Excellencies, Distinguished delegates,
Welcome to the seventh session of the Open-Ended Committee of Permanent Representatives (OECPR) a gathering that is the engine beneath the hood of the United Nations Environment Assembly.
The work of this committee will be crucial to delivering a strong and successful seventh session of the Assembly (UNEA-7), which can serve as moment of hope to conclude a somewhat mixed year.
A year that, yes, has seen successes, of which we are proud. Successes such as the BBNJ Agreement on the sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction entering into force and important advances from the climate talks in Belm, particularly on financing adaptation and on deforestation efforts. But this is also a year in which the world remained off track on efforts to slow climate change, to halt biodiversity loss and land degradation, to deal with plastic pollution and more.
This years UNEA-7 theme is Advancing sustainable solutions for a resilient planet. So, this is what we must do. Deliver solutions that spark stronger, faster action on the three planetary environmental crises.
We are expecting large delegations. Many ministers have registered and more are registering. We have over 5,000 registered participants from over 180 countries including Indigenous Peoples, heads of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), media and the private sector. We have over 100 events on the circular economy; on resilience, adaptation, and disaster risk reduction; on inclusive and just environmental transitions; and on strengthening implementation of MEAs. So, it is clear that even in times of geopolitical shifts and challenges to multilateralism, Nairobi remains the strong, beating heart of environmental diplomacy.
The further good news is that we are entering the OECPR with solid groundwork laid and a clear direction of travel. Lessons learned from UNEA-6 have allowed us to prepare so well. The informal consultations on the draft resolutions and decisions during the intersessional period have concluded with significant progress made. My deep thanks to the co-facilitators for their leadership. To the Chair and Bureau of the committee for the excellent intersessional preparatory work. And to all delegations, who have been leaning in with a positive spirit, for their active, constructive and continued participation.
Excellencies,
The result of all this excellent work is that Member States have advanced versions of the texts in hand, allowing negotiations to begin from a more informed and mature starting point than at previous UNEAs. Before you are 18 draft decisions and resolutions including on AI, on minerals and metals, and on issues related to the hydrological cycle. These are critical areas in which the world is expecting you to deliver meaningful, impactful and implementable resolutions that improve the lives of the people we serve including youth, who have already met for the first two days of the Youth Environment Assembly and will send you a clear message that they want action.
I ask you to use this strong start to transmit as much as possible to UNEA-7, allowing the Assembly to focus on its work, rather than cramming in negotiations, and therefore deliver real solutions to real-world problems. UNEP will, of course, be ready to support you every step of the way.
Before we get down to work, please let me remind you of the invitation that all Member States received to express interest in hosting the global observance of World Environment Day 2027 or 2028. World Environment Day (WED) places the host nation in the centre of a global conversation on the environment, providing a unique opportunity to demonstrate leadership, showcase national achievements, inspire global momentum, and gain worldwide visibility through high-level participation and UNEPs global campaign. My deep thanks to all who have hosted WED in the last decade or so.
And so as you start this meeting, I once again send a warm welcome to Nairobi. We are happy you are here in this beautiful city we call the environmental capital of the world.
