Arab Group

The second UN Environment Assembly of the UN Environment Programme (UNEA-2) opened on Monday at UN Environment Programme (UNEP) headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. Outgoing UNEA President Oyun Sanjaasuren (Mongolia) opened the conference, inviting delegates to observe a minute’s silence to remember those who have lost their lives in the protection of the environment. UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner described UNEA-2 as an expression of hope and “a clarion call” for the world, noting that with well over 2000 participants, 170 nations, and hundreds of stakeholders represented, “we truly have a UN Environment Assembly.” Delegates heard opening messages, and adopted the agenda and organization of work. The plenary elected Edgar Gutiérrez Espeleta (Costa Rica) as President of UNEA-2, and also elected Bureau members and a rapporteur. In the afternoon, the Committee of the Whole (COW) met in plenary, where they discussed the organization of drafting groups to finalize the proposed resolutions. A working group met in the evening for a first reading of resolutions. The Sustainable Innovation Expo (SIE), organized by UNEP in parallel with the meeting, also opened today. Three SIE panel discussions took place on: South-South cooperation; big data and innovation; and air quality. In the evening, delegates attended a reception hosted by the Governement of Kenya. IISD Reporting Services, through its ENB Meeting Coverage, has published a briefing note for the GMGSF 2016 and provided daily web coverage, daily reports from the UNEA-2. In addition, IISD Reporting Services has published a summary and analysis report from this meeting, which is available in HTML and PDF format. Photos by IISD/ENB | Francis Dejon For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page. OPENING PLENARY UNEA-2 plenary observed a moment of silence to remember those who have lost their lives in the protection of the environment "Welcome to UNEA" film presentation L-R: Ibrahim Thiaw, Deputy Executive Director, UNEP; Achim Steiner, Executive Director, UNEP; UNEA President Oyun Sanjaasuren; Judi Wakhungu, Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Regional Development Authorities, Kenya; Sahle-Work Zewde, Director-General, UNON; and Jorge Laguna-Celis, Secretary of the Governing Bodies of UNEP Achim Steiner, Executive Director, UNEP, delivers opening remarks to UNEA-2 delegates UNEA President Oyun Sanjaasuren Ibrahim Thiaw, Deputy Executive Director, UNEP, speaking on behalf of Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General Judi Wakhungu, Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Regional Development Authorities, Kenya Sahle-Work Zewde, Director-General, UNON Edgar Gutiérrez Espeleta, Costa Rica, incoming UNEA-2 President delivers his opening remarks Jassim Abdulaziz Al-falahy, Iraq Julia Pataki, Romania Frans Makken, the Netherlands, on behalf of the EU Taefu Lemi, Samoa Bibiana Jones, Argentina, on behalf of G-77/China and GRULAC Daniel Reifsnyder, US Abdelmoneim Mohammed Mabrouk, League of Arab States Yugratna Srivastava, on behalf of the Major Groups and Stakeholders Soehardjono Sastromihardjo, Indonesia Edgar Gutiérrez Espeleta, UNEA-2 President COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE (COW) View of the COW plenary COW Chair Idunn Eidheim, Norway John Matuszak, US Marcela Nicodemos, Brazil Franz Perrez, Switzerland Abdullah Khalid Tawlah, Saudi Arabia Neranda Maurice-George, Saint Lucia Hugo Enrique Cañiza, Paraguay Kerstin Stendahl, Deputy Executive Secretary of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions Roy Samson Dinyi Thorofo, South Sudan Cyrie Sendashonga, IUCN Delegates from the Philippines L-R: Mohammed Khashashneh, Jordan; Adalah Atira, Palestine; and Mohamad Afana, Jordan SIDE EVENTS Sustainable Innovation Expo: South-South Cooperation panel discussions L-R: Anote Tong, Former President of Kiribati; Jorge Chediek, UN Envoy on South-South Cooperation; Mesghan Al Awar, United Arab Emirates; Zhang Jieqing, China; and George Mwenda, Geothermal Development, Kenya L-R: Doug Cress, Great Apes Survival Partnership (GRASP), Jaime Webb, UN-REDD; Anyaa Vohiri, Liberia; and Johannes Refisch, GRASP L-R: Isabelle Louis, UNEP; Elizabeth Mrema, UNEP; Hillary Alisson, UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC); and Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias, Executive Secretary, Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) at the launch of the State of the Biodiversity Reports Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias, Executive Secretary, CBD PHOTOS FROM THE RECEPTION HOSTED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF KENYA UNEA-2 reception hosted by the Government of Kenya    

The Bonn Climate Change Conference opened on Monday. In the morning, COP 21/CMP 11 President Ségolène Royal, France, opened the session, calling on negotiators to become “builders” working from the foundation laid by the Paris Agreement. This sentiment was echoed by UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres, who received a standing ovation in gratitude for her service. After opening statements, the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) opening plenary took place. In the afternoon, the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) opening plenary convened, where parties, after some debate, adopted the agenda, pending further discussions on an agenda item on the registry of nationally determined contributions referred to in Article 4, paragraph 12 of the Paris Agreement. After opening several agenda items, the SBI suspended and the SBSTA opening reconvened. A SBSTA contact group, SBSTA and SBI informal consultations, and an in-session workshop on exploring financing and the use of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) by international climate finance institutions also convened in the afternoon. IISD Reporting Services, through its ENB Meeting Coverage, has providing daily web coverage, daily reports from the Bonn Climate Change Conference - May 2016. In adiition, IISD Reportaing Services has also published a summary and analysis report from this meeting, which is available in HTML and PDF format. Photos by IISD/ENB | Kiara Worth For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page Opening Plenary Panelists during the opening plenary (L-R): Salaheddine Mezouar, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Morocco, and COP 22/CMP 12 President-Designate; UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres; Ségolène Royal, COP 21/CMP 11 President; June Budhooram, COP Secretary; and SBSTA Chair Carlos Fuller, Belize UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres Salaheddine Mezouar, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Morocco, and COP 22/CMP 12 President-Designate Ségolène Royal, COP 21/CMP 11 President Manasvi Srisodapol, Thailand, speaking on behalf of the G-77/China Patrick Suckling, Australia, speaking on behalf of the Umbrella Group Ivo de Zwaan, EU Franz Perrez, Switzerland, speaking on behalf of the Environmental Integrity Group (EIG) Abdullahi Majeed, Maldives, speaking on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) Rosilena Lindo, Panama, speaking on behalf of the Coalition for Rainforest Nations (CfRN) Hussein Alfa Nafo, Mali, speaking on behalf of the African Group Paul Oquist Kelley, Nicaragua Nedal Katbehbader, State of Palestine Ayman Shasly, Saudi Arabia, speaking on behalf of the Arab Group Indira Al Dahabi, Jordan, speaking on behalf of the Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDCs) Ravi Prasad, India, speaking on behalf of Brazil, South Africa, India and China (BASIC) Prachi Rao, Women and Gender Max van Deursen, YOUNGO Sébastien Duyck, Climate Action Network (CAN) Øyvind Christophersen, Norway, speaks with Florin Vladu, Adaptation Programme Manager, UNFCCC SBSTA Opening Plenary SBSTA Panel: Richard Kinley, UNFCCC Deputy Executive Secretary; Wanna Tanunchaiwatana, SBSTA Coordinator; SBSTA Chair Carlos Fuller, Belize; and Hanna Hoffmann, UNFCCC Secretariat SBSTA Chair Carlos Fuller, Belize Tosi Mpanu-Mpanu, Democratic Republic of the Congo Laurence Tubiana, COP 21/CMP 11 Presidency Ian Fry, Tuvalu SBI Opening Plenary SBI Plenary (L-R): Richard Kinley, UNFCCC Deputy Executive Secretary; SBI Coordinator Katia Simeonova; SBI Chair Tomasz Chruszczow, Poland; Laurence Pollier, UNFCCC Secretariat; and SBI Vice-Chair Zhihua Chen, China SBI Chair Tomasz Chruszczow, Poland Trigg Talley, US Richard Kinley, UNFCCC Deputy Executive Secretary Khalid Muhammed Abuleif, Saudi Arabia Walter Schuldt Espinel, Ecuador Abias Huongo, Angola Rawleston Moore, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Khalid Muhammed Abuleif, Saudi Arabia, speaks with Fook Seng Kwok, Singapore, and Manasvi Srisodapol, Thailand Exploring Financing and Use of the CDM by International Climate Finance Institutions Panel speakers during the in-session workshop exploring financing and use of the CDM by international climate finance institutions Eduardo Calvo, Chair of the CDM Executive Board, Peru Silke Karcher, Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety, Germany Georg Børsting, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norway Delegates during the workshop Around the Venue Delegates before the start of plenary Oleg Shamanov, Russian Federation (center), speaks with delegates Simon Eggleston, World Meteorological Organization (WMO), speaks with Kiyoto Tanabe, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres with members of the Secretariat and the Moroccan delegation following the signing of the headquarters agreement on the organization of COP 22 Salaheddine Mezouar, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Morocco, and COP 22/CMP 12 President-Designate UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres Delegates around the venue Placards Delegates write messages to 'shine light on non-economic losses' caused by climate change Delegates around the venue

On Friday morning, following presentations by two young “agripreneurs,” participants reconvened in thematic groups to finalize their messages and collective actions for inclusion in the GCARD3 Outcomes Statement. In the afternoon, participants convened in plenary for presentation of the Youth Agripreneurs Project (YAP) awards. Peter Casier, Independent Consultant, introduced five of the six YAP finalists from Barbados, India, the Philippines, Ethiopia and Kenya who each described their winning projects. Following an overview by Chairs and Co-chairs of the key messages from the two days of thematic discussions, Shadrack Moephuli, President and CEO, ARC, presented the draft GCARD3 Outcomes Statement for adoption. He noted that the Outcomes Statement sketches the overall context of the GCARD3 Global Event and the five key challenges that were explored during the thematic discussions. Moephuli then highlighted the main messages and commitments that emerged from the five thematic groups, noting commitments to, inter alia: establish innovative, farmer-led platforms; create 1,000 additional PhDs per year in “next-generation, future-relevant agricultural research”; continue professional development in agriculture for innovation and entrepreneurship; develop a “culture of impact”; contribute to national measurements of progress and create a platform to harmonize agriculture-related indicators linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); build value chain partnerships, while protecting smallholder farmers’ access to resources and developing their business skills; and address cross-cutting themes such as public health and nutrition in agricultural research and innovation programmes. A final high-level panel discussion moderated by Frank Rijsberman, CEO, CGIAR Consortium, provided regional and global perspectives relating to the GCARD3 outcomes. Mariam Al Jaajaa, The Arab Network for Food Sovereignty/Arab Group for the Protection of Nature, highlighted the growing problem of food insecurity due to protracted crises in the Near East and North Africa region, and stressed the need for comprehensive research to understand the root causes and devise strategies to create a better future. Bernard Rey, European Commission, highlighted the jointly funded and co-owned EU-Africa Partnership on Research and Innovation on food and nutrition security and sustainable agriculture. Elisabeth Atangana, Plate-forme Régionale des Organisations Paysannes d’Afrique Centrale (PROPAC) underlined the need for science to evolve and adapt to communities’ demands. Sana Jatta, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), recommended deeper involvement of developing country governments in the GCARD process. Charles-Ferdinand Nothomb, Minister of State, Belgium, called for increasing resources in rural communities through government lobbying and decentralization. In his vote of thanks Rijsberman noted the Conference had offered an invaluable networking opportunity and welcomed the feedback provided by various stakeholders on how to align the new Strategic Framework with national and regional priorities. Noting that “for first time, we have bridged science and society to shape our futures,” Mark Holderness, Executive Secretary, GFAR, expressed appreciation for the willingness shown by more than 500 GCARD3 delegates from 83 countries “to go forward together.” He noted that the Conference has shaped a package of tangible actions that “we can proudly take to the SDGs review process.” Litha Magingxa, Agricultural Research Council (ARC), thanked partners, organizing committees, theme Chairs and Co-chairs, ‘catalysts,’ participants and all others involved in the organization and facilitation of the event. He declared GCARD3 closed at 5:35 pm. IISD Reporting Services, through its ENB+ Meeting Coverage, provided daily web coverage from GCARD3. In addition, IISD Reporting Services has produced a summary report from GCARD3, which is available in HTML and PDF formats. Photos by IISD/ENB | Kiara Worth For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page. Morning Plenary Participants during the morning plenary Maria Letizia Gardoni, Coldiretti Giovani Impresa Tshepiso Marumo, Tshepiso Bees Theme 1: Scaling Up - From Research to Impact Presenters for Theme 1 Judith Francis, Technical Centre for Agriculture and Rural Cooperation (CTA)/ European Forum on Agricultural Research for Development (EFARD) Raghunath Ghodake, Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI) Christian Hoste, Agreenium Marc Bernard, AfricaRice Participants discuss matters in breakout groups Theme 2: Showcasing Results and Demonstrating Impacts Participants discuss matters related to Theme 2 Sana Jatta, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Mellissa Wood, Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) Ashok Ambalal Patel, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University Participants work in breakout groups Theme 3: Keeping Science Relevant and Future-Focused Participants listen to presentations related to Theme 3 Iddo Dror, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) Lana Repar, Agricultural Transformation by Innovation (AgTraIn)/Young Professionals for Agricultural Development (YPARD) Europe James Kung'u, Kenyatta University Trevor Nicholls, CEO, Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International (CABI) Participants in breakout groups Theme 4: Sustaining the Business of Farming A participant takes notes during discussions on Theme 4 Litha Magingxa, Agricultural Research Centre (ARC) Oseyemi Akinbamijo, Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) Participants discuss matters related to Theme 4 Theme 5: Ensuring Better Rural Futures Robin Bourgeois, Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR), facilitates a discussion around Theme 5 Participants work in breakout groups Afternoon Plenary Peter Casier, Independent Consultant, thanks Fiona Chandler, GFAR, for her support in realizing the Youth Agripreneurs Project Josine Macaspac, the Philippines Jony Girma, Ethiopia Kellyann Allicot, Barbados Lillian Beauttah, Kenya Nikki Pilania Chaudhary, India Michelle Kovacevic, YPARD Chairs from the thematic groups report back on their sessions Theme 1 Chair Patrick Caron, French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), and Co-Chair Judith Francis, CTA/EFARD Theme 2 Chair Thomas Price, GFAR, and Co-Chair Dhanush Dinesh, CGIAR Theme 3 Chair Aissetou Yaye, African Network for Agriculture, Agroforestry and Natural Resources Education (ANAFE) (center), and Co-Chairs Shoba Sivasankar, CGIAR (left), and Wayne Powell, CGIAR (right) Theme 4 Chair Jethro Greene, Caribbean Farmers’ Network (CaFAN) Theme 5 Chair Iman El-Kaffass, Independent Consultant (center), Co-Chair Courtney Paisley, YPARD (right), and facilitator Robin Bourgeois, GFAR (left) Jasper Rees, ARC Closing Plenary Panel speakers for the closing plenary Mariam Al Jaajaa, The Arab Network for Food Sovereignty/ Arab Group for the Protection of Nature (APN) Bernard Rey, European Commission Frank Rijsberman, CEO, CGIAR Consortium Sana Jatta, IFAD Charles-Ferdinand Nothomb, Minister of State, Belgium Elisabeth Atangana, Plate-forme Régionale des Organisations Paysannes d’Afrique Centrale (PROPAC) Shadrack Moephuli, President and CEO, ARC Mark Holderness, GFAR Around the Venue Participants before the start of plenary Hlamalani Ngwenya, Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services (GFRAS), and Nkhensani Khosa, Women on the Move Tshepiso Marumo, Tshepi Bees, speaks with Courtney Paisley, YPARD Participants between sessions Participants meet informally A participant checks the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) website Support staff for the meeting IISD team covering the GCARD3 meeting (L-R): Wangu Mwangi, Cleo Verkuijl, Olivia Freeman and Kiara Worth

The seventh session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to Prepare a Global Legally Binding Instrument on Mercury (INC7) opened Thursday and is scheduled to conclude on Tuesday, March 15 at the Dead Sea, Jordan. Plenary convened in the morning for the opening of the meeting, which included welcome addresses by Ibrahim Thiaw, Deputy Director of the UN Environment Programme, and Taher Shakhashir, Minister of Environment, Jordan, who was speaking on behalf of King Abdullah II. Delegates reconvened in plenary in the afternoon to continue work on the substantive items on its agenda, including hearing opening statements from regions and countries. In the evening, delegates attended a reception hosted by the Government of Jordan. IISD Reporting Services, through its ENB Meeting Coverage, is providing daily web coverage, daily reports and a summary and analysis report from the 7th session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Mercury (INC 7). The summary and analysis report is available in HTML and PDF formats. Photos by IISD/ENB | Kiara Worth For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page. Opening Ceremony Delegates gather for the opening ceremony Jacob Duer, interim secretariat of the Minamata Convention Fernando Lugris, Uruguay, INC Chair Taher Shakhashir, Minister of Environment, Jordan Ibrahim Thiaw, UNEP Deputy Executive Director Jordanian dancers perform a traditional dance to open the meeting Jordanian youth recite a pledge to protect the environment Side Events Side event discussing the Jordan Dead Sea industries, hosted by the Government of Jordan Side event 'Gearing up for implementation - what are the first steps?' hosted by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Afternoon Plenary L-R: Masa Nagai, UNEP; Jacob Duer, intermin secretariat of the Minamata Convention; Fernando Lugris, Uruguay, INC Chair; Sheila Logan, interim secretariat of the Minamata Convention; Nina Cromnier, Sweden, Rapporteur; and Andrea Lechner, BRS Secretariat Mohammed Khashashneh, Jordan, speaking on behalf of the Arab Group Reginald Hernaus, EU Agustina Camilli, Uruguay, speaking on behalf of the Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC) Mick Saito, Japan, speaking on behalf of the Asia-Pacific Region David Kapindula, Zambia, speaking on behalf of the African Group Vladimir Lenev, Russian Federation, speaking on behalf of the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) Group Franz Perrez, Switzerland Zhao Wei Jun, China Kasimu Bayero, Nigeria Juan Miguel Cuna, the Philippines Sezaneh Seymour, US Luay Al Mukhtar, Iraq Tuti Hendrawati Mintarsih, Indonesia Around the Venue Delegates gather before the start of plenary Fernando Lugris, Uruguay, INC Chair; Ibrahim Thiaw, UNEP Deputy Executive Director; and Taher Shakhashir, Minister of Environment, Jordan Mohammed Khashashneh, Jordan, welcomes delegates to the meeting Delegates from Brazil The youngest delegate attending the meeting A delegate reads the Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) website Delegates from China review a document Delegates gather informally before the start of plenary Artifacts from Jordan on display around the venue Reception Hosted by the Government of Jordan Delegates gather for the reception hosted by the Government of Jordan Taher Shakhashir, Minister of Environment, Jordan, and Ibrahim Thiaw, UNEP Deputy Executive Director Delegates from Saudi Arabia Delegates throughout the evening