"UN Votes To Take First Step Toward A Global Environment Pact"

"UNITED NATIONS — The U.N. General Assembly voted Thursday to take a first step toward establishing a Global Pact for the Environment, a decision the United States opposed.

The 193-member world body approved the resolution on a vote of 143-5 with seven abstentions. The U.S. was joined in voting against the resolution by Russia, Turkey, Syria and the Philippines.

The resolution asks Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to produce a report for the next General Assembly session starting in September that identifies and assesses possible gaps in international environmental law and related legal instruments. It also establishes a working group to discuss possible options for addressing any gaps with a view to making recommendations to the assembly in 2019 that could include holding a conference “to adopt an international instrument.”"

Edith M. Lederer reports for the Associated Press May 10, 2018.