Global commitment to environmentally sound economic practices was stepped up at the inaugural session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) in Nairobi. Prompted by the Federal Environment Ministry, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) joined the Partnership for Action of Green Economy (PAGE).
By 2016, PAGE will support 30 countries in implementing national low-carbon, green economy strategies that will contribute to environmental protection and climate action, promote clean technologies and generate green and decent jobs.
State Secretary Jochen Flasbarth, who represented the German Government at the first UNEA session, stated: "The global transformation towards a green economy is essential if we want to drive environmental protection and climate action forward. It is only through separating resource consumption and economic development that we can achieve the ambitious goals we have set ourselves internationally for climate action, biodiversity and sustainability. PAGE is therefore a good initiative and can help with the development of the concrete national measures required." The Federal Environment Ministry supports UNEP measures through its International Climate Initiative.
PAGE was launched in 2013 by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and is run by not only the UNEP and the UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) but also the International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR).
The first session of the UN Environment Assembly takes place in Nairobi from 23 to 27 June. Topics on the agenda include the global sustainability goals, international cooperation on measures to combat illegal trade in wildlife, decisions on chemicals and wastes, improving air quality and protecting the marine environment.
The creation of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) has its origin in resolutions adopted at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) in June 2012. This represents an upgrading of the former UNEP Governing Council to UNEA, in which all UN member states are now entitled to vote.
The focus of the first session will be a debate on the global SDGs (post-2015 sustainable development agenda), which are to build on the Millennium Development Goals laid down in 2000. Internationally coordinated measures to combat poaching will also be discussed. Other topics to be discussed include decisions on chemicals and wastes, improving air quality and protecting the marine environment.
Progress in making economies around the world more sustainable is the aim of the global sustainability goals in the post-2015 agenda. A systematic focus on low-carbon and resource-efficient practices helps environmental protection and climate action and creates sustainable jobs. The potential that sustainable economies have for the generation of green jobs is considerable, especially in emerging and developing countries.