WELCOME TO THE LATEST EDITION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE UPDATE.
INTRODUCTION
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is dedicated to fostering global cooperation in environmental stewardship through addressing the planetary environmental crisis of climate change, land and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste. 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, including under Multilateral Environmental Agreements, 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.
Human rights and the environment featured in a CPR Subcommittee meeting
During the Subcommittee meeting of the Committee of the Permanent Representatives (CPR) organized on 2 May 2024, OHCHR and UNEP provided information on joint efforts in advancing human rights and the environment nexus, including the right to a healthy environment and rights-based environmental action. Many States expressed their support for the work carried out by UNEP and OHCHR, and requests were made for continuation of the work on the environment-human rights nexus, including at regional level. Requests addressed, inter alia: the protection of Environmental Human Rights Defenders (EHRDs), procedural rights and environmental justice. The presentation, background document and summary can be accessed here.
Environmental Rule of Law in SDG 16 High-Level Conference 2024
On 6 May 2024, UNEP was represented through its Law Division Director at the SDG 16 High-Level Conference 2024 – Peace, justice and inclusive societies for Sustainable Development, organized by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), the International Development Law Organization (IDLO) and the Permanent Mission of Italy to the United Nations. It aimed at promoting the environmental rule of law, the importance of protection of human rights, including through ensuring access to justice, and the need to realize effective accountable and transparent institutions to support SDGs at all levels.
2024 High-level Political Forum
The High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) was held from 8 July to 17 July 2024, under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). This year included the thematic reviews of Sustainable Development Goals 1 on no poverty, 2 on zero hunger, 13 on climate action, 16 on peace, justice and strong institutions, and 17 on partnerships for the Goals. UNEP supported the participation of Justice Nambitha Dambuza of the Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa and former Chair of the Africa Judicial Education Network on Environmental Law (AJENEL). Under the thematic session focused on SDG 16, on the 11th July, Justice Dambuza addressed how judges can strengthen their independence and impartiality to ensure equal justice, especially to marginalized and vulnerable groups, with a particular focus on the environmental and climate contexts. She highlighted the importance of judicial education and cooperation at domestic and international levels.
The 5th ASEAN Environmental Rights Working Group
The 5th Meeting of the ASEAN Environmental Rights Working Group (AER WG) took place from 1 to 3 July 2024 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The objective of the meeting was to advance discussions on the draft ASEAN Declaration on the right to a safe, clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, building on deliberations from the 4th AER WG Meeting in May 2024 in Jakarta, Indonesia. UNEP contributed to this process by supporting the Working Group in finalizing the draft Declaration. A significant outcome of the meeting was the agreement on the final draft Declaration, submitted to the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) for consideration at their Special Meeting (1/2024) on 23-26 July 2024 in Vientiane, Lao PDR.
The 21st Annual Colloquium of the IUCN Academy of Environmental Law
The 21st Annual Colloquium of the IUCN Academy of Environmental Law was held from 4 to 7 July 2024 at Gujarat National Law University in Gandhinagar, India. The objective of the colloquium was to enhance the understanding of environmental law among national and international academics and lawyers, with participation from over 100 attendees representing more than 20 countries. UNEP contributed by providing insights on the Montevideo Environmental Law Programme, the UNEP Law and Environment Assistance Platform, and other capacity-building resources aimed at advancing environmental law. A key outcome of the colloquium was the increased awareness among participants, particularly youth, on how to engage in global decision-making processes related to environmental law, including UNEA resolutions and commitments under Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs).
- Training Workshop on Human Rights and Environmental Rule of Law in Papua New Guinea: On 22-23 August 2024, UNEP, in collaboration with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the Resident Coordinators Office (RCO) in Papua New Guinea (PNG), conducted a training for the PNG UN Country Team in Port Moresby focused on Human Rights and Environmental Rule of Law: Upholding the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. The training engaged 33 participants over the two days, including representatives from seven UN agencies, three government authorities, and the IUCN, with a diverse composition of participants (eleven women and ten men on day one; seven women and five men on day two). UNEP contributed by facilitating discussions including civil society organizations and environmental human rights defenders, highlighting the perspectives of women, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities impacted by mining operations.
- Government Officials Training on the Right to a Healthy Environment: On 27-28 August 2024, in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR, UNEP, in collaboration with OHCHR and the RCO, conducted a training for approximately 40 government officials from various ministries, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. The objective of the training was to enhance understanding of the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment among participants
- Advancing Environmental Rights in the Pacific to support the implementation of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent: On 28 August 2024, the Government of Tonga, through its Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications, in collaboration with ESCAP, UNEP, OHCHR - Pacific Regional Office, and IUCN Oceania, hosted a side event during the 53rd Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting on Advancing Environmental Rights in the Pacific to support the implementation of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. The high-level panel discussion provided support to an emerging regional commitment to the importance of protecting human rights and environmental rights.
- Asia Pacific Mediation Forum 2024: From 19 to 21 August 2024, UNEP collaborated with the Supreme Court of Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Centre for Judicial Excellence to host the 10th Asia Pacific Mediation Forum in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. The objective of the forum was to discuss the resolution of climate and environmental disputes, bringing together over 350 participants from 23 countries, including State Ministers, Chief Justices, judges, magistrates, scholars, diplomats, and experts. UNEP played a crucial role in facilitating discussions centered on the theme Regional Challenges, Regional Solutions, Global Outcomes: Using Mediation to Resolve Environment and Climate Change Disputes. Key outcomes from the forum included recommendations for developing appropriate dispute resolution mechanisms, emphasizing the protection of the rights of vulnerable populations, integrating traditional knowledge in dispute resolution, and the need for sustained capacity building in environmental law. The discussions reinforced the necessity of establishing a Pacific Environmental Dispute Resolution Centre to enhance regional cooperation and address environmental issues effectively.
- UN Interagency Dialogue on Business and Human Rights: On 3 September, UNEP supported and participated in the UN Interagency Dialogue on Business and Human Rights which aimed to provide a platform for UN agencies, including national and regional specialists, who work on business and human rights (BHR) in Asia Pacific to analyse global and regional trends, exchange best practices, and re-imagine and finetune BHR programming.
- 6th UN Asia Pacific Responsible Business and Human Rights (RBHR) Forum: The 6th UN Asia Pacific Responsible Business and Human Rights (RBHR) Forum was held from 25 to 27 September 2024 at the UN Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand, with the theme The Remedy Blueprint: Bridging Gaps and Accelerating Access. The forum brought together over 1,100 participants, including representatives from governments, academia, civil society, business, and media. UNEP played a significant role as a co-organizer alongside various UN agencies, including ILO, IOM, OHCHR, UNICEF, UNDP, UN Women and the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights. During the forum, UNEP facilitated two sessions: one on "Building a Path to Effective Remedy in the Financial Sector," highlighting the importance of strengthening social and environmental frameworks in financial institutions, and another on "Bridging Rights and Responsibilities: Tackling Plastic Pollution together with the Informal Sector," focusing on the integration of waste pickers into Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes. Additionally, UNEP co-organised a session together with OHCHR and the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights on " Access to Remedy in the Energy Transition Sector: Regional scan of the ‘right’ pathway to the just transition," discussing human rights-based approaches to identifying and addressing risks and impacts in extractive and renewable energy sectors. At the margins, the Human Rights Dialogue on Rights-based Pathways to Climate Mitigation & Just Energy Transition in Asia Pacific was held on 22-23 September 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand. This dialogue aimed to provide a safe space for Environmental Human Rights Defenders (EHRDs) to discuss the current situation and challenges they face in advocating for climate justice and action. Jointly organized by OHCHR SEARO, the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, and UNEP, in collaboration with several partners, including the Business and Human Rights Resources Center and Global Witness, the event focused on developing an output document to be presented at the UN Responsible Business and Human Rights (RBHR) Forum in Asia-Pacific, COP29 (12-22 November 2024) and the UN Annual Forum on Business and Human Rights (26-28 November 2024).
Pacific Regional Lawyers Workshop on Environmental Rule of Law
The Pacific Regional Lawyers Workshop on Environmental Rule of Law took place from 23 to 25 September 2024 in Nadi, Fiji. The objective of the workshop was to enhance the capacity of 10 lawyers from nine Pacific Island Countries (Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Niue, and Nauru) by providing them with knowledge and understanding of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) and their role in promoting environmental rule of law. UNEP, in collaboration with Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) , played a crucial role in organizing the workshop, which aimed to empower government lawyers and attorneys-general in the Pacific region to effectively address complex environmental challenges through improved policy and legislative development and review.
The Environmental Rule of Law in the Caribbean – Tracking Progress and Charting Future Directions
The online event titled The Environmental Rule of Law in the Caribbean – Tracking Progress and Charting Future Directions was conducted on 20 August 2024. Hosted for the Caribbean region, the webinar was organized in coordination with the UNEP Caribbean Sub-Regional Office in Jamaica. The objective of the event was to raise awareness about the significance of environmental rule of law in addressing regional environmental challenges by introducing the findings and recommendations of the report. UNEP played a crucial role in facilitating information sharing and discussions among policymakers, legal experts, judges, environmental advocates, academics, and the interested public in environmental rule of law.
Meeting of the Regional Platform of Environmental Law Lecturers in Latin America and the Caribbean
The first in-person meeting of the Regional Platform of Environmental Law Lecturers in Latin America and the Caribbean took place on 27 August 2024 in Montevideo, Uruguay, followed by a workshop on Collective Rights Regulations on 29 August 2024. These activities were held alongside the Uruguayan Congress on Environmental Law, organized by the Faculty of Law of the University of Montevideo. The meeting aimed to discuss and coordinate the development of the Platform's 2024 Workplan, bringing together regional experts, lecturers, judges, students, and government officials to address key environmental issues such as environmental access rights, plastics, climate change litigation, environmental education, and the BBNJ Agreement. UNEP played a critical role in facilitating discussions, identifying regional training needs, establishing working groups. It also supported on the preparation of a Regional Questionnaire to facilitate the identification of training needs in the region and identification of priority environmental topics, such as environmental defenders, climate litigation, biodiversity, and air quality.
Fourteenth InforMEA Steering Committee
The 14th Steering Committee of the InforMEA Initiative took place in Montreux, Switzerland from 11-13 June 2024. It was attended by the Executive Heads of the CITES, the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Convention, the International Whaling Commission, and the Minamata Convention, Knowledge Management officers from 18 Secretariats of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), IPBES and key partners discussed technological innovations for environmental protection including technical and semantic interoperability, generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications, joint efforts on online learning and capacity building, new governance mechanisms as well as outreach and partnerships. Recommendations established new governance arrangement for the Initiative, priorities guiding future AI applications, next online courses to be developed on InforMEA, better documentation of interoperability solutions, and continued fruitful engagement with partners.
Second Global Meeting of National Focal Points for Montevideo Programme V
From 3 to 5 June 2024, UNEP hosted the Second Global Meeting of National Focal Points for the Fifth Programme for the Development and Periodic Review of Environmental Law (Montevideo Programme V) in Nairobi, Kenya. The meeting aimed to review progress on the Programme's implementation, provide strategic advice on priority areas, discuss emerging areas in environmental law, and address organizational matters including steering committee elections and trust fund status. UNEP played a central role by organizing and facilitating the meeting, presenting reports on implementation progress, activities, and funding, leading discussions on partnerships and stakeholder engagement, and facilitating the election of new steering committee members. Key outcomes included enhanced understanding of the Programmes implementation status, strategic guidance for future priorities, increased awareness of emerging environmental law issues, election of new steering committee members, improved stakeholder engagement through participation of accredited stakeholders and side events and strengthened international cooperation in environmental law development and implementation.
Environmental Legislation Making: Trends and Practices
From 16 to 21 September 2024, UNEP participated in a national workshop in Ebolowa, Cameroon, aimed at revising Cameroon's Framework Environmental Law (Law 96/12 of 1996). The objective was to update the legislation to address current environmental challenges and align it with international best practices. UNEP contributed significantly by presenting on Environmental Legislation Making: Trends and Practices, sharing valuable insights and expertise. Co-organised by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the workshop emphasized the link between environmental protection and crime prevention. The joint effort between UNEP and UNODC demonstrated a holistic approach to addressing environmental challenges, recognizing that effective environmental protection requires not only robust legislation but also strong enforcement mechanisms. This event underscored the importance of international cooperation and cross-sectoral collaboration in developing robust environmental laws and enforcement mechanisms to address global environmental issues.
Symposium on Emerging Issues in Environmental Rule of Law
On 30-31 May 2024, the Symposium on Emerging Issues in Environmental Rule of Law: Contributions from Academia and Civil Society towards the Montevideo Environmental Law Programme took place in a hybrid format, with the in-person component held in Nairobi, Kenya. The event aimed to foster dialogue and debate on key emerging issues of environmental rule of law, covering topics like ecocide, rights of nature, environmental rule of law indicators, behaviour change and governance, and others. UNEP and partners hosted the symposium at the margins of the Second Meeting of the National Focal Points under the Montevideo Programme and providing expertise through the participation of key officials from UNEP, including Law Division’s Director Patricia Kameri-Mbote.
Faith-based Solutions for the Pact for the Future and Beyond
From 20-23 September 2024, at the Summit of the Future in New York, UNEP’s Faith for Earth Coalition supported the Faith-based Solutions Impact Coalition in promoting the inclusion of diverse faith actors within the multilateral system under the Pact for the Future. The event, "Faith-based Solutions for the Pact for the Future and Beyond," resulted in a Joint Statement emphasizing the critical role of faith communities in fostering sustainable development, addressing polarization, and advancing inclusive partnerships. UNEP, through its Faith for Earth Youth Council and New York Office, showcased how interreligious dialogue and digital tools foster intergenerational learning and collaboration to address global challenges, demonstrating faith actors' ability to drive impactful solutions at all levels.
Symposium on One Health Uncovered
On 25 July 2024, UNEP supported the Symposium on One Health in Baku, Azerbaijan, which brought together stakeholders from various sectors, including the COP29 Presidency and multiple government ministries, to address how the One Health approach can address climate change as one of the three planetary environmental crises. UNEP contributed through a video message and key sessions, promoting the Environmental Rule of Law, Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEA) implementation, and the integration of environmental considerations into national policies, particularly regarding Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and biodiversity conservation. UNEP emphasized that One Health can help “halt and reverse” biodiversity loss by 2030 and “restore harmony with nature” by 2050 through strategic policy planning, such as National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Key outcomes included calls to institutionalize One Health in strategic forums, establish a coordination mechanism, and integrate the approach into national policies, leveraging Azerbaijan’s COP29 leadership.
Strengthening National Institutions for Montreal Protocol Compliance
UNEP OzonAction provided assistance under the Montreal Protocol's Multilateral Fund to 103 developing countries for the implementation, monitoring and reporting of their Institutional Strengthening projects, which are key components of the environmental governance architecture under this multilateral environmental agreement. These projects support their government’s National Ozone Units, which are responsible for managing their national compliance strategies, to develop and enforce policies, report data, facilitate project implementation, and engage public stakeholders. This support assists the countries to meet and sustain their Montreal Protocol compliance obligations, build and reinforce their national regulatory frameworks, and successfully manage their phase out/phase down projects and activities. During this period, UNEP also assisted 24 of the countries to prepare their new Institutional Strengthening project requests, which will be considered by the Fund's Executive Committee at its 93rd meeting in December 2024. The Montreal Protocol’s Kigali Amendment, which recently entered into force, has added complexities related to data reporting, new technical sectors, policy development, and stakeholder interaction. Through Institutional Strengthening projects and other services, UNEP is assisting the countries to successfully meet and adapt to this changing landscape.
Law and Climate Change Toolkit
The Law and Climate Change Toolkit was developed by UNEP and partners to help countries put in place the legal frameworks necessary for effective domestic implementation of the Paris Agreement and their nationally determined contributions (NDCs). The toolkit has recently been expanded and upgraded, and is available on the UNEP-LEAP platform here. The core section of the toolkit is a legislation explorer, featuring 70 overarching climate change framework laws in machine-readable standard format, allowing users to easily find the most up to date, consolidated version, compare against previous versions, and see tagging at the paragraph and sub-paragraph levels. All legislation is tagged to sub-paragraph level for enhanced search and retrieval against a guided taxonomy and semantically structured keywords. Other core sections of the toolkit include a legislative reference guide presenting the key phases of policy action to consider in developing climate change framework legislation, good practice examples/case-studies of climate laws from different countries around the world, and a glossary
UN Common Approach to Pollution
An Implementation Plan for the UN Common Approach to Pollution was finalized in June 2024 outlining 11 activities aimed at integrating pollution prevention into the strategies and policies of UN entities at all levels. The executive summary of the UN Common Approach to Pollution was translated into all UN languages in September 2024 to facilitate the integration of pollution prevention into United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDCFs) globally. A cross-mapping of the Common Approach with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was completed to highlight alignment and enhance coherence between the frameworks.
Law and Plastics Toolkit
The Law and Plastics toolkit was developed to assist legislators and policymakers in the strengthening of regulatory frameworks to tackle plastic pollution and marine litter. The toolkit has recently been upgraded and expanded and the new version is now available on the UNEP-LEAP platform here. All toolkit content is tagged to a semantically structured law and plastics taxonomy for enhanced search and retrieval. The core section of the toolkit is a legislation explorer, providing a comprehensive collection of national legislation relevant to plastic pollution including legislation in machine-readable standard format, allowing users to easily find the most up to date, consolidated version, compare against previous versions, and see tagging at the paragraph and sub-paragraph levels. The toolkit also features a legislative reference guide, an interactive step by step tool highlighting key considerations in developing a regulatory intervention on single-use plastics. Other sections include: case-studies, presenting national legislative responses to plastic pollution and marine litter, and good practice policy examples; learning resources, including e-learning courses and key reports and guidance relevant to law and plastics, and; a glossary of plastics legislation-related keyword terms.
10th Special Session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment
From 3 to 6 September 2024, UNEP, in collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Union Commission, and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), convened the 10th Special Session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. The objective of this session was to generate political momentum and secure essential financing and partnerships to address urgent environmental challenges in Africa. Preceding the Special Session were a UNCCD Regional Consultation from 30 August to 2 September and a major groups and stakeholder meeting on 1 and 2 September. Key discussions focused on four critical policy areas: mitigating droughts in Africa; enhancing ambition to achieve land degradation neutrality targets; promoting ecosystem restoration opportunities; and strengthening partnerships for implementation and resource mobilization. The session culminated in the adoption of the Abidjan Declaration, which aims to raise Africa's ambition to reduce desertification, land degradation and drought; along with decisions on opportunities to raise ambition to combat desertification and land degradation and enhance drought resilience in Africa; a decision on advancing Africa’s common positions at conferences of parties and meetings; and a decision on climate change.
3rd Central Asian AQCA Platform Conference - Strengthening regional cooperation on monitoring air quality and dust storms in the context of climate change
On 19-20 September 2024, UNEP participated in the 3rd Air Quality for Central Asia Conference (AQCA) in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The 3rd AQCA Conference offered a platform to exchange air quality management knowledge, experiences and practices at the technical level, as well as elaborate ideas and recommendations for joint technical work on air pollution at regional level in Central Asia, directly supporting the objectives of the recent UNEA 6/10 Resolution. The conference also contributed to this year’s Clean Air Day (7 September 2024) celebrations. UNEP’s role included presenting on the importance of legislative frameworks in managing air quality, referencing UNEP's 2023 Guide on Ambient Air Quality Legislation, and offering technical legal assistance through UNEP-LEAP. Key outcomes included the development of a joint 2025 action plan by Central Asian countries, incorporating the need for air quality legislation, and strengthening UNEP’s role as a key partner in the region’s air quality governance efforts.
The United Nations (UN) Environment Management Group (EMG) is a system-wide coordination body on environment and human settlements. The EMG membership consists of the 51 specialized agencies, programmes and organs of the United Nations including the secretariats of the Multilateral Environmental Agreements. The EMG identifies issues on the international environmental agenda that warrant cooperation, and finds ways of engaging its collective capacity in coherent management responses to those issues. To this effect, it organizes with regularity meetings of EMG Members and Technical Focal Points in Geneva. In addition, to enhance UN system collaboration, on 29 August and 30 September 2024, the Environment Management Group (EMG), in partnership with the CBD and UNFCCC Secretariats, organized briefing sessions for EMG members to prepare for effective UN collaboration at the upcoming CBD and UNFCCC COPs.Panel discussion on interagency collaboration at the 11th Annual Subcommittee Meeting
Panel discussion on interagency collaboration at the 11th Annual Subcommittee Meeting
On 10 July 2024, during the 11th Annual Subcommittee Meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives (CPR) in Nairobi, Kenya, a panel discussion organized by the Environment Management Group (EMG) focused on enhancing global interagency collaboration and policy coherence on environmental issues. Moderated by Mr. Robert Bunbury, Deputy Permanent Representative of Canada, and featuring distinguished representatives from Chile, the Netherlands, UN Country Team in Kenya, UN Habitat, FAO, OHCHR, and the Children and Youth Major Group, the discussion emphasized the role and potential of the EMG in mainstreaming environmental concerns across development, peace, health, human rights, and humanitarian action.
EMG Nexus Dialogue on Revitalizing Economies: The Path to Repurposing and Reforming Harmful Subsidies
The Environmental Management Group (EMG) Nexus Dialogue through the webinar series highlights the Repurposing Harmful Subsidies addresses subsidies often-overlooked yet profound impact on the environment and economies, particularly affecting vulnerable populations. On 17 September 2024, the second webinar of the series was held with the objective of deepening the understanding of measuring the impacts of subsidies to inform policymaking and promote sustainable economic growth. UNEP, alongside the WTO, World Bank, FAO, GEF, Sveriges Riksbank, contributed presentations that explored methodologies for measuring subsidies' economic, social, and environmental impacts, emphasizing the urgent need for reform.
UN Common Approach to Biodiversity
In collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), launched a new sub-series within the Common Approach to Biodiversity Webinar Series, focusing on the incorporation of human rights-based approaches to biodiversity conservation. The third webinar under this series was held on 9 July 2024, focusing on human rights-based approaches to conservation, restoration, sustainable biodiversity use, and equitable benefit sharing. This event aimed to raise awareness of systematic biodiversity challenges and promote the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. A key outcome was the finalization of the monitoring and reporting framework, which will support data collection later in 2024 on the UN system's contributions to the Global Biodiversity Framework.
SAFE Ad hoc Expert Group Meeting
On 11-12 July 2024, UNEP, in collaboration with UNODC and FAO, organized a regional Expert Group Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, under the SAFE Project, which aims to mitigate the risks of wildlife-related zoonotic disease spillovers. The meeting brought together 48 experts from ASEAN nations, including Thailand, Lao PDR, Vietnam and Sabah, and other bodies like the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity. The objective was to strengthen regional dialogue on preventing zoonotic disease transmission from wildlife trade. UNEP facilitated discussions on the SAFE project’s contribution to cross-sectoral collaboration and revisions to the SAFE discussion paper including insights and guidance from the meeting. Key outcomes included plans for an ASEAN-EU forum towards the end of 2024 and a roadmap for an intensified cooperation at scientific and policy level.
DaRT National Workshop Ghana and Regional Workshop in Nepal
UNEP facilitated two workshops to train biodiversity experts and focal points of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) on the Data Reporting Tool for Multilateral Environmental Agreements (DaRT) in Ghana on 20-22 August 2024 and in Nepal on 17-19 September 2024. These were organized as part of the technical assistance provided by the GEF-7 GBF Early Action Support Programme, in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI) of the Republic of Ghana, the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), the South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme, the UNEP-World Heritage Conservation and Monitoring Centre (WCMC), Women4Biodiversity, and the United National Development Programme (UNDP). In Ghana, the workshop resulted in the refinement of the national targets already submitted to the CBD Secretariat in August 2024 and concluded with the decision to implement DaRT. In Nepal, participants from seven South Asian countries (Bhutan, China, Nepal, Pakistan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Cambodia) have shared experiences and learned how to use the tool to promote inter-ministerial cooperation and the preparation of national reports.
Election of the New African Elephant Fund Steering Committee
On 4 September 2024, an onboarding briefing session was held for the newly elected Steering Committee of the African Elephant Fund (AEF) in an event attended by representatives from the 38 African elephant range States. The objective of the session was to orient the committee members on the operations and status of the AEF and to discuss preliminary planning for upcoming strategic work. UNEP, along with the CITES and CMS Secretariats, participated as ex-officio members of the Steering Committee. The new committee includes representatives from Central African Republic, Rwanda, Zambia, and Burkina Faso, serving from 2024 to 2026, joining current members from Cameroon, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria. Belgium and Germany were selected as donors representatives, with the Netherlands continuing its term and the European Commission and France serving as observers.
CITES African Elephant Dialogue Meeting
From 23 to 26 September 2024, the African Elephant Fund (AEF) Secretariat participated in the CITES African Elephant Dialogue Meeting held in Maun, Botswana, at the request of the African elephant range States. The objective of the meeting was to address issues related to the trade in live African elephants, in line with AEF Decision 19.167, and to discuss broader conservation challenges for African elephants. The AEF Secretariat, hosted by UNEP Law Division, contributed by presenting the status of AEF administration. The dialogue led to proposed amendments to the Decision and emphasized the importance of sustainable financing for elephant conservation, as well as enhancing regional cohesion and coordination among range States. Over 60 representatives attended, including observers from CITES - Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE) and the IUCN SSC African Elephant Specialist Group.
Caspian Sea Day
On 12 August 2024, UNEP celebrated the Caspian Sea Day to commemorate the enforcement of the Framework Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea (Tehran Convention). As the administrator of the Tehran Convention, UNEP plays a crucial role in driving the Convention process and establishing a legal framework for regional cooperation among the Caspian littoral states aimed at protecting the marine environment. The event emphasized the commitment of the Contracting Parties to safeguard the Caspian environment, highlighting their obligations under four auxiliary Protocols: the Aktau Protocol on oil pollution, the Moscow Protocol on land-based pollution, the Ashgabat Protocol on biodiversity conservation, and the Protocol on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context. The outcome of the event promoted regional legal instruments and frameworks as essential components of Environmental Rule of Law in the pan-European region.
New InforMEA Goals Section
The recent UN Biodiversity Conference on the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) highlighted the need to demonstrate progress in alignment and rapid implementation of the KMGBF. The new Goals section on InforMEA entitled Global Goals and MEA Strategic Plans - Mapping Linkages intuitively maps and presents the linkages between these global goals and frameworks (including the SDGs and the KMGBF). The new section is available here. The section also presents other linkages between the KMGBF and specific MEA treaty articles and COP decisions. In addition users can search by keywords from the InforMEA Law and Environment Ontology, to see relevant goals and targets across all of the featured plans and frameworks. The next phase of this work will explore the potential of natural language processing/knowledge graphs combined with generative AI, to map the goals and frameworks against InforMEA content including national MEA plans and reports
Capacity Building for MEAs Implementation
In September 2024, UNEP supported 79 countries in the African, Caribbean, and Pacific regions through the ACP MEAs III Programme to enhance their capacity and negotiation skills in preparation for the 16th Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity. The workshops provided these countries with a platform to consolidate regional priorities and build capacity to advocate for stronger international commitments to biodiversity conservation, secure resources for ecosystem protection, and collaborate on global strategies for preserving natural heritage. This initiative aligns with UNEA 6 resolution 6, which called for enhanced capacity-building efforts to support the implementation of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) at the national level.
Global Training Session on the BBNJ Agreement: Enhancing Understanding and Implementation Strategies
On 6 June 2024, UNEP hosted a Global Training Session 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 (BBNJ) in Nairobi, Kenya. The event brought together experts from various UN bodies and divisions to provide in-depth insights into the BBNJ Agreement and strategies for its implementation. UNEP played a central role in organizing and facilitating the event. Key outcomes included enhanced understanding of the BBNJ Agreement, clarification on ratification processes, identification of support mechanisms, improved coordination between UN bodies, MEAs, and Member States, and development of implementation strategies. This global training session represented a significant step in preparing stakeholders for the effective implementation of the BBNJ Agreement, while also strengthening the role of the Montevideo Programme in supporting international environmental law development and implementation.
SAVE THE DATE & USEFUL RESOURCES
Major Upcoming Events and Workshops
- Implementation of Biodiversity, Chemicals and Waste MEAs and Montevideo Programme V, 26 - 28 November 2024 in Dakar, Senegal
- UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 29), 11–22 November 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan
- Fifth meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC), 25 November–1 December, Busan, Republic of Korea
- 16th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP 16), 2– 13 December, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
New Courses
- University of Eastern Finland – UN Environment Programme Course on Multilateral Environmental Agreements 24 March – 3 April 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand (Application deadline 9 December 2024
Disclaimer: The views expressed on the Environmental Governance update 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 . For enquiries, reach out to maryann.kuria[at]un.org
Credits:
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: maryann.kuria[at]un.org