Asia-Pacific Environment Leaders Call for Urgent Action to Build a Resilient Planet
Over 300 delegates from 33 countries gathered in Nadi, Fiji, from 26–29 August 2025, for the Sixth Forum of Ministers and Environment Authorities of Asia-Pacific. For the first time, this high-level event was hosted in the Pacific subregion, jointly organized by the Government of Fiji and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The Forum provided a critical platform for regional leaders to advance sustainable solutions and strengthen resilience against environmental challenges.
Triple Planetary Crisis in Focus
Urgent action on climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution dominated the agenda. Ministers underscored the need for science-based solutions, innovative financing mechanisms, and enhanced regional cooperation to address these interconnected crises.
“Environmental stewardship is no longer just an ethical responsibility—it is a legal one. And it is one the Asia-Pacific must now lead with confidence, clarity, and credibility,” emphasized Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica.
Preparing for UNEA-7
Delegates endorsed the Chair’s Summary, highlighting regional priorities that will be brought to the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) in Nairobi this December under the theme “Advancing Sustainable Solutions for a Resilient Planet.”
Elizabeth Mrema, UNEP’s Deputy Executive Director, reminded participants:
“Both the United Nations Environment Assembly and this Regional Forum are vital examples of environmental multilateralism and leadership. Our collective response must be solution-oriented, tangible, and firmly grounded in science.”
Draft Resolutions and Regional Initiatives
Member states introduced five draft resolutions to shape UNEA-7 discussions:
Accelerating circular economy strategies (Republic of Korea)
Promoting coral reef resilience (Fiji)
Enhancing youth participation in climate action (Sri Lanka)
Strengthening synergies in MEA implementation (Japan)
Managing wildfires (India)
Additionally, Tuvalu announced plans to submit resolutions on climate displacement and sea level rise, underscoring the existential threats faced by small island nations.
Voices of Courage and Youth Leadership
Ahead of the Forum, the Asia-Pacific Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum emphasized accountability. Fiji’s Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, Lenora Qereqeretabua, delivered a powerful reminder:
“We are not convened for ceremony, but for courage... We will no longer accept delay disguised as diplomacy or promises without pathways.”
Youth voices were also front and center. Eparama Qerewaqa, representing UNEP’s Children and Youth Major Group, called for the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment to be enshrined in domestic law, highlighting the need for intergenerational leadership.
A Collective Call for Action
The Forum concluded with a united call to accelerate the implementation of UNEA resolutions, raise ambition in climate and adaptation plans, and strengthen cooperation on shared priorities such as:
Ocean protection
Plastic pollution
Air quality improvement
Sustainable resource use
Special attention was given to the unique vulnerabilities of small island and mountainous states, where climate impacts are most severe. Delegates reaffirmed the importance of circular economy models, innovative financing, and science-based strategies as catalysts for transformative change.
Building Momentum for a Resilient Future
The Sixth Forum showcased the Asia-Pacific region’s determination to lead with urgency and innovation. As the world prepares for UNEA-7, the message from Fiji is clear: only bold, united, and science-driven action can deliver a sustainable and resilient planet for future generations.
