At the UN Environment Assembly’s seventh session (UNEA-7) held in Nairobi, Kenya, Pacific leaders have underscored the urgency for multilateralism to effectively support vulnerable nations, particularly in light of the ongoing climate crisis. Fiji’s Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Mosese Bluewave, emphasized that the islands and their inhabitants depend on collective action to tackle environmental challenges.
Kicking off on December 8 and running until December 12, 2025, UNEA-7 has drawn together 6,000 participants from over 180 countries. The assembly focuses on “Advancing sustainable solutions for a resilient planet,” a timely theme amidst escalating impacts from climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Pacific communities, contributing minimally to these global crises, often endure the most severe consequences.
During the opening plenary, Minister Bulitavu articulated the stark realities faced by Pacific island nations, highlighting how climate change is reshaping coastlines, struggling fisheries, and the communities reliant on them. “Plastic pollution is entering our food chains, and biodiversity loss is eroding the resilience that has sustained island societies for generations,” he remarked. Despite these pressing challenges, Bulitavu asserted that the Pacific nations refuse to let vulnerability define them.
The importance of UNEA-7 is profound, as it serves as a platform not merely for discussions, but for decisive actions that reflect the genuine scale of environmental crises and the need for substantive support. As UNEA meets every two years, this session is tasked with negotiating 15 draft resolutions on pivotal issues, including glacier protection and regulating seaweed blooms, alongside addressing the environmental impacts of artificial intelligence.
Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP, called on delegates to seek common ground amidst geopolitical tensions, stressing that urgent action is required as global temperature increases threaten escalating consequences. Andersen’s appeal resonated throughout the assembly—equality in goals for a secure future, stable climate, and a cleaner environment.
Supporting the efforts of Pacific nations, the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) is amplifying their voices at UNEA-7. Anthony Talouli, the SPREP head of delegation, reiterates the importance of Pacific countries actively participating in these global dialogues, emphasizing their critical need for a seat at the decision-making table.
UNEA-7 commenced with a series of ancillary events, including a Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum and a Youth Environment Assembly. These gatherings set the stage for broad participation and collaboration, fostering hope that innovative solutions can emerge from this assembly to benefit not only Pacific nations but the global community at large, reaffirming the collective commitment to a sustainable future.