Youth

Highlights for Saturday, 22 June 2019 Representatives from Youth NGOs (YOUNGOs) demonstrate in the hallway, calling for six fundamental building blocks of human rights to be considered in Article 6, without which they say it will not be able to establish a new market mechanism. The Bonn Climate Change Conference continued on Saturday, wrapping up its first week. As draft decisions, conclusions, and other texts started to trickle throughout the meeting rooms, areas of agreement and disagreement crystallized.On some highly-salient, and therefore sensitive, issues, agreement was elusive. Delegates could not agree to a procedural conclusions on common timeframes, (the length of time for countries’ nationally determined contributions (NDCs), or on conclusions related to research and systemic observation.The depth of disagreement was clear in confrontational discussions regarding the membership of the Adaptation Fund Board, and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on 1.5°C of Global Warming. One delegate intimated that the “gentleperson’s agreement” on how to consider the IPCC report “was broken.”Parties consideration of the Lima Work Programme on Gender and the Nairobi Work Programme on impacts, vulnerability, and adaptation concluded, marking some of the first finalized texts of the conference. With four negotiation days left, several delegates wondered about the extent of progress made thus far, and what they would be sending forward to the next meeting in Chile.For more details on the day's events and to hear what delegates said in the corridors, see our daily Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB). IISD Reporting Services, through its ENB Meeting Coverage, provided daily web coverage, daily reports, and a summary and analysis report from the Bonn Climate Change Conference - June 2019, which is now 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 Third Meeting of the Paris Committee on Capacity-Building Family photo of the Paris Committee on Capacity-building (PCCB). Jennifer Hanna, Dominican Republic Roberta Ianna, Italy Gregg Walker, Oregon State University, takes notes during the session. Consultations throughout the Day SBI informal consultations on matters relating to the Adaptation Fund: membership of the Adaptation Fund Board. SBSTA informal consultations on matters relating to Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. Delegates huddle during the SBI informal consultations on development and transfer of technologies: Poznan strategic programme on technology transfer. SBI informal consultations on arrangements for intergovernmental meetings. SBI/SBSTA informal consultations on matters relating to the forum on the impact of the implementation of response measures serving the Convention, the Kyoto Protocol, and the Paris Agreement. SBSTA informal consultations on training programme for technical experts participating in the technical expert review. Delegates huddle during the SBI/SBSTA informal consultations on the terms of reference for the 2019 review of the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage associated with Climate Change Impacts (WIM). Delegates speak informally between sessions. Consultative Group of Experts Informal Forum Delegates gather for the pilot Consultative Group of Experts (CGE) informal forum to engage in an implementation-focused exchange to facilitate addressing the technical assistance needs of transitioning to the enhanced transparency framework. Co-Facilitators Mausami Desai, US, and Ziaul Haque, Bangladesh Joko Prihatno, Indonesia Justin Goodwin, Aether Daniel Benefor, Ghana Delegates ask the panelists questions. World REnew Day The first World REnew Day is held outside the venue, a live open air festival calling for a future with 100% renewable energy. A local artist shares her artwork that highlights the need for environmental protection. German artist Makeda performs at the concert. Artwork on display at the festival. Around the Venue Delegates from the EU discuss the negotiating text on screen. Trigg Talley, US Amjad Abdulla, Maldives Delegates from Oxfam International, ActionAid International, and CARE International meet informally. Article 6 Co-Facilitators Peer Stiansen, Norway, and Hugh Sealy, Barbados Gebru Jember Endalew, Ethiopia, speaks with Ian Fry, Tuvalu Delegates from Austria Funanani Muremi and Dinah Thalakgale, South Africa Delegates from Papua New Guinea Delegates enjoy a moment between sessions. Andrei Marcu, Roundtable on Climate Change and Sustainable Transition, and Tomasz Chruszczow, Poland Ismail El Gizouli, Sudan, speaks with Anna Schulz, Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) UN Security Deleagtes from Germany Materials around the venue.

Highlights for Thursday, 20 June 2019 UNFCCC Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa takes a family photo with the Youth NGOs (YOUNGOs). On Thursday, the Bonn Climate Change Conference continued, carefully working in negotiating rooms while also thinking more broadly in various thematic meetings and mandated events.The need for science-based action for transformational change echoed more strongly than ever as Martin Frick, UNFCCC Secretariat, opened the Technical Expert Meeting by praising researchers and knowledge holders, reminding participants that “We need to speak about a climate emergency, not just climate change anymore.” In the research dialogue, experts stressed solutions were available, but under used, to transform the energy sector and build resilience. A common theme was the need to translate and transmit science and social science to policy makers. In other fora, delegates stressed the importance of scientific assessments in informing the periodic review of the Long-term Global Goal and the review of the Warsaw International Mechanism on Loss and Damage associated with climate change impacts.Much of the negotiations continued the focus on Article 6 (markets and non-market approaches) and how countries will report through the Paris Agreement’s enhanced transparency framework. The tasks on these issues are very different. For Article 6, delegates are working to create three new institutions, for internationally transferrable mitigation outcomes (ITMOs), a market mechanism, and non-market approaches.For many of the other issues discussed, parties are trying to find ways to make existing systems fit for purpose under the Paris Agreement. For reporting formats, this means reviewing existing forms and templates, and considering how to make them appropriate for all countries to use. Many are currently designed to be used either by developed or developing countries. Countries are trying to work out how to make sure developed countries continue to provide the same, or more, information, while allowing developing countries the flexibilities they need given how difficult it can be to gather and report technical information.Building national capacities to implement the Paris Agreement was the focus of the Durban Forum for Capacity-building. Participants brainstormed on the role of academia and research institutes, and how to coordinate national and international stakeholders. Of interest to many was best practices for showcasing, and assessing, the effectiveness of capacity-building activities.For more details on the day's events and to hear what delegates said in the corridors, see our daily Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB). IISD Reporting Services, through its ENB Meeting Coverage, provided daily web coverage, daily reports, and a summary and analysis report from the Bonn Climate Change Conference - June 2019, which is now 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 Technical Expert Meeting on Mitigation Delegates gather for the Technical Expert Meeting on Mitigation (TEM) SBI Chair Emmanuel Dlamini, eSwatini, and Martin Frick, UNFCCC Secretariat Torgny Holmgren, Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), and Bernd-Markus Liss, GIZ Melina Balderrama Durán, Helvetas Swiss Development Organization Gaurav Kumar, Claro Energy, and Jennie Barron, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences 8th Durban Forum on Capacity-Building A delegate listens to the panel during the 8th Durban Forum on Capacity-building. Co-Facilitator Stella Gama, Malawi Mizan Khan, International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) Jakob Rhyner, Innovation Campus Bonn Rebecca Carman, UN Development Programme Eleventh Meeting of the Research Dialogue Delegates gather for the eleventh meeting of the research dialogue that discussed two themes: transformation of energy and other sectoral systems to achieve the purpose and long-term goals of the Paris Agreement; and transformative adaptation and climate resilient development. Jim Skea, Working Group III Co-Chair, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Boram Lee, World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) Sheila Ochugboju, Specialist Facilitator Elmar Kriegler, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) Marta Torres Gunfaus, Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI) Delegates visit a poster display highlighting research related to the themes of the dialogue. Executive Secretary's Briefing with Observers UNFCCC Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa holds a briefing with observer organizations. Beth Martin, Research and Independent NGOs (RINGOs) Nathan Thanki, Climate Justice Now! Yunus Arikan, Local Governments and Municipal Authorities (LGMAs) Bert De Wel, Trade Union NGOs (TUNGOs) Consultations throughout the Day SBSTA informal consultations on matters relating to Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. SBSTA informal consultations on common tabular formats (CTF) for reporting information necessary to track progress made in implementing and achieving nationally determined contributions. SBI informal consultations on matters relating to the Adaptation Fund: membership of the Adaptation Fund Board. Around the Venue Ovais Sarmad, UNFCCC Deputy Executive Secretary Hans-Otto Pörtner, Working Group II Co-Chair, IPCC, speaks with SBSTA Chair Paul Watkinson, France Olga Alcaraz and Gisela Torrents, Polytechnic University of Catalonia UNFCCC Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa Launch of the Global Youth Video Competition. Delegates from Sudan Pieter Terpstra, the Netherlands (right) Delegates meet informally during the day. Rob Bradley, NDC Partnership Delegates visit the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) website to keep track of negotiations. A display of youth activists from around the world. Materials on display around the venue.

Highlights for Monday, 3 June 2019 Youth representatives from over 70 countries march on the stage, calling audience members to tackle key causes of climate change and environmental degradation. The 2019 World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF2019) opened today in Helsinki, Finland, as a global initiative of Finland and the Finnish Innovation Fund (Sitra).Following a live welcome performance on the theme “wind, water, earth and fire,” moderators Peter Woodward, Quest Associates, and Veera Heinonen, Sitra, welcomed more than 2,000 participants from over 90 countries.President Mikko Kosonen, Sitra, underlined that, while the impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss are being increasingly felt, there are nonetheless positive examples of change, such as the Finnish roadmap to a circular economy by 2025. Youth representatives from over 70 countries marched on the stage with banners, calling audience members to tackle key causes of climate change and environmental degradation.On ways to scaling up global solutions, Stientje van Veldhoven, Minister for the Environment, the Netherlands, drew attention to population growth and the “enormous” pressure on natural resources, identifying governments’ public procurement spending as a good opportunity for driving the circular economy. Torbjörn Lööf, CEO, Inter IKEA Group, announced his company’s commitment to use only renewables and recyclables by 2030.Four parallel sessions took place in the afternoon to discuss: acceleration of business innovations; circular economy in cities; governance and roadmaps; and the circular economy in Africa.The Forum closed its first day of deliberations with a plenary session on “Building an Enabling Environment for Circular Business.” Key takeaways include: transition to a circular economy is essential to respond to the climate crisis and the rapid destruction of the biosphere, which is affecting human health and undermining the life of present and future generations; governance and policy frameworks are crucial, as the circular economy transition will not happen if incentives to a wasteful economy are allowed to endure; a business case for the circular economy that clarifies the benefits of natural capital accounting can help with the transition; the transition to the circular economy must be inclusive and take into account the cultural, economic, political and social dimensions of different regional contexts; consumer mindsets remain a barrier for the circular economy and more work is required to raise awareness of sustainable consumption. IISD Reporting Services, through its ENB+ Meeting Coverage, provided daily web updates from WCEF2019. In addition, IISD Reporting Services has published a summary report from the meeting, which is available in HTML and PDF. A live performance at the Grand Opening of the WCEF2019.

Highlights for Friday, 31 May 2019 Victor Kisob, Deputy Executive Director, UN-Habitat, UN-Habitat Executive Director Maimunah Mohd Sharif, and Martha Delgado Peralta, UNHA 1 President, gavel UNHA 1 to a close. On Friday, the first UN-Habitat Assembly (UNHA 1) concluded its deliberations, adopting a Ministerial Declaration, five resolutions, and one decision to promote sustainable urbanization. The resolutions concern: The Strategic Plan for the period 2020–2023; UN System-Wide Guidelines on Safer Cities and Human Settlements; Enhancing capacity-building for the implementation of the New Urban Agenda (NUA) and the urban dimension of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; Achieving gender equality through the work of UN-Habitat to support inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and human settlements; and Enhancing urban-rural linkages for sustainable urbanization and human settlement. The decision highlights the arrangements for the transition towards the new governance structure of UN-Habitat, and the Ministerial Declaration portrays the commitment for accelerated implementation of the NUA towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).In the closing plenary, delegates adopted the draft report and the draft proceedings of UNHA 1 as well as the report of the first meeting of the Executive Board. In her closing remarks, Executive Director Sharif announced that “UN-Habitat is back” and lauded the Assembly for successfully completing its work, noting that 21 countries had pledged USD 152 million to support the implementation of the NUA. President Delgado gaveled the meeting to a close at 5.17 pm. IISD Reporting Services, through its ENB+ Meeting Coverage, provided daily web coverage, daily reports, and also produced a summary report from the 1st Session of the UN-Habitat Assembly, which 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 Morning Plenary Delegates gather for the morning plenary. Pamela Charlette, Minister of Habitat, Land, Infrastructure, and Land Transport, Seychelles Ramesh Prasad Singh, Nepal Trust, Ministry of Urban Development, Nepal Yousef Al Nuaimi, International Coordination for Housing, United Arab Emirates Klára Dostálová, Minister of Regional Development, Czech Republic William Bradford Marau, Minister of Lands, Housing, and Survey, Solomon Islands Erik Lundberg, Ambassador of Finland to Kenya Gariballa Khidir Ali Eldaw, Ambassador of Sudan to Kenya Vladimir Lenev, Russian Federation Andrii Pravednyk, Ambassador of Ukraine to Kenya Zaheer Allam, The Port Louis Development Initiative Isaac Muasa and Linda Olango, Youth Advisory Board Amie Figueiredo, UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Erik Berg, Advisory Group on Gender Issues Delegates from Shelter Afrique Events Throughout the Day Martha Delgado Peralta, UNHA 1 President, and UN-Habitat Executive Director Maimunah Mohd Sharif, speak at the final UN-Habitat press conference. Delegates share their views during the youth event 'Tide Turners Partners Challenge.' Closing Plenary Delegates gather for the closing plenary. Martín Gómez Bustillo, Ambassador of Argentina to Kenya Jesús Manzanilla, Ambassador of Venezuela to Kenya Fernando Coimbra, Chair of the Drafting Committee Lori Dando, Chair of the Executive Board Waziri Maman, Niger, speaking on behalf of the African Group Julia Pataki, EU UN-Habitat Executive Director Maimunah Mohd Sharif Judut Sutoyo, Indonesia Delegates applaud the adoption of the Ministerial Declaration on innovation for better quality of life in cities and communities through accelerated implementation of the NUA towards the achievement of the SDGs. Around the Venue Delegates from Nigeria and Niger. Delegates consult between sessions. UN Security around the venue. Delegates post their hopes for UN-Habitat on a world map made from electronic waste. Delegates pose with their favourite SDGs. An example of urban hydroponics on display around the venue. A prosthetic hand made from a 3-D printer demonstrates how technology is being revolutionized to provide quicker, cheaper, and more accessible products. The same technology can be used for the fabrication of housing in the implementation of the NUA. A wheelchair-friendly "matatu" (public service mini-van) on display around the venue demonstrates how transport systems need to take into account basic human rights. An electric car linked to a solar-powered 'smart home' demonstrates how new designs can help to promote sustainability. The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) Earth Negotiations Bulletin + team covering UNHA 1: Asheline Appleton, Kenya; Nancy Williams, US; Tallash Kantai, Kenya/Uganda; Asterios Tsioumanis, Greece; and Kiara Worth, South Africa

Highlights for Wednesday, 29 May 2019 (L-R): Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik Saeed, Yemen; President Uhuru Kenyatta, Kenya; Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, Fiji; UN-Habitat Executive Director Maimunah Mohd Sharif; President Salva Kiir, South Sudan; and Monica Juma, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kenya On Wednesday, the first UN-Habitat Assembly (UNHA 1) hosted its High-Level Segment. The opening session featured statements from: Uhuru Kenyatta, President of Kenya; Salva Kiir, President of South Sudan; Frank Bainimarama, Prime Minister of Fiji; and Maeen Abdulmalik Saeed, Prime Minister of Yemen. UN-Habitat Executive Director Maimunah Mohd Sharif and UNHA 1 President Martha Delgado Peralta also made opening remarks.Three high-level interactive thematic dialogues took place during the day, focusing on: innovation for better quality of life in cities and communities; implementation, partnerships and good practices for cities and communities; and investing in urban innovation for business. The drafting committee continued its work, addressing draft resolutions on: gender equality to support inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities; UN system-wide guidelines on safer cities; and enhancing urban-rural linkages for sustainable urbanization and human settlements. A draft resolution on access to, and the interrelationship between, urban social infrastructure was briefly discussed. A number of events took place throughout the day. The Partnerships and Pledging Conference aimed at attracting additional funds for the implementation of UN-Habitat’s work programme, raised over USD 150 million. The Local and Regional Governments Forum discussed the role of local authorities in implementing the New Urban Agenda (NUA) and the 2030 Agenda.Three youth events shared innovative ideas and projects; discussed the participation of young people in peace processes, dispute resolution, and conflict prevention; and highlighted successes of youth-led development in Latin America. Four events were held on the City Stage on: public participation in urban and public space design; uptake of water and sanitation innovations; art as a solution; and housing innovation of inclusive cities. A Women’s event provided a platform for sharing new approaches, key events, and engagement opportunities for grassroots women, women leaders, and organizations.Two press conferences focused on the Partnerships and Pledging Conference, and the 10th World Urban Forum (WUF 10) as well as the case of illegal waste in Ngong Town, Kajiado County, Kenya. Ten side events were held at lunchtime, focusing on, inter alia: science, technology, innovation, and human behavior; localizing the NUA and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); building climate resilience for the urban poor; strengthening urban finance for sustainable development; human rights-based approaches to meet the SDGs and NUA targets for women, youth, and children; and the humanitarian-development-peace nexus and resilience in Arab cities. In the evening, a reception was organized by the United Arab Emirates as host country of WUF 10. IISD Reporting Services, through its ENB+ Meeting Coverage, provided daily web coverage, daily reports, and also produced a summary report from the 1st Session of the UN-Habitat Assembly, which 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 High-Level Segment Delegates gather in plenary for the High-Level Segment UN-Habitat Executive Director Maimunah Mohd Sharif Martha Delgado Peralta, UNHA 1 President Moderator Julie Gichuru, Media Personality, Kenya President Salva Kiir, South Sudan Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik Saeed, Yemen Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, Fiji President Uhuru Kenyatta, Kenya Heads of State sign a graffiti murial painted by young women as a keepsake for UNHA 1 High-Level Interactive Strategic Dialogue: Creating an Enabling Environment for Innovation through Policy Panel speakers for the event (L-R): Moderator Julie Gichuru; Wallis Goelen, European Commission; Irene Campos Gómez, Minister of Housing and Human Settlement, Costa Rica; Fatimetou Abdel Malick, President, Nouakchott Regional Council; Siraj Sait, Director, University of East London; and Elin Olsson, State Secretary to the Minister for Financial Markets and Housing, Sweden Elin Olsson, State Secretary to the Minister for Financial Markets and Housing, Sweden Fatimetou Abdel Malick, President, Nouakchott Regional Council Wallis Goelen, European Commission Siraj Sait, Director, University of East London High-Level Interactive Strategic Dialogue: Implementation, Partnerships and Good Practices for Cities and Communities Panel speakers (L-R): Moderator Julie Gichuru; Joyce Msuya, Acting Executive Director, UN Environment Programme (UNEP); Noraini Binti Roslan, Mayor of Subang Java, Malaysia; Ridwan Kamil, Governor of West Java, Indonesia; Basim bin Yacoub Al‐Hamer, Minister of Housing, Bahrain; Cezanne Maherali, Head of Policy East Africa, Uber; and Alex Awiti, The Aga Khan University, Kenya Cezanne Maherali, Head of Policy East Africa, Uber Noraini Binti Roslan, Mayor of Subang Jaya, Malaysia Alex Awiti, The Aga Khan University, Kenya Basim bin Yacoub Al‐Hamer, Minister of Housing, Bahrain Joyce Msuya, Acting Executive Director, UNEP High-Level Interactive Strategic Dialogue: Investing in Urban Innovation Panel speakers (L-R): Moderator Julie Gichuru; Shimoy Hajare, Youth Representative; Marc Collins Chen, Co‐Founder and CEO, Oceanix; Marina Klemensiewicz, Secretary of Urban Infrastructure, Ministry of Interior, Argentina; Ullrich Sierau, Mayor of Dortmund, Germany; James Hanna, Director of Data Center Community Development, Microsoft; and François Pitti, Director for Innovation, Bouygues, France Shimoy Hajare, Youth Representative Marc Collins Chen, Co‐Founder and CEO, Oceanix James Hanna, Director of Data Center Community Development, Microsoft Marina Klemensiewicz, Secretary of Urban Infrastructure, Ministry of Interior, Argentina Special Events Partnerships and Pledging Conference (L-R): Moderator Julie Gichuru; Naser Khraibut, Kuwait; Lars Gronveld, Director-General for International Cooperation and Development, European Commission; Irene Campos Gómez, Minister of Housing and Human Settlement, Costa Rica; Armand Roland Pierre Béouindé, Mayor of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso; Alexandre Pinho, Microsoft, Portugal Pins are placed on a world map to indicate where pledges have been made towards UN-Habitat's work. The total contributions of all pledges are tracked throughout the day as new commitments are made. The Local and Regional Governments Forum focused on the role of local and regional governments in implementing Agenda 2030 and how the NUA constitutes an accelerator to achieve the SDGs at the local level. Dignitaries around the venue President Uhuru Kenyatta, Kenya, arrives at the UN Office at Nairobi (UNON). Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik Saeed, Yemen President Salva Kiir, South Sudan Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, Fiji Dignitaries sign the UNON Guestbook, a record of all Heads of State and Government who have visited the campus. The dignitaries meet informally before the start of the High-Level Segment. Susannah Price, Head of Communications Branch, UN-Habitat Secretariat, interviews Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik Saeed, Yemen, during a press conference. Around the Venue Presidential security around the venue Yunus Arikan, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability (L), speaks with a delegate Elkin Velasquez Monsalve, Regional Director of UN-Habitat in Latin America and the Caribbean, and Doug Ragan, Youth and Livelihoods, UN-Habitat Shipra Narang-Suri, Urban Planning and Design Branch, UN-Habitat UN-Habitat Executive Director Maimunah Mohd Sharif and Monica Juma, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kenya Representatives from the #BeatAirPollution campaign encourage delegates to 'join the mask challenge' to help raise awareness about the need for healthier cities. A photographic exhibition captures how human habitation influences all areas of life. Displays around the venue provide information about the work of UN-Habitat in different fields.

Highlights for Wednesday, 29 May 2019 Participants from GSW 2019 High-Level Segment in an "energizer" exercise The High-Level Segment of Global Soil Week (GSW) 2019 opened on Wednesday morning. In her welcome remarks, Co-Facilitator Alice Kaudia remarked that “Africa’s soils are crumbling” and urged participants to accelerate sustainable land management (SLM) initiatives by drawing on opportunities highlighted during the technical segment of the conference. Explaining the evolution of the GSW, Co-Facilitator Alexander Müller, proposed framing discussions around three “simple” questions: Why talk about soils? Where is the action? and What do we have to do to address the situation? Noting the paradox of rising hunger in some parts of the world while one-third of agricultural land globally “is used to produce food waste,” he stressed that achieving multiple benefits for every dollar invested for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will require integrated actions at the local level that link land restoration to food security, gender equality, climate resilience, sustainable livelihoods and other targets. In his welcome remarks, Tony Simons, Director-General, World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), reiterated the economic and social value of soils, citing data which shows that the world loses 36 tons of soil each year due to erosion, equivalent to five times of Kenya’s GDP. He invited participants to recognize the urgency of land degradation while not losing sight of actions that are delivering positive impacts to both environment and livelihoods. Ministers and high-level officials from Benin, Burkina Faso, Madagascar, Ethiopia, Kenya and Germany made opening statements. Lucy Njenga, speaking on behalf of Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Irrigation, called on participants to use this forum to share experience in order to galvanize action at the local level that is in line with global commitments, moving into an inclusive and sustainable transformation. She then declared the High-Level Segment officially open.Representing “voices from the ground,” several participants shared some takeaway messages from the first two days of the conference, including the importance of: focusing on women’s empowerment as managers of land and natural resources; providing farmer-friendly extension services; and making agriculture “cooler” in order to attract youth.In the afternoon, participants met in four parallel peer-review workshops to examine conclusions and recommendations developed during the technical segment of the conference. Issues highlighted included: capacity building of local institutions and SLM champions; involvement of stakeholders at all levels to mainstream SLM practices into policies and programmes; and the inclusion of SLM in local development plans to improve decentralized extension services. The discussions also made recommendations on concrete actions that can be implemented at different levels, such as: identifying key actors to deliver awareness raising programmes; creating multi-stakeholder platforms to facilitate meaningful consultations between communities, legal entities and other governance institutions; and building the capacity of local organizations to undertake evidence-based research to inform higher-level policy making.Concurrent to the workshops, representatives of the partner governments and other stakeholders met to review a draft text containing conclusions by the GSW 2019 Co-Hosts. Funding for IISD Reporting Services coverage of GSW 2019 has been provided by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH IISD Reporting Services, through its ENB+ Meeting Coverage, provided daily web coverage from GSW 2019. In addition, IISD Reporting Services has published a summary report from the meeting, which is available in HTML and PDF. Photos by IISD/ENB | Francis Dejon For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page View of the GSW High-Level Segment plenary being entertained by Slum Drummers, Kenya Co-Facilitator Alice Kaudia, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Eco-Entrepreneurs Ltd. Co-Facilitator Alexander Müller, Managing Director, Töpfer, Müller, Gaßner - Think Tank for Sustainability (TMG Research) Tony Simons, Director-General, World Agroferestry Centre (ICRAF) Lucy Njenga, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Irrigation, Kenya L-R: Rabeharivololona Ony Malalaniaina, Director-General, Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, Madagascar; Etefa Diba Areri, Ministry of Agriculture, Ethiopia; Zacharie Segda, Ministry of Agriculture, Burkina Faso; and Jeanne Josette Acacha Akoha, Ministry of Life Framework and Sustainable Development, Benin L-R: Gobi Gaston Yorou, Mayor, N'Dali, Benin, and Mélanie Djédjé, GIZ Daniel Alker, German Embassy to Kenya Heiko Warnken, BMZ Slum Drummers, musicians from Kenya, performing during the GSW 2019 High-Level Segment Jemimah Ikalakala M'Mayi, Farmer from Kenya Dorcas Abimbola Omole, Youth Event, Nigeria Doreen Magotsi, Shibuye Community Health Workers, Kenya Peer-Review Workshops Alemu Girum, TMG Research, presenting the clusters for the extension services peer-review workshop V. Usha Rani, Ministry of Agriculture, India Samson Eshetu Lemma, Ethiopia L-R: Margaret Ngigi, Egerton University, Kenya; Ismail Moumouni Moussa, Univerity of Parakou, Benin; and Jeffreyson Kwashi Mutimba, Sasakawa African Fund for Extension Education, Zimbabwe Participants discussing cluster elements on land governance Johns Muleso Kharika, UN Convention to Combat Desertification Fatoumata Tall, Groupe de recherche et d'action sur le foncier (GRAF) MacKay Rigava, UN Food and Agriculture Organization Hubert Ouédraogo, Burkina Faso L-R: Sonja Scheele, Larissa Stiem-Bhatia, and Anna Kramer, TMG Research

Highlights for Tuesday, 28 May 2019 Delegates consult informally during the first session of the Drafting Committee On Tuesday, the UN-Habitat Assembly continued its deliberations at the UN Office at Nairobi (UNON), Kenya. Delegates listened to regional and national statements, which focused on efforts to promote the New Urban Agenda (NUA) and sustainable urban development. The Drafting Committee commenced its deliberations, addressing draft resolutions on: achieving gender equality through the work of UN-Habitat to support inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and human settlements; arrangements for the transition towards the new governance structure of UN-Habitat; the strategic plan for the period 2020–2025; and enhancing capacity building for the implementation of the NUA and SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities). A number of events took place throughout the day. Two special events focused on the Gender Forum on Women and the NUA, and the One United Nations Dialogue respectively. Three youth events convened and considered ways to develop people-centered partnerships, technology use, and the inclusion of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/transsexual, and intersex (LGBTI) community in sustainable urbanization. Five events were held on the City Stage, highlighting: the future of storytelling; partnerships with academia to leverage local innovations; sustainable energy for urban communities and urban policy action tools; innovative governance in public housing policies; and resilient housing to achieve resilient communities. Two press conferences discussed the Waste Wise Cities Campaign and the Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme. Additionally, two press center events addressed intermediary cities and the reduction of social and spatial inequalities in Morocco, and innovative ways to achieve SDG 11 in Brazil.Ten side events were held at lunchtime, focusing, inter alia, on: low-carbon and resilient urban infrastructure; accelerated implementation of the NUA to contribute towards achieving the SDGs; open data and tools for the NUA as well as integrated and sustainable urban mobility; creating safe and inclusive cities with and for girls in the NUA; enhancing inclusive economy and reducing spatial inequality in West Java, Indonesia; and funding mechanisms to reduce inequalities and poverty. IISD Reporting Services, through its ENB+ Meeting Coverage, provided daily web coverage, daily reports, and also produced a summary report from the 1st Session of the UN-Habitat Assembly, which 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 Delegates gather in plenary to hear national statements UN-Habitat Executive Director Maimunah Mohd Sharif Martha Delgado Peralta, UNHA 1 President Bernard Wasantha, Secretary, Ministry of Housing, Construction, and Cultural Affairs, Sri Lanka Ni Hong, Vice Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, China Ildemaro Villarroel, People's Power Minister for Housing and Habitat, Venezuela Irene Campos Gómez, Minister of Housing and Human Settlement, Costa Rica Hajah Zuraida Kamaruddin, Minister of Housing and Local Government, Malaysia Gina Lawson Roosalem, Minister of Habitat and Housing, Central African Republic Kobebe Taitai, Minister of Internal Affairs, Kiribati Abdelahad Fassi Fihri, Minister of National and Urban Planning, Housing, and City Policy, Morocco Angeline Mabula, Deputy Minister of Lands, Housing, and Human Settlements Development, Tanzania Dragan Zupanjevac, Permanent Representative of Serbia to UNEP and UN-Habitat Susanne Dorasil, Head, Division Water, Urban Development, Mobility, Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany Special Events Throughout the Day One United Nations Dialogue - Implementing the UN System-wide Strategy on Sustainable Urban Development (L-R): UN-Habitat Executive Director Maimunah Mohd Sharif; Joyce Msuya, Acting Executive Director, UN Environment Programme (UNEP); Mounir Tabet, UN Economic and Social Commission for West Asia (UNESCWA); Martha Delgado Peralta, UNHA 1 President; Elin Olsson, State Secretary to the Minister for Financial Markets and Housing and Environment, Sweden; Mukhisa Kituyi, Director-General, UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD); Charles Hinga, Kenya; and Moderator Chris Williams, UN-Habitat Mukhisa Kituyi, Director-General, UNCTAD Mounir Tabet, UNESCWA Gender Forum on Women and the New Urban Agenda Youth Event: Inclusion of the LGBTI community in sustainable urbanization - building on and implementing the 'LGBTI Declaration Towards Sustainable Urbanization' made at UN-Habitat III Drafting Committee Delegates read the draft resolutions on the screen during the Drafting Committee meeting Fernando Coimbra, Chair of the Drafting Committee Kirsten Hommes, EU Grigorii Ustinov, Russian Federation Kevin Nelson, US Delegates consult during the session Around the Venue Delegates meet informally before the start of plenary Joyce Msuya, Acting Executive Director, UNEP A model structure of the Makoko Floating System (MFS) is an example of how prefabricated, modular and floating timber structures can be assembled to address rapidly expanding urban development Delegates walk through the exhibition area which hosts more than 80 exhibitions about urban planning and design Delegates attend an evening reception hosted by the Government of Kenya