Delegates from over 160 countries across the world have given the UN Environmental Assembly (UNEA) the mandate to manage global environmental agenda, including marine plastic debris, micro plastics and the illegal trade in wildlife, in their final deliberations that approved 16 resolutions.
Meeting in Nairobi Kenya, the delegates agreed to encourage governments to set standards and policies across multiple sectors to reduce emissions and manage the negative impacts of air pollution on health, the economy, and overall sustainable development.
The delegates noted that UNEA is better placed to help reduce air pollution that is currently killing 7 million people globally annually.
They called for the full integration of the environmental dimension into the sustainable development process to help improve a healthy environment that is important for the success of the post-2015 Sustainable Development Agenda.
The Assembly also called on member states to accelerate and support efforts for the promotion of sustainable production and consumption patterns.
The meeting that was attended by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon. The President of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta called for the support of sustainable consumption and production patterns, including through resource efficiency and more sustainable lifestyles.
In his closing remarks, Kenyatta welcomed the decision by the UNEA to scale up efforts against the illegal trade in wildlife. He said the illegal trade is a threat to Kenya's heritage and impedes security.