Inger Andersen

Nairobi is where the future of multilateralism is being shaped. That was the message from @unitednations Secretary-General @antonioguterres as he joined us at UN headquarters here in Nairobi - the environmental capital of the world. It was an honour to welcome him, alongside @williamsamoeiruto President of Kenya, and Deputy Secretary-General @aminajmohammed as we broke ground on the new Assembly Hall and formally opened the new UNON office buildings. These moments reinforce a clear commitment: Africa - and Kenya - are central to the present and future of the United Nations. @unep is proud to have called Kenya home for the past 54 years. And as the Secretary-General shared during our Townhall meeting with the UN team, we are so fortunate to work in a place of extraordinary natural beauty as we continue advancing our work #ForPeopleForPlanet. I could not agree more!

Happy 100th birthday to the world's most beloved nature broadcaster! @unitednations Champion of the Earth Sir David Attenborough has devoted his life to documenting the bond between humanity and nature, and sharing it with the world. His work continues to inspire people of all ages to cherish and care for our planet. Thank you @davidattenborough for making millions of us fall in love with the natural world, and for fighting so tirelessly to protect it. Credit: @openplanetorg

Last week Central Asian countries showed what regional cooperation can achieve in the face of global environmental challenges.    At the Regional Ecological Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, discussions centered on the opportunity of action. Action on climate change, restoring degraded land, improving air quality, and protecting nature.    Because investing in the environment today means securing food, energy, and national security for tomorrow. It means safeguarding vital water resources like the Caspian Sea, protecting endangered species that journey across borders, and building circular economies that create new jobs and opportunities.    A strong thank you to everyone behind #RES2026 – from our 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan hosts, to all the brilliant volunteers, @unitednations partners across Central Asia, @uninkazakhstan , the media, and @unep colleagues working hard, #ForPeopleForPlanet.

Central Asian countries are facing the compounding impacts of climate change, nature, land and biodiversity loss, as well as rising pollution challenges. But countries in the region are stepping forward - showing ambition to secure a more resilient, sustainable future for their citizens. At the Regional Ecological Summit - #RES2026 - in Astana this week, three things stood out to me: 1️⃣ Shared challenges mean shared opportunities. Central Asian countries are working together, leaning in to deliver transboundary progress. 2️⃣ Circularity is the future. A circular economy supports resilience, new jobs and breaks the usual take, make, waste linear models. 3️⃣ Strong biodiversity collaboration between these nations, with the support of @unep , is already happening to ensure that all endangered species are protected before it is too late.

One of the great things about living in Nairobi and working at @unep is our extraordinary compound. At 140 ha, it is a compound exhibiting nature’s beauty and diversity. Gifted to UNEP by the Govt of Kenya in 1972, the place is the very essence of UNEP. A walk on the circular road that encompasses the compound is 2.5km, so I usually try to do two rounds. Today, in the early morning rain, the compound was exceptionally beautiful showing off its colors and vibrancy. Enjoy!

The science is clear: the health of people, animals and ecosystems is inseparable. Yet unsustainable practices are driving rising global health risks.     A One Health approach is not optional. Our safety, prosperity and future depend on it.     And why, this week in Lyon, France 🇫🇷, I joined partners to advance coordinated action for One Health.     ➡️ One Health Summit Hosted by President @emmanuelmacron on #WorldHealthDay, the Summit focused on delivering sustainable health across humans, animals, and ecosystems, with discussions addressing zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance and food safety – all to help ensure we prevent the next crisis before it begins.     That starts with the environment. Nearly 80% of the world’s population relies on traditional medicine, including plant‑based medicine. Conserving them is a global environmental and human health priority. ➡️ Fourth Quadripartite Executive Annual Meeting
  Alongside our friends at @fao , @who and @worldanimalhealth , the Quadripartite - a @unitednations partnership to accelerate One Health - met for our fourth executive meeting. As the impacts of climate change, biodiversity, land and nature loss, and pollution and waste, rapidly continue, the environment must remain at the core of One Health.     @unep will continue working with partners to protect the health of our future, #ForPeopleForPlanet.

A busy and productive visit to Brussels. Very grateful for the ongoing support of the European Commission and all @unep European partners. Even in complex geopolitical times, we cannot forget that the environment is the foundation to peace, prosperity, stability and a better tomorrow - for Europe and beyond. And the EU has shown action can be taken. That environmental security and human security go hand in hand. That smart environmental policies create jobs, sustain vibrant farming communities with healthy soil and clean water, and safeguard some of the most precious areas that define the very identify of European nations. Now is the time to continue ambitious action, guided by science to protect our environment and build a more sustainable, just future. UNEP looks forward to continuing our work together with all European partners, #ForPeopleForPlanet. 📸 credit: European Union / UNEP

A safer, more prosperous future depends on the choices we make for our environment today. That message has been at the core of my mission in Brussels this week, as I have met with a range of @unep partners.   A key moment has been the UNEP-European Commission High-Level Meeting. Co-hosted with @jessikaroswall , Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, this annual meeting is a chance for us to come together and align priorities, as well as address emerging environmental challenges.    Our discussions ranged across environmental issues, from the #BBNJ Agreement, securing a global #PlasticsTreaty to an effective water agenda. We also looked ahead to a significant year for environmental diplomacy, with negotiations all taking place under the “Rio Trio” conventions on land (@unccd ), climate (@unclimatechange ) and biodiversity (@unbiodiversity ) later this year.    Deeply grateful for the European Commission’s continued commitment to science-based policy and strong environmental multilateralism that delivers real benefits for people - from cleaner air and stronger resilience to greater food and energy security. And always great to see my good friend @teresaribera_ , European Commission Executive Vice-President. 📸 credit: European Union

Ongoing escalation of violence in parts of the Middle East is claiming civilian causalities, forcing communities to flee, damaging infrastructure, and creating widespread environmental impacts.    Attacks on oil facilities have been reported, including incidents taking place near and within cities such as Tehran. Heavy smoke from burning oil, which contains hazardous compounds, is now being directly inhaled by people in Iran – including young children – raising concerns about long-term risks to both human and environmental health. Existing water scarcity is worsening, raising further concerns about the region’s already strained water resources.    I echo @unitednations  Secretary-General, @antonioguterres , call  for an immediate cessation of hostilities.     @unep statement via link in bio.

As Women’s Month continues - we get more than a day! - we looked back at the young girls that would go on to shape @unep work. When we were all younger, we all questioned the world around us - why nature behaves as it does, how we can protect wildlife, and how we can care for the environment together.    As we grew up, our work took different routes - from technology to diplomacy, policy to science - but we were all committed to protect nature, #ForPeopleForPlanet.   And as you can see, my commitment to sustainable transport started from a young age...   Proud to work with the brilliant Elizabeth Mrema, @susan.cgardner , Andrea Hinwood, Jyoti Mathur-Filipp, Soomi Ro, Radhika Ochalik and Golestan (Sally) Radwan amongst many others.   Proud to work with the hundreds and hundreds of women across UNEP.   Proud to work alongside my fellow @unitednations colleagues, including @aminajmohammed , @kristalina.georgieva , @celestesaulo , Doreen Bogdan-Martin @ituofficial , Shaikha Al Nowais @unwto , Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, @iomchief , @rebecagrynspan , @wfpchief , @unicef Catherine Russell,  @executivedirector_unhabitat , @unwomen ’s Sima Sami and @unon_odg .   Proud to work alongside women ministers across the world.   Proud to stand with women environmental defenders.    As we know, women continue to hold up half the sky.

Agency. Equality under the law. Opportunities. Health. Access to education. These are the foundations of a gender-equal, sustainable future. On #InternationalWomensDay we celebrate the women around the world whose knowledge, leadership, and commitment for nature is helping shape this better future #ForPeopleForPlanet. I am often asked what advice I would give to other women or who inspires me. So, I answered some quick questions from the @unep team. My advice? Never be intimidated. Your voice matters. What advice would you give to your younger self? Who inspires you the most? Share your thoughts below.

Our planet. Our purpose. Even amid global tensions, 2025 was a year in which nations showed that environmental multilateralism is the beacon that rises high above the fog of geopolitical differences to rally the world in united action. But as the new @unep 2025 Annual Report shows, environmental action can deliver major economic and public health benefits. UNEP remains at the centre of these global efforts to tackle climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, land degradation and desertification, and pollution and waste – and create a better and more resilient future #ForPeopleForPlanet. Read the report on UNEP.org.