Environment: What’s Up in GENeva this Week | 9-15 March 2020

#COVID19: The Swiss Federal Council decided to prohibit gatherings of more than 1,000 people. The UN and other organizations have already canceled or rescheduled events initially planed this week. Various guidances for organizers holding meetings have been issued. Our website and social networks will reflect the latest changes. The State of Geneva recommendations for meetings are available online.

43rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council

The 43rd session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC43), continues in Geneva for two more weeks. Last week, all the side events of the Council have been cancelled. #HRC43

The 18th edition of the International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights (FIFDH), started on 6 March with an updated programme, after the cancellation of the public events of the 2020 edition. 27 debates and interviews have been or will be transmitted live on the internet, including on environmental-related topics. #fifdh20

Check our page dedicated to HRC43, with the list of events at HRC43 discussing environmental-related issues, reports, links, who to follow on twitter, and other useful information.

The summaries and videos of the side event organized or sponsored by the Geneva Environment Network Secretariat are available online:

• Public event – Supporting environmental defenders: mobilizing the international community in Geneva (26 February 2020)
• HRC43 Side Event – The Environmental Human Rights Defenders Crisis: Towards a Geneva Road Map (27 February 2020)
• HRC43 Side Event – Good practices on the Right to a Healthy Environment & next steps (28 February 2020)

Ciné Environment House: Our Planet

The docuseries “Our Planet” narrated by Sir David Attenborough, showcasing the world’s natural wonders, is being screened at the International Environment House on Thursdays, at lunch time. Joint us for the screening of the 6th episode, “High Seas“, this Thursday at 12:30. #OurPlanet

Jessica BATTLE, WWF International Senior Gobal Ocean Policy and Governance Expert, will join us to comment the episode.

Green Climate Fund Board convenes in Geneva

The twenty-fifth meeting of the Board of the Green Climate Fund will be held from Tuesday, 10 March to Thursday, 12 March 2020, in the Centre de Conférences Varembé (CCV). #GCFB25

The Board holds three meetings per year, attended by more than 300 participants, including observers from civil society and private sector organisations, National Designated Authorities, which are the national conduits to the Fund, and Accredited Entities and other partners who assist in delivering climate finance to developing countries. The current venue offering limited capacity to accommodate the usual number of participants, presence within the Boardroom will be limited to one adviser per Board and alternate member. GCF Board meetings are streamed live.

More on the Agenda

Check the list below to see the list of events targeting environmental-related topics taking place this week in Geneva. Please note that the list of events and vacancies provided in our weekly newsletter is non-exhaustive. Stay tuned and follow us also on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, or visit our website regularly for additional updates.

What should I read next?

• Gender equality – a critical missing piece of the climate puzzle. UNEP, 7 March 2020.
• Women environmental activists are nothing new. Marylou Tousignant, The Seattle Times, 3 March 2020.
• IUCN Acting Director General’s Statement on International Women’s Day 2020. Grethel Aguilar, 6 March 2020.
• States’ Human Rights Obligations in the Context of Climate Change – 2020 Update. CIEL & GI-ESCR, 3 March 2020.
• Why wildlife conservation should be on your to-do list. WWF in Medium, 3 March 2020.