Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman is currently hosting the regional preparatory meeting for West Asian countries in preparation for participation in the deliberations of the seventh session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7).

According to Oman News Agency, the assembly is scheduled to be held from 8-12 December 2025 in Nairobi, aiming to unify regional perspectives and promote sustainable environmental solutions under the theme “Strengthening Sustainable Solutions for a Resilient Planet.”

This two-day meeting, organized by the Environment Authority in cooperation with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Regional Office for West Asia, is taking place in Muscat as part of a series of regional preparations coordinated by UNEP.

The meeting reviewed updates on the preparations for the seventh session and discussed key themes, including the readiness of West Asian countries for the session and their perspectives on the draft ministerial declaration slated for adoption next December, as well as the proposed draft resolutions and their implementation mechanisms. It also aimed to identify shared regional priorities aligned with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

The meeting addressed logistical arrangements for the seventh session and the outcomes of previous regional meetings, such as those of the Council of Arab Ministers Responsible for Environmental Affairs and the meetings of ministers and heads of environmental bodies in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Discussions also covered the Medium-Term Strategy (2026-2027) and the Programme of Work for UNEP.

The meeting is expected to conclude with unified recommendations that reflect the region’s priorities in areas such as the circular economy, environmental governance, knowledge and technology transfer, in addition to enhancing regional cooperation, supporting the implementation of the environmental dimensions of the Sustainable Development Goals, and advancing relevant global and regional directions.