The state of the planet is a key topic of discussion of the work of the United Nations General Assembly, including at key moments of the year such as July’s High-level Political Forum and September’s High-Level Week. The page features highlights of the work and activities of UNEP and its partners.
05 Sep
2023
15:30
Adventurer Lewis Pugh soldiers on with mammoth Hudson River swim
Marathon swimmer Lewis Pugh is in the home stretch of a month-long swim down New York state’s Hudson River, a journey designed to cast a spotlight on the threats to the world’s waterways.
Pugh is scheduled to arrive on Manhattan’s southern tip on 13 September, following a record 500km swim down the Hudson. His arrival has been timed to coincide with the UN General Assembly.
The Hudson has rebounded in recent years after decades of pollution. Pugh hopes his swim will raise awareness among both the public and policymakers about the importance of protecting the world’s rivers, which are under mounting pressure from pollution and climate change.
05 Sep
2023
14:03
Environment on the agenda as UN General Assembly gets underway
The UN General Assembly opens today, kicking off a three-week session in which the environment is expected to feature prominently in discussions between world leaders.
The session will include a summit designed to supercharge efforts to counter the worsening climate crisis. It comes with the world entering what UN Secretary-General António Guterres recently called “the era of global boiling.” Leaders will also discuss how to speed up progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Humanity’s blueprint for a better future, many of the goals are underpinned by the environment.
This marks the 78th session of the General Assembly, which is the main policy-making organ of the UN.
