Meeting of Senior Government Officials Expert in Environmental Law on the Midterm
Review of the 4th Programme for the Development and Periodic Review
of Environmental Law (Montevideo Programme IV)

The meeting of the senior government officials expert in environmental law on the midterm review of Montevideo Programme IV opened on Monday, 7 September in Montevideo, Uruguay.

Participants heard opening remarks from dignitaries. Elizabeth Mrema, Director, Division of Environmental Law and Conventions (DELC), UNEP, outlined progress made in environmental law since the adoption of the Programme. Fernando Lugris, Permanent Representative of Uruguay to UNEP, underscored Uruguay's role in international environmental law development, particularly in the field of chemicals and plastics debris. Jorge Rucks, Under-Secretary, Ministry of Housing, Territorial Planning and Environment, Uruguay, highlighted the Montevideo Programme as an essential tool to develop environmental instruments, guidelines and norms.

Following the election of Marcelo José Cousillas, Ministry of Housing, Land Planning and Environment, Uruguay, as Chair of the meeting and Larsey Mensah, Environmental Protection Agency, Ghana, as rapporteur, discussions on the midterm review of the implementation and effectiveness of the Montevideo Programme IV began.

Delegates first heard a briefing from legal experts. Topics presented included: activities taking place in the fields of the environment and human heath, trade and investment, military and security, respectively; the conservation and management of natural resources; advancements in the context of the review of Chinese environmental law; and, establishing a nexus at the global level between poverty, social justice, and equity in environmental protection.

Discussions took place on the first three parts of Montevideo Programme IV: the effectiveness of environmental law; conservation, management and sustainable use of natural resources; and challenges for environmental law. Under all three parts, countries outlined national efforts undertaken. On the implementation of environmental laws and regulations, countries underscored that, inter alia, capacity building and awareness raising may be needed. On conservation and management of natural resources, countries shared experiences and concerns in management of forests, biodiversity and marine resources. On challenges for environmental law, many noted the effect of climate change on their countries, and efforts undertaken to adapt to and mitigate its effects within national policies and programmes.

In the evening, delegates attended a reception hosted by the Government of Uruguay.