European Union

Highlights for Friday, 4 October 2019 Reggie Hernaus, the Netherlands, consulting with Tuulia Toikka, EU The Third Meeting of the Intersessional Process for Considering the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) and the Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste Beyond 2020 (IP3) convened for its last day on Friday, 4 October 2019, in Bangkok, Thailand.In the morning, plenary briefly reconvened to hear the Co-Chairs of the four thematic groups report on progress made in addressing their respective mandates, particularly in reducing brackets around text being developed for the fifth session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM5).Work then resumed in three of the four thematic groups. The Thematic Group on Targets, Milestones, and Indicators finished discussion on the targets assigned and signed off on draft terms of reference for a technical working group to be established in the months before IP4 in March 2020 to complete remaining work on targets, milestones, and indicators. The Thematic Group on Enhanced Governance and Institutional Mechanisms reviewed the Co-Chairs' paper on enhancing multi-sectoral multi-stakeholder engagement. The Group asked relevant stakeholders to develop plans for their contributions to the post-2020 platform and submit them to the Secretariat for compilation and consideration at IP4. The Group also conducted an additional reading of the section on institutions, focusing principally on provisions regarding the functions of the International Conference.The Thematic Group on Financial Considerations discussed the Co-Chairs' paper on capacity building and decided to circulate it to stakeholders for comments to be submitted to the Secretariat by 15 December, so a revised document could be considered at IP4. The Group also reviewed proposals for finance-related targets, including where indicators might be needed to be developed, to be forwarded to the expert group on targets, indicators, and milestones that will meet before IP4.At closing plenary, delegates heard reports from the thematic groups and from the various organizations that hosted the week's sectoral meetings on health, agriculture, labor, and environment. ICCM5 President Gertrud Sahler hailed the intensive and fruitful deliberations as setting a firm foundation for work at IP4 and a large step toward a successful ICCM5. IP Co-Chair David Morin (Canada) outlined the process for generating a "zero draft" for deliberations at IP4. Germany announced that it would host a special workshop before IP4 to discuss a possible enabling framework for the beyond-2020 platform, and Norway offered to help fund broad stakeholder participation in the workshop. The meeting closed at 5:45 pm.As the meeting closed and delegates left the conference center, many commented on the progress made both in the formal thematic group deliberations and in informal discussions between participants. While all admitted that IP4 faces a very full agenda, there was some optimism. As one participant put it, "the value of the meeting should be measured not by the amount of bracketed text, but by the valuable conversations that began to find common ground." IISD Reporting Services, through its Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) meeting coverage, provided daily web coverage and a summary and analysis report from IP3. The summary and analysis report is now available in HTML and PDF. Photos by IISD/ENB | Sean Wu For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page Plenary ICCM5 President Gertrud Sahler speaking with David Morin (Canada), Co-Chair of the Intersessional Process, before the morning plenary View of the room during the plenary Alison Kennedy and Gregor Filyk, Canada Jules Christian Ndomo Tsala, Cameroon Co-Chair Muhammed Khashashneh, Jordan, reporting back on the thematic discussion on Governance and Institutional Arrangements Co-Chair Szymon Domagalski, Poland, reporting back on the thematic discussion on Mechanisms to Support Implementation Tim Kasten, UN Environment (UNEP) and Officer-in-Charge, SAICM Secretariat and Brenda Koekkoek, SAICM Secretariat; David Morin, Canada, and Judith Torres, Uruguay, Co-Chairs of the Intersessional Process Delegates during the plenary Judith Torres, Co-Chair of the Intersessional Process Jorge Ocaña, UN Institute for Training and Research Jutta Emig, Germany Teeraporn Wiriwutikorn, Thailand Thematic Discussions The dais during the thematic discussion on Financial Considerations View of the room during the thematic discussion on Targets, Milestones, and Indicators The dais during the thematic discussion on Governance and Institutional Arrangements Cristina de Avila, EU Valentina Sierra, Uruguay Marina Soares, Brazil Lesley Onyon, World Health Organization Delegates from Ecowaste Coalition and International POPs Elimination Network conferring Around the Venue Environment Sector Meeting hosted by UNEP African delegates posing for a family picture Delegates from the Federation of Thai Industries IISD/ENB Team: (L-R) Sean Wu, Richard de Ferranti, Wangu Mwangi, Keith Ripley, and Amanda Rude

Highlights for Thursday, 3 October 2019 Delegates from the US in discussions before the morning sessions Delegates convened for the third day of the Third Meeting of the Intersessional Process for Considering the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) and the Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste Beyond 2020 (IP3) on Thursday, 3 October 2019, in Bangkok, Thailand. In the morning, plenary briefly reconvened to hear the Co-Chairs of the four thematic groups report limited progress in reducing bracketed text indicating disagreements in the text of recommendations being developed for the fifth session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM5). IP Co-Chair David Morin (Canada) reminded participants of the goal of achieving a complete zero draft at the end of IP3 to allow sufficient time to review the text and prepare for final negotiations at IP4 in March 2020.Delegates then resumed their consideration of draft texts in the thematic groups. In the morning, the Thematic Group on Targets, Milestones, and Indicators reviewed five strategic objectives proposed by the third meeting of the Open-ended Working Group (OEWG3) to be recommended to ICCM5. The Group discussed potential targets against: Strategic Objective D on maximizing benefits and minimizing risks through safer alternatives, innovative and sustainable solutions and forward thinking; Strategic Objective A on the need for measures to be identified, implemented and enforced to prevent, or minimize harm from chemicals and waste; and Strategic Objective E on sound management of chemicals and waste as an essential element in achieving sustainable development. The Thematic Group on Enhanced Governance and Institutional Mechanisms met in the morning and evening, focusing primarily on text regarding the functions of the High-Level Segment of the ICCM, including new proposals on: linkages with other sectors such as biodiversity, climate change, and human rights; promoting international cooperation to overcome challenges faced by developing countries; and mobilization of financial and technical resources and transfer of technology. In the afternoon, the Thematic Group on Mechanisms to Support Implementation began a second reading of text relating to the process of identifying issues of concern for inclusion in a post-2020 framework. In the evening, the group held an initial exchange of views on how to deal with existing emerging policy issues, reviewed a summary by the Co-Chairs of discussions relating to the science-policy interface, and reviewed new targets proposed under the mandate of this Group.The Thematic Group on Financial Considerations discussed at length proposals on: mainstreaming chemicals and waste management into national budgets and development aid priorities as well as into development bank aid programs; developing guidance and recommendations for investors to minimize economic risks associated with unsound chemicals and waste management; and a proposal by the Latin American/African Groups for a new International Fund dedicated to sound management of chemicals and waste. As the day wore on, many delegations, and at times the thematic group co-chairs themselves, expressed frustration that the pace of deliberations was not picking up. One group worked through lunchtime and two added evening sessions in the hopes of breaking the logjam. “We’re running out of time if we want to avoid sending a messy text to IP4” fretted one seasoned participant. IISD Reporting Services, through its Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) meeting coverage, provided daily web coverage and a summary and analysis report from IP3. The summary and analysis report is now available in HTML and PDF. Photos by IISD/ENB | Sean Wu For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page Plenary Co-Chairs of the Intersessional Process David Morin, Canada; Judith Torres, Uruguay; and SAICM Secretariat Brenda Koekkoek Delegates during the plenary Co-Chair Karissa Kovner, US, reporting back on the thematic discussion on Governance and Institutional Arrangements Co-Chair Jonah Ormond, Antigua and Barbuda, reporting back on the thematic discussion on Financial Considerations The dais during the plenary Co-Chair Noluzuko Gwayi, South Africa, reporting back on the thematic discussion on Mechanisms to Support Implementation Co-Chair Silvija Kalnins, Latvia, reporting back on the thematic discussion on Targets, Milestones and Indicators Baogen Gu, Food and Agricultural Organization of the UN (FAO) Thematic Discussion on Financial Considerations View of the room during the thematic discussion Keri Holland, US Olubunmi Olusanya, Nigeria Rory O'Neill, International Trade Union Confederation Gregor Filyk, Canada Thematic Discussion on Targets, Milestones and Indicators View of the room during the thematic discussion Delegates from China discussing informally Lia Jasmin Esquillo, International POPs Elimination Network (IPEN) Delegates from International Council of Chemical Association (ICCA) Thematic Discussion on Mechanisms to Support Implementation The dais during the thematic group Olga Speranskaya, IPEN Johanna Hausmann, Women Engage for a Common Future Thematic Discussion on Governance and Institutional Arrangements The dais during the thematic group Gene Smilansky, US Sverre Thomas Jahre, Norway Co-Chair Muhammed Khashashneh, Jordan Delegates from EU discussing possible revisions to the text. Around the Venue Agriculture Sector Meeting hosted by FAO Delegates from ICCA posing for a group photo

Highlights for Wednesday, 2 October 2019 Delegates huddle to prepare for the second day of thematic discussions. Delegates convened for the second day of the Third Meeting of the Intersessional Process for Considering the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) and the Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste Beyond 2020 (IP3) on Wednesday, 2 October 2019, in Bangkok, Thailand.In the morning, the Thematic Group on Targets, Milestones, and Indicators commenced its discussions of potential targets under five strategic objectives proposed by the third meeting of the Open-ended Working Group (OEWG3) in April 2019 to be recommended to the fifth session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM5) scheduled for Bonn in October 2020. Delegates held an initial exchange of views on proposed targets, relating to availability and accessibility of knowledge, data, and information for sound management of chemicals and waste. The Thematic Group on Financial Considerations debated how to provide stable and adequate funding for the SAICM Secretariat based on a paper proposed by Norway and Switzerland, as well as mainstreaming the sound management of chemicals and waste into national development plans, budgets, and policies. It also discussed the role of development banks, provisions involving the private sector's contribution, and whether to call for guidance on financial sector investments in companies that have chemical management schemes in place.In the afternoon, the Thematic Group on Mechanisms to Support Implementation discussed proposed text on options for taking stock of progress and updating the post-2020 framework. It also reviewed revised text on the definition of issues of concern and criteria for identifying such issues. The Thematic Group on Enhanced Governance and Institutional Arrangements held an initial discussion of a paper submitted the German Environment Agency, offering views on a post-2020 enabling framework and whether such a framework is needed. They also considered proposals regarding the ICCM and its functions and heard a brief presentation by the group’s Co-Chairs on their compromise proposal for enhanced multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder engagement.During the lunch hour the International Labour Organization (ILO) hosted a labor sector meeting to discuss greater sector involvement in a post-2020 platform and ILO proposals on indicators across the post-2020 targets.Despite going two hours over time, limited progress was made in going through text and proposals, with exhausted delegates expressing frustration that bracketed text indicating disagreement was proliferating rather than shrinking. As one exasperated delegate was heard asking repeatedly, "Are we here to eliminate brackets or to get stuck?" IISD Reporting Services, through its Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) meeting coverage, provided daily web coverage and a summary and analysis report from IP3. The summary and analysis report is now available in HTML and PDF. Photos by IISD/ENB | Sean Wu For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page Thematic Discussion on Financial Considerations Co-Chair Reggie Hernaus, the Netherlands Laura Niskanen, EU Felix Wertli, Switzerland The dais during the thematic discussion Co-Chair Jonah Ormond, Antigua and Barbuda David Azoulay, Center for International Environmental Law Keri Holland, US Thematic Discussion on Targets, Milestones and Indicators Co-Chairs Wajira M. Palipane, Sri Lanka; and Silvija Kalnins, Latvia Hemantha Withanage, Center for Environmental Justice, Sri Lanka Hlobsile Sikhosana-Shongwe, eSwatini Delegates during the thematic group Agnes Dittmar, International Sustainable Chemistry Collaborative Centre Ahmad Ansari, ZDHC Foundation Brenda Koekkoek, SAICM Secretariat Rachid Wahabi, Morocco Jacqueline Alvarez, UN Environment Manal Azzi, International Labour Organization (ILO) Thematic Discussion on Mechanisms to Support Implementation Co-Chairs Szymon Domagalski, Poland, and Noluzuko Gwayi, South Africa Cristina de Avila, EU Michel Tschirren, Switzerland Alejandra Acosta, Argentina Audun Heggelund, Norway Laura Nazef, US Delegates at work during the thematic group Thematic Discussion on Governance and Institutional Arrangements Co-Chairs Muhammed Khashashneh, Jordan, and Karissa Kovner, US Tuulia Toikka, EU Hanna-Andrea Rother, University of Cape Town View of the dais during the thematic group Around the Venue Labor Sector Meeting, hosted by ILO

Highlights for Tuesday, 1 October 2019 Delegates gathering for the third Meeting of the Intersessional Process Considering the Strategic Approach and the Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste Beyond 2020 (IP3) The Third Meeting of the Intersessional Process for Considering the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) and the Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste Beyond 2020 (IP3) opened at the UN Conference Centre (UNCC) in Bangkok, Thailand, on Tuesday, 1 October 2019. Delegates heard opening statements from Pralong Dumrongthai, Director-General, Pollution Control Department, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Thailand, Gertrud Sahler (Germany), President of the fifth International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM5) and Tim Kasten, the incoming Officer-in-Charge of the SAICM Secretariat, all stressing the importance of IP3 to develop recommendations that can be finalized at IP4 in March 2020 and offered for ICCM5 decisions in October 2020.Following organizational matters, the meeting reviewed the various inputs introduced at this session regarding: additional measures to achieve multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder engagement; the definition, criteria and possible modalities for adopting issues of concern; mechanisms to support implementation, including appropriate and effective mechanisms for taking stock of progress; mechanisms for capacity building; and, a mechanism for updating the post-2020 instrument over time; principles and approaches; successful mechanisms for cost recovery and implementation of the polluter pays principle for financing the sound management of chemicals and waste; linkages and options to coordinate and cooperate between chemicals and waste management and other policy agendas; and results from a September 2019 technical expert workshop on indicators. IP3 then organized four thematic groups designed to develop recommendations for ICCM5 on: targets, milestones and indicators; enhanced institutional arrangements; mechanisms to support implementation (including the science-policy interface and issues of concern); and financial considerations. In the afternoon, two thematic groups commenced their work. The group on institutional arrangements discussed possible changes regarding the Bureau and Secretariat, as well as proposals to improve multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder engagement. On the latter point, the group considered the need to develop a specific strategy for approval at ICCM5, with the group co-chairs committing to preparing proposals toward that end for consideration later in the week. The thematic group on implementation held an initial exchange of views on proposals outlined in the Co-Chairs’ text, as well as relevant background documents. The discussions addressed: definition and criteria for identifying issues of concern; modalities for adopting issues for concern and monitoring their progress; and options for strengthening the science-policy interface at the international level for the sound management of chemicals and waste.During lunch a sectoral meeting on health was held to discuss the sector's priorities in a post-2020 framework. In the evening a special session was held to discuss linkages between the biodiversity and chemicals/waste agendas, and how to turn these linkages into targets and indicators.Delegates arrived at IP3 ready to tackle a heavy agenda armed with a dizzying array of inputs, but conscious that much work remains and time is running out to finish numerous tasks before ICCM5 is held one year from now in Bonn. As one delegate noted, "The Co-Chairs outlined ambitious goals for IP3, we'll be lucky to achieve half of what they want." As ambitious as the IP3 agenda already was, it got more so when concerns from several delegates led to less plenary time Tuesday and more time granted for discussing implementation, governance and institutional arrangements, including proposals for a complementary enabling framework. IISD Reporting Services, through its Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) meeting coverage, provided daily web coverage and a summary and analysis report from IP3. The summary and analysis report is now available in HTML and PDF. Photos by IISD/ENB | Sean Wu For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page Pralong Dumrongthai, Director-General, Pollution Control Department, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Thailand ICCM5 President Gertrud Sahler Tim Kasten, UN Environment (UNEP) and Officer-in-Charge, SAICM Secretariat The dais during the morning plenary David Morin (Canada), Co-Chair of the Intersessional Process Maria Florencia Grimalt, Argentina Rory O'Neill, International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) Tadesse Amera Sahilu, International POPs Elimination Network (IPEN) Susan Wilburn, Health Care Without Harm A room view during the morning session Szymon Domagalski, Poland Cheryl Eugene, Saint Lucia Felix Wertli, Switzerland Servet Gören, International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA) Manal Azzi, International Labour Organization (ILO) Carolyn Vickers, World Health Organization (WHO) Keith Ripley, IISD/ENB, speaking with ICCM5 President Gertrud Sahler, and Jutta Emig, Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU), Germany Julia Sussams, UK Mohsen Naziri, Iran Thematic Discussion on Governance and Institutional Arrangements Co-Chairs Muhammed Khashashneh, Jordan, and Karissa Kovner, US Tuulia Toikka, EU Mitsugu Saito, Japan Thematic Discussion on Mechanisms to Support Implementation View of the dais during the thematic session Giulia Carlini, Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) Ed Brzytwa, ICCA Co-Chairs Szymon Domalgaski, and Noluzuko Gwayi, South Africa, conferring Environment and Health Justice Support (HEJSupport) asking for the floor Around the Venue Health Sector Meeting, hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO) Special event on Biodiversity Linkages

Highlights for Tuesday, 1 October 2019 The BRS Secretariat and current members of the POPs Review Committee welcomed the 14 newly appointed experts whose terms will begin in May 2020. The fifteenth meeting of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC-15) to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) opened on Tuesday in Rome, Italy.Rolph Payet, Executive Secretary of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, welcomed delegates, highlighting the Committee’s role in listing 18 new POPs since the Stockholm Convention entered into force in 2004. He lauded participants for their hard work and underscored the need for broad stakeholder engagement to support the achievement of the Convention’s goal to protect human health and the environment from the risks posed by exposure to POPs. Delegates moved swiftly through each of the technical items on the POPRC’s agenda, beginning consideration of the three chemicals currently under review by the Committee: a draft risk management evaluation of perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), its salts, and PFHxS-related compounds; a proposal by the EU to list the insecticide methoxychlor in Annex A; and a proposal by Norway to list the industrial chemical Dechlorane Plus, its syn-isomer (CAS No. 135821-03-3) and its anti-isomer (CAS No. 135821-74-8) in Annexes A, B, and/or C to the Stockholm Convention.  The POPRC also agreed to establish an intersessional working group to continue work related to exemptions for continued use of the industrial chemicals decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE) and short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs), both of which are listed in Annex A (elimination) of the Stockholm Convention. In the afternoon, members and observers broke into contact groups on methoxychlor and PFHxS. Participants in the contact group on methoxychlor sought to address questions raised in plenary, including on whether the screening criteria related to persistence and long-range environmental transport are confirmed by monitoring data. The contact group on PFHxS worked toward finalizing the draft risk management evaluation, addressing concerns raised in plenary about the tensions between confidentiality of business information and the need for a clear picture of production and use to help parties understand the implications of listing this substance in the Convention. In the evening, delegates gathered on the balcony of the headquarters of the FAO for a reception. This brief respite from work was welcomed by participants, several of whom said they were looking forward to reconnecting with old friends and colleagues as they prepared for the technical work ahead. IISD Reporting Services, through its Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) meeting coverage, provided daily web updates and a summary and analysis report from POPRC-15. Christel Olsen presented Norway's proposal to list the industrial chemical Dechlorane Plus in Annexes A, B, and/or C to the Stockholm Convention. Lucie Ribeiro (Austria) presented the EU's proposal to list the insecticide methoxychlor in Annex A. Peter Dawson (New Zealand), Chair of the intersessional working group on PFHxS, presented the draft risk management evaluation of this industrial chemical.

Highlights for Tuesday, 1 October 2019 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Working Group II Co-Chair Hans-Otto Pörtner On Tuesday morning, participants to the Marine Regions Forum met in parallel dialogue sessions. In the afternoon, the plenary focused on the role of marine regions in post-2020 ocean governance.A dialogue session on enhancing regional cooperation for ocean-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) discussed different regional models that take into account synergies and trade-offs between SDG 14 and other SDGs. Sebastian Unger, Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), called for reflection on: promoting visibility for the regional level in global discussions; and using the SDGs as an integration driver to improve regional governance. David Obura, CORDIO East Africa, presented on the SDGs as a narrative for identifying synergies across scales. Yoshinobu Takei, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), provided an overview of developments leading up to the 2020 UN Ocean Conference. The session also featured regional-level case studies and roundtable discussions on lessons learned from different regional models. A dialogue session on tackling climate problems with ocean solutions discussed challenges for advancing ocean-based climate solutions and identifying tangible options for increased regional cooperation. Jean-Pierre Gattuso, Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI), presented findings from an assessment of ocean-based measures, such as ocean-based renewable energy or coastal vegetation to enhance greenhouse gas storage. Abou Bamba, Abidjan Convention Secretariat, shared experiences from the adoption of the Calabar Protocol on Sustainable Mangrove Management, noting it is the first international legal instrument dedicated to mangroves. A dialogue session on mobilizing regional stakeholders for the “Blue COP” focused on concrete solutions for better integrating ocean issues in the climate regime. Kristian Teleki, World Resources Institute, provided a snapshot of the 2019 UN Climate Action Summit and shared findings from a recent report by the High-level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy. Joanna Post, Secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), pointed to relevant UNFCCC processes to address ocean issues and indicated that the 2019 Nairobi Work Programme Focal Point Forum taking place during COP 25 will focus on oceans. In a dialogue session on weaving science with traditional knowledge, Elle Merete Omma, Saami Council, spoke about the Ottawa Principles and the understanding of the Arctic Council that indigenous knowledge and science are “different yet complementary systems and sources of knowledge.” Participants explored topics including: how traditional knowledge integration at regional level contributes to a stronger ocean governance; and mechanisms, tools, and principles needed to better integrate traditional knowledge into science-policy processes. In a keynote address to plenary, Hans-Otto Pörtner, Co-Chair of Working Group II of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), presented key findings of the IPCC Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate. Peter Thomson, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean, via video message, stressed the need for a radical transformation of consumption and production patterns, and noted that the Marine Regions Forum can be central to the development of a strategic approach bringing together different ocean-related processes while recognizing specific regional priorities and needs.Waldemar Coutts, Ambassador of Chile to Norway and Iceland, drew attention to the integration of ocean issues at the upcoming climate COP. David Johnson, Coordinator of the Global Ocean Biodiversity Initiative, shared views on integration of marine issues in the discussions on a post-2020 global biodiversity framework. Charlotte Karibuhoye, MAVA Foundation, West Africa, stressed challenges in western African countries, including lack of capacity to domesticate and implement existing regional instruments on coastal management and fisheries. Andreas Papaconstantinou, European Commission, highlighted that the ocean will remain a priority on the EU agenda, including in terms of research funding. Kristina Gjerde, IUCN, reflected on the status of negotiations on marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, and emphasized establishing a strong mandate for reporting on regional progress at the global level.Sébastien Treyer, Executive Director, IDDRI, concluded the discussion highlighting that 2020 is a year of opportunity for regional organizations, while challenges involve leadership, implementation mechanisms, and strategic use of knowledge. IISD Reporting Services, through its ENB+ Meeting Coverage, provided daily web coverage and a summary report from the Marine Regions Forum 2019. The summary report is available in HTML and PDF. Photos by IISD/ENB | Mike Muzurakis For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page Plenary Session Charlotte Karibuhoye, MAVA Foundation, West Africa Sébastien Treyer, Executive Director, Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI) Melanie Virtue, Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) Secretariat Peter Thomson, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean, via video message Waldemar Coutts, Ambassador of Chile to Norway and Iceland From L-R: Andreas Papaconstantinou, European Commission; Kristina Gjerde, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN); and David Johnson, Global Ocean Biodiversity Initiative (GOBI) Jihyun Lee, International Seabed Authority Secretariat David Freestone, Executive Secretary, Sargasso Sea Commission, with Andreas Papaconstantinou, European Commission Alexander Müller, Managing Director, TMG - Think Tank for Sustainability Room view during the plenary session Dialogue Sessions Elle Merete Omma, Saami Council Anna-Katharina Hornidge, Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT) Kristin von Kistowski, UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Jean-Pierre Gattuso, IDDRI Heike Imhoff, Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, Germany Christopher Corbin, UN Environment Programme - Caribbean Environment Programme Janina Lobmüller, German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ) Room view during the "WE ARE OCEAN: Can the arts mobilize youth for ocean conservation?" session María del Mar Otero, IUCN Alex David Rogers, REV Ocean Around the Venue