Country representations and other stakeholders in Geneva have been briefed ahead of the second session of the United Nations Environment Assembly - known as the 'Parliament of the Environment' - taking place on 23-27 May in Nairobi.

As UNEP’s governing body, UNEA is attended by representatives from all UN member states and a broad range of stakeholders. It is intended to allow environmental issues to have a similar status to those of peace, security, finance, health and trade.

A special event on the assembly for Geneva-based stakeholders was organised by the Geneva Environment Network, UNEP Regional Office for Europe and UN Non-governmental Liaison Service on 4 April.

There, presentations were delivered and a discussion held on delivering on the environmental agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with environment ministers due to attend a plenary meeting at the assembly to provide direction on UNEP's role in ensuring this.

A session was also held on Healthy Environment, Healthy people, ahead of a report on the topic being issued at UNEA-2, where ministers and other officials will discuss policies for achieving the SDGs in the fields of air quality, healthy ecosystems and chemicals and waste.

Participants were furthermore briefed on mobilising resources for sustainable investments, following UNEP's two-year Inquiry into the Design of a Sustainable Financial System having produced its main report last October.

The environmental causes of forced migration, one of the greatest humanitarian events of today, were meanwhile discussed during a symposium on the environment and displacements - mirroring work due to take on the topic in Nairobi.

A further briefing for civil society is planned to take place in London ahead of UNEA-2.

Ahead of the event, country delegates, representatives from Major Groups and Stakeholders and others took part in a webcasted open-ended Committee of Permanent Representatives (CPR) meeting.

There, participants reviewed CPR deliberations so far and UNEP’s performance for 2014-15. A new UNEP strategy for 2018-2021 was furthermore considered. The CPR is “determined to proceed on a path of openness and transparency,” affirmed its Chair Julia Pataki, welcoming civil society’s contribution to the meeting.

All participants are also able to take part in preparations for the May meeting through myunea.org.

For more details please click here or get in touch with diana.rizzolio@unep.org