At the seventh session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) taking place in Nairobi, Kenya, leaders from the Pacific region have highlighted the pressing need for multilateral efforts to support vulnerable nations grappling with the climate crisis. Fiji’s Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Mosese Bluewave, stressed that the islands and their populations rely on unified actions to confront environmental challenges effectively.
Running from December 8 to December 12, 2025, UNEA-7 has gathered around 6,000 participants from over 180 countries. The assembly’s theme, “Advancing sustainable solutions for a resilient planet,” comes at a critical time when the global community faces rising climate change impacts, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Pacific communities, while contributing insignificantly to these crises, often suffer the most devastating effects.
During the initial plenary session, Minister Bluewave outlined the dire circumstances confronting Pacific island nations, revealing how climate change is altering coastlines, jeopardizing fisheries, and affecting dependent communities. He pointed out the alarming presence of plastic pollution in food chains and emphasized that biodiversity loss is undermining the resilience these island societies have relied on for generations. Despite these significant challenges, Bluewave affirmed that Pacific nations are determined not to be defined by their vulnerabilities.
The significance of UNEA-7 extends beyond discussions; it is a crucial platform for actionable outcomes that address the scale of current environmental issues and the essential support needed. This session is charged with the negotiation of 15 draft resolutions on critical matters, including glacier protection, regulating seaweed blooms, and the environmental implications of artificial intelligence.
Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), urged delegates to find common ground amidst geopolitical tensions and emphasized the necessity for urgent action in light of rising global temperatures. Her call resonated throughout the assembly, advocating for shared objectives aimed at achieving a secure future, stable climate, and a cleaner environment.
The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) is also active in amplifying the voices of Pacific nations at UNEA-7. Anthony Talouli, the head of the SPREP delegation, reiterated the importance of Pacific countries’ involvement in global dialogues, underlining their critical need for inclusion in decision-making processes.
As UNEA-7 commenced, various ancillary events were organized, such as the Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum and a Youth Environment Assembly. These events foster broad participation and collaboration, instilling hope that innovative solutions can arise from the assembly, benefiting not only Pacific nations but the global community as a whole. This collective engagement emphasizes a shared commitment to a sustainable future, promising a positive outlook amid urgent calls for action.