1st LD Writethru: UN environment assembly opens, calling on renewed attention to green economy, SDGs

The second edition of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-2) opened on Monday, with a call for concerted efforts to revitalize green economy and sustainability agenda.

Environment ministers and representatives from over 170 countries, scientists, industry executives and campaigners are attending the five day global environmental assembly.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon said in a message sent to the meeting that UNEA-2 provides a platform to promote global conversation on revitalizing the green and sustainability agenda.

"This assembly should discuss how to implement land mark agreements like sustainable development goals and Paris climate deal adopted last year," he said.

He challenged UN member states to hasten implementation of instruments that advance low-carbon and inclusive development.

The theme of this year's global environment assembly focused on delivering the environmental dimensions of sustainable development goals (SDGs) adopted by UN member states in September last year.

Kenyan minister for environment Judi Wakhungu said that a new global conversation was urgent to hasten progress towards attainment of environmental-related targets by 2030.

"The decisions that we are going to adopt at this assembly will have a profound impact on delivery of SDGs. We must strengthen the science policy interface to address pressing environmental challenges," Wakhungu said.

She emphasized that attainment of shared prosperity hinges on renewed efforts by world governments to boost ecosystems health.

The assembly will be held against a backdrop of concerted efforts by national governments, multilateral agencies and corporations to advance the green agenda.

Achim Steiner, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), noted the global momentum to achieve green and inclusive growth has accelerated.

"We are holding this assembly against a backdrop of great strides in greening our economies. A global conversation will take place this week to discuss policies and practices that advance environmental sustainability," Steiner said.

Delegates attending UNEA 2 will discuss and later adopt policy prescriptions that promote the green agenda in line with SDGs.

Edgar Gutierrez, President of UNEA-2, who is also the environment and energy minister of Costa Rica, said the assembly will adopt proposals that seek to alleviate extreme poverty and major environmental challenges.

"The assembly will foster debate on actions that could eliminate global poverty while deepening the relationship between health and environment," Gutierrez said. Endit