The control of water sources in the Middle East represents a central element in the geopolitical dynamics of the region. The Israeli offensive in southern Syria, culminating in the control of six major water sources in the area, including the Al-Mantara and Al-Wahda dams, highlights how this resource is a key objective for Israel not only from a security perspective but also for its economic and political survival.

For decades, Israel has pursued a water strategy that combines technological innovation, territorial control, and international negotiations. However, direct control over water resources beyond its borders marks a significant escalation. Currently, 30% of Syria’s water sources and 40% of Jordan’s are under Israeli control, a reality that reshapes the region’s balance of power. Just think that from November 1964 to May 1967 over control of water sources of the Jordan River there was “Battle over Water” between Israel and its Arab neighbors.

For Israel, these resources are not only vital for domestic consumption or agricultural irrigation but also hold strategic value in geopolitical negotiations. Controlling water means wielding a tool of leverage against countries like Jordan, with which Israel shares a peace treaty, and Syria, a longstanding adversary. In the context of growing water scarcity due to climate change and population growth, the ability to manage and distribute water becomes a source of power that transcends national borders.

The importance of these resources is particularly evident in occupied areas like the Golan Heights. Here, Israel not only controls part of the Yarmouk River’s water reserves but also uses these resources to reinforce its presence and legitimize the annexation of contested territories. Israeli agricultural communities in neighboring areas directly benefit from these sources, while Syrian and Palestinian populations face restricted or denied access, exacerbating their hardships.

Photo: map of the Jordan River and Yarmouk River

However, Israel’s water control extends beyond domestic security concerns. Through advanced technologies such as the Ashkelon desalination plant and widespread use of wastewater recycling, Israel has become a global leader in water management. This technical expertise is also used as a soft power tool, with Israel offering assistance and know-how to other countries, thereby strengthening its international position.

Photo: Ashkelon desalination plant, Israel

Nevertheless, this strategy is not without its controversies. For many observers, Israel’s control over Syria’s and Jordan’s water sources represents yet another form of territorial expansion disguised as necessity. The humanitarian implications are significant, as entire communities see their access to this vital resource diminished, fueling resentments that add to existing tensions stemming from territorial conflicts.

Thus, water is not merely a matter of survival but a central element in Israel’s security and power strategy. Controlling it ensures not only the future of the country but also determines the destinies of neighboring nations. In a Middle East marked by conflict and instability, control over water resources could become the decisive factor shaping the next chapter of regional history.

In other terms, the approach Israel is implementing falls within what international scholars call “hydrowarfare.”Hydrowarfare refers to the strategic use of water as a weapon or a lever of power in geopolitical, military, and economic conflicts.

Hydrowarfare manifests in various forms, including the control of strategic water sources such as rivers, lakes, dams, or aquifers, which allows states or groups to exert pressure on other nations or populations. This can occur through the disruption of water access, the diversion of natural watercourses, or the construction of infrastructure that alters the water balance. It can also take the form of the direct use of water as a weapon, through intentional flooding, the destruction of infrastructure, or even the deliberate poisoning or contamination of water supplies.

Additionally, water can be used as a tool of political and economic leverage, particularly in regions where river basins are shared by multiple states, such as the Jordan River, which flows through Lebanon, Syria,Palestine, Israel, and Jordan, or the Nile, shared by Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt.

Hydrowarfare represents a new frontier in global conflicts, where the control of water becomes as strategic as that of energy resources or territorial borders.

Feel a mesmerizing blend of classical music and stunning underwater visuals with “Igor Stravinsky Petrushka (Version 1947) | Underwater World Video by Nicolás Halaban.” This unique video pairs Stravinsky’s dynamic orchestral composition with captivating underwater scenes, creating an immersive experience that brings the music to life in a new and enchanting way. Watch the synergy of art and nature in this beautiful interpretation of Stravinsky’s timeless work.

The Go Blue Project is a partnership between the European Union and the Government of Kenya to advance the blue economy agenda through coastal development. This documentary captures a number of pilot interventions jointly implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) under Results Area 2 titled “Connecting People, Cities and the Ocean: Innovative Land-Sea Planning and Management for a Sustainable and Resilient Kenyan Coast.” The four initiatives captured here are:

• Blue Carbon Initiative (Lamu County)
• Solid Waste Management (Taita Taveta County)
• Mikindani Constructed Wetland (Mombasa County)
• Mazingira Public Space (Kilifi County)

The project is funded by the European Union.

Wetlands are ecosystems, in which water is the primary factor controlling the environment and the associated plant and animal life. A broad definition of wetlands includes both freshwater and marine and coastal ecosystems, such as all lakes and rivers, underground aquifers, swamps and marshes, wet grasslands, peatlands, oases, estuaries, deltas and tidal flats, mangroves and other coastal areas, coral reefs, and all human-made sites such as fishponds, rice paddies, reservoirs and saltpans.

These lands are critical to people and nature, given the intrinsic value of these ecosystems, and their benefits and services, including their environmental, climate, ecological, social, economic, scientific, educational, cultural, recreational and aesthetic contributions to sustainable development and human wellbeing.

The benefits that wetlands provide help sustain life and are central to human wellbeing. PHOTO:Candy1812/Adobe Stock

Alhough they cover only around 6 per cent of the Earth’s land surface, 40 per cent of all plant and animal species live or breed in wetlands. Wetland biodiversity matters for our health, our food supply, for tourism and for jobs. Wetlands are vital for humans, for other ecosystems and for our climate, providing essential ecosystem services, such as water regulation, including flood control and water purification. More than a billion people across the world depend on wetlands for their livelihoods – that’s about one in eight people on Earth.

Wetlands and Human Wellbeing

The theme for World Wetlands Day is “Wetlands and human wellbeing”. Its goal is to highlight how all aspects of human wellbeing – physical, mental, and environmental – are tied to the health of the world’s wetlands.

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Why they are in danger

Wetlands are among the ecosystems with the highest rates of decline, loss and degradation. Indicators of current negative trends in global biodiversity and ecosystem functions are projected to continue in response to direct and indirect drivers, such as rapid human population growth, unsustainable production and consumption and associated technological development, as well as the adverse impacts of climate change.

Wetlands are disappearing three times faster than forests and are Earth’s most threatened ecosystem. In just 50 years — since 1970 — 35% of the world’s wetlands have been lost. Human activities that lead to loss of wetlands include drainage and infilling for agriculture and construction, pollution, overfishing and overexploitation of resources, invasive species and climate change.

This vicious cycle of wetland loss, threatened livelihoods, and deepening poverty is the result of mistakenly seeing wetlands as wastelands rather than lifegiving sources of jobs, incomes, and essential ecosystem services. A key challenge is to change mindsets to encourage governments and communities to value and prioritize wetlands.

Read more: https://www.un.org/en/observances/world-wetlands-day

Water, the elixir of life, is an indispensable resource that sustains all forms of life on Earth. However, the world is currently grappling with a growing and alarming water shortage crisis that threatens ecosystems, human health, and food security. As population growth, climate change, and unsustainable water management practices converge, it becomes imperative to delve into the root causes, consequences, and potential solutions to address the global water scarcity issue.

I. Causes of Water Shortage:

• Population Growth: The global population is rapidly expanding, placing unprecedented demands on water resources for drinking, sanitation, and agriculture. As more people vie for access to water, the strain on available sources intensifies.
• Climate Change: The changing climate patterns lead to irregular precipitation, prolonged droughts, and extreme weather events, affecting the availability and distribution of water. This exacerbates water scarcity in vulnerable regions.
• Poor Water Management: Inefficient and unsustainable water management practices contribute significantly to the depletion of water sources. Over-extraction of groundwater, pollution, and deforestation further compound the problem.

II. Consequences of Water Shortage:

• Human Health: Insufficient access to clean water jeopardizes public health, leading to waterborne diseases and sanitation-related issues. Lack of proper hygiene exacerbates the spread of illnesses, particularly in developing regions.
• Agricultural Impact: Agriculture is a major consumer of water, and water scarcity threatens food production. Crop failure, reduced yields, and increased food prices become significant concerns, affecting global food security.
• Ecosystem Disruption: Aquatic ecosystems suffer as rivers, lakes, and wetlands dry up or become contaminated. Biodiversity loss, habitat destruction, and disruptions in the natural balance of ecosystems result from prolonged water scarcity.

III. Regional Disparities:

Water scarcity is not uniformly distributed across the globe. Some regions face acute shortages due to a combination of environmental, economic, and social factors. The Middle East, parts of Africa, and parts of Asia are particularly vulnerable, with arid climates and high population densities intensifying the crisis.

IV. Solutions to Mitigate Water Shortage:

• Sustainable Water Management: Implementing efficient and sustainable water management practices is crucial. This includes the responsible use of water resources, reducing waste, and promoting water conservation measures.
• Infrastructure Development: Investment in water infrastructure, such as dams, reservoirs, and efficient irrigation systems, can help store and distribute water effectively, especially in regions prone to drought.
• Conservation and Education: Raising awareness about water conservation and the importance of responsible water use is essential. Education programs can empower communities to adopt practices that reduce water consumption.
• Research and Innovation: Investing in research and technology to develop innovative solutions for water treatment, desalination, and sustainable agriculture can contribute significantly to alleviating water scarcity.

The global water shortage crisis is a complex challenge that requires collective and immediate action. As the world navigates these challenging waters, it is imperative to implement sustainable practices, prioritize water conservation, and invest in solutions that address the root causes of water scarcity. Only through a concerted global effort can we hope to secure a sustainable future where water is abundant and accessible to all.

Source: Worldenvironment Magazine

Sargassum blooms cause a range of environmental problems, including coastal “dead zones” bereft of aquatic life. Past sargassum outbreaks have been linked to the excessive release of phosphorus and other chemical substances known as nutrients.  

Meeting the global phosphorus challenge will deliver food security and reduce pollution

Phosphorus and another nutrient, nitrogen, are key ingredients in synthetic fertilizers. They have become increasingly popular in recent decades but can have devastating effects when they enter lakes, rivers and the ocean. 

At the upcoming sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6), the world’s top decision-making body on the environment, delegates from UN Member States are expected to discuss how to advance global cooperation around nutrients. In particular, they are slated to explore ways to rein in excess phosphorus in the environment without compromising efforts to end hunger. This builds on work already done by Member States through past UNEA resolutions to decrease nitrogen pollution. 

“Reducing nutrient pollution and recovering nutrients, such as phosphorus, for reuse is a win-win both for the environment and human health,” says Leticia Carvalho, head of the Marine and Freshwater Branch at the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). “But to succeed, we need governments, scientists, the private sector and civil society to come together.”

Ahead of UNEA-6 discussions, here are some facts about phosphorus use and how the mineral can be better managed.

What is phosphorus and what are its main uses today? 

Discovered more than 350 years ago, phosphorus is an indispensable nutrient that helps plants to grow. Its primary use is in manufacturing synthetic fertilizer to increase crop yields, making it crucial to food security. Phosphorus is a key ingredient in animal feed and is also used to produce steel, food additives, electric car batteries, certain pesticides and household cleaning products.  

Where does phosphorus come from?

Phosphate rock is the main source of easily accessible phosphorus for manufacturing synthetic fertilizer and has been produced in large quantities since World War II. 

So, phosphorus reserves are limited?

Yes. The amount of phosphorus in the world is finite and there is a need to reduce how much of the mineral we are extracting. This can be done by making phosphorus mining and processing more efficient. Also important: optimizing how phosphorus is used in agriculture and recovering phosphorus from waste. 

Where does phosphorus pollution come from?

Agriculture is a major source of phosphorus pollution, both from the production of crops and raising of livestock. Phosphorus is also lost through sewage, food that is thrown away and other waste streams.

Why is too much phosphorus a bad thing?

Excess phosphorus, like the other key nutrient, nitrogen, depletes soils of their richness. It also pollutes lakes, rivers and the ocean in a process known as eutrophication. This leads to algal blooms which contaminate supplies of drinking water and create oxygen-starved dead zones, which can kill fish and other aquatic species. Phosphorus pollution is a prime driver of biodiversity loss and contributes to the degradation of ecosystems on which humanity depends. Eutrophication is estimated to cost the US economy alone US$2.2 billion annually.

Is the rate of phosphorus pollution increasing?

Yes. Globally, phosphorus losses from land to fresh waters have doubled in the last century and continue to increase. Despite large-scale efforts to reduce nutrient pollution, Carvalho said the release of phosphorus is already overwhelming the planet’s ability to cope. As much as 80 per cent of the mineral is lost or wasted during use. Along with the environmental fallout, that costs farmers, factory owners and others about US$265 billion a year.

“We’ve long since crossed the red line on phosphorus pollution and the effects on the Earth have been devastating,” says Carvalho. “If humanity continues down this path, we risk compromising countless ecosystems around the world.”

Does that mean humanity should just stop using phosphorus?

No. The key is for phosphorus to be used more sustainably and to prevent excessive amounts of it from seeping into the environment. There is a common misconception that the more phosphorus-based fertilizer used, the more crop yields will rise. This is not necessarily true. The key is to use the right amount, so that crops will still thrive and the environment will not suffer unduly.

How can humanity more sustainably use phosphorus?

Changes in agricultural practices can help reduce phosphorus pollution. The use of manure, for example, can lessen the need for phosphorus-based fertilizers. Farmers can also plant cover crops and avoid tilling the soil, which will improve soil health and reduce the need for fertilizer. These practices should be part of a larger shift towards regenerative agriculture, a more planet-friendly approach to farming that improves soil health and maintains biodiversity. 

As well, synthetic fertilizers should only be used at the stage when crops need phosphorus the most. The livestock sector must also explore ways of recovering phosphorus from manure.

Finally, wastewater discharges some 3 millions tonnes of phosphorus into the environment every year globally. Proper treatment could reduce the concentration of phosphorus and nitrogen in wastewater by at least 80 per cent. 

The solutions will require innovation—not just in technology but also in ways of working.  It will require cooperation within and across sectors that may not have traditionally worked together.

How much do we need to reduce phosphorus pollution by? 

A lot. The Our Phosphorus Future report calls for a 50 per cent reduction in global phosphorus pollution, coupled with a 50 per cent increase in the recycling of phosphorus lost in residues and wastewater by 2050. The report said that would bolster food security and improve water quality, among a host of other benefits.

What is UNEP doing to tackle phosphorus pollution?

UNEP hosts the Global Partnership on Nutrient Management, launched in 2009. It promotes effective nutrient management, particularly of nitrogen and phosphorus, to both achieve food security and protect the environment.

UNEP’s efforts to control the environmental fallout of phosphorus come amid a wider global effort to rein in pollution, which received a boost last year with the landmark Global Framework on Chemicals. Based around 28 targets, the framework sets out a roadmap for protecting people and the planet from harmful chemicals and waste. UNEP will manage a trust fund that will help implement the agreement.

As the leading global authority on the environment, UNEP is also helping countries implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, including Target 7, which addresses phosphorus. The framework calls for a 50 per cent reduction in excess nutrients lost to the environment by 2030 and for the risk from pesticides to be reduced by at least half.

Read more: https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/what-phosphorus-and-why-are-concerns-mounting-about-its-environmental-impact

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the custodian for three Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 indicators that help understand and prioritize the state of water bodies, including 6.3.2 (“Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality”).

To measure this, a new SDG Water Quality Hub was launched at the end of April to facilitate the UN’s broader 2023 Data Drive. The hub allows countries to view and compare the latest water quality data regionally and globally in order to prioritize action.

We asked Stuart Warner, a UNEP expert on country-based information for such data, to tell us more about the hub.

UNEP: What is the rationale for the data hub? Are you gathering information other than strictly indicator-related data?

Stuart Warner (SW):  

We know we have serious gaps in our data on water, and that water pollution is a particular concern because of the way in which it can degrade ecosystems and affect people’s health. The hub aims to maximize the value of the SDG water quality indicator, and make reporting on it as straightforward as possible. This is an ongoing process and functionality will evolve over time. Right now, we have focused on streamlining the reporting process, and creating a dashboard that allows users to compare their indicator score and their assessment approach with other countries.

Monitoring and assessing water quality are difficult given that it varies naturally over space and time. So by collecting information on the number of monitoring stations being used, the type of water bodies being monitored (rivers, lakes and groundwater), and how often monitoring is performed, we gain an idea of how extensive monitoring programmes are, and how robust the assessment process that uses these is likely to be. Using this information, we help countries develop both their water quality monitoring and assessment capacity.

Do you have plans to make the hub more relevant to a wider audience?

SW: Initially we have a very clear target audience in mind, but in future we hope to package additional data sources that countries can use to report, and that might be of interest to a wider audience. For example, there are global Earth observation products that can be packaged in a ready-to-use format. Also we are planning to add more capacity development products and water quality assessment tools over time.

We often hear of water pollution caused by fertilizer run-off, mining activities and wastewater. What about saltwater intrusion?

SW: One freshwater problem that receives little media coverage is salinization – the gradual increase in the salinity of a freshwater body. In coastal zones, especially in aquifers that are being exploited, salt water intrusion can be a real problem. But salts can affect surface waters too.

In Europe, the recent Oder River disaster – which resulted in the death of 360 tons of fish –created alarm because the cause of the fish kill could not initially be traced. Careful analysis and evidence gathering identified that the disaster was caused by a toxic algal bloom. Algal blooms are unfortunately becoming more frequent globally, but this event was particularly alarming because the species of algae in question Prymnesium parvum, usually blooms in brackish waters only. This devastating impact along 500 km of the Oder river was caused by multiple pressures coming together in a perfect storm. Industrial wastewater effluents in the catchment had probably raised salinity. Combined with this, high nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations provided the nutrients for the algae, and with simultaneous drought conditions, concentrated the pollution, leading to the toxic bloom and subsequent disaster.

This event is a warning for other countries and makes clear how important monitoring and assessments are to understand these threats. This is especially true in countries where monitoring data are limited or even in some cases unavailable: the results of the SDG indicator 6.3.2 data drive showed us that low-income countries reported on just 1,300 of the total 77,000 water bodies in 2020.

What are the main challenges to robust data gathering and reporting?

SW: Most challenges are around collecting water quality data. These include challenges around ensuring constant resources are available to maintain the collection of data [as] there are a whole chain of events needed to ensure those data make it through to the reporting phase. Any break in the chain means that data go unused, and considering the cost of collecting these data in the first place, this is a real problem. Building capacity around all stages of the monitoring, but also the assessment process, is critical.

What resources does UNEP have to support countries in data gathering and analysis?

SW: We work closely with countries to support them in freshwater quality data management. The GEMS/Water Data Centre and the GEMS/Water Capacity Development Centre specialize in providing this support. We also work closely with the World Water Quality Alliance to make sure we are not reinventing any wheels. Our goal is to improve national capacity around early warning of potential threats to water quality. This will improve climate resilience, especially in those countries that are predicted to be most impacted. As we saw in the Oder case, slow and long-term change can reach a threshold moment resulting in devastating impacts. Without sound and robust monitoring, we don’t know how close those thresholds are.

For further information, please contact Stuart Warner: stuart.warner@un.org

Read more: https://www.unep.org/technical-highlight/new-portal-aims-improve-water-quality-through-better-data

The tanks measure two metres tall. They collect rainwater and through a drip irrigation system, channel it to nearby fields brimming with tomatoes, peppers and sweet potatoes.

In an area increasingly plagued by drought, which has been linked to climate change, these tanks have become a lifeline for local farmers.

“Everybody I know faces the same challenge of reduced rain and less predictable rainfall,” says farmer Althea Spencer. Having the rainwater harvesting system in place “feels pretty good,” she adds.

The Mount Airy work is supported by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). It is part of a push by communities around the world to manage water more sustainably and to find novel sources of water, a quest that has involved everything from purifying sewage to seeding clouds. Those efforts are being driven by what experts say is a looming global water crisis, fed in part by climate change, that could leave two-thirds of humanity facing water stress by next year.

“Water scarcity has become a critical issue for an increasing number of countries,” says Leticia Carvalho, Principal Coordinator of UNEP’s Freshwater and Marine Branch. “Countries across the globe will therefore need to be more creative in the way they manage, conserve and secure water sources in the years to come. Using unconventional water sources wisely, and in harmony with nature, will be essential for accelerated progress on the Sustainable Development Goals.”

Water security is expected to be on the agenda when leaders meet in Nairobi, Kenya next month for the sixth session of the UN Environment Assembly, the world’s highest-level decision-making body on issues related to the environment.

Today, 2.4 billion people live in water-stressed countries, defined as nations that withdraw 25 per cent or more of their renewable freshwater resources to meet water demand.

Hard hit regions include Southern and Central Asia, and North Africa, where the situation is considered critical. Even countries with highly developed infrastructure, like the United States, are seeing water levels drop to record lows.

Along with climate change, the crisis is being fed by unchecked urbanization, rapid population growth, pollution and land development. Water shortfalls already affect everything from food security to biodiversity and in the coming years, they are poised to become more common.

By 2025, 1.8 billion people are likely to face what the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) calls “absolute water scarcity” and two-thirds of the global population is expected to be grappling with water stress.

Rethinking where to get water

Historically, most fresh water for drinking and sanitation has come from groundwater aquifers. But many are drying up due to overuse, longer dry seasons and drought. This is a heightened risk factor for small island developing states where freshwater is becoming increasingly threatened by salination as sea levels rise and degraded lands sink.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=R0XQ5q7CsR8%3Fenablejsapi%3D1%26origin%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.unep.org

In a bid to find water, countries are turning to more unconventional sources.

In some rural areas, including in Chile and Peru, communities are collecting water suspended in the air. Some of these systems use a fine mesh to trap tiny droplets of fog and syphon them into a reservoir.

Many communities are also looking at wastewater as a potential answer to water stress. A 2023 UNEP report found it could supply more than 10 times the water provided by the world’s current desalination plants. Wastewater is also a source of energy, nutrients and other recoverable materials, yet only 58 per cent of household wastewater is safely treated globally. Wastewater is often not reused due to fears about contagions, microplastics and antimicrobial drugs. But experts say with the right policies and technologies, wastewater can safely be given a second life.

In recent years, countries have started to embrace desalination, the process of removing salt from saltwater and filtering it to produce drinking water. According to a 2018 UN study there are 15,906 operational desalination plants producing around 95 million cubic metres a day of desalinated water for human use, of which 48 per cent is produced in West Asia and North Africa. The global dependence on desalination is predicted to grow rapidly in the coming years.

“Water scarcity has become a critical issue for an increasing number of countries, particularly in the Global South.” Leticia Carvalho, UNEP

Several nations, such as Bahamas, Maldives and Malta, meet all their water needs through desalination, and about half of Saudi Arabia’s drinking water comes from it. However, desalination requires hefty investment in piping and pumping infrastructure, while the fossil fuels normally used in the energy-intensive desalination process contribute to global warming. The toxic brine desalination produces also pollutes coastal ecosystems.

In their quest to find more water, countries are also looking to tap the atmosphere which is estimated to contain 13,000 cubic kilometres of water vapour. A growing number of countries are experimenting with cloud seeding, a technique in which clouds are sown with silver iodide to make them rain or snow. Nations from Australia to South Africa have invested in the technology, and China has one of the world’s most ambitious programmes. However, guardrails need to be put in place, say experts, to avoid unintended consequences, such as drought in other regions.

Opportunities and barriers

While nations search for new sources of fresh water, experts say communities also need to better manage the water they do have.

On that front, the biggest opportunity is in lessening water loss in agricultural systems by, for example, investing in drip irrigation. Experts also say cities, home to more than half the world’s people, must do a better job of stemming water losses, including from leaky pipes. In the United States, for example, more than 3.7 trillion litres of water are lost annually to faulty household plumbing.

“Using our existing water resources much more efficiently, while also tapping unconventional water sources has huge potential to improve lives and livelihoods,” said UNEP’s Carvalho. Policymakers in water-scarce countries need to “radically rethink” their water planning policies by adding unconventional sources of water to the mix, she added. “For this to happen quickly international financial support, along with science to guide the sustainability of various approaches is urgently needed,” she said.

For further information, please contact Lis Mullin Bernhardt: lis.bernhardt@un.org or Alex Pires: alex.pires@un.org

The sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) will be held from 26 February to 1 March 2024 at the UNEP headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, under the theme: Effective, inclusive and sustainable multilateral actions to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. Through its resolutions and calls to action, the Assembly provides leadership and catalyzes intergovernmental action on the environment.

Read more: https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/shortages-mount-countries-hunt-novel-sources-water