25 January 2019: The Third Forum of Ministers and Environment Authorities of Asia Pacific brought approximately 575 participants together, including 26 ministers and vice-ministers of environment, the President of Sri Lanka, the Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore, and the Prime Minister of Tuvalu, to focus on the theme of upcoming fourth session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-4): ‘Innovative Solutions for Environmental Challenges and Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP).’
Delegates at the meeting, which took place from 23-25 January 2019, in Singapore, discussed: national actions and experiences with implementing solutions to SCP; progress in the region on attaining the SDGs; and draft UNEA resolutions proposed by Asia-Pacific countries. The draft resolutions address issues such as marine litter, ecosystem protection, sustainable infrastructure, dust storms, and waste management.
The IISD Reporting Services summary of the meeting notes that, at its conclusion, participants adopted the report of the senior officials’ meeting (UNEP/APEnvForum (3)/6). This report identifies as key issues: the need to scale up technical assistance and capacity building; marine litter; air pollution; technology transfer; access to finance; and forums to support SCP, combating pollution, water shortages, and dust storms.
Participants also adopted the Chair’s summary of the ministerial meeting (UNEP/APEnvForum (3)/7). Among other elements, this summary notes participants’ views on the declaration to be adopted at UNEA-4, including that it should: be practical and not overly ambitious; emphasize North-South cooperation for achieving SCP; note solutions based on innovation for sustainable growth; and mention the need for capacity building in waste management and 3Rs (reduce, reuse, and recycle) on an international scale. Furthermore, the summary proposes that the UNEA-4 declaration refer to poverty eradication as the overarching issue, and matters such as SCP as “vehicles and means to achieve SDGs.” [IISD RS Coverage of the Meeting]