ENB @ UNEP GC-25/GMEF; 16-20 February 2009; Nairobi, Kenya

Earth Negotiations Bulletin - ENB

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Summary Dailies
Summary Compilation

25th Session of the UNEP Governing Council/
Global Ministerial Environment Forum
(GC-25/GMEF)

16-20 February 2009 | Nairobi, Kenya

Highlights for Monday, 16 February 2009

Delegates at the 25th session of the UNEP Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum (GC-25/GMEF) convened in the morning for the opening ceremony, followed by consideration of organizational matters, a policy statement by the UNEP Executive Director, Achim Steiner, and an overview of matters before the Council/Forum.

In the afternoon, delegates convened for ministerial consultations on the nature and scale of current environment and development challenges and opportunities under the themes "Global crises: national chaos?" and "International environmental governance: help or hindrance?" The Committee of the Whole (COW) also met in the afternoon to address organizational matters, the introduction of draft decisions and to consider the budget and programme of work for the biennium 2010-2011.

Above photo: Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki, signs the UNEP guest book with Achim Steiner, Executive Director, UNEP and Jamil Ahmad, Secretary to the Governing Council.

H.E. Mwai Kibaki, President of the Republic of Kenya, being escorted to the plenary to officially open the the twenty-fifth session of the Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP); Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai welcomed President Kibaki.

OPENING PLENARY:


Delegates were treated to an acrobatic performance by the African Savannah Acrobats during the opening plenary.

GC-24/GMEF President Roberto Dobles, Minister of Environment, Costa Rica, welcomed delegates and noted several achievements including the completion of the 2010-2013 UNEP Medium-term Strategy (MTS).

Angela Cropper, Deputy Executive Secretary, UNEP, read a message on behalf of UN Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon. Secretary General Ban stressed the importance of the GC process and said he would look to it for leadership in the months ahead.

Inga Klevby, Deputy Executive Director, UN-Habitat, explained that cities are a driving force for global trade, but that
they also generate the bulk of waste.

Mwai Kibaki, President of the Republic of Kenya, called for greater vigor in addressing current environmental
problems.

UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner said that UNEP challenges the myth that when the economy is in crisis environment and social issues take a back seat.

ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS:


Yann Arthus-Bertrand, presented an excerpt of his film "Home" to the plenary.				The plenary elected Oliver Dulić, Minister of Environment, Serbia, as GC-25/GMEF President.

MINISTERIAL CONSULTATIONS:

Gerda Verburg, Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, The Netherlands.

Freddy Numbery, Minister for Marine and Fisheries, Indonesia.

Tadanori Inomata, Inspector, UN Joint Inspection Unit.

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