UN Environmental Program Press Releases

42 migratory species to be considered for international conservation at UN wildlife meeting in 2026

This iconic species is among 42 migratory species of wild animals that countries will consider as needing international conservation at the UN wildlife conservation meeting in March 2026   Bonn, 18 December 2025 – Parties to the Convention on the …

Recordings: Look back at UNEA-7

Agencies, Funds & Programmes 11 Dec 2025

UNEP at the climate COP30

“Every person on this planet is living with the impacts of climate change: wildfires, heatwaves, desertification, floods, rising costs and more. As action to cut greenhouse gas emissions continues to lag, these impacts will only get worse, harming more …

Clean Air for blue skies updates

Credit: UNEP UNEP Office in China, with support from Energy Foundation China, convened partners at the Phoenix Center in Beijing to spotlight the links between clean air, health, climate, and community well-being. Distinguished attendees included the UN …

WMO Air Quality and Climate Bulletin highlights vicious cycle

Particulate matter Particulate matter from activities such as transport, industry and agriculture, as well as from wildfires and wind-blown desert dust remains a major health hazard.  For the first time, the 2025 edition of the Bulletin includes estimates …

The Minamata Convention marks eight years of global progress to make mercury history

As the Minamata Convention on Mercury marks eight years since it entered into force, over 150 Parties and many stakeholders continue working to reduce mercury pollution worldwide. Preparations are underway for the sixth meeting of the Conference of the …

World Lake Day (27 August)

Lakes are one of the most vital natural resources on our planet. They serve as a crucial source of fresh water, supporting drinking water supplies, agriculture, and industry. Lakes also play a key role in maintaining biodiversity, offering a habitat for …

UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen on the plastic pollution treaty talks (INC 5.2)

Climate action: special address by UN Secretary-General

Report: Supercharging the new energy era A special technical report, “Seizing the moment of opportunity: supercharging the new energy era of renewables, efficiency, and electrification,” provides a high-level synthesis of the state of play of — and the …

Ecosystems restoration in Mar Menor

Photo UNEP/Todd Brown. UN World Restoration Flagship Ecosystems Restoration in Mar Menor   Nice, France, 11 June 2025 – The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) have named the first World Restoration …

Celebrating 30 years of the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds

     Your Commitment Counts - Make your pledge for Migratory Waterbirds The 30th Anniversary of the signing of the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) will take place on Monday, 16 June 2025. To celebrate this …

New panel seeks to limit pollution’s deadly toll

Pollution is widespread – and often fatal.    To stem this pollution crisis, countries agreed in 2022 to establish a new body that would provide policymakers with robust, independent information on chemicals, waste and pollution prevention.    Negotiators …

Getting over the line on a new science-policy panel

Your Excellency Edgardo Ortuño, Minister of Environment of Uruguay, Madame Chair, Ms. Gudi Alkemade, Excellencies and distinguished delegates,   My thanks to the government of Uruguay for hosting us here in the beautiful city of Punta del Este for the …

UNEP at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference

Representatives from UNEP will be participating in the following events during the UN Ocean Conference. Time zone: CEST 📅 5 June | 🕒 12:45–13:45 hrs | 📍Room 8, Port Lympia, Nice One Ocean Science Conference 2025: Science to support the BBNJ Agreement This …

New body aims to limit pollution’s deadly toll

Pollution is widespread – and often fatal.   Dirty air alone is responsible for 6.7 million deaths globally every year, while conservative estimates suggest that in 2019, 5.5 million people died from heart disease linked to lead exposure.   To stem the …

A new strategic direction for regional seas

One, meeting the 30x30 goal. You are aware of the urgency of this task. You contributed to the new 30x30 Ocean Action plan launched at this Ocean Conference. And today you will be adopting a roadmap on how to contribute to meeting this goal, which is woven …

In pictures: how the Republic of Korea is taking on plastic pollution

The Comoros, Madagascar, Mozambique, Tanzania | 2025 As part of the efforts to manage, protect and restore the coral-rich Northern Mozambique Channel, Comoros, Madagascar, Mozambique, and Tanzania are working together to restore blue and green forests by …

UN recognizes World Restoration Flagships in East Africa, Mexico, and Spain

Nice, France, 11 June 2025 – The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) have named the first World Restoration Flagships for this year, tackling pollution, unsustainable exploitation, and invasive species …

Protecting the ocean for planetary stability and human well-being

Check against delivery Your Excellency Maisa Rojas Corradi, Environment Minister of Chile,  Your Excellency Romina Pourmokhtari, Environment Minister of Sweden,  Your Excellency José Ramon Reyes, Deputy Minister of Coastal and Marine Affairs, Dominican …

UN recognizes World Restoration Flagships in East Africa, Mexico, and Spain

Nice, France, 11 June 2025 – The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) have named the first World Restoration Flagships for this year, tackling pollution, unsustainable exploitation, and invasive species …