On February 8, the Foundation held an online discussion on sustainable water management as part of the Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum preceding the resumed session of UNEA 5.2. The results of the discussion are included in the Joint Global Statement and will be sent to the States for consideration at UNEA 5.2.
UNEA or the UN Environment Assembly is an international decision-making body for addressing issues of global environmental policy and the development of international environmental law under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). In 2021, the Foundation received accreditation and observer status of UNEA, becoming the fourth non-governmental organization represented by Russia. Thanks to this, the Foundation has the opportunity to participate in all the main and preparatory activities related to the UNEA agenda.
On the eve of UNEA, the Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum is held, where participants discuss the agenda of the next UNEA and prepare their own statements on the issues raised. In 2022, the Forum is held online from the 7th till the 10th of February. The Foundation took an active part in the preparation for the event and contributed to the organization of one of the sessions.
The main topics scheduled for discussion at UNEA 5.2 and, accordingly, at the Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum are the adoption of an international instrument on marine plastics, the use of nature-based solutions (or ecosystem-based approaches), recovery after a pandemic through investments in nature, as well as issues of water resources management and, in particular, lakes.
The Foundation, having expertise in sustainable water management, prepared an analysis of the draft resolution on sustainable lake management proposed by Indonesia, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the document and drawing up proposals for improving and supplementing the resolution. On February 8, the representatives of Lake Baikal Foundation Vasilina Chernysheva and Evgeniya Elkina presented an overview and recommendations for discussion with the Forum participants, as a result of which key conclusions and proposals were made in the Joint Global Statement. This document will be adopted on February 10 as an outcome of the Forum and as the main recommendations for the participating countries of UNEA 5.2.
We continue to share our expertise and regional experience on international platforms, contributing to the achievement of our mission, which is to create conditions for sustainable water management at the national and international levels.