Latest news and events

On September 25th, 2025, the Model Forest Act Initiative (MoFAI) Roundtable and Consultations was organized in the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI) in Tokyo, Japan, organized by ADBI, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and UNEP. This event aimed to provide space for consultation with Japan’s forest stakeholders to inform the development of the model forest act. The event was participated by the President of the 30th meeting of the Conference of Parties under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, André Correa do Lago through video message, Chief Justice Antonio Herman

On 4 August 2025, a Roundtable Breakfast Meeting was organized by the Kenya Judiciary Academy (KJA) at the Sarova Panafric Hotel. The objective of the meeting was to explore and strengthen collaboration in the KJA’s Annual Calendar for FY 2025/2026, its inaugural Journal and Research Agenda, and the KJA Master Plan. UNEP presented the Montevideo Environmental Law Programme, shared areas of potential collaboration with the Academy, particularly in capacity building on carbon markets legislation and combating environmental crime. Organizers: Kenya Judiciary Academy (KJA)

The “Forest & Law” event was a dialogue among policymakers, judges and experts in celebration of the International Day of Forest. Participants explored innovative interdisciplinary and multistakeholder approaches to forest law reform, including introducing the Model Forest Act Initiative – A Global Partnership to improve the legal protection of native forests. Organizers: The Superior court of Justice of Brazil, the Judiciary of Brazil, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MMA) of Brazil, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Asian Development Bank (ADB), International Council of

On 17 and 18 February 2025, the 2nd Regional Judicial Dialogue on Environmental Justice and Climate Resilience in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region was held in Jakarta, Indonesia. The dialogue brought together approximately 35 Justices, Judges, legal experts, and stakeholders to address pressing environmental challenges in ASEAN, share procedural innovations, and contribute to developing a regional Guidebook on Environmental Case Procedures. Discussions emphasized gender-responsive and human rights-based approaches to environmental justice. Organizers: Raoul Wallenberg

On 5 February 2025, the Climate and Environmental Justice training for Leaders and Executives was held in Laos. It was held under the French Development Agency (AFD ) funded Judicial Services Training, Institutions and Capacity Enhancement (JuSTICE) Project together with the Lao PDR Ministry of Justice and People’s Supreme Court. UNEP provided technical contributions and expertise in environmental law to build the capacity of Laos government officers during the training. Institutions who participated in the training include the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), the Lao Bar Association (LBA), the

The national Summit on Sustainability and Environmental Law was held on 28-29November 2024, at Aziza Paradise Hotel, Puerto Princesa, Palawan. Justices, judges, government officials, legal practitioners, academicians, and environmental advocates from across the Philippine s gathered to discuss and share knowledge on various issues on ecology and climate crisis at the two-day Summit. During the Summit, UNEP provided technical assistance in the preparation of the rules of procedure for environmental cases. Organizers: The Supreme Court of the Philippines Recording Link: https://www.youtube.com

On November 15th, ADB, the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Global Judicial Institute on the Environment (GJIE), the World Commission on Environmental Law (WCEL), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the International Council of Environmental Law (ICEL) organized “The Model Forest Act Initiative (MoFAI): A Global Partnership to Improve the Legal Protection of Forests” Forest Pavilion side event. Legal experts, including General Counsel Clark, policymakers, and justices from different regions, discussed how the MoFAI can support countries in strengthening forest laws to tackle

UNEP co-organized a National Chinese Judicial Training and High-Level International Workshop on Environment Rule of Law and Green Development in China from 4 to 7 November 2024, organized together with the Supreme Court of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), and ClientEarth in Beijing and Chengdu, China. Over 300 Chinese environmental judges were trained on environmental law. Organizers: The Supreme People's Court of the People’s Republic of China, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and ClientEarth. (Photos: ClientEarth)

The Fourth National Legal Aid Conference on Climate Change and Access to Justice emphasized the integration of cultural, ethical, and traditional practices into environmental governance, enriching the understanding of justice beyond formal legal structures. It also developed strategies for a Climate Justice Framework tailored to vulnerable regions, with outcomes expected to influence a handbook on climate justice replicable across other regions. These efforts strengthen the role of environmental rule of law in addressing climate challenges. Organizers: United Nations Environment Programme

From 26 to 27 September 2024, the Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (RWI), together with the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) and the Thailand Institute of Justice (TIJ), convened a Regional Judicial Dialogue at the TIJ Training Center in Bangkok. The event brought together 29 judges and legal professionals from six ASEAN countries: Cambodia (2), Indonesia (2), Laos (2), Malaysia (4), the Philippines (9), and Thailand (10). During the event, UNEP presented the importance of the environmental rule of law, UNEP learning tools and an introduction to