UNEP meeting

On Thursday and Friday, November the 13th and 14th, I attended the Regional Consultation for North America Civil Society of UNEP, the United Nations Environment Program, at the World Resource Institute in D.C., to represent Scott Hajost, IUCN US Executive Director.

The fact that he didn't go himself was a givaway for what was to come.

The organization was very good, and we had a good quality videoconference call with UNEP in Nairobi, Kenya.

The purpose of the meeting was mainly to prepare for the Tenth Session of the Global Civil Society Forum, that will be held 14-15 February 2009, prior to the 25th UNEP Governing Council/ Global Ministerial Environment Forum (GC/GMEF) scheduled for 16-20 February 2009, in Nairobi.

After a presentation of UNEP Global Civil Society Forum (GCSF), of the Forum to come and the proposed Programme of Work, we split into three groups. I went to the Harmful Substances and Hazardous Wastes and Resource Efficiency/Sustainable Consumption and Production one, while my colleague Kees attended the Ecosystem Management and Environmental Governance one.

In my group, about ten people, in my opinion nothing major was said. Five people new what they were talking about (the others were interns), but even so it didn't make much sense to me. Maybe because of my fainting langage barrier, or maybe because everyone spoke up to express their concern, but did not really give new ideas or solutions.

Anyway, the part I least understood was on Friday, when we proceeded to the nomination for the Sponsored Regional Representatives to the GCSF and the GC/GMEF: everybody in the room was invited to cast a ballot, even Kees and I (who were just observers, considering we are interns). And, Charlotte Moser from IUCN presented herself to be elected; even though IUCN staff can't be chosen to be representing UNEP, because IUCN is not an NGO.

So, it was disapponting because the issues were explained, for example the necessity to find a single solution to fix both the economic and environmental crises, but no real solution was given.

Let's hope the two forums will be more productive!