The election took place during the assembly’s closing session on 12 December, in Nairobi, Kenya. Libya’s Minister of Environment in the Government of National Unity and Chair of the African Ministers of Environment Council, Ibrahim Al-Arabi Al-Muneer, was elected Vice President of the current session.
The voting process saw broad international participation, with more than 90 environment ministers and around 60 deputy ministers in attendance. According to Libya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Libya secured the position with little opposition, despite competition from Ethiopia, which had launched intensive diplomatic efforts to win the post. The outcome, the ministry said, reflects the level of international support Libya received during the vote.
During the assembly, Libya reaffirmed its commitment to the principles and objectives of UNEA and its intention to play an active role in implementing international environmental agreements. These include the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and international conventions aimed at combating desertification.
Libya also stressed its continued efforts to adopt and implement national plans focused on sustainable management of natural resources and reducing pollution in all its forms, particularly in coastal areas facing increasing pressure from the impacts of climate change.
In its closing statement, Libya underlined its keenness to strengthen international partnerships to support African environmental protection efforts and to develop accessible financing mechanisms that would enable the most environmentally vulnerable countries to implement effective adaptation and response programs.
(Libya observer)