European Union

Highlights for Monday, 13 May 2019 Mami Mizutori, SRSG for Disaster Risk Reduction, Sameh N. Wahba, World Bank Group, and Asako Okai, ASG, UNDP The Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction 2019 (GP2019) began preparatory events on Monday, ahead of the forthcoming high-level meeting from 15 – 17 May in Geneva, Switzerland. Many forums and side events took place in and around the main conference venue of the CICG, organized by the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and partners including the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), universities, and other international organizations.One of the preparatory events leading up to GP2019 was Fourth World Reconstruction Conference (WRC-4). The two-day conference, which opened Monday at the International Conference Center Geneva (CICG), highlighted inclusivity as a centerpiece of national DRR frameworks. Speakers noted that there are many entry points to begin protecting vulnerable populations from disasters, and cited examples such as giving support to NGOs or care workers, and identifying who is vulnerable before a disaster occurs.Another two-day preparatory event for GP2019 was the Second Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems Conference (MHEWS-II), which took place near the conference venue, at the headquarters of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The conference drew attention to the need for a multi-hazard approach in light of the anticipated impacts of climate change, and participants discussed progress on technology and partnerships to reach people in “the last mile” through MHEWS.A third event in preparation for GP2019 was the Science and Policy Forum at the nearby UN Headquarters, the Palais des Nations. The Forum brought together academics and policymakers from the disaster risk reduction (DRR) community. They discussed the need to reach audiences beyond the DRR community, expand the traditional scope of academic research to work closely with local communities, and improve the governance of risk through adopting deliberative approaches.Other events associated with GP2019 preparations on Monday included the Fourth Meeting of the Small Island States Resilience Initiative (SISRI) Practitioners’ Network at WMO, a stakeholder forum organized by UNDRR, and several consultations of regional groups. IISD Reporting Services, through its ENB+ Meeting Coverage, has provided daily web coverage, daily reports, and a summary report from GP2019, which is available in HTML and PDF. For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page World Reconstruction Conference 4 Delegates take their seats as the opening session begins Asako Okai, ASG, UNDP; Carl Hallergard, Deputy Head of Delegation of EU in Geneva; Maria Luisa Silva, UNDP Delegates during the opening plenary Setsuko Saya, Cabinet Office, Japan; Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister, Goverment of Kerala, India; and Edward Ndopu, UNSG SDG Advocate and disability advocate Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister, Goverment of Kerala, India Swiss yodeling performance at the WRC4 opening ceremony Science and Policy Forum Mami Mizutori, SRSG for Disaster Risk Reduction and Flavia Schlegel, International Science Council (ISC) Special Envoy for Science in Global Policy Jacqueline McGlade, University College London and Maasai Mara University, Kenya, and Andrew Revkin, National Geographic Society Rajib Shaw, Scientific and Technical Advisory Group (STAG); Annisa Triyanti, Global STAG; Qunli Han, Integrated Research on Disaster Risk (IRDR); Antonia Yulo Loyzaga, National Resilience Council, Philippines; Chadi Abdallah, Arab STAG; Jörgen Sparf, Europe STAG; Hirokazu Tatano, Global Alliance of Disaster Research Institutes, and Mark Pelling, Global Challenges Research Fund Qunli Han, IRDR Antonia Yulo Loyzaga, National Resilience Council, and Chadi Abdallah, Arab STAG Launch of new journal, “Progress in Disaster Science,” at the Science-Policy Forum Second Multi-Hazard Early Warning Conference Nicolas Bidault, World Food Programme (WFP) Martin Todd, University of Sussex; Prisca Chisala, Malawi Red Cross; Luca Dell'Oro, UNDDR; and Gabriela Guimaraes Nobre, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Pablo Suarez, Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre Participants break out into small groups to debate priorities on impact-based forecasting. Madhad Uprety, Practical Action, Nepal; Brenda Lazarus, FAO; Helen Bye, Met Office, UK; and Ganjuur Sarantuya, National Agency for Meteorology and Environment Monitoring, Mongolia Petteri Talas, Secretary-General World Meteorological Organization (center) with participants from the Second Multi- Hazard Early Warning Conference

Highlights for Friday, 10 May 2019 View of the UNFF14 session from the public gallery The final day of the fourteenth session of the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF14) marked another milestone for the Forum, as delegates completed their deliberations in a record three hours.Discussions of the day included Monitoring Assessment and Reporting (MAR), Means of Implementation (MOI), Emerging Issues and the UNFF Trust Fund.On MAR, Australia, Canada and New Zealand presented a proposal from an informal brainstorming meeting on the Forum’s Flagship Report, calling for: a clearly articulated and effective communication of why forests matter for sustainable development, and for progress in achieving the Global Forest Goals and the Sustainable Development Goals; a roadmap outlining key steps and timelines of publication; launch of the publication at the XV World Forestry Congress to be hosted by Korea in 2021; and an advisory committee to guide the secretariat on the publication. MOI discussions reopened the spirited debate on the Global Forest Financing Facilitation Network (GFFFN) office, with several governments expressing support for the office, but calling for transparency on ongoing negotiations. Delegates thereafter adopted the UNFF14 report and took note of the UNFF14 Chair’s Summary, which contains four parts: summary of technical discussions, for transmission to UNFF15; UNFF14 inputs to the 2019 UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), for transmission to the HLPF; Information on UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) reforms pertaining to the Forum, for transmission by UN DESA to appropriate UN bodies that are considering and deciding on the reforms; and an indicative list of intersessional activities suggested during UNFF14 to facilitate policy deliberations at UNFF15. They also agreed on the date, venue and agenda for UNFF15, noting that it would be held at the UN Headquarters in New York from 4-8 May 2020.As the meeting gaveled to a close at 12:01 pm, many delegates lingered, discussing scenarios for the future of the Forum in hushed tones. Delegates murmured about financial resources, noting the need for cost effectiveness by the Secretariat, particularly over-reliance on consultants instead of doing things in-house. Some delegates continued to discuss the GFFFN new office, questioning its long-term sustainability.  Some expressed hope that, withholding of fund by some important donors, would trigger more transparency and better communication with Member States, and set the ground for open discussions at UNFF15. IISD Reporting Services, through its Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) meeting coverage, has provided daily web coverage and a summary and analysis report from UNFF14, which is available in HTML and PDF. Photos by IISD/ENB | Franz Dejon For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page L-R: Hossein Moeini Meybodi, UNFF Secretariat; Boris Greguška, Slovakia, UNFF14 Chair; and Lesley Brough, UNFF Secretariat Lok Bahadur Chhetri, Nepal Mehdi Remaoun, Algeria Bojan Grlaš, EU Maureen Whelan, Canada Closing session of UNFF14 Thomas Noyal, India Keith Anderson, Switzerland Catherine Karr-Colque, US Myungkil Kim, Republic of Korea Luciana Melchert, Brazil Ian Naumkin, Russian Federation Yoshiko Motoyama, Japan Jesse Mahoney, Australia Sixian Zheng, China Renato Morales, Argentina Liubov Poliakova, Ukraine Pedro Soust, Uruguay Khalid Chekri, Morocco, UNFF14 Rapporteur Afsa Kemitale-Rothschild, UNFF Secretariat Boris Greguška, Slovakia, UNFF14 Chair, gaveled the meeting to a close at 12:01 pm Delegates at the close of UNFF14 Delegates from Kenya and Japan Major Group participants with delegates from the EU

Highlights for Thursday, 9 May 2019 Osvaldo Álvarez-Pérez, Rotterdam Convention COP9 President, speaks with delegates from China at the end of the joint plenary Work continued apace on Thursday at the 2019 meetings of the Conferences of the Parties (COPs) to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm (BRS) Conventions. On the penultimate day of the meetings, delegates convened in plenary in the morning to look into issues of joint concern, as well as work related to the Rotterdam Convention (RC). They addressed several matters related to the implementation of the RC, including by adopting decisions that seek to ensure the provision of technical assistance and increase the number of parties that submit notifications of final regulatory action on chemicals.With several significant issues as yet unresolved, plenary was suspended after the morning session to allow delegates to work in contact groups and carry out informal consultations in order to find common ground. The critical issues that remain include plastic wastes, and electronic and electrical wastes (e-wastes) under the Basel Convention, the listing of four chemicals under the Rotterdam Convention’s Prior Informed Consent procedure, and – crucially – a budget to fund the work that will be carried out in 2020-2021 to implement all three Conventions. With many participants emphasizing that the outstanding agenda items are essential to meaningful action and effective implementation, delegates anticipated a late night of intense negotiations on Thursday.For more details on the day's events and to hear what delegates said in the corridors, see our Earth Negotiations Bulletin. IISD Reporting Services, through its Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) Meeting Coverage, provided daily web coverage, daily reports, and a summary and analysis report from the 2019 Meetings of the Conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions. The summary and analysis report is available in HTML and PDF. Photos by IISD/ENB | Kiara Worth For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page. Plenary: Joint Session View of plenary during the joint session Cristina de Avila, EU Serge Molly Allo'o Allo'o, Gabon, speaking on behalf of the African Group Zaigham Abbas, Pakistan Momodou Jama Suwareh, the Gambia Abdoulaye Moussa Abderamon, Chad Sarah Maillefer, Switzerland Christopher Kanema, Zambia Francis Kihumba Njuguna, Kenya Karissa Kovner, US Bangaly Dioumessy, Guinea Roger Baro, Burkina Faso Yajing Tian, China Serge Karonkano, Burundi Aïta Sarr Seck, Senegal Various decisions are adopted during the plenary Contact Groups Basel Convention Plastics small drafting group on amendments to the annexes View of the dais during the Contact Group on Technical Assistance and Financial Resources Contact Group on Programme of Work and Budget Contact Group on Rotterdam Convention Effectiveness Around the Venue Delegates at the start of plenary Delegates check the Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) website to follow negotiations Georg Karlaganis, UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), speaks with Felix Wertli, Switzerland Delegates from the Netherlands and New Zealand Delegates from Eritrea Delegates from Mozambique Delegates from Peru Delegates from Iraq Delegates from Lebanon Björn Beeler, International POPs Elimination Network (IPEN) Andrea Volpato, Order of Chemists and Physicists of the Province of Treviso, with Ahmet Daskin, Turkey

Highlights for Thursday, 9 May 2019 Boris Greguška, Slovakia, UNFF14 Chair, with delegates from Slovakia On Thursday morning, delegates participated for the first time in UNFF in discussions on “enhancing global forest policy coherence and a common international understanding of sustainable forest management (SFM).” Many appreciated that a common understanding of SFM can contribute to coherence in forest-related policies. However, some urged for sensitivity to diverse national definitions and forest management approaches.Throughout the day, governments also engaged in interactive debates spurred by three panel discussions on: Actions by the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF). This panel focused on interlinkages and ways of strengthening cohesion between the Global Forest Goals (GFGs), with other global goals including the Paris Agreement and the Aichi Biodiversity Targets; Actions by Regional and Subregional Partners in Support of the UN Strategic Plan for Forests 2030 (UNSPF), which provided opportunity for these groups to share their activities to advance the GFGs in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under review by the 2019 UN High-Level Political Forum (HLPF); and Actions by Major Groups in Support of the UNSPF 2030, which focused on the Major Group Work Plan 2018-2020 and other activities carried out to advance the implementation of the GFGs. Tensions regarding UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) reforms appeared to subside on Thursday, as delegates focused attention on progress made in collaborations to achieve a wide range of global environmental goals. Many acknowledged the continued difficulty in reporting on the forest-related goals and targets in the Paris Agreement, Aichi Biodiversity Targets and the UNSPF separately. One delegate observed, “the GFGs are an opportunity to kill several birds with one stone.” The hope that synergies, cohesion and cooperation can be achieved through UNFF provided many a sense of pride of the Forum’s capacity. Some however acknowledged that cohesion is an ambitious expectation, and that the different roads taken by the different agencies may still lead us to the desired destination: the achievement of SDGs. IISD Reporting Services, through its Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) meeting coverage, has provided daily web coverage and a summary and analysis report from UNFF14, which is available in HTML and PDF. Photos by IISD/ENB | Franz Dejon For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page Afsa Kemitale-Rothschild, UNFF Secretariat Hossein Moeini Meybodi, UNFF Secretariat Jennifer Conje, US Argyro Zerva, EU L-R: Hossein Moeini Meybodi, UNFF Secretariat; Rob Busink, the Netherlands, UNFF14 Vice-Chair; and Jori Jorgensen, UNFF Secretariat Panel on Enhancing Cooperation, Coordination, and Cross-sectoral Engagement on Forest-related Issues Dais during the panel session Rob Busink, the Netherlands, UNFF14 Vice-Chair Hiroto Mitsugi, CPF Chair and Assistant Director General, Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) Alexander Shestakov, Convention on Biological Diversity Secretariat (CBD) Hosny El-Lakany, University of British Columbia L-R: Peter Iversen, UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Secretariat (UNFCCC); Alexander Shestakov, CBD Secretariat; and Hiroto Mitsugi, CPF Chair and Assistant Director General, FAO L-R: Sasha Alexander, UN Convention to Combat Desertification Secretariat; Hosny El-Lakany, University of British Columbia; and Ulrich Apel, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Jessica Coronel, Ecuador Kyungmi Oh, Republic of Korea Zahrul Muttaqin, Indonesia Ridza Awang, Malaysia Actions by Regional and Subregional Partners in Support of the UNSPF Khalid Cherki, Morocco, Rapporteur and Vice-Chair UNFF14 Paola Deda, UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) L-R: Paola Deda, UNECE and Moderator; Thang Long Trinh, International Bamboo and Rattan Organization (INBAR); and David Gritten, The Centre for People and Forests Thang Long Trinh, INBAR David Gritten, The Centre for People and Forests Almani Dampha, African Union Commission Godwin Kowero, African Forest Forum L-R: Peter Csoka, FAO; Almani Dampha, African Union Commission; and Godwin Kowero, African Forest Forum Actions by Major Groups in Support of the UNSPF 2030 Cécile Ndjebet, African Women’s Network for Community Management of Forests Joe Cobbinah, University of Ghana, Moderator L-R: Fernanda Rodrigues, Forest Women Networkl; Martha Nuñez, Coordinadora Ecuatoriana de organizaciones para la Defensa de la Naturaleza y el Medio Ambiente; Lucy Mulenkei, Indigenous Information Network; and Steffen Dehn, International Forestry Students’ Association Lucy Mulenkei, Indigenous Information Network Martha Nuñez, Coordinadora Ecuatoriana de organizaciones para la Defensa de la Naturaleza y el Medio Ambiente Cécile Ndjebet, African Women’s Network for Community Management of Forests and Sim Hoek-Cho, Asia Pacific Association of Forestry Research Institutions Dais during the panel discussions

Highlights for Wednesday, 8 May 2019 Delegates raise their placards as they participate in the first COP vote in the Rotterdam Convention’s 20-year history On the ninth day of the 2019 meetings of the Conferences of the Parties (COPs) to the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm (BRS) Conventions, delegates convened in plenary to address two significant agenda items under the Rotterdam Convention: compliance and listing of chemicals in Annex III.After 15 years of negotiations to define and establish procedures and a mechanism to support compliance with the provisions of the Rotterdam Convention, there was widespread support for the creation of a non-punitive mechanism that would facilitate parties’ implementation of their obligations. Parties came close to achieving consensus at the last two meetings, and at COP9, only one party continued to block agreement. When it became clear that consensus would not be possible, parties took the unprecedented and historic step of voting to create a new Annex to the Convention which sets out procedures and mechanisms to facilitate compliance. This new mechanism will assist parties to identify and address gaps in complying with the Convention, with the aim of ensuring that governments have the information they need about hazardous chemicals to assess the risks and take informed decisions when importing chemicals.In the afternoon, the COP turned to some of the core work of the Rotterdam Convention: the Chemical Review Committee’s recommendations to list chemicals in Annex III. The Committee has recommended listing two severely hazardous pesticide formulations (SHPFs) - fenthion and paraquat - as well as the chemicals acetochlor, hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), phorate, carbosulfan, and chrysotile asbestos. Listing chemicals under the Rotterdam Convention does not constitute a ban, but subjects them to the prior informed consent procedure between exporting and importing countries. Agreement to list HBCD and phorate was swift. Discussions on acetochlor, carbosulfan, paraquat, fenthion and chrysotile asbestos were more difficult, however, with many delegates objecting to listing chemicals that are widely used in their countries. The different views on chrysotile asbestos, which has been on the COP’s agenda since 2006, once again proved to be insurmountable; the issue will be forwarded to COP10 for further discussion.For more details on the day's events and to hear what delegates said in the corridors, see our Earth Negotiations Bulletin. IISD Reporting Services, through its Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) Meeting Coverage, provided daily web coverage, daily reports, and a summary and analysis report from the 2019 Meetings of the Conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions. The summary and analysis report is available in HTML and PDF. Photos by IISD/ENB | Kiara Worth For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page. Plenary: Rotterdam Convention The Rotterdam Convention COP9 President consults with the BRS Conventions Secretariat and Legal Team Christina Paradiso, Canada Fredrick Mupoti Sikabongo, Namibia Ken Mizuchi, Japan Amadou Camara, Mali Moussa Sow, Mauritania Thilaagem Mathew, Malaysia Dilli Ram Sharma, Nepal Francis Kihumba Njuguna, Kenya Marina Carrilho Soares, Brazil Delegates vote to create a new annex that will establish a compliance mechanism for the Rotterdam Convention, with the aim of enhancing the effectiveness of implementation Delegates applaud the adoption of Annex VII to establish a compliance mechanism Tadesse Amera Sahilu, International POPs Elimination Network (IPEN) Roland Mario Dieterle, CropLife International Contact Groups Contact Group on Rotterdam Convention Effectiveness View of the dais during the Contact Group on Technical Assistance and Financial Resources Afternoon Plenary: Rotterdam Convention Osvaldo Álvarez-Pérez, Rotterdam Convention COP9 President Suzana Andrejevic Stefanovic, Serbia Wilfredo Roldan, the Philippines Doaa Abdallah, Palestine Charles Ikeah, Nigeria Chantha Moch, Cambodia Natalia Kostenko, Russian Federation Amina Beibitova, Kazakhstan Yelba de López González, Nicaragua Meriel Watts, Pesticide Action Network (PAN) Carolyn Vickers, World Health Organization (WHO) Halshka Graczyk, International Labour Organization (ILO) Bernhard Herold, Solidar Suisse Subono, a victim of chrysotile asbestos, speaking on behalf of the Rotterdam Convention Alliance (ROCA) Around the Venue Delegates from Colombia and Uruguay consult Delegates from Panama Delegates from Kazakhstan Delegates from Moldova Joe DiGangi, IPEN, speaks with delegates from India Delegates from Burkina Faso Delegates from Côte d'Ivoire Delegates from Norway Mohammed Khashashneh, Stockholm Convention COP9 President Delegates from Romania and the EU Delegates from the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) Delegates from Montenegro