WELCOME TO THE LATEST EDITION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE UPDATE. THIS QUARTELY UPDATE HIGHLIGHTS UNEP'S LAW DIVISION ACTIVITIES FROM JANUARY TO MARCH 2024.
Introduction
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is dedicated to fostering global cooperation in environmental stewardship through addressing the triple planetary crisis. Within this framework, the Law Division is positioned as a thought leader and can support countries in strengthening environmental law and governance. We are mandated to strengthen legal frameworks, and support countries in fulfilling their environmental commitments, thereby ensuring a better quality of life for present and future generations. This update offers a reflection on the Law Division's role in addressing environmental issues. As the principal Division tasked with implementing UNEP's mandates relevant to environmental rule of law, governance, and policy, it can support the global efforts to enhance environmental protection and promote sustainable development.
An Autumn of Negotiations
UNEP Law Division plays an important role and is active in supporting negotiations and processes in the context of various Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) and other instruments and platforms.
- Advice on procedural questions was provided to the Resumed Second part of the fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP15-Resumed), in Nairobi, Kenya, from 19-20 October 2023.
- During the 35th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer (MOP 35) that was held from 23-27 October 2023, UNEP Law Division actively participated both in the preparation phase and during key parts of the meeting, which discussed issues related to the implementation of the Montreal Protocol. In particular, members of the Unit provided advise to the Secretariat on numerous procedural issues relating to, among others, credentials, quorum, and the voting procedures.
- The last quarter in 2023 also saw the convening of the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the UNFCCC held from 29 November to 14 December 2023, the division, providing assistance on procedural matters, including the preparation of elections, a credentials report and voting procedures.
- The division equally assisted the UNEP Regional Office for Africa, in preparing an informal meeting of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) at the sidelines of COP28.
- The division was actively engaged in the preparations and conduct of the sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6), held from 26 February to 1 March 2024 from the initial stages of the negotiation process, provided legal input to technical notes, commentaries, draft resolutions and decisions.
Human Rights Council 55th Session: Clarifying Norms in Human Rights and Conservation
On 8 March 2024 during the 55th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) UNEP organised a side event on Clarifying Norms in Conservation and Human Rights. The event was co-sponsored by 17 organizations, including other UN entities, Indigenous Peoples organizations, conservation organizations and conservation funders. The event convened representatives of conservation organizations and funders, as well as Professor John Knox and David Boyd, the then Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment. The event was part of the ongoing work of UNEP to clarify human rights norms applicable to conservation actors such as conservation funders and organizations.
New mandate-holders
The Human Rights Council appointed two new mandate holders: Astrid Puentes as the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to clean, healthy and sustainable environment, and Elisa Morgera as the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change.
Briefing on Human Rights and the Environment
On the margins of the 55th HRC session, an informal briefing on human rights and the environment, convened by OHCHR and UNEP, on 12 March 2024, garnered significant interest. The objective of the briefing was to disseminate information about the joint efforts and collaboration between OHCHR and UNEP in addressing the human rights-environment nexus and to advance the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. The session highlighted recent developments related to human rights and the environment, including the outcomes from key intergovernmental conferences, such as the 6th UN Environment Assembly (UNEA), the 28th Conference of the Parties of UNFCCC (COP28), among others. Additionally, joint activities between OHCHR and UNEP were outlined. The discussions informed participants about the UN system efforts to promote human rights relating the environment. They also sought to enhance OHCHR and UNEP’s joint strategies and priorities in addressing human rights and the environment. Information about the event can be accessed here.
UNEA-6 Green room meeting on advancing the right to a Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment
On 26 February 2024 during UNEA 6, UNEP, in collaboration with other partners, organized a Green Room meeting on Advancing the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable Environment. The event benefitted from a full room that saw the participation of member states, Environmental Human Rights Defenders, Indigenous Peoples and Civil Society organizations. Among the speakers were child advisers, state representatives, Indigenous rights activists, and the Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights. Overall, the meeting focused on addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution by integrating rights-based approaches into environmental policy frameworks and emphasizing collective action to tackle these challenges.
18th meeting of the Green Customs Initiative Partners in Brussels
The Green Customs Initiative (GCI) partners held their eighteenth annual meeting, hosted by the World Customs Organisation, in Brussels on February 7–8, 2024. This meeting was opportune given the theme for the 2024 International Customs Day on January 26, 2024, Customs Engaging Traditional and New Partners with Purpose, as well as the subsequent Sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly, that dedicated a day to discussions on multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs). During the meeting, the partners shared important issues that arose in the context of the MEAs, such as recent decisions of the MEAs governing bodies and developments related to relevant processes such as prior informed consent procedures, risk profiling, and standard procedures. Partners also agreed on a joint work plan for the year 2024.
The GCI annual partners meeting was preceded by the eighth meeting of the Environmental Network for Optimizing Regulatory Compliance on Illegal Traffic (ENFORCE) convened by the secretariat to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, on February 5–6, 2024. ENFORCE is a network of relevant experts, to promote parties’ compliance with the provisions of the Basel Convention pertaining to preventing and combating illegal traffic in hazardous wastes and other wastes through the better implementation and enforcement of national law. Most GCI partners have a member or observer status with ENFORCE, and UNEP is an observer. Represented by the Law Division, UNEP explored new partnerships to combat the trafficking of hazardous waste.
The outcomes of both meetings underscored the power of collaboration in advancing global MEAs compliance efforts
Green Customs Conference for the East Africa Community
The Green Customs Initiative, in collaboration with the Kenya School for Revenue Administration, convened a Green Customs Conference for the East African region on January 24–25, 2024. Participants were drawn from Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, Somalia and South Sudan, comprising customs officers and representatives from environmental authorities. They were informed of trends in the illegal trade of environmentally sensitive commodities within the region, the results of global Operation DEMETER IX, and an overview of relevant trade related MEAs. Additionally, country representatives had an opportunity to share and learn from each other regarding national experiences, gaps, and challenges on enforcement of MEAs. The Kenya School of Revenue Administration (KESRA) introduced its green customs curriculum (under development) with the aim of promoting replication of similar curriculums in the region. Further, the conference considered the trade facilitation element of MEAs implementation, with a session dedicated to this topic. The conference culminated in proposed elements for a regional green customs action plan, that would be championed through the East African Community secretariat.
This conference was held back-to-back with expert consultations on developing a model e-waste regulatory framework for countries in the East African Community, on 22 and 23 January 2024. Both meetings provided an opportunity to promote UNEP’s activities under the GCI, The Montevideo Programme V and the joint UNODC-UNEP Unwaste project.
UNEP Facilitates Bilateral Workshops on Air Quality Management Legislation
On request of the Pollution Control Department (PCD) of the Government of Thailand, UNEP Law Division and UNEP Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific convened two bilateral workshops on Law and Regulation Air Quality Management with the Governments of Singapore (the National Environment Agency) and Indonesia (Ministry of Environment and Forestry) in March 2024. The purpose of the workshops was to share national experiences in Singapore and Indonesia on developing and implementing national air quality legislation, particularly on the management of transboundary air pollution. UNEP moderated the sessions and gave expert input and guidance on designing national air quality legislation. PCD plans to use lessons learned from these discussions to shape the finalisation of Thailand’s Clean Air Act.
The 5th Scientific Conference on Environmental Law in MENA Universities
UNEP supported the 5th Scientific Conference of the Association of Environmental Law Lecturers in Middle East and North African (MENA) Universities (ASSELLMU), which took place in Sohar, Oman on February 19 and 20, 2024, with the theme Environmental Law and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: Legislation towards a Sustainable Economy in the MENA Region. To promote environmental law education in the region, UNEP Law Division has been supporting the establishment and yearly conferences of ASSELLMU since 2016. The conference brought together a range of academics and legal practitioners and provided a platform for rich discussions on environmental law developments in MENA. UNEP Law Division representatives participated as experts with interventions, emphasizing the importance of strengthening environmental rule of law to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the region and globally; and with the presentation of a conference paper addressing the role of the textile industry and permitting systems in the region in accelerating the environmental dimensions of the SDGs.
Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) 148th Assembly
In the framework of a long-standing partnership and cooperation with the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), UNEP Law Division contributed to the Workshop on Strengthening climate legislation: Practical tools for parliamentarians held on Monday, March 25, 2024, during the IPU 148th Assembly (Geneva, Switzerland, 23–27 March 2024). The Law Division had an opportunity to provide an overview of the work under the Montevideo Environmental Law Programme, the intergovernmental programme that serves as the vehicle for all UNEP activities to promote, implement, and strengthen environmental rule of law worldwide. This included, in particular, the Law and Climate Change Toolkit, developed by UNEP and several partners, including the Secretariat to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which is a practical digital tool for policymakers and lawmakers to strengthen climate legislation.
UNEA-6 Side Event - Greening Customs for People, Planet and Prosperity: The Case of Waste Management
On 29 February 2024, the Green Customs Initiative (GCI), in collaboration with the Secretariat to the Basel Convention on Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (BRS Secretariat), held a side event during the sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly, in Nairobi. The event entailed a panel discussion around the role of customs officers in ensuring compliance with trade related MEAs on hazardous waste, good collaboration practices between national authorities and with relevant international and regional entities, as well as concrete measures to improve monitoring and enforcement of environmental regulations relating to transboundary movement of hazardous waste. The panelists were drawn from the BRS secretariat, national environmental authorities and customs administrations. The event served to raise awareness of customs on how to combat illegal trade in environmentally sensitive commodities and to advance the environmental dimension of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Launch of the Pro Environmental Youth Toolkit
On December 1, 2023, in Nairobi, we launched the Africa’s edition of the Pro-environmental Youth toolkit created by youth for youth living in Africa providing hands-on guidance on how to take sustainable action and engage in eco-friendly behavior on four different levels: individual, local & national, international and (social media) communication levels. This groundbreaking initiative reflected the vibrancy, innovation, and commitment of Africa's youth towards environmental sustainability. The toolkit was developed by young African authors as part of the Youth Environmental Transformation Initiative (YETI)
Strengthening science policy inputs to key climate change reports
UNEP Law Division reviewed and provided comments on the 2023 Adaptation Gap report (AGR), Emissions Gap Report (EGR) and the International Resources Panel (IRP). Additionally, the division provided inputs to considerations on strengthening policy issues for 2024 reports. It is expected that UNEP Law Division will collaborate with the authors during the preparation of 2024 reports.
Consultations with MEAs and Scientific Panels
UNEP Law Division convened a brainstorming meeting, 'Unpacking Policy Coherence in Environmental Governance' on 16 - 17 November 2023 in Geneva, Switzerland. This two-day consultative workshop on Policy coherence for strengthening Environmental Governance brought together stakeholders, including colleagues from MEA Secretariats, scientific panels, experts, and UNEP affiliates, striving to link environmental governance as a key enabler to achieve sustainable development. Through collaborative efforts, the meeting yielded invaluable insights into the gaps and hurdles hindering SPI enhancement. As an outcome, a comprehensive set of forward-looking options for future initiatives emerged, bringing forth a new era of effective action and collaboration in the realm of science policy interfaces. The outcomes of the consultation informed the preparation of the information document for the UNEA 6 Leadership Dialogue on Strengthening Science Policy Interfaces for Effective Implementation of Environmental Commitments.
Leadership Dialogue on Science Policy Interfaces (UNEA 6)
UNEP Law Division led organization of a Leadership Dialogue on Strengthening Science Policy interfaces for effective implementation of environmental commitments held on 28th February 2024 as a part of MEAs Day event. With 6 panelists and several stakeholders, including Ministers participating actively in the session, the key messages from the session included:
- A gap in the interconnectedness of science, policy, and society.
- Enhancing the dissemination of critical findings from diverse MEAs and Scientific Panels in a cohesive manner.
- Prioritizing the integration of traditional knowledge and citizen science.
- Facilitating collaborative ventures within and across MEAs and Panels to address the growing complexity of science policy challenges, which increasingly demand multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches.
- Engaging with Youth on Science Policy Interface Issues
Engaging with Youth on Science Policy Interface Issues
As an invitation by Children and Youth Major Group (CYMG), on 18th February 2024 during UNEA 6, UNEP provided 2 keynote addresses in the Global Youth Environment Assembly (GYEA 2024) on science policy interface and youth engagement in multilateral environmental agreements. The presentation focused on:
- The need for youth engaging in science policy interface issues, through CYMG and others including the MEA.
- Emerging dynamics of science policy interface and the role for youth including in supporting ‘social proofing’ SPI.
Collaboration with UN Systems Staff College
UNEP Law Division played a key role in enriching the UN Systems Staff College’s post-graduate courses on Policy Coherence for Sustainable Development. Specifically, the law division contributed to the 2024 cohort of post-graduate projects and the capstone project by delivering lectures for the Executive Master’s class on policy coherence attended by 7 UN agencies, private sector entities and other stakeholders, fostering a comprehensive understanding and application of policy coherence principle at the country level and in diverse contexts.
Strengthening Environmental Governance with a focus on financing environment
Linked to the work on policy coherence is the division's focus on financing environmental action for better governance; this includes and not limited to;
- Capacity Development for Financing: In support of knowledge management in environmental financing, the unit has undertaken several key initiatives. These include the development of a comprehensive glossary containing 100 commonly used terms in environmental finance facilitating clarity and consistency in discourse within the field. Additionally, an orientation toolkit focusing on climate, nature and blue finances was created serving as a valuable resource to enhance understanding and accessibility of information in sustainable financing practices. Furthermore, a blended financing information note has been crafted, meticulously detailing various aspects and components of the financing landscape, thereby providing stakeholders with a nuanced perspective on the subject.
Caribbean Regional Consultation Meeting on Integrated Financing and Governance
UNEP in partnership with the Cartagena Convention Secretariat and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat is planning to convene Caribbean Regional Consultation Meeting on Integrated Financing and Governance meeting in Kingston, Jamaica on 6- 7, November 2023. The meeting brought together representatives from a spectrum of financing institutions, governmental and non-governmental organizations and national focal points of biodiversity associated with multilateral environmental agreements. The consultation served as a platform for participants to delve into the realms of blended and environmental finance, examining opportunities and hurdles in financing the GBF. Through collaborative efforts, principles and approaches crucial for the implementation of environmental finance at the national and global levels were drafted, marking a significant stride towards fostering sustainable financial practices in environmental conservation.
Consultative Workshop: Strengthening Science-Policy Interface to Support Environmental Governance Action
Consultative Workshop on Strengthening Science-Policy Interface to Support Environmental Governance Actions held on 24 - 25 April 2024 in Bonn, Germany: This two-day hybrid consultative workshop brought together stakeholders and experts to provide input to the project document under development on Strengthening Science-Policy Interface to Support Environmental Governance Actions organised by UNEP Law Division.
Breakfast Meeting with National Focal Points for Debt for Nature Swaps in Africa
On February 27th, during UNEA-6, UNEP Law Division in collaboration with the UNEP Regional Office for Africa and the African Development Bank, organized a high level breakfast aimed at orienting the national focal points from the 4 target countries (Zambia, Togo, Cameroon and South Sudan) of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and African Development Bank (AfDB) in financing for biodiversity initiatives and fostering a consensus on suggested sustainable environmental financing approaches. The meeting facilitated a deeper understanding of environmental financing and solidified a concrete plan to roll out technical capacity building workshops for selected sustainable financing approaches.
Science Policy Actions for Renewed Knowledge (SPARK) Webinar Series
Second Edition of the Science Policy Actions for Renewed Knowledge (SPARK) Webinar Series On Environmental Financing This follows the first SPARK series which aimed to enhance understanding to non-experts on the various components of environmental financing, including principles, approaches and terminologies, to better integrate them into program/project design and implementation to achieve global environmental goals.
- Session 1 SPARK Webinar Recording: Introduction to Environmental Financing, Principles, Approaches and Terminologies
- Session 2 SPARK Webinar Recording: Understanding Environmental Financing: Introduction to Climate Finance
- Session 4 SPARK Webinar Recording: Understanding Environmental Financing: Introduction to Ocean Financing
Global Launch of the second Environmental Rule of Law Report
On 12 March 2024, UNEP and the Geneva Environment Network (GEN), organized the Global Launch of the second Environmental Rule of Law report. The launch was aimed at introducing the findings and recommendations of the report and facilitating discussions for promoting and strengthening environmental rule of law. The event successfully brought together a wide range of actors to reflect on different aspects of environmental rule of law, including civic engagement, human rights, increases in environmental and climate litigation, among others. It also highlighted the role and significance of environmental rule of law in addressing environmental challenges and further identifying future avenues of development of this concept.
Guide on Air Quality Legislation Now in French and Spanish
In January 2024, UNEP Law Division expanded the accessibility of the Guide on Ambient Air Quality Legislation, launched in 2023, by releasing translated versions in French and Spanish. The Guide has gotten a lot of traction, with an increasing number of countries approaching the Division for the provision of technical legal assistance for enhanced ambient air quality standards through the law. This expansion aims to facilitate broader dissemination and understanding of air quality legislation across diverse linguistic communities. With air pollution posing a significant global challenge, ensuring the availability of essential resources in multiple languages is crucial for effective environmental stewardship.
Enhancing the Role of Environmental Public Interest Litigation to Advance Environmental Rights in Southeast Asia
The Enhancing the Role of Environmental Public Interest Litigation to Advance Environmental Rights in Southeast Asia briefing report focuses on environmental public interest litigation as a potentially transformative mechanism that can empower communities across Southeast Asia to play a significant role in ensuring that environmental laws are complied with, and that the precious ecosystems of the region and the communities that depend on them are protected. The report provides an overview of the various forms of environmental public interest litigation, including an overview of some of the recent progress on burgeoning environmental public interest litigation systems in Southeast Asia.
The launch online webinar for the publication on was held on 25th January with over 60 participants, including lawyers, judges, academia and government representatives, from across the region. This publication advances UNEP work on access to justice and environmental justice in the region
Multilateral Environmental Agreements Negotiator’s Handbook: Third Edition
The final release of the much anticipated and updated Third Edition of the MEA Negotiator’s Handbook represents a significant milestone in the division's ongoing efforts to provide comprehensive resources and support to MEA negotiators. The publication is a collaborative effort between the Law Division and the Center for Climate Change, Energy, and Environmental Law (CCEEL) at the University of Eastern Finland (UEF). The Law Division takes great pride in the outcome of this collaboration, this updated version is a follow-up to the Second Edition of MEA Negotiators Handbook that was published in 2007. The MEA Negotiator’s Handbook serves as a cornerstone resource for negotiators worldwide and is now available as a main content pillar of the Negotiator’s section on the InforMEA Portal.
Guidebook on Mainstreaming Gender in the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol
This Guidebook on Mainstreaming Gender in the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol has been developed to help advance the agenda of gender equality and women’s empowerment under the implementation of Montreal Protocol by means of the National Ozone Units and national stakeholders mainstreaming gender issues into their daily works and operations. The Guidebook maps the existing issues and challenges in achieving gender equality through Montreal Protocol activities, identifies gender mainstreaming opportunities under the implementation of Montreal Protocol along with examples and good practices from various countries. The guidebook has been developed through an iterative process that included a review of Multilateral Fund related documents (global and country level), including selected Multilateral Fund projects proposals, work programmes and progress reports, evaluation reports and related documents, consultation with selected National Ozone Units and the four implementing agencies, a questionnaire survey covering 29 National Ozone Units, which yielded further information about gender related achievements and challenges.
UNEP’s Faith for Earth Coalition launched Al-Mizan: A Covenant for the Earth.
On Feb. 27, under the patronage of the President of UNEA 6, and Muslim organizations and scholars, representatives of different religions, UNEP’s Faith for Earth Coalition launched Al-Mizan: A Covenant for the Earth. Al-Mizan is a groundbreaking environmental charter based on Islamic teachings was developed by Muslim scholars and organizations over a period of four years in consultation with more than 300 Islamic and International Organizations. “Al-Mizan,” or “balance” in English, gives a Muslim perspective on how faith can inform and inspire action in the face of current global ecological challenges. It calls on Muslims and the broader global community to unite to restore ecological balance and preserve the Earth for future generations.
UNEA-6 highlighted the importance of cooperation with multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) with a full day, 28 February 2024, devoted to the discussion. This had an opening plenary meeting and two consecutive high-level dialogues, with a view to enhancing the relationship with MEAs by strengthening convergence of actions and sharing of experiences, while also increasing visibility of the MEAs. In addition to UNEP administered global and regional MEA Secretariats, the invitation to effectively participate in UNEA-6, including the MEA Day, was extended to the two non-UNEP administered Rio Conventions, namely the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). Invitation were also extended to the five non-UNEP administered MEA Secretariats of the Liaison Group of Biodiversity related Conventions and others as appropriate. More details on the Multilateral Environmental Agreements Day can be found in the note on the supplementary agenda item entitled “Cooperation with Multilateral Environmental Agreements,” presented at the 163rd Meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives, held on 31 October 2023.
The Bern III Conference that was held in Bern, Switzerland from 23 - 25 January 2024 brought together representatives of parties and secretariats of 16 multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs), and a range of other stakeholders, organizations and individual experts. The open exchange on cooperation to implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework resulted in a wide range of concrete ideas for increased collaboration among MEAs at global, regional and national levels. It was chaired by Clarisse Kehler Siebert from Sweden and Camila Isabel Zepeda Lizama from Mexico.
This high-level ministerial side-event event organized on 27 February2024, during UNEA - 6 aimed at presenting the results and outputs of the Bern III conference on cooperation among Biodiversity-related Conventions for the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity framework, including actionable concrete actions identified by the conference co-chairs and the participants, hearing perspectives from MEAs, parties and the secretariats who attended the conference, and opening the floor to side-event participants for their inputs.
Showcasing The Data Reporting Tool for MEAs _ DaRT
- A joint DaRT help desk and Africa Elephant Fund exhibit was organized during CMS-COP14 from 12-17 February 2024. The booth featured an exhibition on the Data Reporting Tool (DaRT), with case studies from the Bern III Conference, and information on the African Elephant Fund (AEF). The booth attracted visitors from multiple countries, facilitating in-depth discussions with Parties interested in synergies and activities of the AEF, and allowed for planning further steps in rolling-out the DaRT tool.
- A side-event on synergies across multilateral environmental agreements was organised by the Law Division during CMS COP-14, on 15th February 2024. UNEP in collaboration with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) organised a side event entitled “Facilitating synergies in implementing MEAs to deliver results on the ground”. During the side event, UNEP presented the outcomes of the Bern III Conference on increasing collaboration to achieve synergies. The presentation was followed by two impressive case studies by IFAW on the conservation of elephants and whales. These case studies showcased the success of collaboration to achieve goals and targets of multiple MEAs and highlighted the contributions of non-state actors for GBF implementation. Representatives from CITES, IWC, and the Ramsar Convention also highlighted the contributions of their respective conventions in achieving successful implementation of the GBF. Swiss and Jordanian delegates emphasized the importance of enhancing collaboration at the national level, particularly in revising NBSAPs. They urgently called for greater use of synergies in national reporting and indicator development to reduce the reporting burden on parties.
- A side-event on sustainable wildlife financing was organised by the Law Division during CMS COP-14, on 12th February 2024. The African Elephant Fund (AEF) Secretariat, in collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) organized a joint side event titled “Mobilising Sustainable Resources for Wildlife Conservation: Opportunities and Strategies”. The event brought together stakeholders from the African range State governments, INGO sector and CITES to share knowledge and experiences on the various opportunities and strategies for increasing sustainable wildlife conservation financing. Various innovative approaches being implemented in the range States were highlighted. It was also emphasized that involvement and collaboration among all wildlife conservation stakeholders is critical in achieving long-term, sufficient financing for wildlife management and conservation.
- An African Elephant Fund exhibition booth was organized during UNEA-6 from 26 February – 1 March 2024. The exhibit provided an overview of the objective of the African Elephant Action Plan (AEAP) and the African Elephant Fund (AEF). It also highlighted some of the projects implemented across the range States through the AEF. The booth attracted visitors and inquiries from various countries and organizations, particularly those from the African range States. The exhibit served to increase the visibility and create greater awareness of the AEAP, AEF and its activities.
Major Upcoming Workshops or recently held Workshops and Events organized by UNEP Law Division
- 30 - 31 May: Symposium on Emerging Issues in Environmental Rule of Law Contributions from Academia and Civil Society towards the Montevideo Environmental Law Programme Nairobi, Kenya
- 3- 5 June: Second Global Meeting of National Focal Point to the Montevideo Programme Nairobi, Kenya
- 6 June: BBNJ Global training on the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction Nairobi, Kenya
- 10 July: HLPF Unpacking Policy Coherence for Sustainable Development: Unexplored options for achieving the SDGs Online. Register here
UNEA-6 side event: Catalyzing Environmental Impact and Visibility through Digital Transformation: MEAs Embracing Knowledge-Driven Capacity-Building
This UNEA - 6 Side Event delved into the transformative potential of technology in the realm of MEAs and discovered how it can empower to effectively share and leverage project knowledge. This event was organized by the Secretariat of the Minamata Convention on Mercury in partnership with the United Nations Information Portal on Multilateral Environmental Agreements (InforMEA), the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm (BRS) Conventions, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).
United Nations Information Portal on Multilateral Environmental Agreements
InforMEA provides easy access to information on MEAs. Visitors can consult treaty texts and provisions of decisions and resolutions adopted by the Governing Bodies of MEAs. They can also browse Party information including contacts, national reports and national plans submitted under MEAs.
Explore over 20 FREE online courses on the InforMEA Platform
- Introductory Course to Gender and the Environment
- Mercury and Gender
- Introductory Course on SDG 14 and Ocean Governance
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations Environment Programme. We regret any errors or omissions that may have been unwittingly made.
Contact information: alvin.gachie[at]un.org / maryann.kuria[at]un.org