Urgent plea from Asia-Pacific environmental leaders for a durable and adaptable Earth
Headline: Asia-Pacific Nations Convene for Sustainable Solutions at UNEP Forum in Fiji
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) hosted the Sixth Forum of Ministers and Environment Authorities of Asia Pacific in Nadi, Fiji from August 26 to 29, 2025. The forum served as the region's premier platform for advancing sustainable solutions and strengthening environmental resilience.
The event was jointly organized by the Government of Fiji and UNEP, and it brought together nations from across the Asia-Pacific region, including Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and several other Asia-Pacific nations.
The Fiji Ministry of Environment and Climate Change led the nation's efforts to safeguard its natural environment, address the impacts of climate change, and build a climate-resilient, low-emission future. UNEP, as the world's leading authority on the environment, provided support to these nations in addressing environmental challenges.
The forum featured prominently the voices of the youth, who called for the human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment to be enshrined in domestic law. The youth emphasized the urgency for collective action to tackle the region's triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
UNEP's work encompasses a wide range of topics, including but not limited to climate, biodiversity, pollution, and water. The organization works globally to address these issues and supports nations in building sustainable economies that are beneficial for the environment. UNEP's primary goal is to help nations build low-carbon, nature-positive, and resource-efficient economies.
The forum concluded with a call for urgent, collective action to tackle the region's triple planetary crisis. Member States endorsed a Chair's Summary that identified priority environmental issues in the region for the upcoming United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7), which will be held in Nairobi from 8 to 12 December 2025.
Five draft resolutions were introduced by member states for UNEA-7, including proposals on accelerating circular economy strategies, promoting coral reef resilience, enhancing youth participation in climate action, strengthening synergies in MEA implementation, and managing wildfires. Tuvalu announced its intention to submit resolutions on climate displacement and sea level rise for UNEA-7.
UNEP's work is not limited to a specific region and extends globally. Topics related to UNEP's work include Carbon & Climate, Policy & Finance, Water, biodiversity, pollution, UN, conservation, climate, resilience, and oceans. The forum served as a testament to UNEP's commitment to promoting low-carbon, nature-positive, and resource-efficient economies and to supporting nations in building a sustainable future for all.
