The United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) is the highest decision-making body of the United Nations regarding environmental matters. It was established in 2012 under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The Assembly comprises 193 member countries, including India.
Meetings of the United Nations Environment Assembly are held biennially (every two years) in Nairobi, as the headquarters of UNEP is located in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya.
To date, seven meetings of the United Nations Environment Assembly have taken place. The seventh meeting concluded in Nairobi on December 12, 2025. The eighth meeting is also scheduled to be held in Nairobi in 2027.
During the seventh meeting, it was decided that the ninth meeting and all subsequent meetings would be held on the first Monday of February in odd-numbered years.
Functions of the United Nations Environment Assembly
The functions of the United Nations Environment Assembly are as follows:
1. Setting the global environmental agenda.
2. Providing overall policy guidance on environmental matters.
3. Formulating policies to address emerging environmental challenges.
4. Encouraging dialogue and partnerships among members to achieve environmental goals.
Achievements of the United Nations Environment Assembly
1. In 2014, during its first session, the United Nations Environment Assembly adopted a resolution to combat the illegal trade in wildlife.
2. In 2014, the Assembly passed a resolution on protecting the environment in conflict-affected areas. This resolution outlined measures to conserve the environment in regions plagued by war and conflict.
3. In 2019, the Assembly passed a resolution to ensure sustainable mobility—that is, sustainable transportation—in cities.
4. Global Plastics Treaty – In 2022, the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) passed a resolution to initiate negotiations for a global plastics treaty. Several rounds of talks have since been held to deliberate on the proposed treaty.
A major hurdle in these negotiations is that oil-producing nations and countries with significant refining capacity oppose a complete ban on plastic production, as plastic serves as a profitable by-product of their oil and refining operations. This group includes India, the United States, and oil-producing Arab nations. These countries prefer to regulate only the use and disposal of plastic. Conversely, nations from Africa and Europe advocate for a total ban on plastic production. This divergence in views has led to a deadlock in the negotiations. The last round of talks regarding the global plastics treaty were held in Geneva in February 2026.
Image Courtesy: Geneva Environment Network
Additional Facts: About UNEP
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) was established in Nairobi in 1972 through the efforts of the Canadian diplomat Maurice Strong. It was set up on June 5, 1972, against the backdrop of the first United Nations Conference on the Environment held in Stockholm. Like other UN Programmes, UNEP operates through contributions from member nations; it does not receive financial allocations from the UN’s regular budget. UNEP is headquartered in Nairobi.
UNEP’s primary objective is to spearhead efforts for environmental protection and to coordinate the initiatives of its member nations. In this regard, UNEP is currently working towards achieving the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals and the targets outlined in various UN conventions.
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