UNEA gives UNEP more powers to lead war on pollution

The UN Environmental Assembly (UNEA) has given United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) the mandate to lead in activities aimed improving air quality globally.
"UNEA member states have called on governments to give priority in reducing pollutions in world cities to help reduce the number of deaths that currently stands at seven million people per year," UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner told a news conference in Nairobi on Friday.
Steiner said UNEP has also been given a mandate to come up with ways of eradicating over 100,000 chemical substances that have environment and health negative impact in the world.
"We are also going to take charge of marine liters and plastics that has been affecting the marine life in the world," he added.
Member states and civil society alike are concerned that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Post-2015 Agenda do not become an "unfunded" mandate.
"Inequality, poverty and environment are linked and require a business unusual approach for the success of the goals," UN Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator Hellen Clark noted.
Clark called on countries to put their country specific goals aside and unite in achieving the new goals.
The European Commission Commissioner for Environment Janez Potocnik noted that UNEP should play an important role in setting the post 2015 development agenda.
"Nature provides solutions and that sustainable development cannot be achieved without well functioning ecosystems," Potocnik said.
The delegates recognized that SDGs was a universal concern, and that developed countries should provide leadership in promoting the shift.
The environmental experts are also discussing the architecture for financing sustainable development after 2015 and approval of UNEP's bi-annual budget given that UNEPs mandate has expanded lately.
UNEA conference is set to end on Friday and will be officially closed by the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon.