Act #ForNature Virtual Preparatory Forum for UNEA-5

From 7-10 June, 2020, the Act #ForNature Global Online Forum will bring together citizens, government and non-governmental organizations, businesses and scientific institutions from around the globe to engage in a series of open and inclusive discussions across a diverse range of topics from healthy ecosystems and marine plastics to global food systems, youth and more. It will build on the momentum created by World Environment Day on 5 June– a day that recognizes global change requires a global community; inspires positive change; and calls for collective, worldwide environmental action. The forum will pave the way for a successful UNEA-5, by building a compelling case for transformational change for nature and people in the context of the post Covid-19 world.

The Act #ForNature forum is the first global consultation in support of the 5th Session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5), which will be held in Nairobi, Kenya in February 2021. The forum will be convened virtually, from 7 to 10 June 2020, and will be led by UNEA President and Norwegian Minister of Climate and Environment, Sveinung Rotevatn and UN Under Secretary-General and UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive Director, Inger Andersen.

Outcomes of the Forum: Please see the links to the live streamed sessions 

Sunday (7 June): Major Groups and Stakeholders International Consultation 

Part 1

Part 2

Monday (8 June):

Townhall 1: Healthy ecosystems for healthy people: limiting the impact and future emergence of zoonotic diseases

Townhall 2: Adapt to Thrive: transformational change for nature and business

Townhall 3: Turning the Tide on Marine Plastics: How UNEA-5 can be a turning point

Tuesday (9 June):

Townhall 4: Connecting People and Nature:  transforming the global food system

Wednesday (10 June):

Townhall 5: Youth Voices for Nature: Environmental Governance in the Time of Covid-19 ( organized by the Children and Youth Major Group)

Find the schedule here and more information about the forum here. 

Sessions:

Major Groups and Stakeholders International Consultation (7 June)

A virtual consultation of Major Groups and stakeholders on 7 June 2020 is a preparatory meeting to ensure an impactful outcome from the Fifth Session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5) taking place next year and will center around the following themes:

• Health and Environment: What a post-pandemic recovery looks like
• Tackling Ocean Pollution Ecosystem Restoration, Biodiversity, and Development
• Involvement and Implementation

The output of the consultation will be handed over to the Bureau of the UNEA and the Committee of Permanent Representatives.

The consultation is the first event of the week-long Oslo Act #ForNature Global Forum that includes Townhalls and the Preparatory Retreat for the UNEA Bureau.

Global Townhalls (8-10 June)

The MGS consultation will be followed by so called “Global Townhalls” on June 8 to 10, with the following themes:

• Townhall 1: Healthy ecosystems for healthy people: limiting the impact and future emergence of zoonotic diseases
• Townhall 2: Adapt to Thrive: transformational change for nature and business
• Townhall 3. Turning the Tide on Marine Plastics: How UNEA-5 can be a turning point
• Townhall 4. Connecting People and Nature:  transforming the global food system
• Townhall 5. Youth Voices for Nature: Environmental Governance in the Time of Covid-19 ( organized by the Children and Youth Major Group)

UNEP CPR and UNEA Bureau Retreat (9-10 June)

On June 9 and 10, the Bureau of the Committee of Permanent Representatives to UNEP (CPR) and the UNEA Bureau will meet for a retreat. Prior to that, on June 9, there will be a joint virtual session of representatives of MGS and the UNEA and CPR Bureaus, allowing for Major Groups to share the outcomes of the consultations on June 7 with member states.

Links:

• Registration: Act #ForNature Global Online Forum (8-10 June 2020)