The state of the planet is a key agenda item for the United Nations General Assembly. This page features related updates from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and its partners, including key moments of the year such as July’s High-level Political Forum and September’s High-Level Week which in 2024 included the Summit of the Future.
11 Jul
2024
16:01
SDG 16 in focus at the HLPF 2024
Today at HLPF 2024, the focus is on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16 on peace, justice, and strong institutions. Delegates will discuss best practices from different regions or sectors that demonstrate effective approaches to achieving SDG 16 and fostering synergies with other SDGs.
Understanding the links between the environment and human security is vital for effective conflict prevention, post-conflict reconstruction, and promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies. Without peace, justice, and strong institutions, achieving other goals can be difficult to impossible. SDG 16 is therefore a critical enabler to achieving other SDGs.
10 Jul
2024
17:51
UNEP on 11 July at HLPF 2024
Delegates at HLPF 2024 are confronting the most basic human vulnerabilities and societal costs of a global systemic failure, now exacerbated by the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. These events are on the agenda for UNEP on 11 July 2024. Time zone: EDT.
0800-0930 hrs | Fast solutions in the agriculture sector that will benefit the agriculture sector
1000-1010 hrs | Introduction of the report on the 10-Year Framework of Programme on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns
1010-1300 hrs | SDGs in Focus – SDG 16
1500-1645 hrs | Session on African countries, Least Developed Countries and Landlocked Developing Countries
09 Jul
2024
16:05
UNEP on 10 July at HLPF 2024
As delegates gather in New York for HLPF 2024 to track and promote progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, UNEP is taking part in several events. Here is what to expect on 10 July 2024. Time zone: EDT.
0800-1000 hrs | Unpacking Policy Coherence for Sustainable Development: Unexplored options for achieving the SDGs
1000-1300 hrs | SDGs in Focus – SDG 13
1000-1300 hrs | Local2030 Coalition special event
1500-1700 hrs | SDGs in Practice (Climate Change, Pollution and Biodiversity Loss)
08 Jul
2024
18:02
High-level Political Forum 2024 Opening- UN Deputy Chief
Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group, delivered her speech during the opening of the (1st meeting) High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development 2024 (HLPF 2024).
HLPF 2024, happening from 8-17 July under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council, will be held under the theme "Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises: the effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions.”
The programme will include the thematic reviews of Sustainable Development Goals 1 on no poverty, 2 on zero hunger, 13 on climate action, 16 on peace, justice and strong institutions, and 17 on partnerships for the Goals.
22 Sep
2023
22:36
UNEP ambassador Lewis Pugh: “We can no longer be bystanders”
Endurance swimmer Lewis Pugh, UNEP’s Patron of the Oceans, this week urged citizens, governments and businesses to protect the ocean amid the worsening impacts of the climate crisis.
“We can no longer be bystanders,” he said during a conversation with UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen. “We’ve got to dive in and we’ve really got to highlight what’s happening to the planet.”
Andersen lauded Pugh’s activism, including his 507km swim down the United States’ Hudson River earlier this month. The journey helped raise awareness about the need to protect and revive the world’s waterways.
“We are seeing that it is possible to turn this around for the next generation,” she said. “That’s what gives me hope.”
22 Sep
2023
21:00
Six stories of hope from the frontlines of the climate crisis
While this week’s meetings in New York have underscored the severity of the climate crisis, there are reasons for optimism. Around the world, countries and communities are fighting back against a changing climate using strategies old and new. Here’s a look at six such stories from our archives.
Once threatened, Mexico’s green jewel has become a model of conservation.
How a salt-loving tree is helping protect Mozambique against climate change.
Renewable energy: a boon for Cambodia’s women farmers.
Marine biodiversity gets a lifeline with high seas treaty.
A green wall to restore nature in Africa’s Sahel region.
How a groundbreaking satellite system is aiming to reduce methane emissions.
22 Sep
2023
20:00
Vulnerable countries need immediate help as climate crisis deepens: UNEP Executive Director
Amid a surge in extreme weather, the world must speed the implementation of a loss and damage fund that would help vulnerable countries adapt to the climate crisis, UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen said Friday.
The fund was a key outcome of last year’s UN Climate Change Conference in Egypt. Adapting to the climate crisis could cost developing countries up to US$340 billion annually by 2030 and up to US$565 billion a year by 2050, according to UNEP research.
“[The] loss and damage funding mechanism must be simple, expedient and deliver predictable funding,” Andersen said.
22 Sep
2023
18:00
UNEP Goodwill Ambassadors highlight importance of protecting Earth
UNEP Goodwill Ambassador Rocky Dawuni made an appearance in the media zone at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, calling for humanity to protect the planet. Two other UNEP ambassadors, actor Dia Mirza and swimmer Lewis Pugh, also made calls to action during the week.
22 Sep
2023
14:40
Coming up today: Friday highlights
Here are a few events to keep an eye on today at the General Assembly
How to communicate climate for solutions and actions (11–11:20 a.m.)
Amid a wave of climate denial, UN head of communications Melissa Fleming will discuss how science-based communication can spur meaningful action on the climate crisis. In an impassioned speech Tuesday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for an end to “bankrolling climate denial”.
CNN: Climate crisis and gender inequality (11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.)
CNN’s Photo Desk will showcase images illustrating the link between the climate crisis and gender inequality during this session. Research has shown that women are disproportionately affected by the climate crisis, an inequality that threatens to deepen.
21 Sep
2023
22:00
Collaboration needed to end biodiversity crisis, says UNEP expert
Governments, businesses and everyday people must band together if humanity is to head off a nature crisis that has pushed 1 million species towards extinction, UNEP head of biodiversity Doreen Robinson said Thursday during a session at the UN General Assembly.
Robinson said agencies like UNEP have prepared a bevy of solutions to protect and restore the natural world, but implementing those plans is crucial.
“Nature has been sounding alarm calls for a very long time,” Robinson said. “Humanity’s relationship with nature is broken right now and … it is time to fix it.”
