The week-long meeting ended on Friday, December 12, 2025, at the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) headquarters in Gigiri, bringing together heads of state, ministers, diplomats, scientists, and environmental experts from across the world.
UN officials said the outcomes of the Assembly marked a critical step forward in addressing what they described as the triple planetary crisis — climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution — alongside emerging challenges such as land degradation and waste management.
According to the United Nations, the resolutions adopted during the Assembly will guide international action on several key environmental issues.
These include the protection of coral reefs, improved chemicals and waste management, responsible use of critical minerals, and the promotion of sustainable artificial intelligence technologies.
Member States also agreed on measures addressing wildfires, glacier preservation, rising sargassum seaweed blooms, antimicrobial resistance, and the integration of sustainability principles in sports and major global events.
UN officials emphasised that the close of UNEA-7 does not signal the end of negotiations, but rather the beginning of implementation. Countries are now expected to translate the agreed resolutions into national policies and concrete action.
The Ministerial Declaration, adopted at the Assembly, commits governments to honour their obligations under existing multilateral environmental agreements. It also calls for stronger cooperation between nations to accelerate action and close the gap between commitments and real-world impact.
The declaration further stresses the importance of inclusive and equitable participation in environmental decision-making, particularly for women, youth, Indigenous communities, and vulnerable populations most affected by environmental degradation.
During the session, Member States also approved UNEP’s Medium-Term Strategy (MTS), which will guide the organisation’s work over the next four years. In addition, delegates endorsed UNEP’s Programme of Work for the next two years, outlining priority areas and planned interventions.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen urged countries to provide adequate financial support to enable UNEP to effectively deliver on its mandate.
She warned that global environmental action remains insufficient, noting that environmental damage continues to threaten lives, livelihoods, and economic stability worldwide. Andersen highlighted the growing link between environmental degradation and rising inequality.
“We must move faster and act more decisively,” she said, calling on governments to turn political commitments into tangible solutions that benefit both people and the planet.
Kenya’s President William Ruto, who addressed delegates during the Assembly, reiterated Africa’s call for increased global support to address climate impacts that disproportionately affect developing countries, despite their low contribution to global emissions.
At the close of the Assembly, Member States elected H.E. Matthew Samuda as President of UNEA-8, tasking him with steering preparations for the next session with a focus on transparency, inclusivity, and action-oriented outcomes.
The Assembly also agreed that the next UN Environment Assembly, UNEA-8, will be held in Nairobi from December 6 to 10, 2027, once again at the UNEP headquarters.
UNEA remains the world’s highest-level decision-making body on environmental matters, and officials expressed optimism that the outcomes of UNEA-7 would translate into stronger global cooperation and accelerated environmental action.
Member States also agreed on measures addressing wildfires, glacier preservation, rising sargassum seaweed blooms, antimicrobial resistance, and the integration of sustainability principles in sports and major global events.
UN officials emphasised that the close of UNEA-7 does not signal the end of negotiations, but rather the beginning of implementation. Countries are now expected to translate the agreed resolutions into national policies and concrete action.
The Ministerial Declaration, adopted at the Assembly, commits governments to honour their obligations under existing multilateral environmental agreements. It also calls for stronger cooperation between nations to accelerate action and close the gap between commitments and real-world impact.
The declaration further stresses the importance of inclusive and equitable participation in environmental decision-making, particularly for women, youth, Indigenous communities, and vulnerable populations most affected by environmental degradation.
During the session, Member States also approved UNEP’s Medium-Term Strategy (MTS), which will guide the organisation’s work over the next four years. In addition, delegates endorsed UNEP’s Programme of Work for the next two years, outlining priority areas and planned interventions.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen urged countries to provide adequate financial support to enable UNEP to effectively deliver on its mandate.
She warned that global environmental action remains insufficient, noting that environmental damage continues to threaten lives, livelihoods, and economic stability worldwide. Andersen highlighted the growing link between environmental degradation and rising inequality.
“We must move faster and act more decisively,” she said, calling on governments to turn political commitments into tangible solutions that benefit both people and the planet.
Kenya’s President William Ruto, who addressed delegates during the Assembly, reiterated Africa’s call for increased global support to address climate impacts that disproportionately affect developing countries, despite their low contribution to global emissions.
At the close of the Assembly, Member States elected H.E. Matthew Samuda as President of UNEA-8, tasking him with steering preparations for the next session with a focus on transparency, inclusivity, and action-oriented outcomes.
The Assembly also agreed that the next UN Environment Assembly, UNEA-8, will be held in Nairobi from December 6 to 10, 2027, once again at the UNEP headquarters.
UNEA remains the world’s highest-level decision-making body on environmental matters, and officials expressed optimism that the outcomes of UNEA-7 would translate into stronger global cooperation and accelerated environmental action.
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