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WECF actively involved in at UNEP’s Global Forum and Governing Council, in Nairobi, Kenya

140 ministers of environment meet at the United Nations Environment Programme in preparation of Rio+20

25.02.2011 |Sascha Gabizon

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As co-facilitor for the Major Groups Facilitating Committee, WECF is one of the key organisations for the Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum (GMGSF) which was held from 19-20 February 2011, prior to the 26th Session of the UNEP Governing Council/ Global Ministerial Environment Forum (GC26/GMEF) which took place from 21-24 February 2011, in Nairobi, Kenya.

WECF has been elected to co-chair the Women’s Major Group, one of the 9 major groups of Rio Agenda 21. Furthermore, WECF co-facilitates the 9 major group committee and contributes to the civil society Advisory Group on International Environmental Governance at UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme.

2011 is an important year at UNEP, as the ministers for environment are starting to prepare the outcome documents for next years Rio2012 summit on Sustainable Development, 20 years after the Earth Summit in 1992.

The Rio+20 summit is supposed to bring a strengthened framework for Governance of Sustainable Development, including strengthening of the “environmental pillar” for which several options are being discussed including upgrading UNEP to a specialized UN Agency.

UNEP is also providing the content on the 2nd main agenda item for Rio+20, on developing roadmaps for a shift towards the “green economy”. Many countries remain unsure of the concept and call for a clear definition which focuses on social equity in a “green economy”. The Women Rio+20 Steering Committee has prepared a position paper on Gender and the Green Economy, focusing on social and gender equity.

WECF supports UNEP in hosting the secretariat of the Network of Women Ministers and Leaders for the Environment (NWMLE). Women Leaders will be key to making Rio+20 a success.

Here are the articles on the WECF website related to the Forum:

• Women Ministers and leaders discuss Rio+20 at 26th UNEP Governing Council Meeting, Nairobi
• 'Green' Economy: inclusive and equitable
• Towards Rio +20: The Role of Civil Society
• Joint Statement EC and UNEP on priority areas on environment presented in Nairobi

For more information visit the UNEP website

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