NGOs

The UN Environment Assembly’s (UNEA) Ad Hoc Open-ended Expert Group on Marine Litter and Microplastics Co-Chairs Jillian Dempster (New Zealand) and Elizabeth Ines Taylor Jay (Colombia) brief OEWG11 on the work of their Ad Hoc Group. The Eleventh Meeting of the Open-ended Working Group of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal (OEWG11) resumed on Tuesday, 4 September 2018 in Geneva, Switzerland. The OEWG met in plenary in the morning, and in contact groups (CGs) for the rest of the day.In the morning session, the Co-Chairs of the Expert Working Group (EWG) on Review of Annexes then briefed delegates on the EWG's work to date and the proposal by Canada and Chile on a way forward. Work on this issue was referred to the Legal Matters CG for more detailed discussion. The plenary then turned to marine plastic litter and microplastics. Delegates: held an initial exchange of views on the issue, its consequences, and national actions to reduce the impacts of these wastes; considered a report on possible options available under the Convention to further address the issue; and discussed Norwegian proposals for a new partnership on plastic wastes and for amendments to annexes in order to reclassify solid plastic waste. During lunch there was an exhibition on marine litter, and the Strategic Matters and Technical Matters CGs met. The Strategic Matters CG discussed: the draft practical manual for stakeholders to ensure that notifications of transboundary movements (TBM) meet environmentally sound management (ESM) requirements; and the draft practical manual on extended producer responsibility and on financing systems for ESM. The Technical Matters CG finalized the draft technical guidelines (TGs) on incineration on land and on specially engineered landfill. They also finalized the draft TGs on ESM of wastes consisting of, containing, or contaminated with persistent organic pollutants (POPs), as well as exchanged views on proposed numerical values for low-POPs content.The afternoon was devoted to a resumed Technical Matters CG session to work on a draft decision on marine plastic litter and microplastics, including a possible partnership on plastic wastes. Afterward the Legal Matters CG convened briefly to consider the Canadian/Chilean proposal on review of Convention annexes.In the evening, a side event showed the film, “Toxic Playground,” and updated participants on the entry into force of the Basel Ban Amendment. An invitation-only high-level event was held at the Palais de Nations on marine plastic litter and microplastics. IISD Reporting Services, through its Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) Meeting Coverage, provided daily web updates from OEWG11 and will publish a summary and analysis report which is available in HTML and PDF. NGOs consult before the start of the second day Agustina Camilli, Uruguay Joost Meijer, Co-Chair, Expert Working Group on Review of the Convention Annexes, explains the conference room paper (CRP) on the subject proposed by Canada and Chile. Shunsuke Kudo, Japan Adina Renee Adler, Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries  

The following events were covered by IISD Reporting Services on Tuesday, 17 July, 2018: Global Pact for the Environment: A Tool in Implementing the 2030 Agenda Meeting the Challenge of Chemical Pollution beyond 2020: Working Together for Healthy People and a Healthy Planet! Photos by IISD/ENB | Natalia Mroz For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page Global Pact for the Environment: A Tool in Implementing the 2030 Agenda Presented by the Permanent Mission of France to the UN This event convened to demonstrate that the Global Pact for the Environment (Global Pact) can be a tool for all countries to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda) by strengthening international environmental law and facilitating the implementation of the environmental pillars of sustainable development. Moderator Jamil Ahmad, Director, UN Environment (UNEP), opened the event, noting it provides an important milestone for moving the Global Pact forward. Brune Poirson, Minister, Ecological and Inclusive Transition, France, stressed: accelerating collective and concrete actions against "widespread and catastrophic loss of biodiversity,” and said the Global Pact aims to bring together fundamental principles of environmental law in a single, short, and cross-cutting text, noting international environmental law remains fragmented. She explained the UN General Assembly resolution (A/72/L.51) decided to establish an ad hoc open-ended working group to identify gaps in international environmental law and make recommendations by June 2019. On implementation of the 2030 Agenda, the panelists addressed: impacts of current international law; what content in the Global Pact would be most useful; and how to ensure greater stakeholder participation and engagement. Victor Tafur, International Council of Environmental Law (ICEL), and Representative to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), said the incomplete and fragmented nature of current international law will retard implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). On a set of global principles, he said: states can guide implementation; principles apply directly once recognized and need neither bureaucracy nor a budget; and principles will help level the playing field among states. Siim Valmar Kiisler, Minister of Environment, Estonia, and President, UN Environment Assembly (UNEA), observed, as a minister, that countries track what commitments have been made by their neighbors, and clearer understanding in this regard would help national legislative bodies. He said UNEA’s role would be more on the practical vs. legal aspects of the Global Pact, and he looked forward to future clarification about the linkage with UNEA. Erik Solheim, Executive Director, UNEP, lauded France for its recent environmental initiatives, saying political leadership is a “raw material” more needed and valuable than gold. He outlined UNEP’s role as one of service, highlighting an upcoming gap analysis that will provide information about the need for and potential benefits of the Global Pact. On potential ways to ensure usefulness in implementing the 2030 Agenda, Mame Thierno Dieng, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Senegal, stressed opportunities to strengthen actions to implement the 2030 Agenda at various levels. He emphasized: the principles of transparency, participation, and inclusion; and partnerships to mobilize everyone. Minister Poirson underscored the need to act together to address environmental degradations that affect vulnerable groups, including youth, women, and marginalized and indigenous groups, and said the Global Pact is an important tool for addressing this issue in partnerships and in solidarity. Daniel Calleja y Crespo, Director-General for Environment, European Commission, outlined the Global Pact aims to: offer a coherent legal framework; create a cornerstone for more far-reaching norms; complement other environmental law by codifying certain principles; foster legislative and jurisdictional mechanisms to ensure monitoring and implementation; and increase legal certainty. On ensuring greater stakeholder participation and ownership, Lazarus Amayo, Permanent Representative of Kenya to the UN, said the Global Pact process needs to: ensure strong leadership and high-level commitments on the 2030 Agenda: involve countries that might not have voted for the resolution to move forward together to achieve the SDGs; and engage non-state actors, such as NGOs, the private sector, academia, and youth. Cyriaque Sendashonga, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), noted IUCN’s involvement in creating the opportunity for non-state actors to be involved. She said IUCN fully supports the resolution as it: ensures multi-stakeholder participation; contributes to achieving the 2030 Agenda; and accelerates actions of IUCN member states. During a discussion period, participants commented on: language establishing the right to a healthy environment; support for the Global Pact from the private sector, and local and regional governments; lack of uniform regulations on methane pollution; the need for conversations at the national level to assess domestic implications; and taking into account traditional knowledge, and the rights of indigenous peoples and women. Jeffrey Sachs, Special Advisor to the UN Secretary-General, and Director, Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), outlined key principles in the Global Pact and identified two challenges it can help to advance: climate change, saying it is not a risk of the future, but a clear and present danger, and that a system of remediation could help by providing funds for restitution, especially for poor people; and global supply chains, calling for globalized co-responsibility, where both downstream users and upstream generators are held responsible for environmental impacts. Minister Poirson said the Global Pact process offers a momentum for collective actions to progress together quickly, and closed the event, saying, “you can count on France to tackle this global struggle.” Jeffrey Sachs, Special Advisor to the UN Secretary-General, said emergency response, in the context of climate-related natural disasters, is not a system; it leaves behind an unsolved catastrophe. Minister Brune Poirson, France, emphasized strong political response is crucial for addressing the challenges of sustainable development Moderator Jamil Ahmad, UN Environment, listens to a presentation Erik Solheim, Executive Director, UN Environment, thanked countries who remained open to the Global Pact if the UN began a formal process, even though they initially voted against the UNGA resolution. Mame Thierno Dieng, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Senegal, said his country supports the Global Pact because it will provide benefits to human beings, animals, and the planet A participant listens to the discussion A participant applauded the Global Pact’s emphasis on health, saying pollution is the largest cause of death on the planet Lazarus Amayo, Permanent Representative of Kenya to the UN, said his country continues to support whatever makes change possible Siim Valmar Kiisler, Minister of Environment, Estonia, and President, UNEA, said the entire international community should be invited to help determine how the Global Pact can most contribute to implementation of the 2030 Agenda Victor Tafur, ICEL, said national governments will decide how to apply the principles included in the Global Pact Daniel Calleja y Crespo, Director-General for Environment, EC, called the Global Pact a ground-breaking initiative that will facilitate implementation of the SDGs and environmental legislation in a holistic manner Cyrie Sendashonga, IUCN, said IUCN involvement in the process has brought multi-stakeholder participation Participants take a photo before the session A participant poses a question The room during the session Jeffrey Sachs, Special Advisor to the UN Secretary-General, takes a picture with participants Erik Solheim, Executive Director, UN Environment, greets participants Contact: pactemondialenvir.dgm-ddd-clen@diplomatie.gouv.fr More Information: www.pactenvironment.org/ Meeting the Challenge of Chemical Pollution beyond 2020: Working Together for Healthy People and a Healthy Planet! Presented by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU), Germany This event provided a platform for participants to exchange perspectives on chemicals and waste, including challenges and opportunities for sound management, in the context of SDG 12 on sustainable consumption and production patterns. Moderator Minu Hemmati, Adelphi, called addressing chemicals a key enabler for achieving SDG 12. Noting that asbestos kills more than 100,000 people each year, and that up to 22 million people can be at risk from exposure to lead-acid car battery recycling, she called for: raising awareness on chemical and waste issues; better risk management; and adequate global governance. Rita Schwarzelühr-Sutter, Parliamentary State Secretary, BMU, Germany, stressed her country’s  ambitious, practical framework on waste management to achieve the 2030 Agenda and circular economy. She underscored: clearly demonstrating the benefits of addressing chemicals to realize the SDGs nationally and globally; and promoting international cooperation to share experiences and mobilize support. Karolina Skog, Minister of Environment, Sweden, called for consumers to make more responsible choices. She outlined her country’s international high-level alliance on chemicals and waste, launched at the HLPF, which intends to mobilize public interest on chemicals and waste beyond 2020. Skog underscored the need to reform the chemicals management system, including regulations on: trade and e-commerce; international cooperation to deliver global action on SDG 12; development of natural chemicals: and capacity building. During the panel discussion, Rolph Payet, Executive Secretary, Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions, addressed the issue of legally binding conventions and voluntary approaches. He said countries agree these three conventions provide a legally-binding approach, while the voluntary, multi-stakeholder and multi-sectoral Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) deals with issues not covered under the conventions. He also noted illegal trade in chemicals, and the need for proper exchange of information between countries, citing examples where the global availability or use of a specific chemical exceeds its known legal production. On the circular econmy of chemicals, Astrid Schomaker, European Commission, said that increasing complexity in the supply chain makes control more difficult, and noted the need to keep the product in the chain as long as possible, which may be at odds with industry’s effort to take it out. She also highlighted: building on high public awareness; strict EU chemical management legislation requiring information sharing with authorities; and constructive industry partners. On challenges for the industry, Martin Kayser, BASF SE, emphasized: ongoing efforts for sound chemicals management; gaps in knowledge and practice between developed and developing countries; and his company’s development of a responsible care management system, including workshops to build capacity in safe transportation, storage and handling of chemicals. He noted SAICM’s success in bringing stakeholders together and expressed support for its continuation. Susan Wilburn, Health Care Without Harm, noted the need to: identify consumption patterns of chemical products in procurement and patterns during use and disposal; and demonstrate possible solutions related to the SDGs. Stressing the importance of making information about safe or toxic chemicals available to consumers, she called for ensuring the distribution chain includes alternative, safer chemicals. In ensuing discussion, panelists discussed, inter alia: regulatory vs. voluntary frameworks on chemical management at different levels; making use of existing platforms such as the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent; ensuring chemical data is available to governments and consumers; how to prevent toxic chemicals from being included in recycled products while pursuing a circular economy; transparency; engagement with the health sector; and the role of the private sector. Gertrud Sahler, President, Fifth International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM), Germany, said addressing the chemicals and waste cluster is a requirement for sustainability policy at global and national levels. Saying we are likely to fall short of the SAICM 2020 Goal, which ends in 2020, she noted the 4th ICCM decision to implement an intersessional process on chemicals and waste management beyond 2020. She emphasized: maintaining a voluntary, multi-stakeholder and multi-sectoral approach; stronger involvement of industry; addressing capacity needs in developing countries for chemicals management; more recognition of the issue in other UN processes, such UN Food and Agriculture Organization, World Health Organization and UN Development Programme; and inadequate financing. She highlighted the 2019 meeting of the Open-ended Working Group as a starting point for negotiations on the issue. In closing remarks, Jacob Duer, UN Environment (UNEP), noted agreement among diverse stakeholders in a number of areas, including on stepping up efforts. He cited concurrent work on SDGs and at other international processes. Recounting important political leadership and increased engagement of industry and civil society, he called for sharpening the narrative and acting together to address the sound management of chemicals and waste. Minister Karolina Skog, Sweden, said we need to know what effect buying a product has on ourselves, the people surrounding us, and the environment A participant takes a photo of the event Rita Schwarzelühr-Sutter, Parliamentary State Secretary, Germany, said her country is working with non-state actors to make “healthy people and healthy planet” a reality Rolph Payet, Executive Secretary Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions, said illegal trade in chemicals affects companies’ business models Moderator Minu Hemmati, Adelphi, posed questions to the panelists Astrid Schomaker, Directorate General for the Environment, EC, emphasized maintaining the valuable components of the three chemicals conventions Martin Kayser, BASF SE, said using chemicals safely is at the core of his business   Susan Wilburn, Health Care Without Harm, described a review of the UN procurement process for chemical products Panelists interact with the audience A participant taking notes A participant poses a question Moderator Minu Hemmati, collecting questions from the audience A participant poses a question In closing remarks, Jacob Duer, UNEP, said we need policies and frameworks so low and middle-income countries have the capacity to address sound chemical and waste management Gertrud Sahler, President, 5th ICCM, and BMU, Germany, said addressing governance, structure and finances for chemicals management will remain challenging Engagement during the Q&A session Participants after the event Contacts: Nils Simon | simon@adelphi.de More Information: www.saicm.org

The following events were covered by IISD Reporting Services on Monday, 16 July, 2018: Healthy Ecosystems for Sustainable Development: Engaging Governments and Civil Society towards the 2020 Biodiversity Milestones Making the SDGs Work for the Lake Chad Basin Leading Sustainable Mountain Development Photos by IISD/ENB | Natalia Mroz For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page Healthy Ecosystems for Sustainable Development: Engaging Governments and Civil Society towards the 2020 Biodiversity Milestones Presented by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Government of France, and the Convention for Biological Diversity (CBD) Secretariat Moderated by David O’Connor, IUCN, this event focused on the importance of biodiversity conservation and healthy ecosystems to human livelihoods and well-being, and addressed ways forward to: integrate or align the Aichi targets with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable development (2030 Agenda); form a coalition among stakeholders to enhance actions to reduce biodiversity loss; and mobilize funding for nature conservation. During opening remarks, Cyrie Sendashonga, IUCN, asked how we can accelerate momentum to achieve the 2020 biodiversity milestones. John Robinson, WCS, said the 2030 Agenda recognized that sustainable development and biodiversity conservation are inextricably linked, and neither can succeed without progress on the other. He noted that many lands under protection are not in the right places or lack effective management, and that one-third of the world’s lands are highly degraded. Brune Poirson, Minister, Ecological and Inclusive Transition, France, outlined her country’s ambitions for conservation of biodiversity, domestically and internationally, highlighting the need for: concrete action at the national level; voluntary commitments from the private sector; and a knowledgeable and engaged citizenry. She said the 2020 CBD Conference of Parties in Beijing would be an opportunity to assess the need for changes to national commitments and that we have an historic opportunity to slow degradation of biodiversity by acting together. Cristiana Pasça Palmer, CBD Executive Secretary, highlighted the need for: urgent, inclusive, and transformative actions on biodiversity to achieve the 2030 Agenda. Stressing that business-as-usual will generate negative impacts on human well-being, she called for: a systemic approach; raising awareness in the media; and uplifting the momentum of CBD COP 10, up to 2020 and beyond. Palmer also stressed: mainstreaming biodiversity into non-environmental sectors; addressing consumer behavior; engageing all stakeholders, including marginalized and indigenous groups; and intensifying efforts to mobilize financing for biodiversity protection. Offering perspectives from the national level, Kazuaki Hoshino, Kagoshima University and CBD COP 10 Acting President, Japan, recalled the concept of “living in harmony with nature” and stressed a bottom-up approach, noting Japan’s Satoyama Initiative as a model for promoting sustainable use of biodiversity in local production landscapes. He also called for internalizing the value of biodiversity conservation into economic activities, including through promoting sustainable consumption and production patterns, and implementing a biodiversity certification scheme. Edda Fernández, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Mexico, outlined her country’s efforts on biodiversity conservation, including: adopting and implementing the National Biodiversity Strategy; mainstreaming the biodiversity agenda into the economy, including through agriculture, forestry, tourism, and health sectors; and introducing a circular economy approach as the best tool for engaging the business sector. She called for partnering with civil society organizations, including developing simple language on biodiversity to communicate with the financial and economic sectors. During the panel on engagement with civil society and scientists, Cyrie Sendashonga, IUCN, described IUCN’s work with governments, NGOs, scientists, and indigenous peoples, highlighting: generation of knowledge to guide action; action on the ground; and the quadrennial World Conservation Congress, to convene in France in 2020. John Robinson, WCS, described evidence suggesting a potential “decoupling” of biodiversity loss from other indicators, noting that, between 1993 and 2014, the human population grew by 23%, and the economy by 153%, but the biological impact of increased human pressure increased by only 9%. He identified urbanization as a possible explanation, due to more efficient energy consumption, and said work on biodiversity conservation may not be a “totally gloomy picture.” Lin Li, WWF International, urged collective ambition and commitment so that, by 2020, declining trends related to biodiversity would be reversed. She highlighted: engagement at the top levels of countries, companies and households; and revisions of Aichi targets and related national targets in the post-2020 world. Patricia Zurita, Birdlife International, said we have not made the biodiversity crisis clear, urgent or important enough for most people to understand, and called for going beyond traditional partnerships, noting the absence of ministers of finance at the event. Chantal Marijnissen, European Commission, highlighted working with communities, such as its ‘Larger than Tigers’ program, noting that vulnerable people need to see the benefits of conservation. She also emphasized use of private sector financing, including through guarantees and loans on projects related to ecosystem services. Citing a need to increase visibility, she said CBD COP 15 could be the biodiversity equivalent of what Paris was for climate change. Yasmine Fouad, Minister of Environment, Egypt, said challenges remain to achieve the Aichi targets by 2020 and the 2030 Agenda, including lack of business and financial sector participation; and implementation gaps among different sustainable development agendas. She highlighted that CBD COP 14 aims to address these challenges and to translate science into policies and actions on the ground, including through: involvement of all stakeholders by stressing “the cost of inaction”; building different levels of partnerships for creating innovation; and stock-taking of lessons to scale up and accelerate actions on biodiversity. Brune Poirson, Minister, Ecological and Inclusive Transition, France, says being pessimistic is useless, we still have the power to reverse the trend of biodiversity loss Yasmine Fouad, Minister of Environment, Egypt, called for greater recognition of the linkages between biodiversity and climate change Cyrie Sendashonga, IUCN, highlighted IUCN’s work with 350 projects in 60 countries around the world Cristiana Pasça Palmer, CBD Executive Secretary, said we need to shift from a linear to a systemic approach to implement the 2030 Agenda Moderator David O’Connor, IUCN Kazuaki Hoshino, Kagoshima University, said it is crucial to translate the concept of planetary boundary into local context Lin Li, World Wildlife Fund – International, said no one organization, sector or country can solve the biodiversity challenge alone Brune Poirson, Minister, Ecological and Inclusive Transition, France, and Cyrie Sendashonga, IUCN Edda Fernández, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Mexico, said we need to encourage the private sector to use our knowledge on biodiversity Patricia Zurita, Birdlife International, said birds are ambassadors for nature John Robinson, WCS, said biodiversity as a concept is not appreciated to the extent necessary Chantal Marijnissen, European Commission, highlighted a shift from “pure conservation” to working more with communities, especially in fragile regions Participants capture the discussion Yasmine Fouad, Minister of Environment, Egypt Panelists confer after the session Participants prepare for the side event Cyrie Sendashonga poses with participants after the event Contact: David O'Connor | David.OCONNOR@iucn.org More Information: www.iucn.org www.cbd.int www.wcs.org www.ecologique-solidaire.gouv.fr/ Making the SDGs Work for the Lake Chad Basin Presented by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Permanent Missions of Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon and the Central African Republic to the UN, in collaboration with African Development Bank and Lake Chad Basin Commission This side event highlighted the UNESCO Biosphere and Heritage of Lake Chad (BIOPALT) project as an example of multidisciplinary cooperation, linked to multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and implemented in five countries to address the crisis in the Lake Chad area. Flavia Schlegel, UNESCO, opened the event noting: increasing hardships experienced by those living in the Lake Chad Basin, and the 2017 UN Security Council recognition of security challenges in the region. She said the event offers a platform for governments, UN agencies, civil society and academia to reflect on the relevance of adopting a multisectoral and multidisciplinary response to solving the humanitarian and ecological crisis. She noted that BIOPALT is an ambitious project and that participation of five countries has proven its relevance for turning transboundary conflict into cooperation. Moderator Ibrahim Thiaw, UN Secretary-General’s Special Advisor for the Sahel, said the changed lake is shrinking like an old skin, causing loss of livelihoods, and leading to despair on behalf of millions of young people. He called BIOPALT a wonderful natural resource planning and management tool that aims to address the deeper causes of the crisis. He underscored opportunities in the Sahel region, despite the challenges, including: the abundance of renewable energy resources; youth, who are increasingly educated and eager to work; and its culture. Four country representatives shared perspectives on regional challenges and the value of BIOPALT. Suleiman Hussein Adamu, Minister, Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Nigeria, emphasized: devastating impacts on the socioeconomic wellbeing by the Boko Haram insurgency; the importance of development for promoting peace; and Nigeria’s commitment to the partnership. Issa Dourbagne, Minister, Economy, Planning and Development, Chad, stressed the: importance of the area for its terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity; impacts on women and youth; opportunity for collaboration and synergy between different scientific centers created by BIOPALT; and, the will of the five countries to join together in response to the threat. Abdallah Wafy, Permanent Representative of Niger to the UN, underscored links between the humanitarian crisis and development, and the need to promote the SDGs, saying it is necessary to address the hydrologic condition of the lake, conservation of natural resources, and the heritage of the region. Zacharie Serge Raoul Nyanid, Permanent Mission of Cameroon, noted that a 90% reduction in rainfall has affected more than 40 million people. He congratulated the BIOPALT project for its sustainable development approach on management of the hydrological and cultural resources of the basin. Maman Nuhu, Lake Chad Basin Commission, identified key project elements: management of water resources to ensure access to clean water and sanitation, including through restoring ponds and preserving oases; developing policy briefs as advocacy tools targeted at decisionmakers; action plans to support communities in monitoring and management of resources; and addressing the plight of women and youth to fight the Boko Haram insurgency. Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, M’Bororo Indigenous Women and People Association of Chad, said any solution to the Lake Chad crisis must include engagement of women, who know the resources, needs, and priorities for survival of the community and their children. She highlighted the need to carry the project forward so the people will not remain dependent on humanitarian aid, but be in charge of own livelihoods. Ousmane Doré, Director-General, African Development Bank, attributed the success of the BIOPALT project to: a focus on socioeconomic development; UNESCO’s multi-disciplinary approach, with cultural expertise complementing on-the-ground work; changing behavior by ensuring ownership, from project design through implementation; and an understanding among the countries that success of the project required contributing to the common pool. Adeshola Olatunde Adepoju, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, and African Network of Man and the Biosphere Programme, emphasized the project’s scientific and economic prongs, including biodiversity restoration and the green economy approach using cultural enterprises that reduce pressure on biodiversity resources. He described a transboundary reforestation project as a unique example of five African countries coming together in peace and collaboration. During ensuing discussion, panelists addressed: cultural issues; causes of the lake’s shrinkage; gender issues; and high rates of child marriage, with panelists noting the importance of mainstreaming gender and the need to understand and address root causes of poverty and education. In closing remarks, moderator Thiaw highlighted stories of deprivation and degradation, but also hope, and Ernesto Ottone Ramírez, UNESCO, said BIOPALT is not only a personal struggle in an important part of the world, but also represents the possibility that communities, governments and the international community can come together to build a future for everybody. Traditional dress and logo for M’Bororo Indigenous Women and People Association of Chad Information on the BIOPALT project L-R: Suleiman Hussein Adamu, Minister, Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Nigeria and Flavia Schlegel, UNESCO Ibrahim Thiaw, UN Secretary-General Special Advisor for the Sahel, said the UN Support Plan for the Sahel facilitates: cross-boundary cooperation; conflict prevention; inclusive and equitable growth; climate change responses; access to renewable energy; and empowerment of women and youth Abdallah Wafy, Permanent Representative of Niger to the UN, emphasized promoting the three pillars of the SDGs as key to turning the page for the Lake Chad area Issa Dourbagne, Minister, Economy, Planning and Development, Chad, said damages to the region are changing the society for the millennial culture  Capturing the moment Zacharie Serge Raoul Nyanid, Permanent Mission of Cameroon to the UN, said the UN Food and Agriculture’s 2017-2019 response strategy (to ensure food security of conflict-affected communities) will contribute to lessening the impact of the crisis Ousmane Dore, African Development Bank, said a paradigm shift is needed to change cultural norms about how to manage resources Flavia Schlegel, UNESCO, said the people of the Lake Chad basin once traveled hours to fetch water, but now cannot find it; girls once could not attend school, now are held as hostages by terrorists Maman Nuhu, Lake Chad Basin Commission, said the only lasting solution to the crisis is one that empowers the people to take control of the means of livelihood in the ways they know best Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, M’Bororo Indigenous Women and People Association of Chad, urged ministers, ambassadors and other partners to carry this project forward and give the people hope Noeline Raondry Rakotoarisoa, UNESCO and Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, M’Bororo Indigenous Women and People Association of Chad Ibrahim Thiaw greets participants Contacts: Noeline Raondry Rakotoarisoa | n.raondry-rakotoarisoa@unesco.org More Information: www.en.unesco.org/biopalt Leading Sustainable Mountain Development Presented by the Government of Andorra, in partnership with the Mountain Partnership, UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), UN Development Programme (UNDP), and the Governments of Argentina, Chile, Italy and Switzerland This side event convened to advocate for pro-mountain policies and actions to increase the visibility of mountain issues in the international and national processes for implementing the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda). Moderator Grammenos Mastrojeni, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Italy, and Chair, the Mountain Partnership Steering Committee, said mountains cover 22% of the earth's land surface, are home to 13% of the world’s population, and provide 60-80% of the world's fresh water, but no one talks about them in international processes. He stressed the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) cannot be achieved without increased attention to sustainable mountain development. Silvia Calvó Armengol, Minister, Environment, Agriculture and Sustainability, Andorra, emphasized that mountains contribute to the welfare of her people and highlighted her country’s VNR and efforts to implement the SDGs, in particular SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation) and SDG 15 (life on land). Regarding areas requiring action, she highlighted: introducing legislation on biodiversity and ecosystems; a target of 75% renewable energy by 2050; and pursuing energy efficiency and savings in the construction and building sectors. She called for better visibility of mountains in implementing the 2030 Agenda and said Andorra continues its leadership on sustainable mountains development. René Castro, Assistant Director General, FAO, said mountain ecosystems provide vital resources including water, energy, biodiversity and food, but they are extremely vulnerable to climate change, which alters water regimes and intensifies natural disasters. He called for integrating sustainable mountain development into the 2030 Agenda to avoid jeopardizing food security and economic development of mountain peoples and downstream communities, including displacement of local communities. Alejandro Verdier, Deputy Permanent Representative of Argentina to the UN, noted that 85 million people live in the mountains of Latin America, and stressed his country’s efforts to: strengthen regional and national mountain initiatives; develop action plans; and implement concrete mountain policies. He underscored the need to: consider innovative ways to embed mountains in regional policies; and continue fostering and strengthening the Mountain Partnership. Jorge Iglesias, Deputy Permanent Representative of Chile to the UN, said his country has approximately 64% of mountain areas, which provide 60-80% of fresh water to domestic agriculture and industrial consumption. He stressed that natural resources have been threatened by the impacts of climate change and outlined a national policy on sustainable mountain development implemented through collaboration with the private sector and civil society organizations (CSOs). He noted the importance of the Mountain Partnership’s leadership on advocating for the importance of mountains in the 2030 Agenda. Christoph Lang, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Switzerland, highlighted his country’s efforts to develop and implement policies and guidelines for rural and mountain areas through multi-stakeholder partnerships. Noting the absence of a strong voice for mountains at the global level, he stressed the Mountain Partnership Framework of Action as an essential tool for sharing experiences among and beyond mountain areas and increasing visibility globally. Giorgio Grussu, Mountain Partnership Secretariat, FAO, said the Mountain Partnership serves as the “custodian agency” of SDG 15. 4, known as the Mountain Green Cover Index, which measures changes of green vegetation in mountain areas of 157 countries. He said challenges remain in collecting accurate data, especially across borders, and emphasized the need for regional and international support in securing data availability and accuracy. Yoko Watanabe, UNDP Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grant Programme (SGP), noted that the Mountain Partnership is a platform to bring mountain communities’ voices to discussion on the SDGs. She outlined the GEF SGP’s projects on sustainable mountains and highlighted challenges, including: lack of access to investment and technologies for sustainable energy, farming, and water management; weak environmental enforcement by national institutions; and lack of recognition on traditional knowledge. She called for increasing dialogue between mountain communities and governments: and ensuring targeted support for mountain communities to enable effective interventions. In ensuing discussion, topics included: the importance of working with CSOs to bring more mountain communities together; integrating mountain biodiversity issues into international processes, such as a process on the reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation; and the need to collectively raise awareness on “why mountains matter.” The room during the discussion Silvia Calvó Armengol, Minister, Environment, Agriculture and Sustainability, Andorra #mountainsmatter, the hashtag for the Mountain Partnership René Castro, Assistant Director General, FAO Alejandro Verdier, Deputy Permanent Representative of Argentina to the UN Participants confer during the session Giorgio Grussu, FAO Grammenos Mastrojeni, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Italy Yoko Watanabe, UNDP GEF SGP Christoph Lang, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation Contact: Sara Manuelli | Sara.Manuelli@fao.org More Information: www.fao.org/mountain-partnership/home/en