a look ahead to environmental moments in 2024

The year 2024 will be marked by a range of events and observances with important implications for the atmosphere, biodiversity, and world wide sustainability. From advancing sustainable nitrogen administration to fostering inclusive collaboration for biodiversity and addressing vital threats like antimicrobial resistance, the UN Ecosystem Programme (UNEP) will operate to aid multilateralism, science-centered dialogue and actions, innovation, partnerships for individuals and world and a lot extra. 

Below are some crucial intercontinental functions and conferences planned (dates and aspects topic to adjust): 

The UNEP Doing the job Group on Nitrogen is convening for its fifth meeting, aimed at advancing the implementation of UN Ecosystem Assembly (UNEA) resolutions 4/14 and 5/2 about “Sustainable Nitrogen Management.” This gathering will take place in Nairobi, Kenya, with both actual physical and hybrid attendance alternatives obtainable.

23 – 25 January: Bern III Meeting on Cooperation among the the Biodiversity-linked Conventions for the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal World Biodiversity Framework 

The Bern III Convention focuses on boosting the Kunming-Montreal World-wide Biodiversity Framework (GBF) implementation by fostering inclusive collaboration. It aims to recognize options for cooperation among the biodiversity-similar conventions, suggesting actions to strengthen collaboration when respecting mandates. The conference also emphasizes sharing practical activities to advise scalable cooperation in applying Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs).

12 – 17 February: Fourteenth Meeting of the Convention of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP 14) 

The future CMS COP14 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, emphasizes global collaboration for migratory species’ survival. Established beneath the topic “Character is aware no borders,” it aligns with the Kunming-Montreal World wide Biodiversity Framework. This conference addresses habitat conservation, threats like overexploitation and the local climate crisis. The meeting underscores intercontinental collaboration for the survival of these species outside of political boundaries.

27 February – 1 March: 6th session of the United Nations Atmosphere Assembly (UNEA-6) 

UNEA-6, hosted at UNEP Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, emphasizes effective and sustainable multilateral steps to overcome weather adjust, biodiversity decline, and pollution. Member States and stakeholders will collaborate to advance the Ten years of Action, addressing interlinkages among these world-wide issues by means of dialogues and official gatherings. The assembly aims to lay the groundwork for strengthened international and regional initiatives by the UN, Member States, and partners for impactful environmental action. The function will also function Management Dialogues, a quantity of formal and connected aspect events (some hybrid), exhibits, and considerably much more.

30 March: International Day of Zero Waste 

The International Working day of Zero Waste promotes sustainable consumption and creation, advocating for a round overall economy to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. With worldwide squander reaching 2.24 billion tons annually, zero-squander initiatives goal to lessen and stop waste, maximizing environmental protection and human perfectly-being.

21 – 30 April: 4th session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4) 

The Plastic Air pollution Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4), as mandated by the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2) resolution, will convene in Ottawa, Canada. The committee, supported by UNEP, seeks to craft an worldwide legally binding instrument addressing plastic pollution, encompassing marine environments. 

28 – 30 May possibly: Nairobi Convention COP 11 

The Nairobi Convention is a regional treaty that functions to shield, regulate, and create the Western Indian Ocean. Its COP 11 contains a preliminary conference for associates, specialists, and nationwide Focal Points, followed by a Heads of Delegation meeting. The session consists of a review of the Convention’s 2022–2024 Operate Programme, approval of the 2024–2026 Work Programme and price range, and deliberations on key decisions.

3 – 5 June: 2nd International conference of the Montevideo Countrywide Focal Points 

The Montevideo Environmental Legislation Programme is devoted to advancing world wide environmental rule of legislation. The forthcoming 2nd International Assembly of Countrywide Focal Factors will convene in Nairobi, Kenya. The programme’s goals include things like promoting the enhancement and implementation of environmental rule of regulation, maximizing capacity in nations around the world, and contributing to the environmental dimension of the 2030 Agenda.

17 – 12 June: 3rd session of the Advert Hoc Open-Finished Functioning Group on a Science-Plan Panel to further the audio administration of chemical compounds and waste and to reduce pollution 

The Open up Ended Performing Group (OEWG) 3, in line with UNEA resolution 5/8, proceeds perform to propose a Science-Plan Panel on Chemical compounds and Squander. Mandated to finalize proposals by 2024, it addresses essential factors like institutional style and design, governance, title, scope, features, and running principles for productive contributions to sound chemical administration and pollution avoidance.

24 September: Large Stage Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance 

The 2024 United Nations Normal Assembly Significant-amount Assembly on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) offers a vital option to tackle the escalating menace of antibiotic resistance. The conference aims to renew world dedication, checking out innovative and multilateral steps to fight AMR’s considerably-reaching implications on healthcare, mortality rates, and general perfectly-getting.

21 – 23 October: 26th Coordinating Human body on the Seas of East Asia Intergovernmental Assembly (COBSEA IGM 26) 

The 26th Intergovernmental Conference of the Coordinating Physique on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA) is scheduled to acquire put in Cambodia. The function will focus on vital tactics for managing marine environments in the East Asian Seas Location.

21 Oct – 1 November: 16th assembly of the Meeting of the Parties to the Conference on Biological Diversity 

The 16th Convention of the Get-togethers (COP) to the Convention on Organic Variety (CBD), will convene in October–November 2024. The celebration marks a crucial world-wide collecting to address biodiversity conservation, biosafety, and obtain to genetic sources.

4 – 5 November: 4th World Significant-Amount Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance 

Saudi Arabia hosts the fourth significant-stage international ministerial convention on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), bringing with each other leaders to handle urgent issues in blocking and handling AMR on a world wide scale.

25 November – 1 December: 5th session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to establish an worldwide legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, together with in the maritime environment 

Plastic Pollution Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) convenes in Busan, Republic of Korea, as component of UNEA-5.2’s resolution for a legally binding instrument on plastic air pollution. With a in depth strategy masking the plastic lifetime cycle, the purpose is to full the function by the finish of 2024. 

A range of worldwide days associated to and led by UNEP will be observed :