Theme for the 2021 UN Environment Assembly
Theme: Strengthening Actions for Nature to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals
Nature is the planet’s life support system and upholds human welfare and our economy. Nature provides multiple solutions to challenges we face, like reducing pollution, mitigating and adapting to climate change and food security. While this is broadly recognized, we are losing nature at an alarming pace. The theme therefore calls for strengthened action to protect and restore nature and the nature-based solutions to achieve the sustainable development goals in its three complementary dimensions (social, economic and environmental).
The fifth session of the UN Environment Assembly will connect and consolidate environmental actions within the context of sustainable development and give significant impetus to more effective implementation. This fifth session of the UN Environment Assembly in 2021 will mobilize, motivate and energize member States and stake
Livestream
Day 2 of the fifth meeting of the Open-ended Committee of Permanent Representatives (OECPR-5) will convene online from Nairobi, Kenya, on 16 February 2021, from 4:30pm-7:30pm EAT (Rescheduled)
Please refresh browser to see live programming for Day 2. Recorded session will be available post event.
Livestream
Day 1 of the fifth meeting of the Open-ended Committee of Permanent Representatives (OECPR-5) will convene online from Nairobi, Kenya, on 15 February 2021, from 12pm-6:30pm EAT.
Please refresh browser to see live programming for Day 1. Recorded session will be available post event.
UNEA 3 Presidency and Bureau
Dr. Edgar E. Gutiérrez-Espeleta
President of the 2017 UN Environment Assembly
“Our goal, collectively, must be a pollution-free planet.”
Dr. Edgar Gutiérrez is the Minister of Environment and Energy of Costa Rica and the President of the 2017 UN Environment Assembly. He is an advocate and leader of environmental change and has a particular interest in sustainable development and human security.
Dr. Gutiérrez represented his country, Costa Rica, in United Nations agencies and regional ministerial forums. He led the first two status reports of UN Environment on the environment in Latin America and the Caribbean, and the first environmental report in Central America. In addition, he directed the compilation of environmental data for Latin America and the Caribbean. He also led the National Environmental Strategy of Costa Rica in 2005 in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment and Energy.
Multilateral environmental governance for a sustainable tomorrow
Unsplash / Jason Wong / 15 Feb 2021
Statement prepared for delivery at the Fifth-Open-Ended Committee of Permanent Representatives
Thank you Chair,
Environmental governance stands tall
I am honoured to address you as we embark on a unique and intense two days – at the Fifth Meeting of the Open-ended Committee of Permanent Representatives. Acknowledging that virtual meetings are not always easy, a few weeks ago, the UN Secretary-General noted that we simply cannot allow the pandemic to keep us from working together on the crucial pathway to Glasgow. I am proud that as we stand on the cusp of a first-ever virtual 5