Strengthening Multilateralism through Science | From Science to Zero Pollution Actions

Strengthening Multilateralism through Science

The EU Czech Presidency high-level event on Strengthening Multilateralism through Science, hosted together with the United Nations Environment Programme, took place on 29-30 November 2022.

This two day conference was organized in the context of UNEP@50 and Stockholm+50 milestones that successfully bolster the visibility and importance of science as a foundation of environmental multilateralism. The event provided an opportunity to discuss ongoing and upcoming global efforts related to science-based sustainable development, with speakers from international organizations, EU institutions, representatives of EU Member States, the academic sector, financial institutions, and civil society.

• Day 1: High Level Political Panel, “Science Diplomacy for Climate Action” (10-11:15 CET)
• Day 1: Second Session: Thematic Panel, “Science and Global Cooperation” (11:30-13:00 CET)
• Day 2: Panel Discussion, “Science to Zero Pollution Actions” (10-11:30 CET)

About this Session

The Geneva Environment Network supported the event, in particular the Panel Discussion on “Science to Zero Pollution Actions”, taking place virtually on 30 November, from 10-11:30 CET. This topic is of importance for international Geneva, as a global hub for the governance of hazardous substances.

Geneva is indeed a global hub for chemicals and waste governance, with many UN and other international organizations at the forefront of the work to reduce environmental and health impacts of chemicals, waste and pollution. Geneva hosts the multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) related to chemicals and waste (the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions, as well as the Minamata Convention), all of which have dedicated science bodies providing relevant knowledge and assessments in their areas. Other major organizations in Geneva active in the production and sharing of knowledge on chemicals, waste and pollution include the World Health Organization, the UNEP Chemicals and Health Branch, the International Labour Organization, the Global Alliance on Health and Pollution, among others. The UN Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights has also dedicated a report to the Human Rights Council on the right to science, implying an enabling environment where scientific freedoms may be realized and where governments foster needed scientific research on toxic substances that endanger human health and the environment.

The “Science to Zero Pollution Actions” panel discussion is also particularly relevant following the adoption of the UN Environment Assembly resolution supporting the establishment of a comprehensive and ambitious science policy panel to contribute further to the sound management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution, supported by many actors in Geneva.

Speakers

By order of intervention.

Agenda

Opening

• Luc BAS, Head of Coordination and Strategy, European Environment Agency

Keynote speech by youth representative

• Alphonce Munyao MUIA, Member of the UNEP Children and Youth Major Group Global Steering Committee

Panel discussion

• Andrea HINWOOD, Chief Scientist, UNEP
• Maria NEIRA, Director Public Health, Environmental and Social Determinants of Health, WHO
• Joachim D’EUGENIO, Policy Advisor, Zero Pollution, DG ENV, European Commission
• Miroslav HAVRÁNEK, Director, Czech Environmental Information Agency
• Patrizia HEIDEGGER, Director of Global Policies and Sustainability, European Environment Bureau

Conclusion

• Luc BAS, Head of Coordination and Strategy, European Environment Agency

Video

Live on Youtube

Live on Facebook

Highlights

Documents

• Presentation made during the event
• Improving the science-policy interface to address ongoing planetary crises

Day 1

Highlights

Video

Photo Gallery