provide an opportunity for us to step back and assess the impact of our waste management initiatives across the country. They also provide an opportunity to interact and learn from other stakeholders, as well as share our own expertise,” says Christine Sayo, Founder, LDIK.
Some of the side-events that we attended included:
During the main event, we came across the Climate Clock ambassadors, who briefed us more about their digital tool for environmental sensitization and advocacy. The Climate Clock gives a timeline in which we are supposed to act and consolidate our actions to ensure we do not get into a climate crisis, carrying the theme of “ActInTime”.
‘A Seat at the Table’ is an initiative by Kairos Futura, in the form of an exhibit constructed from plants, with tables and chairs symbolizing the complexity of global environmental multilateralism. Visitors are encouraged to sit at the table and write their vision for a green future.
There was an inspiring event dubbed #GalaOfHope, which celebrates the UN World Restoration Flagship. During this event, we got to witness the work being done by countries, communities, and individuals to ensure degrading lands, and their biodiversity, are restored and give hope.
H.E. William Ruto, the incumbent President of Kenya, graced UNEA6 as he addressed the participants by declaring, “No economy, community, or nation can tackle these challenges single-handedly. We must work together, united in action!”
Leila Benali (UNEA6 President), Inger Andersen (UNEP Executive Director), and UNEP Goodwill ambassadors joined Kenya’s First Lady Rachel Ruto at the launch of a reforestation initiative, spearheaded by the First Lady herself, at Karura Forest, one of the country’s most treasured locations.
UNEA6 was finally wrapped up with the following declared resolutions:
We end this article with the memory of Inger Andersen’s powerful words ringing in our ears, as she urged the global community to stand shoulder to shoulder and push back as one against the triple planetary crisis while shielding the vulnerable.
“If my air is dirty, if my climate is changing, if my shores are awash with plastic, yours are too. We stand together, or we fall together. This is inclusive environmental multilateralism – the world needs actions, the world needs speed, the world needs real, long-lasting change.”
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