4th Meeting of the Intersessional Process for Considering SAICM and the Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste Beyond 2020, Bucharest 2022
EASD is participating at the fourth session of the Intersessional Process for Considering the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) and the Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste Beyond 2020 (IP4) in Bucharest , August/September 2022. From Serbia, beside Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development (EASD), NGO Safer Chemicals Alternative – ALHem also participated. A summary report of IP4 by ENB which includes also a brief summary of SAICM’s history as well as of the history of the intersessional process.
As the meeting result Co-Chairs’ consolidated text is achieved. achievement, and resume it in early 2023 at a time and venue to be set by the Bureau in consultation with relevant stakeholders.
The UN General Assembly recently adopted a resolution establishing access to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, a universal human right. At the same time, recent scientific evidence shows that the global threat of plastic and chemical production has exceeded the “planetary boundaries” for chemical pollution. In addition, the global chemical industry is projected to double by 2030, with rapid growth in emerging economies.
The CEE Region recognizes the need for greater cooperation among stakeholders aiming at strengthening the capacities of developing countries and countries with economies in transition for integrated management and promoting the adequate transfer of cleaner and safer technology. Moreover, great deal of attention should be dedicated to raising awareness of chemicals and waste issues among the responsible institutions, agencies, with improvement of the multi-sectorial and multi-stakeholder cooperation.
EASD position (within IPEN umbrella) is to believe that the SAICM is key to advancing the sound management of chemicals and waste considering human health and the environment. Some of important issues pointed out by IPEN include:
– SAICM is the only instrument we have today to address most chemicals and waste but its goals were not met although progress was made. SAICM should strengthen its open, inclusive, participatory and transparent structure which should be multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder; From our perspective we need an agreement for a strong SAICM-Beyond-2020 Framework that goes beyond the Dubai Declaration and secures ambitious targets for prevention and reduction of harmful chemicals and waste globally bringing about real change.
– The science-to-policy panel should be a tool to raise awareness about the existing scientific knowledge and allow it to take action on emerging issues and issues of concern that were already agreed upon in SAICM; Also, should also have inclusive participation, allow the consideration of different forms of knowledge including from indigenous peoples, and take into account gender-specific dimensions;
– The scope shall include chemicals and all waste throughout their lifecycle.
– That objectives for the industry involvement and other financial commitments are reflected in targets, indicators, and milestones and that monitoring and reporting instruments track progress on financial objectives of the beyond 2020 instrument.
– The framework must also be accompanied by new and additional, adequate, sustainable and predictable funding accessible to all relevant stakeholders to address chemicals and waste issues. The establishment of a funding mechanism following the model of the Quick Start Programme.
The fourth session of the Intersessional Process for Considering the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) and the Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste Beyond 2020 (IP4) focused on:
-targets for the post-2020 instrument; -national focal points; -national implementation plans;-how the instrument should deal with issues of concern;-private sector involvement in financing chemicals and waste management; and -the relationship between the instrument and the science-policy panel for chemicals and waste (SPP) mandated -by the fifth session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA5).a vision and principles for the instrument;
-identifying targets for the instrument; -how to choose “issues of concern” that would be targeted by the instrument for focused attention and concerted action;-multi-sectoral partnerships;-funding for the secretariat; and -a proposal for a globally coordinated levy on chemical feedstocks to feed a new international fund on chemicals and waste;
– whether, and how, to refer to the new human right to a healthy environment under the instrument’s section on principles; – a possible measurability structure for indicators; – a possible stocktaking mechanism and online tool; -participation in the proposed governing body—the conference—by representatives from the environment, health, labor and agriculture sectors involved in chemical management and safety issues; and – a proposal for a way forward on how to handle existing SAICM issues of concern under the new instrument.
To note that EASD participate and follow SAICM WG on Governance and Mechanisms to support Implementation (from October 2020, lead to IP4 ).
Delegates considered targets in the compilation of draft recommendations for a new instrument as well as new proposals for targets. They agreed to replace the long list of targets with a more limited set of priority targets, grouped under specific strategic objectives. Discussion centered around which targets to keep, which newly proposed targets to include, and which targets might be merged together. See also a table comparing the SAICM Overarching Policy Strategy, SAICM/IP.4/2/Rev.1 “Compilation of recommendations regarding the Strategic Approach and the sound management of chemicals and waste beyond 2020” and the Outcomes of the Virtual Working Groups
On vision, delegates replaced the proposed phrases in the compilation text with three new ones developed by an informal group:
- “Chemical safety for all”;
- “A toxics free planet. Advancing chemicals and waste safety for a healthy future”; and
- “Healthy Planet and People: Making Our Future Chemical and Waste Safe.”
(to note, EASD support Call to action for a tomorrow without toxics )
We must continue working together towards a sound management of chemicals and waste throughout their life cycle, in order to avoid or minimize adverse impacts on human health and the environment!
EASD more focused to activities against plastic pollution
Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development (EASD) started in 2020 with more focused engagement and activities in the thematic issue of plastic pollution. We found important UNEP initiative to beat plastic pollution , as well as designing out plastic pollution .
EASD started with analysis, participation in global studies and relevant national/local surveys and initiatives related plastic in products and in waste.
EASD activities include activities in : Science and Research (for better Governance and regulation) – A circular economy for plastic, Education and learning against plastic pollution, Promotion of sustainable travel against plastic pollution, Promotion of clean beach against plastic pollution, as well as Processes towards global plastic treaty and EU accession, participation and monitoring.
Further, EASD is following development of an international legally binding agreement . See resolution at the resumed fifth session of the 2022 United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2) in Nairobi to end plastic pollution and forge an international legally binding agreement by 2024. EASD special attention is to harmonize global process against plastic pollution with EU accession process at national and regional level. To note that Serbia is candidate country for EU membership and Cluster 4 was opened for negotiation in December 2021. See also EASD work in theme EU accession and enlargement. In this period, EC priority is European Green Deal with action on plastics to tackle plastic pollution and marine litter, and to accelerate the transition to a circular plastics economy . For Western Balkan, Action Plan for the Implementation of the Sofia Declaration on the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans 2021-2030 (GAWB) is approved.
UNEP Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum, February 2022
EASD (Environmental Ambassadors / Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development) as UNEP accredited organization, follow an participate at UNEP Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum (February 7-10, and 2022 ; 9- 11 February, Agenda) prior to the first session of UNEA 5 (February 22 -23, 2021).
This virtual Forum is self-organized by the Major Group Facilitating Committee, the European Environmental Bureau, and Women Engage for a Common Future. The discussions will prepare inputs to UNEA-5.2 and the Special Session to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the creation of the UN Environment Programme in 1972 (UNEP@50). The back-to-back meetings will convene from 28 February – 4 March 2022.
GMGSF is organized around seven thematic clusters that are aligned to UNEA-5.2 draft decisions on: marine and plastic pollution; nature-based solutions; chemicals; green recovery; the UNEP We Want/UNEP @50; Stockholm+50; and environmental governance.
Previously, EASD took part in the Regional consultation meeting for the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 5).
The Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum (GMGSF) helps Major Groups and Stakeholders to prepare their input and participation in the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) and associated meetings. It takes place prior to UNEA meetings. Accredited Major Groups to United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) of UNEP are automatically invited to the Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum (GMGSF).
Invitation to civil society organizations to take part in the Regional consultation meeting for the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 5)
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, UNEA 5 and the open-ended Committee of Permanent Representatives meetings, which were originally planned for February 2021, were divided into two parts and two terms. The first part, a virtual session, was held in February 2021 (https://www.unep.org/environmentassembly/unea5), while the second part will be organized according to a hybrid model, physically and online in February 2022. Discussions on substantive resolutions were postponed until the February 2022, which was happened under the UNEA 5.2. The UN Secretary-General’s 2020 report on progress towards sustainable development goals includes the impacts of COVID-19 on the global economy and the environment, marking this pandemic as the largest humanitarian and economic crisis to date. Therefore, urgent joint action is needed, in order to substantially change the current patterns of production and consumption and establish policies, improve regulations and take actions that deal with the crisis. Therefore, civil society organizations at the global level are committed to dialogue and agreement, calling on their governments to make the best use of the Decade of Action to Deliver the Sustainable Development Goals, to accelerate efforts of global environmental decision-making. There is an urgent need to significantly increase positive efforts for further living in harmony with nature, in order to remedy the consequences of previous activities that undermine sustainability.
Environmental Ambassador for Sustainable Development is one of the UNEA-accredited civil society organization, and the President of the Environmental Ambassadors, Mrs. Aleksandra Mladenovic, together with colleagues from Northern Macedonia and Albania, will have the opportunity to moderate a subgroup for the Western Balkan and Turkey during the Regional consultation meeting which well be held on 14 December 2021.
We invite colleagues from the civil societies from Serbia which deal with environmental protection issues to get involved and to contribute by knowledge and experience in the preparation of a key message that will be presented at UNEA 5.2, as part of the efforts of our region. The main topic of importance and for which regional contributions are expected are a global response to plastic pollution and the strengthening of global environmental law and governance (Res 73/333), built on the collaboration of peoples and governments. The stakeholders involved should strongly support the process related to the impact of plastic waste on marine ecosystems and microplastics (UNEP / EA.4 / Res.6).
Comments, suggestions, ideas, contributions… can be sent to office@ambassadors-env.com. During the preparatory process before and after the regional meeting on December 14, we will regularly report on the progress and development of the common position of the civil sector.
All interested parties can join the Regional consultation meeting on December 14th, by registering to the link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUvceyqrD8jEtFUDYiwtIOB5ljY8xiCB83p
The Regional Consultation meeting for Major Groups and other Stakeholders in the European Region is open to all UNEP accredited organizations in the European region (EU + EFTA + UK, Eastern Europe, Western Balkans and Turkey, Caucasus and Central Asia). Non-accredited organisations are welcome if they have an interest in the UN Environment Assembly process, UNEP@50 and Stockholm+50.
Make 2022 a Game-Changer – Further on the road to UNEA 5.2, UNEP@50, and Stockholm+50
Regional consultation for civil society to prepare for next year’s environmental events, the UNEA and the UNEP@50 events, will be on December 14th 2021. Themes are ecosystems, plastic pollution, food systems, environmental governance etc. Western Balkan breakout group will develop a few key recommendations from sub-regional perspectives.
To mention that International Consultation for Major Groups and Stakeholders (MGS) in preparation of UNEA 5.2 was already held on 7-9 September 2021, as the MGS’ contribution to UNEP’s Programme of Work, UNEA 5.2, UNEP@50, and Stockholm+50.
Key points include call for a new international (global) treaty to combat plastic pollution, call to strengthen environmental governance and law, to guide stronger global chemical management (to phase out highly hazardous pesticides and end their production by 2030, to strengthen independent science on chemical and waste pollution, etc), call to fix broken food systems ( with corporate responsibility and accountability in food systems), call to restore the relationship between nature and health, call on member states to build on the Stockholm 1972 (United Nations Conference on the Human Environment) legacy (made the environment a pressing global issue for the first time. it was the first time when civil society was allowed to address the plenary at an international high-level meeting!).
Regional capacity building webinar for stakeholders titled ‘How to Engage with UNEP and UNEA’ conducted by Stakeholder Forum, for Europe as UNEP region, will be on November 23, 2021.
United Nations General Assembly /UNEA 5.2, the resumed session of UNEA-5 will be organized from 28 February to 2 March 2022; Special Session of the Assembly on 3 – 4 March 2022, will be devoted to the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the creation of UN Environment Programme in 1972 – UNEP@50.
On October 20, 2021, Stockholm+49 Summit – Make 2022 a Game-Changer , was held. Program Highlights included Science of Urgency, The Role of Law in the Anthropocene, Tools to Enforce International Environmental Law, as well as Regulation Economy/Building for a Better Economy.
Stockholhm+50 meeting, convened by the United Nations General Assembly and hosted by the governments of Sweden and Kenya, will be held in Stockholm, Sweden from 2-3 June 2022 to commemorate the 50 years since the 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment.
EASD as organization accredited in UNEP, participated and contributed in above meetings.
In advance of UNEA 5.2: EASD participated in the International Consultation for Major Groups & Stakeholders
International Consultation for Major Groups & Stakeholders, in advance of UNEA 5.2, Stockholm+50 and UNEP@50 was held from September 7th to 9th online. The objective of the consultation is to advance the development of strategies around specific initiatives such as resolutions, declarations, decisions tabled for UNEA 5.2, to further develop core messages and positions, and to prepare input from the Major Groups to the 155th meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives and the 8th Annual Subcommittee meeting of the CPR.
Each Major Group had the opportunity to make a short statement, so reflections are presented under Agenda item related to Preparations for the resumed session of UNEA-5, in the form of the summary statement from this international consultation. Also, under Agenda item regarding Preparations for the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the creation of UNEP, the UNEP@50 task force presented a statement.
The consultation is expected to advance the development of MGS’ statements and positions, in particular around the thematic clusters and task forces set up to prepare for UNEA 5.2. The participants had opportunity to contribute in particular on the following topics:
1.The UNEP We Want / UNEP @50
2. Environmental governance / Resolution 73/333 including Escazu Agreement, environmental defenders, Stockholm+49
3.Marine litter and plastics treaty
4.Stockholm+50
5.Nature for Climate
6.Nature for Poverty Eradication, Jobs and Economic Prosperity
7.Food systems
8.Chemicals, Waste, Mercury
9.Nature for Health
During the second day following documents started to be prepared under the parallel sessions, and all participants had possibility to contribute in oven capacities:
Draft Joint Statement The UNEP We Want
Draft Joint Statement of Support Draft Resolution Plastics Treaty
Draft Position Nature for Health Cluster
Joint Statement Environmental Governance Cluster
Draft recommendations Chemicals, Waste & Mercury
Input for the CPR and Annual Subcommittee Meeting
The overall impression is that Major Groups & Stakeholders had enough knowledge and experience, as well as willingness, to cooperate in the best way, in order to demonstrate importance of joint actions towards climate change and to contribute to the protection of the environment at the global level.
2020 Annual Meeting – UN @ 75: The Future of Partnership and Multilateralism, we participate
The 2020 ACUNS Annual Meeting (June 2020) not only provides an appropriate moment to critically reflect on 75 years of UN history, but also and perhaps more so provides an opportunity to constructively discuss the future of multilateralism and the role of partnerships in the future governance of our common global good. EASD is ACUNS institutional member, and we participate at Meeting.
EASD particular interest are thematic sessions:
- THE EUROPEAN UNION AND THE UNITED NATIONS IN GLOBAL GOVERNANCE
- The Future of the UN: Beyond Traditional Multilateralism
- The Role of Civil Society in an Internationalized World
- Women in Leadership in Global Governance
- Global (Human) Security Challenges Post-1990
- Sustainable Development Goals and Inclusiveness
- Multilateralism: Lessons Learned
ENVIRONMENT TO EUROPE – EnE
This project/process present different phases towards European values, as well as globally values promoted through Multilateral Environmental Agreements. Started to raise awareness of the importance of the UNECE Ministerial “Environment for Europe” Belgrade 2007 Conference, and further continuously is mobilizing interesting parties in Serbia and Region to catalyze environmental and sustainable development.
Within “Environment to Europe” Process, EASD actively participate and organize different supporting activities in different related thematic areas, like sustainable consumption and production, efficient resource use, chemicals, eco-consumers protection, participation at global, EC, regional and with papers at different conferences, etc. Regional cohesion projects supported Environment to Europe process.
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EEB 2022 ANNUAL CONFERENCE – “Boosting the Deal for a Greener Europe in Turbulent Times”
Study visit to Grenoble – the Green Capital of Europe
EnE22, June 2022 – UNEP@50 and World Environment Day
December 2021 – Climate Pact for Serbia: Snapshot targeted rehearsal of country’s obligations in climate action….
Virtual tour on the experience from Italian practices in circular economy
Recap the moments from EnE19/ENV.net Conference
WEBINAR – Regional Forum of Sustainable Development (RFSD) for the UNECE Region : we participate
EASD full member in European Environmental Bureau – honor and challenge
The ESDN Conference 2018 – we participate ; We participate – ESDN Conference 2018, “Stakeholder-Policy Cooperation in the Age of the SDGs: What new approaches are required to be successful?”, Vienna (Austria), 1-2 October, 2018
Join us for June 5th: Conference Agenda is available
6th UN regional meeting on SAICM, Poland, February 2018: we participate
February 2018: Call for participation for EnE18: Nature protection – Nature-Responsive Development
February 2018: ENV.net 3 Kick-off Meeting in Tirana
November 2017: EASD participate: Summit to Plan the End of Amalgam in Europe 2017– November 20-21, Berlin
September 2017: “Make Mercury History” – EASD participated at Minamata COP1 in Geneva
July 2017: Civil Society Forum in Trieste, 11-12 July 2017 – we (EASD) participate ; Good signal: Serbia gets (again) separate Ministry of environmental protection
June 2017: Climate Change Education for Sustainable Development
April 2017: Call: The Thirteenth Regional Conference ”Environment to Europe – EnE17″, June 5th 2017, Belgrade
February 2017: “EnE17 – The 13th Regional Conference Environment to Europe” announcement: Climate Change Education
June 2016: Agenda , EnE16-ENV.net Zbornik radova/Proceedings of papers ; WED Messages from Serbia: 12th Regional Conference “Environment to Europe” , REPORT FROM EnE16-ENV.net, BELGRADE, SERBIA
January 2016 – Save the date and participate: June 6, 2016 – Environment to Europe Conference
June 5, 2015 – 2015 Conference, Information, Proc. of papers
We participate at European Green Week
December 2014 – Thematic Publication “Environment to Europe” ( Tematski zbornik radova “Životna sredina ka Evropi”)
June 5, 2014 – ENV.net multi-stakeholder Conference on Chapter 27: about 200 participants , 2014 Conference
Agenda for EnE14/ENV.net Conference “Environment to Europe”, June 5, 2014 in SCC – opening at 10:00
Invitation for EnE14-ENV.net Conference, June 5 – 2014 in Belgrade
EnE14 / ENV.net Conference will be held on June 5, 2014 in Belgrade (it will 10th regional conference!). Thematic focus: Chapter 27. Reserve the date! More information soon. Follow the updated information related to event.
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EnE13 – Environment to Europe Conference on June 10, 2013 is focused on local environment. The main messages from this participatory ENV.net event are: environmental sector activities should be knowledge based, and education for environment and sustainable development should be priority. Capacities and continuity is very important for inclusion environment in other sectoral policies. Conference is institutionally supported by Ministry of Energy, Development and Environmental Protection and Ministry of Natural Resources, Mining and Spatial Planning, as well as National Commission for UNESCO. This Conference is UNEP WED event.
2013 | EnE13 | ENV.net Roundtable Focus: Local Environment | Agenda, Zbornik radova EnE13 – Zivotna sredina ka Evropi – Papers Proceedings; Minutes; More than 120 participants at EnE13 conference/ENV.net Roundtable: 10 June, 2013 in Belgrade |
Snapshots from the previous EnE “Environment to Europe” Conferences:
Thematic focus | Published materials | ||
2005 | EnE05 | Thematic focus : The importance of Environmental Sector in EU Integration process | Detailed Agenda published.CD Proceedings of Papers published. Book “Sustainable Development and Environment towards Europe in 95+ steps”, by A.Mihajlov, published in Serbian |
2006 | EnE06 | European/developed countries values in environmental and related issues; lessons learned. At the same time, the Civil Society Forum EfE07 Meeting towards UN Pan-European Ministerial Conference Belgrade 2007 “Environment for Europe” held. | Detailed Agenda published.CD Proceedings of Papers published. Book “Sustainable Sustainable Development and Environment Towards Europe in 95+ Steps”, by A.Mihajlov, published in English |
2007 | EnE07 | Dedicated to contribute to upcoming UNECE “Environment for Europe” (2007, Belgrade) Pan-European Ministerial Conference ; NGO Declaration on Environmental Cohesion of Western Balkan agreed | Detailed Agenda published.CD Proceedings of Papers published. |
2008 | EnE08 | Youth and Vulnerable Groups in Environmental EU Accession | Detailed Agenda published. EnE08 Zbornik radova 4. regionalne Konferencije „Zivotna sredina ka Evropi“-sadrzaj published. |
2009 | EnE09 | Climate Change and Sustainable Tourism Conference | Detailed Agenda published (agenda EnE09) ; CD Proceedings of Papers published. |
2010 | EnE10 | Green Education and Green Economy | Detailed Agenda published ( Agenda EnE10 Konferencije ); CD Proceedings of Papers published. |
2011 | EnE11 | Rural and Mountain Sustainable Development | Detailed Agenda published (agenda_ene11) CD Proceedings of Papers published. Publication with selected paper published. |
2012 | EnE12 | Learning event for Rio=20 preparation – Green Economy and Governance for Sustainable Development | Detailed Agenda published ( Agenda EnE12 )
CD Proceedings of Papers published. UNDP/UNEP Green Economy Study published http://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/984serbia.pdf |
EU Environment Partnership Programme for Accession
EASD is a member, participating organization in the project EU Environment Partnership Programme for Accession (EPPA) in the Western Balkans and Turkey seeks to be a major driver of reform and development in environmental governance through compliance with the EU environmental acquis (WG7). The programme builds on the results of the RENA and ECRAN programmes by furthering the regional cooperation and strengthening the administrative capacities of the beneficiaries. Regional cooperation provides the framework for sharing knowledge, expertise and good practices, and for addressing common environmental problems in a more sustainable and efficient way. The overall objective of the programme is to strengthen the implementation of the EU environmental acquis in the Western Balkans and Turkey in areas relevant for addressing trans-boundary environmental issues. EPPA concerns the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans as an instrument that will bring the European Green Deal closer to the Western Balkan countries by proposing a new economic development model, one based on the circularity of the economy, where the pressures on the use of natural resources are significantly reduced, while recycling and reuse are the order of the day.
EASD is participating in Shaping the future beyond 2020
At the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand, from 1 to 4 October 2019, EASD Honorable President participate at IP3 – The Intersessional Process 3 on Strategic Approach and sound management of chemicals and waste (SAICM) beyond 2020 , and technical briefings held on 30 September 2019, as well as IPEN preparatory meetings on 28 and 29 September.
This is the opportunity to engage in a forum that will determine what key strategies and priorities that will be taken by all IP3 SAICM delegates. Focus are themes: Enabling framework as an umbrella adopted at ICCM5 and ensure high-level political endorsement, Governance and institutional arrangement, Financing SAICM with more contributions from the industry sector and Leading indicators for new SAICM should be outcome oriented rather than process oriented.
Relevant SDGs goals are: SDG2 – Zero hunger, SDG3 – Good health and well-being, SDG5 – Gender equality, SDG6 – Clean water and sanitation, SDG8 – Decent work and economic growth, SDG11 – Sustainable cities, SDG12 – Sustainable Consumption and Production, SDG14 – Life below water, SDG15 – Life on land, SDG16 – Peace, justice and strong institutions and SDG17 – Partnerships for the goal.
EASD activities related SDGs
EASD team , from January 1,2018 will follow activities through SDGs lenses:
SD GOAL 1 – No Poverty SD GOAL 2 – Zero Hunger SD GOAL 3 – Good Health and Well-Being SD GOAL 4- Quality Education SD GOAL 5 – Gender Equality SD GOAL 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation SD GOAL 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy SD GOAL 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth SD GOAL 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure SD GOAL 10 – Reduced Inequalities SD GOAL 11- Sustainable Cities and Communities SD GOAL 12 – Sustainable Consumption and Production SD GOAL 13 – Climate Action SD GOAL 14 – Life below Water SD GOAL 15 – Life on Land SD GOAL 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions SD GOAL 17 – Partnerships for the GoalsIn addition, we are following our activities as UN Environment TOPICS:
AIR CHEMICALS AND WASTE CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION AND TRAINING ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE FORESTS GREEN ECONOMY RESOURSE EFFICIENCY SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS WATER SCIENCE, INNOVATION ENVIRONMENT UNDER REVIEW ( ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT, INFORMATION MANAGEMENT).The goal of this activities categorisation is EASD strategic planning of activities in future. It is also lesson learned after EASD representative participation at UNEA3 in Nairobi.
As ECOSOC Accredited NGOs we submit statement for the event “16th Session of the Committee of Experts on Public Administration (CEPA)”
EASD is organisation accredited in ECOSOC.
Having that mandate, we submit statement for the event “16th Session of the Committee of Experts on Public Administration (CEPA) – ECOSOC Accredited NGOs” .
The Committee of Experts on Public Administration held its sixteenth session at the United Nations in New York from 24 to 28 April 2017. Its theme was “Ensuring effective implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals: leadership, action and means”. A key message of the session was that government and public institutions have the leading role to implement the SDGs and pursue policies to leave no one behind.
The United Nations Committee of Experts on Public Administration, established by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in its resolution 2001/45, is comprised of 24 members who meet annually at UN Headquarters in New York. The Committee is responsible for supporting the work of ECOSOC concerning the promotion and development of public administration and governance among Member States, in connection with the UN Millennium Development Goals. Before the Committee of Experts on Public Administration was renamed it was called the Group of Experts in Public Administration and Finance.
EASD have new President of the Council
From March 2017 President of the Council is Dunja Prokic. Dunja is the 2nd elected President of Council of “Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Developments” ( The first President of Council was Hristina Stevanovic Carapina, from organisation establishment)
From 2012 Dunja Prokic is engaged by Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development on EnE program – Environment to Europe (as main coordinator of the Regional Conference “Environment to Europe).
Dunja Prokic, has PhD in environmental protection science, dissertation in the field of contaminated sites remediation was defended at the Faculty of Environmental Governance and Corporate Responsibility, Educons University in Sremska Kamenica in 2012. Finished her Master degree at the Faculty of Technical Science, University of Novi Sad in 2009 (Master of Technical Science). During postgraduate studies, her research focused on waste management and as a scholar of the Ministry of Science, she worked on several projects in the field of energy technologies and renewable energy sources. She finished her basic studies at the Faculty of Technical Science, Environmental Engineering Department, University of Novi Sad in 2005 (Graduate Engineer of Environmental Engineering).
From 2008 to 2012, Dunja worked as a teaching assistant at the Faculty of Environmental Governance and Corporate Responsibility, Educons University in Sremska Kamenica. From 2012. till now, she has worked as a assistant professor for environmental management at the Faculty of Environmental Governance and Corporate Responsibility, Educons University in Sremska Kamenica on the following subjects: Corporate environmental standards, Environmental risk management, Management of technological development, Environmental strategic planning and Revitalization and remediation of the environment. Since 2009, she worked as a expert –associat in NGO “Ambassadors of Sustainable Development” on projects in the area of local environmental security, waste management, eco-communication etc. She was in a team of a national expert for Serbian preparation for the World Conference on Sustainable Development RIO+20.
Since 2008 till now, Dunja has participated in numerous scientific and professional conferences in the country and abroad. She has published more than 50 scientific papers in the following areas: waste management, environmental security, EIA and SEIA, climate change, remediation of contaminated sites, water resources management, LCA and sustainable development. She actively participated in several international, national, regional and local projects in the field of environmental protection. She is currently engaged on the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development project (project number 176019). In recent years, she has worked as a consultant on the study related to waste and wastewater management. During professional development, she is focused on implementation of the values in protecting and preserving our environment through the concept of sustainable development at all levels of governance.
For your attention: 2015 ACUNS Conference
In June, 2015 the ACUNS Annual Meeting commemorates the 70th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. In cooperation with our host institutions,The Hague Institute for Global Justice and the International Institute of Social Studies, ACUNS invites its members, and other interested scholars and practitioners, to join us in The Hague to engage in critical, informed discussions of the achievements, the deficits and the ongoing challenges of the United Nations system in nurturing, developing, promoting and defending ideas and practices of security and justice in global governance. We do so, as we also return to “The City of Peace and Justice”, where ACUNS last held an Annual Meeting in 1994.
The title for this year’s Annual Meeting clearly reflects aspirations rather than accomplishments, and should be understood broadly. Today, just as the nature and scope of the UN system’s activities have expanded greatly since 1945, so too security and justice and their intersection in global governance are taken to include a far wider array of concerns than were debated in San Francisco. Preventing and resolving conflicts, promoting international peace, and pursing new norms of global justice now also can involve issues of sustainable development, economic crisis management, climate change, human rights and gender, the rule of law and transitional justice, as well as conflict management and resolution. From wars and crises in Ukraine, Syria, Libya, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Gaza, to promoting efforts to prevent and stop violence against women everywhere, to highlighting the plight of small island states facing climate change-induced rises in sea levels, and responding to cross-border financial shocks, the UN system is called on frequently by Member States, NGOs and civil society organizations to assist or even to lead in global efforts to understand and address these problems. Too often, it is called on to do so when States and other bodies are themselves unable or unwilling to agree on the measures and resources needed, or sometimes even the cause(s) of the problems.
Plenary Titles
- The Role of The Hague Institutions in Promoting International Justice
- Balancing Law and Politics: What are the Tensions between Peace and Justice?
- The Future of Global Governance and the UN: Ensuring Security and Justice
- Global Equity and Global Justice: How Far will the SDGs Deliver?
EASD is ACUNS member. Prof Andjelka Mihajlov is in one of the ACUNS experts. Prof Mihajlov participated at ACUNS Vienna Conference , UN Colloquia Session II, 28 February 2011.
“Little progress” in Chapter 27 issues in 2013, according to EC
Serbian first priority is accession to EU.
EC Delegation in Serbia, present to relevant CSOs, on October 18, 2013 , Serbia Progress Report 2013, in which the Commission services present their assessment of what Serbia as the candidate country has achieved over the last year. Presentation on 2013 Reports’ economic chapters is followed by discussion by CSOs representatives, including the NGOs as the one of category of CSOs. Environmental Chapter have great attention in discussion part of the meeting.
Related to Chapter 27, overall EC conclusions is “little progress”.
Although there are a lot of challenges ( EU Enlargement Factsheets – Energy, Climate Change and Environment ), EC conclusion is in some relevant segments different that ENV.net Study (ENV.net-Study-Extended-Summary-June-2013 ).
ENV.net Serbia Team prepared document: Reading of 2013 Progress Report for Serbia and Strategy by ENV.net Serbia Team ( Serbia 2013 Progress Report and Strategy – Reading by ENV.net Serbia Team ). Resulting key words are : Group 1 : civil society organizations, empowered civil society, Dialogue between decision makers and stakeholders , Public awareness, public participation and consultation process; Group 2: sustainable growth, synergies between environment and economy, emissions to air /air quality , waste management , environmental governance , climate change, protected areas, water management, chemicals management, environmental impact assessment, integral pollution and prevention control (industrial emissions); Group 3: implementation of adopted legislation, Intra- and inter-institutional cooperation, proper functioning of the core institutions, coordination of sectoral policies; Group 4: the skills gap, education and training.
Some background information for SERBIA: candidate – applied in 2009, obtained candidate status in March 2012. The EU-facilitated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina was launched in March 2011. The First agreement of principles governing normalisation of relations was reached with Kosovo in April 2013. The momentum of reforms has also been reinvigorated in Serbia. The European Council decided in June 2013 to open accession negotiations. The first Intergovernmental Conference on Serbia’s accession negotiations will be held in January 2014 at the very latest, after the Council adopts the negotiating framework, which was proposed by the Commission in July 2013. In the meantime, the ‘screening’ began in September 2013. The Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) entered into force on 1 September. – see more
Participation at UNEP Global Major Groups and Stakeholder Forum, Global Ministerial Environment Forum and High-Level Gender Forum
Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development participated at the “Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum (GMGSF-14)”, and “The First Universal Session of the Governing Council/ Global Ministerial Environment Forum (GC-27/GMEF),” Nairobi, 16-22 February 2013. Ministers meeting for the first time under universal membership of 193 member states- again as a result of the decisions taken and adopted last year at Rio+20 and the UN General Assembly later in the year- adopted a welter of other decisions relating to the way UNEP will operate and work as the global platform for environmental policy-making and action over the coming years and decades. Governments called for the transformation of the existing Governing Council into a UN Environment Assembly of UNEP and to build stronger links between UNEP’s science-based Global Environment Outlook process and its ministerial meetings – further implementing the call by member states at Rio + 20to strengthen the science-policy interface.
Among the wealth of other decisions taken at the first Universal Membership of the UNEP Governing Council were: 1. A UNEP-led consortium will host and coordinate the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) which will be the implementing arm of the Technology Mechanism of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), 2. The CTCN will work on leap-frogging the technical and financial hurdles to the even greater take-up of clean and renewable energies to low carbon tranportation and energy efficient buildings, 3. Full operationalization of a decade-long initiative to decouple economic growth from unsustainable use of natural resources and pollution generation-the 10 Year Framework of Programmes for Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns (10YFP for SCP), 4. The UNEP-hosted initiative will assist countries in areas from sustainable public procurement, lifestyles and education to sustainable buildings and construction and sustainable tourism, including ecotourism – again bringing from outcome to implementation other key aspects of the Rio+20 Future We Want, 5. Governments also decided to convene in October this year an intergovernmental diplomatic conference to formally adopt the Minamata Convention on Mercury that was agreed in January in Geneva under a UNEP-facilitated negotiation-again a further implementation of the Rio+20 outcome document.
Over 1300 participants from 147 countries, including 80 ministers, representatives of UN agencies, international organizations, academia, NGOs, business and industry, and women and youth organizations attended the first Universal Session of the GC following the decision of the United Nations General Assembly to strengthen and upgrade UNEP, as called for in the Rio+20 outcome document. Delegates adopted 13 decisions, on inter alia:
– the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES);
– coordination across the UN system, including the Environment Management Group (EMG);
– oceans;
– sustainable consumption and production;
– the green economy in the context of sustainable development;
– advancing justice, governance and law;
– state of the environment; and
– chemicals and wastes.
The GC adopted a decision on institutional arrangements that, inter alia, invites the UN General Assembly to rename UNEP’s governing body “UN Environment Assembly,” and provides that the body “will ensure” the active participation of all relevant stakeholders and explore new mechanisms to promote transparency and effective engagement of civil society in its work and that of its subsidiary bodies, inter alia, by: developing by 2014 a process for stakeholder accreditation and participation that builds on the existing rules of procedure and takes into account the inclusive modalities of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) and other relevant UN bodies.
The day before the Governing Council got underway, the Network of Women Ministers and Leaders for the Environment (NWMLE) and UNEP hosted the second High-Level Gender Forum. Prof Andjelka Mihajlov participates, by invitation to “Gender Forum” as a member of the “Network of Environmental Women Ministers and Leaders”, as the former Minister for Protection of Natural Resources and Environment. The forum participants called upon ministers and environmental leaders to have dedicated officials for coordination of related gender and environment programmes and agreed to send a consolidated proposal on gender actions to be forwarded for consideration by UN Secretary General’s High-level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post 2015 Development Agenda. The women ministers also requested nations to support the ratification of the Minamata convention on Mercury, which opens for signing in October.
More about meetings at www.unep.org . Moments from EASD participation are in Galleries of pictures. These activities are foreseen as the important international cooperation activities.
Prior to this, organisation participate at Rio+20 Conference.