The Media Roundtable
will provide direct interaction between
journalists, UN experts, policymakers, scientists,
NGOs and others on priority and emerging
issues in the global environment.
The United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP) will hold an International
Media Roundtable during the First Universal
Session of the UNEP Governing Council /
Global Ministerial Environment Forum in
Nairobi, Kenya, from 17 - 22 February 2013.
Over 200 ministers of environment and high-level
delegates, as well as hundreds of scientists,
economists, policy makers, civil society
groups and business leaders are expected
to participate.
Last December, a landmark
decision by the UN General Assembly upgraded
and strengthened the role of UNEP and established
universal membership of its Governing Council.
This means that all 193 member and observer
states of the United Nations are set participate
at the event later this month.
The Media Roundtable
will provide direct interaction between
journalists, UN experts, policymakers, scientists,
NGOs and others on priority and emerging
issues in the global environment. The sessions
- led by a panel of international experts
- will provide the latest science and policy
information on the following issues:
Climate change: IPCC
Briefing ahead of the launch of the 2013
report
Experts from the IPCC
will provide a briefing to journalists ahead
of the launch of the 2013 report, delivering
the latest and most authoritative science
on climate change.
Environmental Crime:
from poaching to illegal logging
International environmental
crime is a growing concern. A significant
proportion of wildlife and environmental
crimes are carried out by organized criminal
networks, many of whom use the same routes
to smuggle weapons, drugs and people. UNEP
is working with governments, international
agencies and Interpol to find solutions
for what has become a major threat to international
security and environmental sustainability.
Representatives from CITES, governments,
law enforcers and wildlife groups will brief
journalists.
Sound Chemicals Management:
Focus on endocrine disrupters
Present in a range of
industrial and consumer products, endocrine
disrupters (EDCs) are chemicals that can
disrupt the hormonal system in humans and
wildlife. Endocrine related diseases and
disorders are on the rise worldwide, including
genital malformations, fertility problems,
adverse pregnancy outcomes, and some cancers.
UNEP and WHO will share the latest scientific
information on the impacts of exposure to
EDCs on human health, wildlife populations
and the environment.
The New Economics of
Forests
Forests provide multiple
ecosystem services that can make significant
contributions to developing economies. As
well as carbon sequestration, these include
water provision, forest-based products,
tourism, and biodiversity. UNEP and partners
are working to build the capacity of countries
to reduce deforestation through actions
that add value to national economies, increase
revenues, and provide new livelihood opportunities,
while reducing carbon emissions. UNEP experts
will brief journalists on REDD+ initiatives
and how investing in forests can make a
major contribution to achieving development
and climate change goals.
Poverty and the Environment:
Lessons from Africa
UNEP is working with
African governments to integrate environmental
considerations into national development
plans - in particular, how investing in
natural resources and ecosystems can reduce
poverty and support sustainable economic
growth. Experts will share case studies
and lessons learnt from projects in Botswana,
Burkina Faso, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, and other
countries.
Marine and Coastal Ecosystems
UNEP experts will present
an overview of the role of coastal ecosystems
in the transition to a Green Economy, international
efforts to tackle marine litter, sustainable
development pathways in small-island developing
states, and other issues.
Energy and Transport
This session will focus
on renewable energy trends and investments,
with reference to a survey of 180 experts
on the global energy future. UNEP research
and initiatives on vehicle and fuel efficiency,
the completion of the phasing out of leaded
fuel, and new information on the health
and environmental impact of black carbon
and small particulate matter, will also
be presented.
Other issues:
- Actions to promote
sustainable consumption and production
- The global management
of mercury: From policy to action
- Implementing the Rio+20
outcomes
