The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture hosted the Regional Preparatory Meeting for the Sixth Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6). The meeting will take place on January 15-16 in Riyadh.
During the meeting, participants engaged in discussions regarding the outcomes of the preceding session (UNEA-5) and preparation for the sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA6).
The CEO of the National Center for Waste Management, Dr. Abdullah Alsebaei said that Saudi Arabia will present a proposal during the sixth session. The draft resolution focuses on strengthening international efforts to combat land degradation, ecosystem restoration, and drought resilience.
Dr. Alsebaei added that in 2024, Saudi Arabia will host significant events and forums, such as World Environment Day, the third session of the Arab Environment Forum, and the 35th session of the Council of Arab Ministers Responsible for Environmental Affairs. Additionally, the Sixteenth Session of the UNCCD Conference of the Parties (COP 16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) will take place in Riyadh.
UNEP Regional Director and Representative of the UNEP Programme in West Asia, Mr. Sami Demasi emphasized that the environmental issues in the West Asia region, such as water scarcity, desertification, climate change, and biodiversity loss, necessitate collaborative efforts. This gathering serves as a chance to communicate these challenges to the United Nations General Assembly, emphasizing the crucial role of regional countries in aligning environmental priorities. This coordination aims to serve the public interest and secure a prominent global position in international environmental efforts.
The sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) will occur from 26 February to 1 March 2024 at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.