EMG at the Rio COPs: Strengthening synergies and collaboration across the Conventions and within the UN system
This year’s Conferences of the Parties (COPs) for the three Rio Conventions—the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP16), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP29), and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP16)—represent a pivotal moment in the global effort to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss, and land degradation.
As global attention intensifies, the United Nations is poised to highlight the interconnectivity of these environmental issues, their respective conventions, and the collaborative actions needed to address these challenges—especially through initiatives like the recently launched Rio Trio Initiative.
In this context, the UN Environment Management Group (EMG), as UN system-wide coordination body on the environment, is actively supporting and contributing to all three COPs via a series of dialogues, high-level roundtables, and UN Hubs. These platforms will facilitate discussions and actions on strengthening coordination and collaboration within the UN system, scaling up joint support at national level, and promoting integrated solutions for sustainable development, climate resilience, and ecosystem restoration across the three conventions.
High-Level Roundtable Event
Date and Time: Tuesday, 12th November 2024 | 17:00 – 18:30 AZT
Location: Special Event Room 1| Baku, Azerbaijan
Organizers: EMG, UNFCCC
Overview: The COP29 high-level roundtable will gather Heads of Delegations, UN entities, and MEA Secretariats to strengthen coordination within the UN system. Key discussions will focus on scaling up joint support for Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), enhancing integrated assistance to Member States for climate agendas, and promoting synergies between biodiversity and land degradation goals. The roundtable aims to identify common approaches for maximizing collective impact and improving policy coherence, including EMG contributions to climate action. The outcome will include a summary of perspectives and recommendations to reinforce partnerships, support Action 10 of the Pact for the Future, and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
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High-Level Roundtable Event
Date and Time: Monday, 28th October 2024 |18:00 – 19:30 COT
Location: Sumpaz Room, Blue Zone | Cali, Colombia
Organizers: EMG, CBD and UNEP
Overview: The High-Level Roundtable, “Strengthening Action for Change: Synergistic Solutions to the Climate Crisis, Nature Loss, Desertification, and Pollution”, will bring Heads of Delegations, Heads of United Nations entities and MEA Secretariats together to share their perspectives on efficient pathways, experiences and opportunities towards enhancing cooperation and synergies to implement the MEAs holistically and an integrated manner. It will focus on perspectives that contribute to the message of making “Peace with Nature” and the GBF’s 2050 Vision – “Living in harmony with nature”, such as through implementing the Common Approach objectives on human rights, peaceful societies and planetary stability.
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UN Hub
Date and Time: Tuesday 22 October 2024 – Wednesday 30 October 2024 | 09:00-18:00 COT
Location: Action Zone, Place Quebec | Cali, Colombia
Overview: In collaboration of CBD Secretariat, the EMG is coordinating a UN Hub to provide UN agencies with a platform to bring together various stakeholders, enhancing the visibility of the UN’s efforts in addressing environmental challenges through various flexible and interactive activities, while also strengthening partnerships and commitments to achieve the SDGs. The UN Hub will be available for the UN system to organize small scale events, meetings, launches, group meetings and the like daily. For instructions on how to book a slot at the Hub, please contact the EMG Secretariat ([email protected]).
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Cooperation Day
Date and Time: Thursday, 31st October 2024 | 08:00-17:00 COT
Location: KMGBF Pavilion, Blue Zone| Cali, Colombia
Organizers: UNEP, EMG, CBD, Government of Switzerland
Overview: “Cooperation Day” aims to emphasize the role of cooperation for efficient and effective implementation of the KMGBF and other biodiversity-related objectives. It provides a platform to exchange and learn about ongoing cooperative processes and actions undertaken jointly by governments, stakeholders, international organizations and/or conventions to implement the Framework. The EMG will contribute to the day by showcasing examples of UN system collaboration on biodiversity mainstreaming.
High-Level Roundtable Event
Date and Time: Wednesday, 4th December 2024 |18:15 – 19:45 AST
Location: XXX | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Organizers: EMG, UNCCD, UNEP
Overview: In an effort to better address the global challenges we face, the EMG will convene Heads of UN entities to discuss ways in which the UN system can support the implementation of the Convention, promote synergies with other MEAs to accelerate action on sustainable land management (SLM) and green transitions, whilst engaging in mutually reinforcing efforts that take a people centered approach.
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Concept Note
EMG Hub
More information on a possible EMG Hub at the UNCCD COP16 will follow shortly.