UNEA-3 27.11.2017-6.12.2107 IFSA s UNEA-3 Delegation Report By Max Krombholz, Head of Delegation 9.2.2018
International Forestry Students Association 1 Abstract The United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) is the highest policy making platform of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) otherwise referred to as UN Environment. It is held every two years at the UN Environment HQ in Nairobi, Kenya. The UNEA-3 in 2017 was the first time the International Forestry Students Association (IFSA) took part with a delegation of five people from around the world. The main goal for this event was to find out how the UNEA process works and to identify ways for a greater engagement of IFSA in the UNEA process and UN Environment. IFSA actively contributed during the event to draft resolutions of the Major Group Children and Youth (MGCY) for the Global Stakeholder Major Groups Forum (GSMGF) to get the voice of young forestry students heard. Moreover, IFSA presented two environmental problems in the green tent of the Major Groups. And raised through this and active networking at various occasions the awareness of IFSA. Background of the conference The Conference has been held since 2012, as an outcome of the RIO+20 (United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development). The UNEA is now held every two years. Through the creation of UNEA, environmental issues are given the same level of prominence as issues like peace, poverty, health and security. The UNEA covers all sectors of UN Environment, with a changing environmental focus for every event. This years event was focused on pollution. UNEA-4 will be held in spring 2019 at the UN Environment HQ in Nairobi. IFSA participation / side-events IFSA didn t just take part in the UNEA-3 itself. The delegation also attended the Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum, which facilitates the participation of civil society in the Environment Assembly which took place on the 27 th of November to the 28 th of November. The GMGSF was followed by the Committee of Permanent Representatives. Both events worked toward draft resolutions for the UNEA-3, IFSA was actively engaged in the Major Group for Children and Youth in the creating of the draft resolution. On the 2 nd and 3 rd of December The UN Global Science-Policy-Business Forum on the Environment took place in the lead-up for the UNEA-3. During these two days the IFSA delegation attended some really interesting and inspiring side events under the theme
International Forestry Students Association 2 Science for Green Solutions. The Forum informed the Assembly with recommendations and opportunities in green investment that are driven by advances in science and technology, empowering policies and innovative financing. From the 3 rd on, the Sustainable Innovation Expo took place in the inner courtyard of the UN Environment HQ. The Sustainable Innovation Expo encouraged the delegation and the participants of the Assembly to think outside the box. One great exhibitor was interviewed by Linda, you can find it in our IFSA-Blog https://blogifsa.wordpress.com/2017/12/10/antforest-gamifying-climate-action/ All the events finally lead-up to the UNEA-3 from the 4 th to the 6 th of December. Where the 193 UN member states discussed future environmental policy and included thereby the draft resolution from civil society. On top of this, IFSA facilitated a side event at the Major Groups space called the green tent. IFSA presented at this event two environmental problems and IFSA itself. Linda Amanya presented about the environmental issue of alien green from Uganda and Max talked about the aftermaths of the Chernobyl accident in Germany. Additionally, IFSA took part at the panel discussion hosted by the MGCY in the green tent. Last but not least, the delegates were networking with various people from around the world. To find out more about other interesting side events and the thoughts of the IFSA delegates, have a look at your Blog: IFSA PRESENTATION 4TH DEC. 9A.M. Location: Green Tent IFSA is a non political, non religious and not for profit organization that connects forestry students from all over the world in a wide spectrum of activities. Our vision IFSA s vision is for global cooperation among students of forest sciences in order to broaden knowledge and understanding to achieve a sustainable future for our forests, and to provide a voice for youth in international forest policy processes. INTERNATIONAL FORESTRY STUDENTS ASSOCIATION (IFSA) IFSA PRESENTATION AT UNEA-3 AFTERMATH OF CHERNOBYL ON GERMAN FOREST BY MAX KROMBHOLZ, TU DRESDEN ALIEN GREEN: OF THE VILLAGE AND THE STREAM BY LINDA AMANYA, BANGOR UNIVERSITY INTERNATIONAL FORESTRY STUDENTS ASOCIATION Tennenbacher Straße, 4 79106 Freiburg im Breisgau (Germany) info@ifsa.net https://blogifsa.wordpress.com/category/unea-3/ IFSA presentation flyer
International Forestry Students Association 3 Key issues discussed The key issues are various and unfortunately very broad. To state out all achievements or resolutions would go beyond the constraints of this delegation report. But, nevertheless to get an idea of what it is all about, here are two Ministerial declarations: As countries are making efforts against pollution in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, relevant multilateral agreements and instruments, including the Paris Agreement adopted under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, we acknowledge the links between pollution, climate change, biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation. We further acknowledge that pollution disproportionately affects the poor and the vulnerable. Tackling pollution will contribute to sustainable development by fighting poverty, improving health, creating decent jobs, improving life below water and on land, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. We will make the best use of science, education, policy links, trade, investment and innovation opportunities in order to tackle pollution and promote sustainable development. To see the whole list of adopted resolution and declaration have a look at the link below. https://papersmart.unon.org/resolution/index Action items Due to the fact that IFSA attended for the first time, the main objective was to find out how the UNEA process works and how we can engage to a greater extent. As an outcome we will work towards an internship possibility at the UN Environment HQ in the future. And try to get better involved prior the event and even outside through the MGCY. Moreover, the chance of a presentation for IFSA should be used again and probably scaled up to a panel discussion. Our task will now be to think outside the box and identify other new possibilities to get involved with UN environment. Closing As a conclusion we can look back at a fruitful first attendance of IFSA at the UNEA and similarly look forward to a new opportunity to engage in international processes for IFSA and their members.
International Forestry Students Association 4 List of delegates Max Krombholz Head of delegation, Germany Natalie Gray, United States of America Linda Amanya, Uganda Jonas Geschke, Germany Bocheng Chang, China Jonas Geschke, Natalie Gray, Max Krombholz Linda Amanya Bocheng Chang