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As the first week of COP 25 draws to a close, members of the G-77/China huddle during an informal consultation to try reach agreement.
The Chile/Madrid Climate Change Conference concluded its first week in a flurry of discussions over the various issues due for completion before the subsidiary bodies close on Monday.
Success was mixed. The subsidiary bodies will have “clean,” or agreed, decisions to consider for national adaptation plans and the Poznan strategic programme on technology transfer. After protracted negotiations, delegates agreed to a decision on research and systematic observation, which addresses global cooperation on climate monitoring and data. Negotiations continued well into the night on loss and damage, another technology item, transparency, and the review of the long-term global goal.
Delegates were unable to find agreement on several issues, including common time frames and agriculture. In many cases, parties hoped that discussions among heads of delegation could resolve the issues by bringing together the few parties that remain in disagreement. The imminent arrival of ministers adds some pressure, as negotiators expressed a reluctance to bring all these unagreed texts to the political level.
Delegates working on Article 6 (market and non-market mechanisms) waited throughout the day for the next iteration of the texts. Discussions on these were scheduled to start late in the evening, but were eventually postponed until Monday, 9 December. Many expect this issue to go to ministers. Uncertainty remains about what elements could be decided on at COP 25, and which ones would require additional time to create more detailed guidance on certain methodologies.
The COP Presidency held an open dialogue between parties and observer organizations. COP 25 President Carolina Schmidt emphasized the need to bring together all actors to catalyze more ambitious commitments and action. Observers used the opportunity to discuss the broader picture, and multiple crises the world faces. Trade Union NGOs warned of “social tipping points” that, when crossed, undermine peoples’ support for climate policy. Environmental NGOs pointed out the looming environmental tipping points. Indigenous Peoples’ Organizations called for real, not “token,” engagement with traditional knowledge in the search for solutions. Also seeking wider inclusion, Youth NGOs called for making science available to all and supporting the participation of observers from developing countries.
In the context of three workshops on energy, transport, and human settlements, the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action also underscored the important role of science. Several of the speakers discussed how to foster credible, science-based solutions that are effective and profitable. The intersection of those interests, particularly in the energy sector, were stressed as key to unlocking climate ambition by all.
For more details on the day’s negotiations and to hear what delegates said in the corridors, see our daily Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB).
Highlights and images for 11 June 2019
56th Meeting of the GEF Council
Highlights for Tuesday, 11 June 2019
Participants view a slide from the presentation by the Chair of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (STAP), showing the “Shawn the Sheep” slug, which helped frame the discussions on the STAP Chair's presentation on science.
Naoko Ishii, GEF CEO and Chairperson, opened the 56th meeting of the GEF Council, highlighting that the GEF’s 2020 strategy has shifted focus from treating the symptoms of environmental degradation to addressing its causes and drivers. The GEF Secretariat presented the work program, the largest ever proposed, amounting to USD 865.9 million in projects and programs, including four Impact Programs covering food systems and land use, Amazon forests, Congo basin forests, and dryland landscapes. After seeking a number of clarifications and offering comments about specific elements and projects, the Council approved the work program, which will benefit 91 recipient countries, including 30 Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and 32 small island developing States (SIDS). It was agreed that a request from many Members for greater transparency regarding the selection of lead agencies and project countries for Impact Programs would be dealt with in a separate decision on Wednesday. Council Members heard a report from the STAP Chair, highlighting, inter alia, recent scientific reports, including the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Global Assessment of the State of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services and the UN Environment Programme Sixth Global Environmental Outlook, and what they mean for the GEF, criteria for GEF Impact Programs, and ways to achieve more enduring outcomes from GEF investments. In ensuing discussion, numerous interventions focused on definitions of durability versus sustainability and on how to incorporate STAP’s recent work, particularly on climate risk screening, into project design under the new work program. Delegates also discussed further work on the sustainability of GEF projects and programs. Council Members considered a draft updated monitoring policy, focusing on: the need to align now-separate monitoring and evaluation policies; the respective roles of Operational Focal Points and recipient countries; “achieved” versus “expected” results; deadlines for starting to use the new policy and related templates and guidelines; activities to be covered by the new policy; and civil society organization (CSO) involvement. Delegates further considered a report on the Working Group on the GEF Partnership. They agreed that further work is needed on implementation modalities associated with the concentration of GEF resources across Agencies and the previously-agreed 30% ceiling on the GEF’s share of Agencies’ portfolios, and requested that the Working Group present recommendations to the Council at a future date. Finally, Council Members took note of the GEF business plan, and approved the corporate budget for the fiscal year 2020 from the GEF Trust Fund of USD 29.273 million.In the afternoon, Ishii and Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary, UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance cooperation between the GEF and UNCCD.
IISD Reporting Services, through its ENB+ Meeting Coverage, provided daily web coverage, video coverage, and a summary report from the GEF Council Consultation Meeting with CSOs, 56th GEF Council Meeting, and 26th Meeting of the LDCF/SCCF Council. The summary report is now 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.
A view of the opening session of the 56th meeting of the GEF Council
Naoko Ishii, GEF CEO and Chairperson
Carola Van Rijnsoever, Council Member, the Netherlands, was elected Co-Chair of the 56th GEF Council Meeting.
Council members raise their flags.
Comlon Awougnon, Alternate Council Member, Togo
Zhongjing Wang, Council Member, China
Jozef Buys, Council Member, Belgium
Aparna Subramani, Council Member, India
Martha Cuba, Council Member, Peru
Peter Elder, Council Member, Australia
Particpants from the GEF-CSO Network
Peter Lallas, GEF Secretariat
Françoise Clottes, GEF Secretariat
Akhteruzzaman Sano, Interim Chair of GEF-CSO Network
Elizabeth Lien, Council Member, US
L-R: Praveen Prasad Desabatla and Tapiwa Sikipa, World Bank
A view of the plenary session from the dais
Rosina Bierbaum, STAP Chair
Kordula Melhart, Council Member, Germany
Gustavo Fonseca, GEF Secretariat
Stefan Schwager, Council Member, Switzerland
A view of the presentation on the 2019 work program
Lauren Céline Naville Gisnås, Council Member, Norway
Dan Bakoye Chaibou, Council Member, Niger
L-R: Gustavo Fonseca and Claude Gascon, GEF Secretariat
Antonio Micha, Alternate Council Member, Equatorial Guinea
Yoshiko Motoyama, Alternate Council Member, Japan
L-R: Naoko Ishii, GEF CEO and Chairperson, and William Ehlers, GEF Secretariat
L-R: Sana Taktak Keskes, Regional Focal Point for North Africa, CSO Network; Akhteruzzaman Sano, Interim Chair, GEF-CSO Network; and Linghui He, Toxics-Free China
Naoko Ishii, GEF CEO and Chairperson, and Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary, UNCCD, sign a Memorandum of Understanding.
Highlights and images for 12 June 2019
56th Meeting of the GEF Council
Highlights for Wednesday, 12 June 2019
Naoko Ishii, GEF CEO and Chairperson (center) with Council Members from Australia and the UK
On Wednesday, 12 June, Global Environment Facility (GEF) Council Members considered a report by the GEF Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) on its semi-annual evaluation of the GEF, which includes an annual performance report for 2019 with a special focus on sustainable transport, a “value-for-money” analysis of GEF interventions in support of sustainable forest management, and an evaluation of GEF support to scaling up impacts. On sustainable transport project evaluation, Council Members expressed concern about lower-than-expected greenhouse gas emissions reductions in projects. Following procedural discussions on the GEF’s support to scaling up impacts, Members endorsed a recommendation that the GEF partnership ensure that factors influencing scaling up are identified and taken into account in program and project design and implementation, and that their impact be assessed in mid-term and terminal evaluations.Council Members heard updates by representatives of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm (BRS) Conventions, the Minamata Convention on Mercury, and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), and approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury and the GEF Council. The President of the upcoming Fifth International Conference on Chemicals Management also addressed the Council on the process to define a post-2020 global framework for the sound management of chemicals and waste. In addition, Council Members heard a GEF Secretariat proposal laying out a procedure for informing the Council of possible non-compliance with environmental and social safeguards. While Council Members welcomed the proposal, many said it “did not go far enough,” and proposed amendments requiring that Agencies report promptly to the GEF Secretariat any cases involving GEF-financed projects or programs that might be inconsistent with the minimum standards of the GEF’s Environmental and Social Safeguards Policy, and that the Secretariat report to the Council annually on such cases. The amendments were incorporated into the decision adopted by Council.Council Members were informed on the status of GEF Agencies’ compliance with minimum requirements on anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML-CFT), and heard an update from the Inter-American Development Bank on its recent adoption of an AML-CFT framework.Council Members also: considered updates to the GEF Evaluation Policy that reflect new issues for measurement and clarify requirements for evaluation across the GEF partnership; and adopted the IEO’s work program for GEF-7, including the preparations for the seventh Comprehensive Evaluation of the GEF, as well as the fiscal year 2020 budget of the IEO, amounting to USD 6.22 million.Finally, Council Members reviewed and adopted the policy on monitoring as revised by the Secretariat pursuant to Tuesday’s discussion to lay out Operational Focal Points’ roles and responsibilities more explicitly. Members also adopted a decision on further work on the sustainability of GEF Projects and Programs and a decision aiming to enhance transparency in the selection of lead Agencies and recipient countries in the Impact Programs.
IISD Reporting Services, through its ENB+ Meeting Coverage, provided daily web coverage, video coverage, and a summary report from the GEF Council Consultation Meeting with CSOs, 56th GEF Council Meeting, and 26th Meeting of the LDCF/SCCF Council. The summary report is now 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.
Participants hear a presentation from the IEO on its semi-annual evaluation of the GEF.
Juho Uitto, Director, IEO, GEF
Geeta Batra, IEO
L-R: Carola Van Rijnsoever, Co-Chair of the 56th GEF Council Meeting; William Ehlers, GEF Secretariat; and Naoko Ishii, GEF CEO and Chairperson, hear interventions from the floor.
Anar Mamdani, Council Member, Canada
Karina Ramirez Arras, Council Member, Mexico
Ben Green, Council Member, UK
Dan Bakoye Chaibou, Council Member, Niger
Esther Gonzalez Sanz, Council Member, Spain
Elizabeth Lien, Council Member, US
Adriana Leticia Flachier Troya, Council Member, Ecuador, consults with Renato Leonardi, Alternate Council Member, Brazil.
L-R: Françoise Clottes, Roland Sundstrom, and Peter Lallas, GEF Secretariat, respond to comments from the floor on the IEO's report on its semi-annual evaluation of the GEF.
Akhteruzzaman Sano, Interim Chair, GEF-CSO Network
Marita Olson, Council Member, Sweden
Jan Petter Borring, Advisor, Norway
Rachna Ramsurn, Council Member, Mauritius
L-R: Rossana Silva Repetto, Executive Secretary, Minamata Convention on Mercury; Rolph Payet, Executive Secretary, BRS Conventions; and Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary, UNCCD
Jozef Buys, Council Member, Belgium
Renato Leonardi, Alternate Council Member, Brazil
Ariuntuya Dorjsuren, Council Member, Mongolia
Gillian Guthrie, Alternate Council Member, Jamaica
Nguavese Tracy Ogbonna, Women Environmental Programme, Nigeria
Sana Taktak Keskes, Regional Focal Point for North Africa, GEF-CSO Network
Snapshots from the Venue
Jozef Buys, Council Member, Belgium, receives a token of appreciation from the GEF Secretariat for his invaluable contribution to the GEF ahead of his retirement.
L-R: Yibin Xiang, Convention on Biological Diversity, and Melchiade Bukuru, UNCCD
Participants from the GEF-CSO Network exchange views in a side room.
L-R: Christian Hofer, GEF Secretariat, interviews Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary, UNCCD, for #GEFlive.
Highlights and images for 13 June 2019
56th Meeting of the GEF Council
Highlights for Thursday, 13 June 2019
L-R: William Ehlers, GEF Secretariat; Co-Chair Carola Van Rijnsoever, the Netherlands; and Naoko Ishii, GEF CEO and Chairperson, join participants in a resounding round of applause at the conclusion of the meeting.
On the third and final day of the 56th meeting of the GEF Council, the Council convened as the 26th meeting of the Council for the Least Developed Countries Fund and the Special Climate Change Fund (LDCF/SCCF), and approved the Joint Summary of the Chairs for the joint Council meeting.Naoko Ishii, GEF CEO and Chairperson, acting as Co-Chair of the LDCF/SCCF Council, shared takeaway messages from a recent meeting of the Global Commission on Adaptation. She highlighted the upcoming UN Secretary-General’s Climate Action Summit and the 25th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change as opportunities to accelerate action on the ground. She also thanked Ireland for its EUR 2 million contribution to the LDCF.In a keynote address, Orsalia Kalantzopoulos, CEO, Europa Re Ltd., outlined her Swiss-based catastrophe risk reinsurance company’s efforts to provide climate risk insurance coverage in southeastern Europe, saying its experience can be replicated in other regions.GEF Council Members, convening as the 26th meeting of the LDCF/SCCF Council, adopted a joint LDCF/SCCF work program
comprising 12 projects, with resources amounting to USD 103.41 million for the LDCF and SCCF, including project grants and Agency fees. They also welcomed the Fiscal Year 2018 Annual Monitoring Review of the Funds and its finding that 87% and 94% of LDCF and SCCF projects under implementation in FY18, respectively, were rated “moderately satisfactory” or above for their progress towards development objectives.Following approval of the Joint Summary of the Chairs for both the GEF Council and the LDCF/SCCF Council meetings, GEF CEO and Chairperson Naoko Ishii closed the meeting at 12:02 pm.
IISD Reporting Services, through its ENB+ Meeting Coverage, provided daily web coverage, video coverage, and a summary report from the GEF Council Consultation Meeting with CSOs, 56th GEF Council Meeting, and 26th Meeting of the LDCF/SCCF Council. The summary report is now 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.
The Council convenes as the 26th meeting of the LDCF/SCCF Council.
Naoko Ishii, GEF CEO and Chairperson
Orsalia Kalantzopoulos, CEO, Europe Re Ltd, presents on climate risk insurance efforts in southeastern Europe.
Stefan Schwager, Council Member, Switzerland
Stephanie Bouziges-Eschmann, Alternate Council Member, France
Sydah Naigaga, Regional Focal Point, Eastern Africa, GEF-CSO Network
Marjolein Geusebroek, Advisor, the Netherlands
Participants hear a presentation on the LDCF Work Program.
Gustavo Fonseca and Chizuru Aoki, GEF Secretariat, respond to comments from the floor on the Annual Monitoring Review of the LDCF and SCCF.
Juho Uitto and Anna Viggh, IEO, discuss the LDCF/SCCF Annual Evaluation Report.
Jozef Buys, Council Member, Belgium
Kordula Mehlhart, Council Member, Germany
Peter Elder, Council Member, Australia
Ludovica Soderini, Advisor, Italy
GEF CEO and Chairperson Naoko Ishii closes the meeting at 12:02 pm.
Françoise Clottes, GEF Secretariat, says goodbye to Jozef Buys, Council Member, Belgium.
L-R: Comlon Awougnon, Alternate Council Member, Togo, consults with Jean-Marc Sinnassamy, GEF Secretariat.
L-R: Rachna Ramsurn, Council Member, Mauritius, and Aparna Subramani, Council Member, India, share a moment.
L-R: William Ehlers, GEF Secretariat; Praveen Prasad Desabatla, World Bank; and Peter Lallas, GEF Secretariat, consult on the Chairs' Joint Summary of the meetings.
Summary report 10–13 June 2019
56th Meeting of the GEF Council
Summary report 16–19 December 2019
57th Meeting of the GEF Council
Highlights and images for 9 December 2019
Delegates huddle during the final stages of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) closing plenary.
The Chile/Madrid Climate Change Conference transitioned into its second week of work. There were last-minute consultations on some issues under the subsidiary bodies as delegates tried to bridge remaining divisions.
By the end of the night, several issues were left unagreed. Unresolved issues were handled in a variety of ways. Some issues were deferred for discussions at the next session. Others were forwarded to the COP Presidency for consideration during this conference.
Consultations also continued on a number of other items, including on finance and, at the head of delegation level, on the meeting outcome decision (1/COP.25 1/CMP.15 and 1/CMA.2). Heads of delegation also met to agree on the mode of work for the rest of the conference.
The Chilean COP Presidency, with ministers of finance, sought to amplify the Santiago Action Plan. Originally launched in April 2019, at the World Bank Group-International Monetary Fund (IMF) meeting, the Plan aims to catalyze high-level support for mainstreaming climate action in economic policy. Finance ministers discussed their role in enhancing countries’ nationally determined contributions (NDCs). The importance of finance ministers to climate action was clear: as UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa underlined: “if you lead, others will follow.”
The Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action connected the dots between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Participants discussed how collaboration between state and non-state actors can help realize climate action, and also SDGs 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), 14 (Life under Water), and 15 (Life on Land).
For more details on the day’s negotiations and to hear what delegates said in the corridors, see our daily Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB).
Highlights and images for 24 September 2019
Investing in Climate Change Adaptation Action through the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) – Dialogue and Pledging Session
Participants highlighted the importance of investing in climate change adaptation action in LDCs, which are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and yet the least able to adapt. The event also kick-started the year of action on adaptation, spearheaded by the Global Commission on Adaptation. The event was co-hosted by the Government of Germany, the LDC Group, and the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
Aparna Subramani, Executive Director of the World Bank representing Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Sri Lanka, and Naoko Ishii, GEF CEO and Chairperson
Highlights
Three donors announced new LDCF contributions totalling EUR 130 million.
Speakers noted the Global Commission on Adaptation highlighted the LDCF as a financial mechanism that works and should be well placed to help LDCs implement the adaptation “revolutions” recommended by the Commission.
Opening
Maria Flachsbarth, Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany, highlighted the Global Commission’s message that adaptation can produce significant economic returns and smart growth. She then announced a German pledge of EUR 50 million to the LDCF.
Sonam Phuntsho Wangdi (Bhutan), Chair, LDC Group, said that the LDCF is the only multilateral fund fully dedicated to climate change in LDCs. “It is our fund,” he said, and noted that the LDC Group was involved in formulating the new LDCF Strategy and expressed satisfaction with its implementation.
Naoko Ishii, CEO and Chairperson, GEF, underscored the Commission report's recommendations for adaptation revolutions and welcomed feedback on whether the new LDCF Strategy is having positive impact.
Panel: Empowering Communities and Livelihoods/Agriculture and Food Security
Fekadu Beyene, Commissioner for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Ethiopia, discussed how the LDCF has helped Ethiopia in building climate resilience in agriculture.
Bounkham Vorachit, Vice Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Lao PDR, discussed the LDCF’s contribution to building robust Laotian adaptation institutions and planning for rural areas.
Panel: Climate Resilient Development in SIDS/Early Warning and Planning
Ralph Regenvanu, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vanuatu, emphasized how the LDCF has helped the country prepare and respond to natural disasters during the past 11 years.
Quite Djata, Secretary of State of Environment and Biodiversity, Guinea-Bissau, underscored the “crucial role” that the LDCF played in helping her country strengthen resilience, adaptation capacity, and early warning systems.
Johannes Oljelund, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sweden, announced a multiannual contribution to the LDCF of EUR 50 million.
Observing that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are not achievable without stepping up action on adaptation, Carola van Rijnsoever, Ambassador for Sustainable Development, Netherlands, announced that the country would make an additional EUR 20 million contribution to the LDCF.
Christopher MacLennan, Global Affairs Canada, said that his Prime Minister had announced an additional payment to LDCF of USD 7.5 million.
Nick Bridge, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, UK, said his Prime Minister just announced a doubling of its contribution to climate finance over five years, with its LDCF allocation yet to be worked out.
Noting that LDCF had helped his country considerably on planning and priority setting, Abdou Karim Sall, Minister of Environment, Senegal, said about USD 2.9 million more was needed from international donors to address specific issues that had been identified.
Martin Frick, UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), observed that the Global Commission report and the new LDCF pledges send important political signals to the upcoming UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP) set to take place in Chile.
Closing
Moderator Mary Robinson, Chair, The Elders, noted that the Global Commission called the LDCF “a model of something that works” and urged continued support for the Fund.
Photos by IISD/ENB | Felipe Ruiz
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Maria Flachsbarth, Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany
L-R: Gustavo Fonseca, GEF Secretariat; Quite Djata, Secretary of State of Environment and Biodiversity, Guinea-Bissau; Johannes Oljelund, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sweden; and Carola van Rijnsoever, Ambassador for Sustainable Development, Netherlands
Fekadu Beyene, Commissioner for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Ethiopia
Moderator Mary Robinson, Chair, The Elders
L-R: Moderator Mary Robinson, Chair, The Elders; Ralph Regenvanu, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vanuatu; Gustavo Fonseca, GEF Secretariat; Quite Djata, Secretary of State of Environment and Biodiversity, Guinea-Bissau; Johannes Oljelund, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sweden; Carola van Rijnsoever, Ambassador for Sustainable Development, Netherlands; Christopher MacLennan, Global Affairs Canada; and Nick Bridge, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, UK
CONTACT
Christian Hofer | chofer@thegef.org
MORE INFORMATION
https://www.thegef.org/topics/climate-change-adaptation
http://www.ldc-climate.org/
Highlights and images for 27 May 2019
1st Session of the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) Assembly
Highlights for Monday, 27 May 2019
Delegates gather for the start of the first UN-Habitat Assembly
On Monday, the inaugural UN-Habitat Assembly (UNHA 1) started its deliberations at the UN Office at Nairobi (UNON), Kenya. Delegates elected Martha Delgado Peralta, Mexico, as President of the Assembly, as well as regional Vice-Presidents, members of the Executive Board, and other officers, and adopted the meeting’s agenda and rules of procedure. In his opening address, Uhuru Kenyatta, President of Kenya, emphasized that the world “is currently ill-prepared to plan effectively for rapid urbanization,” urging for international cooperation to fulfill UN-Habitat’s mandate. Participants also listened to opening statements by, inter alia: UN Secretary-General António Guterres, via video; Maimunah Mohd Sharif, Acting Director-General, UNON, and UN-Habitat Executive Director; UN-Habitat Assembly President Delgado; Joyce Msuya, Acting Executive Director, UN Environment Programme; and Ridwan Kamil, Governor of West Java Province, Indonesia.The UN-Habitat Assembly heard reports from Fernando Coimbra, Brazil, Chair of the Committee of Permanent Representatives, as well as from Executive Director Sharif on UN-Habitat activities, including on progress in the implementation of the New Urban Agenda and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Throughout the day, several platforms were opened, including the Urban Solutions Expo, the City Stage, and the Youth Tent. Delegates also attended two special events, including a ministerial roundtable on infrastructure, cities and local action to mobilize commitments for the UN Secretary-General’s Climate Action Summit, and a women’s event on promoting inter-generational leadership for sustainable urbanization.Twenty-two side events took place during the day focusing on, inter alia:
planning for climate action, including modern, low carbon, and inclusive public transport;
innovative financing and engagement strategies for urban development, as well as efforts to close the infrastructure gap;
regional and national sustainable urban initiatives;
integration of migrants in urban areas;
community-driven data, local participation, and multi-stakeholder partnerships for innovative inclusive cities at the local, national and international levels; and
promoting spatial equality and justice.
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
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Opening Plenary
View of the dais during the opening plenary
Plenary opens with a number of musical performances
UN-Habitat Executive Director Maimunah Mohd Sharif congratulates Martha Delgado Peralta, Mexico, on her election as the President of UNHA 1
UN-Habitat Executive Director Maimunah Mohd Sharif
Martha Delgado Peralta, UNHA 1 President
Shipra Narang-Suri, Urban Planning and Design Branch, UN-Habitat
Joyce Msuya, Acting Executive Director, UN Environment Programme (UNEP)
President Uhuru Kenyatta, Kenya
Emma Stevens, Indigenous Youth Representative
Ridwan Kamil, Governor of West Java Province, Indonesia
Sona Jobarteh, UN-Habitat’s Goodwill Ambassador
Moderator James Ohayo, UN-Habitat
Delegates stand as plenary is filled to capacity
Special Events Throughout the Day
Susannah Price, Head of Communications Branch, UN-Habitat Secretariat; Martha Delgado Peralta, UNHA 1 President; and UN-Habitat Executive Director Maimunah Mohd Sharif, speak during the UN-Habitat Assembly Opening Press Conference
Young Women to Women - Promoting Inter-generational Leadership for Sustainable Urbanization
Ministerial Roundtable on Infrastructure, Cities and Local Action: Mobilizing commitments for the UN Secretary-General's Climate Action Summit 2019
Afternoon Plenary
View of the dais during the afternoon plenary
Fernando Coimbra, Chair, Committee of Permanent Representatives (CPR), UN-Habitat
Lori Dando, US Permanent Representative to the UN in Nairobi
Delegates applaud the election of various officers
Elias Guia Lopez, Spain
Wallis Goelen, EU
Celestine Ketcha Courtès, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Cameroon
Russom Beyene, Eritrea, speaking on behalf of the African Group
Vladimir Yakushev, Minister of Construction and Housing, Russian Federation
Hazem Shabat, Palestine, speaking on behalf of the G-77/China
Abdou Karim Fofana, Minister of Urban Planning, Housing, and Public Health, Senegal
Around the Venue
Delegates speak informally before the start of plenary
President Uhuru Kenyatta, Kenya, arrives at the venue
President Uhuru Kenyatta, Kenya, visits various exhibitions around the venue
UN Security around the venue
UN-Habitat Executive Director Maimunah Mohd Sharif; Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, Fiji; and Martha Delgado Peralta, UNHA 1 President, during the Ministerial Roundtable
Shipra Narang-Suri, Urban Planning and Design Branch, UN-Habitat (far right) helps delegates play a game of Minecraft to redesign green spaces around the UN Offices in Nairobi, demonstrating innovative ways of engaging people in urban design and planning
The Urban Solutions Expo aimed at promoting innovative and sustainable solutions for the challenges faced by cities and communities
Delegates discuss new ideas at one of the information booths