DEVCO launches three development cooperation programmes with UNEP

Image

On 20 December 2016, the European Commission and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) held a High Level Meeting to continue a dialogue on common areas of interest, framed around thematic policy discussions.

UNEP is one of the key partners for the EU on environmental issues and the go-to institution for such issues at the global level. UNEP's mission is 'to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations'. The EU supports UNEP in doing just that.

The European Commission's Deputy Director-General for International Cooperation and Devopment, Marjeta Jager, discussed the Commission's proposal for a new European Consensus on Development, the External Investment Plan and migration and security with UNEP Executive Director Erik Solheim (former chair of the OECD's Development Assistance Committee and Norwegian Minister for Environment and for International Development). Other participants included the European Commission's Director-General for Environment, Daniel Calleja, Director-General for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection, Monique Pariat, and Managing Director of the European Union External Action Service (EEAS), Lotte Knudsen.

The European Commission and UNEP took the occasion to formally agree on and launch three development cooperation programmes, with a total value of EUR 18.5 million:

1. The Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE), a global initiative that offers a comprehensive and coordinated package of technical assistance and capacity building to support nations and regions in reframing economic policies and practices around sustainability to foster economic growth, create income and jobs, reduce poverty and inequality, and strengthen the ecological foundations of their economies.

2. The Special Programme, part of UNEP’s subprogram on chemicals and wastes aimed at providing dedicated support to institutional strengthening at the national level towards the sound management of chemicals and waste.

3. The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB),  a global initiative focused on 'making nature's values visible'. Its principal objective is to mainstream the values of biodiversity and ecosystem services into decision-making at all levels.