9th Special Session of UNEP’s Governing
Council/Global Minsterial Environment Meets for First Time
in West Asia
Dubai/Nairobi, 31 January 2006 – The largest
ever gathering of environment ministers will take place
in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) next week for forward-looking
discussions on how best to deliver sustainable energy and
more environmentally-friendly tourism.
They will be attending the 9th Special Session of the United
Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Governing Council/Global
Ministerial Environment Forum.
Nearly 130 environment ministers and close to 160 countries
have so far agreed to participate, along with the presidents
of the Gambia and Switzerland.
Klaus Toepfer, Executive Director of UNEP, said: “There
is every sign that we are seeing a renaissance in the commitment
to global environmental issues. This is being driven partly
by the soaring demand and price for fossil fuels”.
“It is also being fueled by a growing recognition, especially
by rapidly developing countries that environmental degradation
cannot continue. That it is now the bottleneck to future
economic development. That a healthy environment has a lot
to do with fighting poverty and delivering a stable and
more peaceful world,” he added.
“This is underlined by the large participation of environment
ministers, along with members of civil society and industry
coming to West Asia. We are also delighted to be in this
region and the UAE in particular,” said Mr Toepfer.
“It is the first time we have held our Governing Council
in this part of the world. The commitment of the late Sheikh
Zayed to environmental causes, the importance of energy
and tourism to this country, makes Dubai the ideal venue,”
he added.
The gathering will also take place as the country celebrates
the awarding of the $1 million Zayed International Prize
for the Environment.
Kofi Annan, the United Nations Secretary General, will be
honoured on the evening of 6 February with the top Global
Leadership prize for his commitment to sustainable development.
The awards ceremony will serve as the opening for the Governing
Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum which takes
place between 7 and 9 February.
UNEP will launch its Global Environment Outlook Year Book
2006 outlining the state of the global and regional environment,
with a special focus on energy and air pollution.
Other highlights include the International Conference on
Chemicals Management which takes place between 4 and 6 February.
Here it is hoped that governments will adopt the Strategic
Approach to International Chemicals Management, putting
the world on track to make and use chemicals in a way that
minimizes damage to human health and the environment.
In doing so governments will also put the world on track
to meet the chemicals commitments made at the World Summit
on Sustainable Development in 2002 in the Johannesburg Plan
of Implementation.
Delegates from civil society, including trade unions, will
meet between 5 and 6 February.
An international exhibit on environmentally sound technology
dubbed “EST Showcase” will be staged in the Sheikh Rashid
Hall.
Notes to Editors
More details on the 9th Special Session of UNEP’s Governing
Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum and the other
meetings and events surrounding it – including an online
form for media accreditation – can be found at www.unep.org
or http://www.unep.org/gc/gcss-ix/ |
