United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA)

In the first UNEA on 23-27 June 2014, the environment ministers adopted a Ministerial Outcome Document calling for the achievement of "an ambitious, universal implementable and realizable Post-2015 Development Agenda" that integrated all the dimensions of sustainable development for "the protection of the environment and the promotion of inclusive social and economic development in harmony with nature." This agenda is embodied in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Other commitments are in the form of resolutions adopted during the UNEA Sessions, which are also aligned with the UN SDGs.

In the first and second sessions of the UN Environment Assembly, draft resolutions on major issues of illegal trade in wildlife, air quality, environmental rule of law, financing the Green Economy, the Sustainable Development Goals, and "delivering on the environmental dimension of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development" were discussed and adopted. In 2014, the UNEA adopted a Ministerial Outcome Document that called for the achievement of "an ambitious, universal implementable and realizable Post-2015 Development Agenda" that integrated all the dimensions of sustainable development for "the protection of the environment and the promotion of inclusive social and economic development in harmony with nature."
In the 2nd UN Environment Assembly (UNEA 2) in 2016, Philippine DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje was elected into the UNEA Bureau, as one of two Vice-Presidents (VP) for Asia Pacific states, the other VP being from Iran. The UNEA Bureau provides assistance to the UNEA President in the conduct of the business of the Assembly. The Bureau is composed of 10 Ministers of the Environment for a term of two years, and follows geographical rotations. In UNEA 2, the discussions focused on delivering on the environmental dimension of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the inextricable link between environment and human health.
The 3rd UNEA (UNEA 3) was held on 4-7 December 2017 with the theme, "Towards a pollution-free planet" and five sub-themes: Water Pollution, Land Pollution, Marine Pollution, Air Pollution, and Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste. UNEA 3 adopted a Ministerial Declaration, 11 resolutions and three decisions, calling for accelerated action and strengthened partnerships on the following: combating the spread of marine plastic litter and microplastics; eliminating exposure to lead paint and promoting environmentally sound management of used lead-acid batteries; environment and health; improving air quality globally; pollution control by mainstreaming biodiversity into key sectors; addressing water pollution to protect and restore water-related ecosystems; managing soil pollution to achieve sustainable development; and pollution prevention and control in areas affected by terrorist operations and armed conflicts
The Philippine government submitted two draft resolutions for discussion and consideration by UNEA 3, namely:
(1) "Calling for the Synchronization of Objectives and Activities, especially the Conduct of Meetings of the Conferences of Parties (COP) / Governing Bodies, of Multilateral Environmental Agreements and Protocols for Efficient Implementation and Monitoring of the Agenda 2030 and for Cost Reduction and Effective Participation of UN Member States" this was tabled for further discussion and study by a UNEA committee.
(2) "On Strengthening Health and Environmental Action in Asia and the Pacific and Supporting the Initiatives of the Asia-Pacific Regional Forum on Health and Environment (APRFHE)" - This was submitted by the DENR, as co-chair of the APRFHE and member state of the UNEA, with the concurrence of the Department of Health. This resolution was consolidated with the European Community's version, together with inputs from other countries. This was adopted by UNEA 3 as Resolution 3/4 on Environmental Health. Established in 2004, the APRFHE in its original charter had the vision "to safeguard and enhance health and the environment, thereby promoting development that reduces poverty." The forum consists of the ministers of both health and environment of states in the Asia Pacific, with support from UNEP and the World Health Organization. It is held every three years, to set the overall policy direction of the Forum, while the high-level officials of the member states meet every 18 months to deal with policies, strategies, budgets and plans. The Forum adds value to the ongoing efforts of countries and other regional and sub regional bodies in addressing environment and health issues. The Philippines hosted the Regional Forum took place in Manila in 2016 wherein the Manila Declaration was signed by the members of the forum (http://www.wpro.who.int/entity/apac_rfhe/en/). This was used as a jump-off point in the drafting of a resolution on environment and health that was submitted to UNEA 3.

The DENR promoted the theme of UNEA 3 by producing a blog site where people can write blogs of what they are doing to contribute to reduce pollution in the planet.

UNEA 4 was held in March 2019 with the theme "Innovative solutions for environmental challenges and sustainable consumption and production." The discussion focused on (a) environmental challenges related to poverty and natural resource management, including sustainable food systems, food security and halting biodiversity loss; (b) life cycle approaches to resource efficiency, energy and chemicals and waste management; and (c) innovative sustainable business development in a time of rapid technological change.