Please download the Document here below:

Final 18th GMGSF at UNEA 4 March 2019.pdf

Day 1 (Thursday 8 March 2019)

The opening session moderator, Augustine Njamnshi of the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), welcomed delegates to the Forum, highlighting the need for innovative solutions to sustainable production and consumption – the theme of UNEA4. Mohammed Abdelraouf, chair of the 18th GMGSF, thanked the UNEP secretariat for raising concern over environmental challenges and emphasized the important role of major groups and stakeholders in implementing UNEA4 resolutions in collaboration with Member States. He then summarized the status of the OECPR negotiations on the draft resolutions.

Co-Chair of the MGFC Mrinalina Rai expressed appreciation to the UNEA team, and reminded of the

scales of biodiversity, water, forest and other losses, and the climate change debate. Co-Chair of the MGFC Khawla Al-Muhannadi observed that decision making requires broad participation. Mthika Mwenda, Executive Director of PACJA supported the statements of the Co-Chairs and noted how the collective findings of the regional fora were key to shaping the resolutions presented to UNEA4.

In his keynote address to the Forum, the Estonian Minister for Environment and UNEA4 President, Siim Kiisler, thanked the major groups committee for facilitating the meeting and highlighted the importance of civil society in making concrete commitments to solve environmental problems and raising a voice of concern. The work of the Major Groups and Stakeholders will make a difference. It is easy for Governments to make general statements, but concrete commitments and deadlines are complicated.

For Mr. Kiisler, meaningful gains in environmental change are defined by collaboration that in turn requires active participation, and consistent funding is essential.

Please download the Document here below: