The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), founded in 1972, is an important environmental body within the UN. It supports 193 member states in achieving sustainable development and environmental goals in order to improve citizens’ quality of life. They do so by recommending sustainable strategies, organizing awareness campaigns, and encouraging partnership among nations to tackle challenges, such as climate change and pollution. 

Throughout history, UNEP has achieved success in a variety of environmental initiatives, such as protecting the ozone layer and signing a treaty to ban lead in fuel sources. They also work very closely with youth to train the next generation of leaders in environmental protection by funding research projects and awards. 

Through climate change, pollution, and other environmental challenges, wildlife and biodiversity are at a severe risk of extinction ; the rate is so high that approximately three species per hour are being driven towards extinction. While each country has unique and diverse species, this is a very prevalent global issue affecting almost every country in the world, from the US and Germany all the way to Senegal and India. 

One of the biggest topics of discussion is deforestation because it has directly resulted in extinction of species through reduced food supply and loss of habitat. Since the past 30 years, 420 million hectares of forest have been lost through conversion to other uses, such as infrastructure building. Ranked as one of the largest causes of wildlife extinction, it is crucial for countries to cooperate and address wildlife conservation using tangible solutions. 

Poaching has also grown significantly in recent years, affecting many countries around the world, including South Africa where rhinos have been hunted frequently. Syndicates have been responsible for illegal hunting of wildlife for valuable commodities, and often, the lack of strict poaching laws have only encouraged poachers to continue hunting without facing severe legal consequences. Nations will also need to consider how they can protect wildlife from poachers, especially when many of these individuals have no choice but to hunt and sell valuable, rare animals in order to survive poor economic conditions. 

In the past, countries have tried to implement wildlife conservation projects, with the goal of rescuing endangered animals, working with local communities on land preservation, and using tourism as a means of funding sources and educating people about wildlife conservation. However, things are not so simple, especially as these projects face criticism for a variety of reasons, such as lack of adequate funding, disagreements with local communities on strategies to conserve wildlife, and lack of enforcement for those that violate conservation laws. 

Given that there are a lot of environmental factors that can play a role in loss of biodiversity and wildlife, nations within UNEP must agree upon what specific points to prioritize in their resolution papers. One thing for sure is that wildlife face growing risks of extinction every year, and it is very important to learn from past failed projects and implement effective strategies for future initiatives. 

What role does technology play in wildlife conservation? 

Where will the funding for conservation projects come from, given that many projects in the past have been unsuccessful due to inadequate funding? 

How can countries ensure that law and order are being followed in order to protect wildlife against poaching? 

Because some nations are experiencing high population growth, how can member states balance growing demand for more housing and land with habitat protection?

Country rankings of wildlife conservation 

Poaching by Country 2024

Effectiveness of Zoos on Conservation

Agriculture is one of the most important industries in the world, responsible for feeding billions of people. Primary crops production has grown by 54% between 2000 and 2021, and with the world population expected to grow rapidly, sustainable agriculture has become the centre of discussion in order to sustain the increased demand for food. This is a specific type of farming that strikes a balance between profitability, environmental protection, and economic equity. 

Among many factors, pesticides play an important role in the agricultural world. Approximately 5.6 billion pounds of pesticides are used globally to protect crops from foreign pests ; however, part of sustainable agriculture involves deciding on how much to use and the type of chemicals used. While some farmers support pesticide use in order to maintain healthy farming conditions and protection from pests, others argue that the use of pesticides contributes to deteriorating human health and environmental pollution. Sustainable agriculture heavily depends on regulating pesticide use, so nations must take this into account when discussing the topic. 

Genetic diversity is also equally crucial in preserving sustainable agricultural practices. Oftentimes, farmers use an agricultural practice called monoculture where only 1 crop is planted to maximize profits, better yields, and specialize in production. On the contrary, many researchers believe that monoculture farms are not environmentally sustainable because planting the same crop species decreases soil fertility and increases risks of pests. The fine line between economic gains and environmental protection is one that nations in UNEP will have to negotiate on in order to promote sustainable agriculture. 

Ultimately, resolutions passed today on sustainable agricultural practices will ensure the future generations have adequate food supplies. With limited food resources, humanity could easily be placed at the brink of extinction if agricultural decisions are not made sustainability. 

What role does technology play in supporting sustainable agriculture? Specifically, in the context of genetically modified organisms, do they promote or harm sustainability and should they be considered as a potential solution to fund? 

How can countries address growing concerns of food insecurity and ensure fair distribution of food supplies in order to promote sustainable agriculture? 

Given the lack of funding and incentives for sustainable agriculture, where will nations generate revenue from to achieve long-term sustainability? 

Because the global population is rising rapidly, what farming strategies should be implemented to stabilize the increased demand for food? What role does the government play in regulating the agricultural industry?

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Report

Pillars and Objectives of Sustainable Agriculture

Food and Agriculture: The future of sustainability UNEP report