Your excellency, Mr. Firas Khouri, Chair of the Committee of Permanent Representatives,
Ambassadors and colleagues.
Just over 78 years ago, the UN Charter entered into force. As the UN Secretary-General said on UN Day, this charter is rooted in the spirit of determination to heal divisions and build peace. This charter is, today, more relevant than ever.
No innocent should ever pay the price of conflict, be it in Israel, Palestine, Sudan, Ukraine or anywhere else – through direct harm, through the destruction of environmental infrastructure or through destruction of the environment. Yet we have seen, and are seeing, such environmental destruction in every conflict, with long-lasting consequences.
Just as no innocent should suffer in conflict, no innocent should pay the price for the harm humanity causes to the planet. Sadly, this has happened in many places. Most recently in Libya in September, where thousands of people perished after severe storms and flooding. And in Mexico just last week, when Hurricane Otis – one of the fastest intensifying storms ever recorded – devastated Acapulco and other areas. While not linked to climate change, I also send my condolences to the people of Morocco and Afghanistan for the earthquakes that hit their nations.
Trends in extreme weather are a large part of the imperative to dramatically increase efforts to tackle the three environmental planetary crises: climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste. There is hope in recent steps forward in this regard.
At the end of last month, The Fifth International Conference on Chemicals Management hosted by Germany, delivered the Global Framework on Chemicals. This landmark agreement is an achievement UNEP can be proud of.
Based around 28 targets, the framework calls for the prevention of illegal trade and trafficking of chemicals and waste. The phase out, by 2035, of highly hazardous pesticides in agriculture. The transition to safer and more sustainable chemical alternatives. And the responsible management of chemicals in various sectors – including industry, agriculture, and healthcare. The Global Environment Facility is being asked to step up its financing. While this agreement is voluntary, I call on everyone to go above and beyond to ensure the sound management of chemicals and waste.
Meanwhile, the Taskforce on Nature related Financial Disclosures, co-chaired by Elizabeth Mrema, delivered a boost to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. On the side-lines of the UN General Assembly, the taskforce released recommendations and guidance for businesses and financial institutions to report and act on nature-related dependencies, impacts, risks and opportunities. This is a huge development in UNEP’s work to enable business and finance to integrate nature into decision making.
The high-level week at UN HQ also brought renewed commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, including through mobilizing around 12 high impact initiatives at the SDG Summit. The Climate Ambition Summit shifted the narrative from pledges to credible actions, policies and plans. Participants also supported a UN-led effort to create global voluntary principles on critical energy transition minerals.
We also witnessed moves by nations – particularly developing nations – to take charge. UNEP was honoured to be among partners that supported Kenya as it co-hosted the September Africa Climate Summit with the African Union. On my part, it was also a privilege to attend the G77+China gathering in Cuba, where I was heartened to hear developing countries prioritizing a development approach that backs a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. In my speech, I highlighted that science, technology and innovation can help developing nations leapfrog to a greener, safer and more equitable future.
And as previously noted, under India’s Presidency the G20 promised to accelerate actions to address environmental crises and challenges – in this effort, UNEP looks forward to supporting the upcoming presidencies of Brazil and South Africa. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has also stepped up to host World Environment Day 2024 with a focus on desertification, drought resilience & land restoration, while the Republic of Korea is to host the 2025 celebrations on the theme of ending plastic pollution.
Excellencies,
UNEP is playing its part, including through the strengthening of Nairobi as a hub that unites actions across the three environmental planetary crises. The 35th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol has just concluded here, following an important meeting of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
At the Montreal Protocol MOP, delegates approved US$965 million for the replenishment of the Multilateral Fund. This, the largest replenishment in the Fund’s history, will support action on phasing out hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and phasing down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) – the latter of which is the central goal of the Kigali Amendment and crucial to slowing climate change.
Next month, Nairobi will play host to INC-3, where negotiators will dig in to the zero draft of the legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution. At this meeting, negotiators can build on the strong draft – which contains a full range of options to reduce our plastic footprint. I ask negotiators to make as much progress as possible to give the world a strong chance of getting the deal done well and on time.
And, of course, early next year, the sixth United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) will take place at UNEP HQ. At UNEA-6, we will be seeking effective, inclusive and sustainable multilateral actions across the three crises. In my report to UNEA-6, I offer suggestions as to how the Assembly might initiate multilateral action on some key horizon areas.
As you will have seen in a letter I sent to all Member States in October, an impactful UNEA-6 will depend on strong funding. After two generous contributions from the European Commission and Hungary, the funding gap is now US$1,163,000. I kindly invite your government to consider a financial contribution – in accordance with specific circumstances and capacity – to ensure an inclusive, participatory and successful session.
Excellencies,
Please also allow me to draw your attention to some important reports – both released and upcoming.
UNEP published Global Climate Litigation Report: 2023 Status Review on 27 July, one day ahead of the first anniversary of the UN General Assembly’s declaration of access to a clean and healthy environment as a universal human right. The report shows that climate litigation is becoming an integral part of securing climate action and justice.
Launched on the occasion of the 19th session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN), in August, the Africa Environment Outlook for Business showcases a range of success stories of green ventures as well as data on the potential for growth across sectors.
Last week, UNEP issued a report on the June 2023 breach of the Kakhovka dam in Ukraine. Hundreds of square kilometres were flooded downstream, causing losses to habitats and species. Upstream, thousands of square kilometres of wetlands were desiccated. Support is urgently needed for remediation and restoration actions, as laid out in the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment by the Government of Ukraine and the United Nations.
Ahead of COP28, UNEP will release a series of climate change reports – on the adaptation gap, the emissions gap and the production gap. Without giving away the findings, the news is not good. A briefing on the three has been arranged for Thursday, 23 November, during the annual subcommittee. COP28 must be the moment when nations, particularly the G20, up ambition on mitigation and adaptation.
One prominent element of the COP will be a focus on sustainable cooling. A Global Cooling Pledge is in the works to increase access to this life-saving technology without increasing emissions. In support of this process, the UNEP-led Cool Coalition will be releasing a Cooling Stocktake report, which outlines three priority action areas to reduce the emissions of the sector.
Now, excellencies, let me finish with some organizational updates. A Task Force, chaired by Elizabeth Mrema in her capacity as Acting Director of the Corporate Services Division, is making progress on UNEP’s new Climate Division, which should be operational early next year. We have posted a vacancy for a Director at D2 level to lead the division. I encourage you to spread the news to appropriately qualified candidates.
UNEP remains committed to promoting geographical diversity and inclusion in staff recruitment. As of September 30, 71 per cent of external selections for Professional level positions in 2023 were from less-represented regions. The organization has completed the assessment process for the first cohort of the Young Talent Pipeline. Selections will be announced in Q4 2023.
In addition, the Chief of Human Resources travelled with me and the Deputy Executive Director to four Eastern European Group (EEG) countries between June and October. The focus of these visits was also to establish new alliances and partnerships with strategic partners to position UNEP as an employer of choice in the region.
As you know, the Policy and Programme Division has been working on improving the delivery model to strengthen efforts at serving Member States at country level. We are making good progress, in no small part due to the leadership of Tim Kasten. However, it is with some regret that I must announce Tim will be seeking early retirement next year.
Excellencies,
We are entering a pivotal period, until UNEA-6 and beyond. I know that you are all fully committed to addressing the three environmental planetary crises, as is UNEP. If we can put aside our differences and focus on what we can affect in the environmental space, I am sure that, together, we can put the world on track to a brighter, greener future.
