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In memory of tropical scientist Gustavo Fonseca and his contributions to biodiversity conservation, the Global Environment Facility has established the Fonseca Leadership Program. Named in honor of the GEF’s long-serving Director of Programs who passed away in 2022, the program builds on partnerships with several existing institutional programs dedicated to producing and supporting the next generation of conservationists.

“If there is one lesson from 2023, it is that we have no time to lose. The GEF is working to quickly and efficiently deploy all resources that donors have entrusted to us for the 2022-2026 period so that we can generate maximum benefits for our recipient countries and for the planet." 

Carlos Manuel Rodríguez, GEF CEO and Chairperson

As an Assistant Task Manager within UNEP’s GEF Chemicals and Waste Unit, Yolanda Cachu is dedicated to ending the harm caused by toxic chemicals and waste.

In an interview, we sat down with her to discuss her work and how she came to work on Small-Island Developing States (SIDS).

What do you do in the Chemicals team?

As an Assistant Task Manager within UNEP’s GEF Chemicals and Waste Unit, Inaki Rodríguez is working to end the harm caused by toxic chemicals and waste.

In an interview, we sat down with him to discuss his work and how he came to work on artisanal and small-scale gold mining.

What do you do in the Chemicals team?

    An innovative partnership is advancing a simple and effective solution to clearing plastic waste from waterways and turning it into a key element of a circular economy.

This quarter's

"Plastic kills, and the damages of plastic pollution have no borders. We cannot beat plastic pollution if we don’t tackle climate change, environmental loss and food crises at the same time.” 

UNEP joins the international conservation community in mourning the passing of our friend and colleague Ziad Samaha.

Contracting Parties and Observers at the Sixth Meeting of the Scientific, Technical and Advisory Committee (STAC)  to the Protocol Concerning Pollution from Land-Based Sources (LBS) and Activities in the Wider Caribbean, have reiterated the urgent need to protect our very valuable but fragile and vulnerable coastal and marine ecosystems from the negative impacts of marine pollution. The Virtual Meeting, held from February 1-3,  was hosted by the UNEP Cartagena Convention Secretariat as part of its mandate under the Convention to support governments in protecting the Caribbean Sea.

 

UNEP has been announced as the leader of four new high-impact global Global Environment Facility (GEF) integrated programs to accelerate action on nature, climate and pollution. 

UNEP joins the Global Environment Facility in mourning the loss of renowned tropical scientist Gustavo Fonseca, its long-standing Director of Programs, who passed away on August 31, 2022. 

Gustavo spent his career staring down the planet’s biggest environmental challenges with his optimism and pragmatism intact, an approach that won him friends and accolades the world over. 

Miguel Van Der Velden explores how tourism operators can spark sustainable innovation - including in sound chemicals and waste management - worldwide.

If there is one scene that exemplifies the last half century in human societal development better than any other, it might well be holiday-goers on a white sandy beach. In the background, a sprawling resort rises like a palace. Palm trees sway in the wind, while children play in the azure waters.