The World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO) joined UNEA-7 in Nairobi, bringing farmers’ priorities into global environmental discussions and strengthening engagement on climate, nature, and biodiversity.

From 8 to 12 December 2025, a delegation of the World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO) participated in the seventh session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) at the headquarters of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Nairobi, Kenya, bringing the perspective of the global farming community into one of the most influential spaces for environmental decision-making.

Held under the theme “Advancing sustainable solutions for a resilient planet,” the Assembly guided global discussions and negotiations on environmental action at a time of increasing pressure on ecosystems, food systems, and rural livelihoods.

The United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA), which brings together representatives from 193 Member States, is the world’s highest-level decision-making body on environmental matters. Meeting every two years, it sets the global environmental agenda, provides overarching policy guidance, and defines policy responses to address key environmental challenges.

Representing WFO, a delegation from its member organisation, the Kenya National Farmers’ Federation (KENAFF) — including James Thiaine Imwonyo, Facilitator of the WFO Working Group on Nature and Biodiversity, Valary Otieno from the WFO Gymnasium Programme, Lilian Wambua, and Lily Tanui — participated in UNEA-7 to strengthen WFO engagement in global discussions on climate, nature, and biodiversity, and to advocate for stronger recognition of farmers’ voices in multilateral environmental processes.

 While agriculture and food systems received limited direct attention across the formal UNEA-7 agenda, the Assembly nonetheless offered important entry points for farmer-related issues. The Ministerial Declaration endorsed during UNEA-7 included a commitment to accelerating the transition towards sustainable food systems, while agriculture featured indirectly across several resolutions addressing issues such as chemicals and waste management, antimicrobial resistance, wildfires, and emerging technologies. These discussions reinforced the need to better integrate farmers’ perspectives into global environmental decision-making.

During UNEA-7, KENAFF also contributed to the official side event titled “Scaling Soil Health for People, Nature, and Climate.” In line with the WFO Policy on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity and Natural Resources (2024), Lily Tanui underscored that farmers, who manage more than one-third of the world’s land, are essential stewards of biodiversity and drivers of local economies. Her intervention highlighted practical solutions, calling for farmer-centred approaches to improving land management, greater access to soil testing, the inclusion and support of youth, the development of payment for ecosystem services (PES) and market opportunities, and the integration of land management considerations into subsidy reforms.

Looking ahead, the Assembly drew attention to several key international milestones, including preparations for COP7, to be held in Yerevan, Armenia, in October 2026, updates on UNCCD COP17, to be hosted by Mongolia, and the UN decision to designate 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists. Together, these processes offer important opportunities for WFO to further strengthen the visibility of farmers and reinforce their role in delivering resilient solutions for climate, nature, and biodiversity.

Overall, UNEA-7 provided a valuable platform for WFO to nurture collaboration within the Farmers’ Major Group, engage with the UNEP Secretariat and Member States, and reaffirm the essential role of farmers in shaping sustainable agriculture and resilient food systems, ensuring that their priorities continue to be brought to the forefront of global environmental governance.

Cover photo: ©United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)