WELCOME TO THE LATEST EDITION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE UPDATE.
INTRODUCTION
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority. UNEP is driving transformational change by addressing the causes of the three planetary crises: the crisis of climate change, the crisis of nature, land and biodiversity loss, and the crisis of pollution and waste. Within this framework, the Law Division is positioned as a thought leader and can support countries in strengthening environmental law and governance. We are mandated to strengthen legal frameworks, and support countries in fulfilling their environmental commitments, including under Multilateral Environmental Agreements, thereby ensuring a better quality of life for present and future generations. This update offers a reflection on the Law Division's role in addressing environmental issues, as the principal division tasked with implementing UNEP's mandates relevant to environmental rule of law, governance, and policy.
Read more about Law Division’s work here
READ THE ADVANCE EDITION OF THE 170th REPORT TO CPR HERE.
Support for National Biosafety Legislation Under Montevideo Programme V:
- In Burundi, UNEP supported the development of a draft national biosafety law in collaboration with the Environment Protection Authority under the Ministry of Environment, Agriculture, and Livestock and aligned with the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. The draft law is currently under discussion in Parliament.
- In Morocco, UNEP assisted the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development in launching an inception workshop on 19 February 2025 to outline key legislative areas, with plans to draft and review a national biosafety law.
- In Guinea, UNEP reviewed a revision of the 2005 National Biosafety Law, providing recommendations for legislative improvement. A Consensus Building Workshop is scheduled for June 2025 to finalize the draft before submission to Parliament.
- In Seychelles and St. Lucia, UNEP, in partnership with the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), is implementing a Tripartite Agreement to strengthen national biosafety legislation, including the development of a Draft Legal Diagnostic Tool and national biosafety laws, with completion expected by June 2025.
Strengthening Environmental Law and Climate Legislation
UNEP provided technical expertise in environmental law to support various countries in enhancing climate legislation and governance:
- UNEP conducted a legal review of Thailand’s draft National Environmental Quality Promotion and Conservation Act and Climate Change Act, providing recommendations to strengthen environmental governance, with feedback shared to support discussions in the Thai Cabinet.
- In Zimbabwe, UNEP reviewed the draft Climate Change Management Bill upon government request and participating in a technical validation workshop in Kwekwe on 18 March 2025.
- UNEP continued its support to Chile in developing regulations and regional plans for implementing the Framework Law on Climate Change.
Advancing Environmental Justice, Human Rights, and Corporate Sustainability
UNEP played a key role in multiple events across Asia and Geneva, supporting environmental justice, human rights, and corporate sustainability.
- On 17–18 February 2025, UNEP supported the 2nd Regional Judicial Dialogue on Environmental Justice and Climate Resilience in Jakarta, Indonesia, convening 35 judges and legal experts to contribute to developing a regional Guidebook on Environmental Case Procedures. Posts on the Dialogue can be found here, here and here.
- At the Asia Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD) 2025, UNEP co-organized two side events:
In Geneva, during the 58th Human Rights Council session, UNEP actively contributed to key discussions on human rights and environmental protection:
- On 14 March, UNEP delivered a video statement addressing ocean-related human rights challenges, reinforcing its commitment to supporting the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights.
- On 17 March, UNEP participated as a panellist in a discussion on protecting ocean defenders and at-risk communities, highlighting the threats they face and strategies for ensuring their safety.
- On 18–19 March, UNEP collaborated with UNDP, UNICEF, and IUCN to organize the Corporate Sustainability and Environmental Rights in Asia (CSERA) Conference 2025, engaging over 200 stakeholders to rethink corporate accountability in Asia and explored discussions on corporate accountability, human rights due diligence, ESG, and sustainability good practices.
UNEP participates in 6th ASSELLMU Environmental Law Conference
UNEP participated in the 6th Environmental Law Conference of the Association of Environmental Law Lecturers in Middle East and North Africa Universities (ASSELLMU), held from 24 to 26 February 2025 at the Faculty of Law, Arab East Colleges in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The conference convened environmental law scholars, lecturers, policymakers, and legal practitioners from across the MENA region and beyond for three days of in-depth discussions, keynote addresses, and workshops. Under the theme of water security and environmental law, the event explored legal approaches to addressing the region’s most urgent environmental challenges. In her remarks, the Director of UNEP's Law Division emphasized the importance of strong environmental legal frameworks and the pivotal role of academic institutions in shaping future environmental leaders. The event also provided a platform to strengthen collaboration between UNEP and legal education institutions in the region, supporting the broader goals of the Montevideo Programme V.
Advancing Environmental Law and Governance
On 6–7 February, UNEP, in partnership with the University of Buenos Aires, convened the Second Meeting of the Platform of Environmental Law Lecturers in Latin America and the Caribbean in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The meeting identified regional collaboration priorities, developed a model curriculum for environmental law education, and assessed training needs through a regional questionnaire. Additionally, UNEP produced a comparative analysis of ten university curricula and drafted a model curriculum on environmental law for the region.
Environmental Defenders Conference Identifies Legal and Governance Priorities
UNEP supported the 2025 International Forest Defenders Conference held in Guinea-Bissau from 19-22 February 2025, which brought together over 110 participants from four continents, including Indigenous leaders, environmental defenders, legal experts, and government representatives. The Conference focused on strategies to address the escalating violence against environmental defenders and the drivers of land and resource conflicts. UNEP supported participants to make key contributions to discussions on Free, Prior and Informed Consent, governance, and legal accountability. A post on the Conference can be read here.
Faith for Earth Coalition
UNEP launched the Interfaith Women Council on 30 January 2025 through an online meeting, bringing together 26 influential women leaders from diverse faiths, regions, and age groups to advance intergenerational and interreligious dialogue on climate justice, gender equality, and environmental sustainability. Established under UNEP’s Faith for Earth Coalition, the Council aims to amplify the voices of women faith leaders and strengthen their role in addressing global environmental challenges.
UNEP’s Faith for Earth Coalition participated in the side event "Women of Faith Leading Change: Going Further, Faster, Together for Climate and Gender Justice" on 13 March 2025 in New York, during the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women to advance interfaith collaboration on gender and climate justice. UNEP contributed by providing insights on the intersection of faith, gender, and climate justice, while the event, co-sponsored by the governments of Ireland and Zimbabwe, created a platform to amplify faith-led perspectives on these issues.
IN FOCUS: Technical Workshop for the SADC Region on Leveraging Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) for Sustainable Development Goals
UNEP facilitated the SADC Workshop on Mainstreaming MEAs in UN Country Teams for SDG Transitions, held from 4-6 March 2025 in Gaborone, Botswana. The workshop aimed to strengthen technical capacity for integrating MEAs into CCAs and UN-CFs, foster cross-sectoral collaboration, promote regional peer learning and best practices in MEA implementation. UNEP played a key role by providing capacity building and technical assistance, strengthening the role of MEAs as enablers of SDGs implementation, supporting South-South Triangular Cooperation and supporting policy coherence and institutional strengthening. As a result, the workshop enhanced regional cooperation, increased awareness among policymakers, and improved strategies for MEA implementation. UNEP also presented the Law and Climate Change Toolkit to Montevideo National Focal Points and government decision-makers to aid national climate legislation development.
UNEP supported several capacity-building initiatives directed to government representatives and other environmental law stakeholders, such as customs and judicial officers:
UNEP Advances Air Quality Governance at Global Forums in Bangkok and Cartagena
UNEP participated in the University of Eastern Finland – UNEP 19th Course on Multilateral Environmental Agreements from 24 March – 2 April 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand, training 22 negotiators from 21 countries on climate change, air pollution, and ozone depletion. Participants gained critical negotiation skills, producing policy briefs and training materials to strengthen environmental governance, including the Guide on Ambient Air Quality Legislation.
UNEP participated in the World Health Organisation (WHO) First Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health from 25–27 March 2025 in Cartagena, Colombia, co-organizing a session with WHO on legislation for enforcing air quality standards. These engagements highlighted the importance of national laws in managing air quality and transboundary pollution, promoted the Montevideo Programme’s support for environmental rule of law, and provided lawmakers and decision-makers with tools for strengthening air quality governance.
MoFAI is showcased at International Day of Forests
In celebration of the International Day of Forests, on 21 March, a “Forests & Law - A Dialogue among Policymakers, Judges and Experts in Celebration of the International Day of Forests” showcased the Model Forest Act Initiative as an important instrument to support countries in modernizing their forest laws and policies. The event was organized by the National High Court of Brazil, with the support of the Global Judicial Institute on the Environment (GJIE), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the International Council of Environmental Law (ICEL), IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law (WCEL), among others. The event saw an array of high-level speakers from Marina Silva, the Minister of Environment of Brazil, to Chief Justice Antonio Herman Benjamin of the National High Court, to Grethel Aguilar, the IUCN Director-General, to Juliette Biao, the UN Forum on Forests Secretariat Director, and to Patricia Mbote, the Director of UNEP’s Law Division.
Strengthening Legal Frameworks and Regional Cooperation for Sustainable Waste Management
UNEP supported the 7th EACO Regional E-Waste Awareness Conference from 24–26 March 2025 in Nairobi, Kenya, advancing discussions on strengthening legal and policy frameworks for e-waste management. UNEP, in collaboration with EACO, presented the Legislative Guide for E-Waste Management, which provides structured legal direction for East African Community (EAC) countries based on national regulations, draft laws, and international standards like the Basel Convention. The guide is under internal UNEP and BRS Secretariat review to ensure alignment and effectiveness.
UNEP co-organized the UNODC-UNEP Regional Technical Seminar on Waste Trafficking and the Circular Economy on 30–31 January 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, under the Unwaste project, convening government stakeholders and experts from the EU and ASEAN region to strengthen regional responses to illegal waste trafficking. The seminar emphasized waste trafficking’s impact on organized crime, trade, and circular economy transitions, with key outcomes including review of the "Waste Trafficking and the Circular Economy" paper, policy recommendations, and knowledge exchange among regional experts. Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair for 2025, reaffirmed its commitment to addressing waste trafficking, contributing to ASEAN’s Circular Economy Framework and national action plans.
Arab Forum on Sustainable Development
UNEP supported a consultative meeting on the environmental dimension of sustainable development held in Cairo, Egypt, from 25 to 26 February 2025, in preparation for the Arab Forum on Sustainable Development. Organized jointly with UN ESCWA and the League of Arab States, the meeting aimed to advance regional dialogue on Agenda 2030, focusing on SDG 3, SDG 14, and SDG 17. UNEP contributed by introducing the West Asia Air Quality Network under SDG 3 as a collaborative effort to protect human health and the environment. Under SDG 14, it shared insights from its regional blue economy initiative launched in 2024. Furthermore, UNEP, in collaboration with UNDP, presented a joint position paper on policy coherence and integrated approaches to manage water resources, agriculture, ecosystem restoration, and climate change adaptation. This paper was later endorsed by the Council of Arab Ministers Responsible for Environment (CAMRE) at its 35th session in October 2024.
Strengthening Legal Frameworks for Marine Biodiversity Conservation through Multilateral Cooperation
UNEP, hosted a two-part webinar series on 18 and 19 March 2025 to explore the interlinkages between the BBNJ Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and Biodiversity, Chemicals, and Waste-Related MEAs. Held virtually, the webinars built on UNEP’s Second Global Training for National Focal Points of the Fifth Montevideo Environmental Law Programme in Nairobi in June 2024. The sessions brought together 300 participants, including Montevideo Programme V National Focal Points, MEA focal points, UNEP regional offices, UNEP-WCMC, representatives of key conventions (CBD, CITES, BRS, and Minamata), RSCAPs, DOALOS, and IPBES. The workshop report is available here.
Anchoring the UN Common Approaches to Biodiversity in the work of UN Country Teams
UNEP, through its Regional Office for Europe (RoE), led the launch of the Key Advocacy Messages for Biodiversity Mainstreaming and the Guidance for Integrating Biodiversity into CCAs and UNSDCFs on 18 March 2025 during a webinar co-organized by the Environment Management Group (EMG) and the Issue-Based Coalition on Environment and Climate Change (IBC) in Europe and Central Asia. These tools aim to equip UN Country Teams (UNCTs) with practical guidance to align national development planning with global biodiversity commitments. The webinar, attended by over 30 participants, reinforced the need to align biodiversity commitments with national priorities and mobilize resources for implementation. The EMG, in collaboration with UNEP’s regional offices in Africa, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific, is exploring opportunities to expand and adapt these tools for other regions.
African Elephant Fund (AEF)
The African Elephant Fund (AEF) launched the eleventh round of call for proposals, which ran from 24 January to 15 March 2025, to fund projects implementing the revised African Elephant Action Plan (AEAP 2023) in range States. The call was published on UNEP (EN/FR) and AEF (EN/FR) websites in English and French and circulated through CITES Management Authority focal points, the AEF Steering Committee, and the CMS Secretariat, with a notification to the Parties by the CITES Secretariat. To date, 67 projects have been completed across over 25 range States through AEF funding, and the AEF Steering Committee will evaluate proposals to select the next set of projects for support.
Updated NBSAP Targets now in DaRT
UNEP enhanced the Data Reporting Tool (DaRT) on 21 March 2025 by adding functionality to import targets of the new National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) from the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Online Reporting Tool (ORT), including the mapping of national targets to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). This functionality enables National Focal Points (NFPs) of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) to automatically integrate their official NBSAP into their DaRT dashboard and link relevant information to it, ultimately improving biodiversity knowledge management and supporting the efficient and coherent preparation of national reports to different MEAs.
Using Digital Tools and Data to Support Multilateral Environmental Agreements
UNEP exhibited the UN Information Portal on Multilateral Environmental Agreements (InforMEA) and related platforms on 20 January 2025 during the GEN@25 Environment Forum in Geneva, as tools to strengthen environmental law and governance through improved access to legal information. Engaging with Member States and stakeholders during the event underscored the importance of making digital tools more accessible, inclusive, and user-friendly. The feedback gathered is informing ongoing improvements to user experience and interface design.
Strengthening Environmental Legal Capacity through E-Learning and Legal Tools
UNEP, through the Montevideo Programme V, continues to support the development and dissemination of tools that strengthen the capacity of countries to implement environmental law and address key challenges related to chemicals and waste. A suite of e-learning courses is now available to enhance understanding of key multilateral environmental agreements, including:
- Introductory course to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants
- Introductory course to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal and Regional Instruments on Hazardous Wastes
- Introductory course to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade
- Plastic Waste and the Basel Convention
These self-paced modules are designed to build foundational knowledge among policymakers, legal professionals, and stakeholders on the sound management of chemicals and waste through legal frameworks. In addition, UNEP promotes two key legal resources to support Member States in meeting their environmental commitments and are key knowledge resources for all stakeholders:
- NYU Right to a Healthy Environment (R2HE) Database – the first global database mapping legal recognition, case-law and developments related to the right to a healthy environment.
- Law and Climate Change Toolkit – a collaborative, open-access resource that helps countries align national legislation with the Paris Agreement and their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
For enquiries, contact maryann.kuria@un.org
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This is a product of UNEP Law Division