30 September 2015
Ministers, UNEP, UNDP Seek Momentum for 2030 Agenda
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Participants in a high-level panel analyzed policies and investments required for countries to move toward sustainable economic growth, as well as how to strengthen bilateral and multilateral advisory mechanisms, networks and partnerships.

The event was organized by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the Government of Germany and the UN Development Programme (UNDP), with support from the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) and the Poverty-Environment Initiative (PEI).

Uncoerving Pathways Towards an Iinclusive Green Economy26 September 2015: Participants in a high-level panel analyzed policies and investments required for countries to move toward sustainable economic growth, as well as how to strengthen bilateral and multilateral advisory mechanisms, networks and partnerships. The event was organized by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the Government of Germany and the UN Development Programme (UNDP), with support from the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) and the Poverty-Environment Initiative (PEI).

The panel convened on 25 September 2015, in New York, US, on the sidelines of the UN Sustainable Development Summit, and aimed to build momentum for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which was adopted by the Summit on the same day.

Ministers noted that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will require support mechanisms, such as PAGE and PEI, in order to transform institutions and economies to promote macroeconomic reform and intersectoral collaboration.

Barbara Hendricks, Germany’s Minister for Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety, urged a “profound transformation” and paradigm shift, as quickly as possible, to an economic model of development that respects ecological planetary boundaries, while eliminating poverty and hunger. Klaus Rudischhauser, European Commission (EC), announced an allocation of €8 million to PAGE, following on a recent EC contribution of €8 million to the PEI.

Other countries highlighted policies already in place in support of a green economy. South Africa’s Minister of Environmental Affairs Bomo Edna Molewa said that in the renewable energy sector, South Africa is working with independent power producers and, thus far, 64 projects have been awarded with a combined total investment of about 14 billion Rand and generation capacity of approximately 3,922MW.

During the event, UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner launched ‘Uncovering Pathways Towards an Inclusive Green Economy: A Summary for Leaders,’ a synthesis report building on UNEP’s green economy work. Steiner said the report emphasizes the multiple benefits of the green economic model. Also launched was the PAGE application package, which provides information about the application process and guidance for countries interested in becoming PAGE partners.

PAGE is a partnership between five UN agencies – UNEP, the International Labour Organization (ILO), the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), UNDP and the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) – that seeks to “put sustainability at the heart of economic policymaking” and supports countries and regions in reframing economic policies and practices around sustainability to foster economic growth, create income and jobs, reduce poverty and inequality, and strengthen the ecological foundations of their economies. [UNEP Press Release] [PAGE Website] [PEI Website] [Publication: Uncovering Pathways Towards an Inclusive Green Economy: A Summary for Leaders]

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