The fifth session of the UN Environment Assembly is themed “Strengthening Actions for Nature to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals”. The theme calls for strengthened action to protect and restore nature and the nature-based solutions to achieve the SDGs in its three complementary dimensions (social, economic and environmental).
It is being held in two stages. UNEA 5.1 was held virtually on 22-23 February 2021 and focused on urgent and procedural decisions. UNEA 5.2 isbeing heldin Nairobi in February 2022 to focus on in-depth matters.
At UNEA 5.1 the World Federation of Animals (WFA) and some of its leading members advocated for animals on the major issues of Covid-19 and pandemic protection, One Health-One Welfare, animal welfare, transformative change and food systems.
At UNEA 5.2, to be held in Nairobi in February 2022, a resolution is being proposed by Africa Network for Animals Welfare (ANAW), the Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) and the World Federation for Animals (WFA). The resolution ‘Animal Welfare for a Healthy, Humane and Sustainable Environment’ will call upon the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and all member states to acknowledge that animals are sentient beings and that animal issues are closely related to biodiversity loss, climate change, pollution, human health, and food systems. To pass the resolution a simple majority of 97 member states will be required and the member states will need lobbying. They need to be convinced that this resolution is crucial to safeguarding the welfare of animals, people and the planet.
Animal Interfaith Alliance 