India strengthens global environmental partnerships at UNEP-7 in Nairobi

New Delhi/Nairobi: India deepened its environmental and climate partnerships with Russia, Kenya, and Norway on the sidelines of the 7th UN Environment Assembly (UNEP-7) in Nairobi, where Minister of State for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh held a series of high-level bilateral meetings.

During his meeting with Mr. Dmitri Tetenkin, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation, the leaders discussed enhanced cooperation in climate action, sustainable resource management, forest fire management, and falcon conservation.

Both sides reiterated their commitment to strengthening bilateral environmental cooperation under the framework of the ‘Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership’ shared by India and Russia.

Mr Singh affirmed that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India remains dedicated to advancing joint efforts toward a sustainable planet.

In another engagement, the Miister met Mr. John Ololtuaa, Principal Secretary, State Department of Tourism of Kenya, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife.

The talks reviewed the expanding India–Kenya cooperation in wildlife conservation, including the MoU on Wildlife Management signed earlier this year.

The discussions explored new avenues for joint efforts in sustainable wildlife protection. Singh also expressed hope for the early signing of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) framework agreement by Kenya, one of its founding members.

Both sides also noted the rise in tourism linkages and discussed ways to further enhance tourism flows between the two countries.

Mr Kirti Vardhan also held discussions with H.E. Mr. Andreas Bjelland Eriksen, Minister of Climate and Environment of Norway, focusing on strengthening bilateral cooperation in climate action, marine litter prevention, and sustainable ocean management.

He emphasized that India looks forward to deepening this partnership in pursuit of a cleaner, greener, and more resilient future.

The series of meetings highlighted India’s proactive engagement at UNEP-7 and its commitment to forging stronger international partnerships to address global environmental challenges.

The seventh session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) kicked off on Monday in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, bringing together Ministers of Environment, intergovernmental organizations, across the globe to advance solutions for a resilient planet through multilateralism.

This year’s Assembly will be negotiating 15 draft resolutions on issues ranging from saving the world’s glaciers to reining in massive seaweed blooms and reducing the environmental impact of artificial intelligence.

While not legally binding, UNEA-7 resolutions help countries find common ground and have in the past laid the groundwork for precedent-setting international agreements.

The UN Environment Assembly is the world’s highest decision-making body on the environment, its membership includes all 193 UN Member States.

It meets biennially to set priorities for global environmental policies; decisions and resolutions then taken by Member States at the Assembly also define the work of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).