Nairobi, 28 February 2022 – Today is the start of the resumed fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) where the aim will be focused on “strengthening actions for nature to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals”, alongside the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

There is also a key decision pending by the member states on a Nexus Resolution that proposes to examine the interlinkages between the Environment and Animal Welfare for Sustainable Development as a crosscutting topic between the protection of biodiversity, the climate crisis and global health.

FOUR PAWS, the global animal welfare organisation, has been granted observer status for the key event.

Pfabigan also spoke of the necessity to get the resolution over the line, stating, “The resolution sets out to acknowledge that there is a link between the environment and animal welfare in the context of sustainable development. It is an important step by the United Nations agency to consider the idea that the environment has interlinkages to animal welfare.

“The exploitation and abuse of animals is a key driver in the triple environmental crises of biodiversity loss climate change and pollution. We have connected the dots, we have the facts, but we are ignoring the solutions. This week there must be the political will to push major reform that can stop the irreversible damage and destruction caused by climate change. This week we have that chance to make a generational shift in policy to protect the people, the planet, and the animals.”