The first United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) was held from 23-27 June in Nairobi, Kenya with the aim of informing ongoing discussions to formulate a set of targets and indicators to succeed the Millennium Development Goals.

Speaking at a side event focusing on the Future Earth initiative, Cheikh Mbow from the World Agroforestry Centre outlined how science tends to operate in silos, which makes the need for greater interaction among scientists and with policymakers and local communities vital for a transition towards sustainability. He spoke about the important role of Future Earth in promoting the co-design, co-production and co-development of science to support decision making.

Future Earth is a 10-year international research initiative that will develop the knowledge for responding effectively to the risks and opportunities of global environmental change and for supporting transformation towards global sustainability.

“There is a need to move from consultation towards collaboration,” said Farooq Ullah, Executive Director, Stakeholder Forum, outlining how science must moves from one-way data collection to a more collaborative research process based on dialogue.

Hosted by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the assembly involved 40 events and brought together over 1,000 participants, including environment ministers, government delegates and representatives of major groups and stakeholders.

Other side events discussed how Africa’s economic growth can move towards sustainability such as through adding value to agricultural produce and other products, supporting rural and urban producers and encouraging private sector involvement. Challenges such as land grabs, lack of an enabling environment, climate change and corruption were also discussed. Existing and emerging data collection and sharing initiatives were discussed.

Find out more about the UN Environment Assembly

Find out more about Future Earth