To fight the pervasive impact of pollution on society, the world’s ministers of environment, gathered at the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) in 2017, expressed their political commitment to working towards a pollution-free planet. Governments also adopted resolutions targeting specific aspects of pollution: air quality, water pollution, soil pollution, marine litter and microplastics, and chemicals and waste. An Implementation Plan was devised, cutting across all these resolutions, to promote accelerated action, enhance capacities to address pollution and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. The Environment Assembly has welcomed the Plan and recognized it as the key vehicle for prompt implementation. It has encouraged all Member States and relevant stakeholders to contribute to its effective implementation.
UNEP’s Background Report and its report to UNEA3 provide a global picture of pollution, including information on pollution sources, impacts and solutions. The World Environment Situation Room provides access to multiple data and resources on pollution and other environmental topics. Learn more about the work of the Pollution and Health Unit here.
UNEA 6 Resolution relating to Pollution, Health and Environment
Forms of Pollution |
Symbol |
Titel |
Air |
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Promoting regional cooperation on air pollution to improve air quality globally |
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Land & Soil |
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Combating sand and dust storms |
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Strengthening international efforts to combat desertification and land degradation, restore degraded land, promote land conservation and sustainable land management, contribute to land degradation neutrality and enhance drought resilience [English only] |
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Freshwater |
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Effective and inclusive solutions for strengthening water policies to achieve sustainable development in the context of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution [English only] |
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Marine and Coastal |
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Strengthening ocean efforts to tackle climate change, marine biodiversity loss and pollution [English only] |
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Chemicals & waste |
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Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste |
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Highly hazardous pesticides |
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Cross-cutting |
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Enhancing the role and viability of regional forums of environment ministers and United Nations Environment Programme regional offices in achieving multilateral cooperation in tackling environmental challenges |
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Promoting synergies, cooperation or collaboration for national implementation of multilateral environmental agreements and other relevant environmental instruments |
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Environmental aspects of minerals and metals |