2nd Open-ended Meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives (OECPR)
to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and
Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Preparatory Meetings

On the last day of the second Open-Ended Committee of Permanent Representatives (OECPR-2) meeting at UN Environment Programme (UNEP) headquarters in Nairobi, delegates met in parallel sessions to discuss resolution text. Clusters 1 and 2 met all morning, with Cluster 1 continuing through lunchtime. Cluster 1 addressed proposals on the organization of regional forums, implementing the Paris Climate Agreement, and the role of UNEP in the implementation of the SAMOA Pathway to facilitate achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while Cluster 2 discussed sustainable consumption and production (SCP) and food waste. During lunchtime, Cluster 3 conducted the first reading of a resolution for sustainable management of coral reefs.

Delegates convened in plenary in the afternoon, where UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) President Oyun Saanjasuren briefed delegates on arrangements to finalize the agenda for ministers when they meet at UNEA-2 in May. UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner briefed delegates on preparations for UNEA-2, highlighting the organization of 26 side events and two symposia.

In their closing statements, regional groups and Member States expressed appreciation for the constructive discussions. The meeting closed at 4.52 pm.

Delegates at the Open-Ended Committee of Permanent Representatives (OECPR-2) discussed the proposed outcome of the ministerial High-Level Segment of the Second UN Environment Assembly of the UN Environment Programme (UNEA-2) in the morning, while Cluster 2 discussed a resolution on sustainable consumption and production (SCP).

In the afternoon, Cluster 3 discussed resolutions on marine plastic debris and microplastics, and on the International Environment Forum for Basin Organizations. Cluster 5 addressed the UNEP Medium-Term Strategy (MTS), Programme of Work (PoW) and budget. In the evening, Cluster 1 discussed promoting the effective implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement, and the roles of UNEP and UNEA in delivering on the environmental dimension of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, while Cluster 4 conducted a second reading of resolutions dealing with natural capital and conflict-affected areas. Negotiations continued late into the night.

A side event on “Guidelines for Integrated Waste Management Framework Legislation” took place at lunchtime, convened by UNEP.

Delegates at the Open-Ended Committee of Permanent Representatives (OECPR-2) met in plenary all morning, where they discussed the role of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UN Environment Assembly of the UNEP (UNEA) in delivering on the environmental agenda of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. They also considered the draft Global Thematic Report on “Healthy Environment, Healthy People.” UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner highlighted UNEP's 2018-21 Medium-Term Strategy (MTS) as a “stepping stone” for facilitating Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) delivery, and stressed UNEA's key role in facilitating synergies across the UN system. A panel of ministers and senior officials from Ethiopia, Kenya, the Solomon Islands, and the Netherlands discussed the issues, followed by open debate among delegates.

In the afternoon, negotiations on draft resolution text continued in Clusters 1 and 4, which addressed, inter alia: implementation of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Accelerated Modalities of Action, or SAMOA Pathway; role, functions and follow-up to the Forum of Ministers and Environment Authorities of Asia Pacific; and three resolutions on the impacts of armed conflict on the environment.

Delegates at OECPR-2 began negotiating draft resolution text on Tuesday, meeting in five separate clusters to consider their respective sections of a compilation text dated 15 February 2016, which contained a total of 24 resolutions.

Clusters 1 and 2 met in parallel during the morning, and Clusters 3 and 4 met in parallel during the afternoon. Discussions in Cluster 4, on the sustainable management of natural capital extended into the evening, as Cluster 5 also convened in the evening. Delegates discussed proposals on issues including, inter alia: education for sustainable development; the role of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) in delivering on the environmental dimension of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; Environmentally Sound Technologies (EST) on waste management; a strategy for the sound management of chemicals and waste globally; oceans and seas; the sustainable management of natural capital; illegal wildlife trade; integration of biodiversity for wellbeing; and synergies among biodiversity-related MEAs.

The second meeting of the Open-Ended Committee of Permanent Representatives (OECPR-2) to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) opened today at the United Nations Office at Nairobi, Kenya. Following messages from UN General Assembly President Mogens Lykketoft and UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner, around 25 Member States and regional groups made statements. Addressing the meeting in a video message, UN General Assembly President Mogens Lykketoft described UNEA-2 as a key intergovernmental checkpoint on the road to 2030, and highlighted its role in integrating the environmental dimension across all the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner noted Member States’ support for UNEP's role in the global sustainable development architecture, and emphasized that the organization has demonstrated efficiency and effectiveness.

Delegates adopted the agenda and organization of work, and appointed chairs for the week’s discussion on the five “clusters” of draft resolution text.

In the afternoon, delegates considered policy matters contained in a series of 12 reports on the work of UNEP. Among various issues, they addressed: expectations for the sixth Global Environment Outlook (GEO-6) report and expert report on marine plastic debris and microplastics; UNEP support for air quality issues in the Asia-Pacific region; the need for a long-term plan for UNEP-Live as a tool for policy makers; and ways to meet the cost of implementing the environmental dimension of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

They also discussed: the programme performance review; the Medium-Term Strategy, Programme of Work and budget; and changes to the UNEA cycle.

A reception took place in the evening, hosted by the Netherlands and Romania.

In preparation for the second meeting of the Open-Ended Committee of Permanent Representatives (OECPR-2), Major Groups and Stakeholders (MGS) met on Sunday, 14 February 2016, at the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON), Kenya. They discussed, inter alia: the need for input from UNEA-2 to the Third UN Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III); the environmental impact of the refugee crisis; and the role of the MGS in the OECPR and UNEA processes. The MGS also engaged in joint and working group talks on the OECPR agenda, with a view to presenting concrete messages to Member States on the draft resolutions to be negotiated and forwarded to UNEA-2. They considered topics including: the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda; the Paris Climate Agreement; mobilizing finances for investment in sustainable development; the Global Thematic Report on the theme of “Healthy Environment – Healthy People”; and the sixth Global Environmental Outlook (GEO-6) process.

Julia Pataki, CPR Chair, expressed appreciation for the contribution of MGS to CPR meetings, assuring them that the CPR “is determined to continue on a path of openness and transparency.” Ibrahim Thiaw, UNEP Deputy Executive Director, noted that as implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) begins, the world’s attention has been taken up by humanitarian crises. He drew attention to the need for tackling the root causes of displacement and conflict, and urged MGS to highlight critical challenges such as integrating the climate and biodiversity agendas, “decarbonizing and detoxifying” economic growth, and moving beyond “private sector philanthropy” towards new sustainable business models.

In the afternoon, MGS held an interactive dialogue with representatives of Member States and Jorge Laguna Celis, UNEP Secretariat of Governing Bodies. They discussed issues including improving opportunities for stakeholder engagement through creative and less costly means of interaction, and implementing a genuinely inclusive green economy agenda. Member States endorsed the role of stakeholders in the preparations toward UNEA-2.