European Development Days 2021

What?  The European Development Days (EDD) is Europe’s leading annual forum for international cooperation and development.  Organised by the European Commission, the EDD brings the development community together each year to share ideas and experiences in ways that inspire new partnerships and innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges. EDD 2021's title is "The Green Deal for a Sustainable Future”.

When? EDD 2021 will take place on 15 - 16 June 2021 and will be fully digital.

Prior registration is required in order to attend the conference sessions. Register here.

Why? Climate, pollution and biodiversity crises represent the triple planetary emergency we face today. Addressing those challenges requires taking coordinated international efforts and gathering support across society from a range of stakeholders, including policymakers, scientists, civil organizations and individuals. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the link between our health and the health of the planet. The post-pandemic recovery is an opportunity for us to restore our relationship with nature.

The sessions in the participatory programme will explore the potential of the EU Green Deal to deliver a green, digital and inclusive transition, as well as to realise a sustainable and climate neutral economy not only within the EU, but beyond its borders, by engaging with partners and supporting a global green recovery.

EDD21 is also an important moment for analysis and reflection on the road to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) COP15 in Kunming (China) in October and the UN Climate Change Conference COP26 in Glasgow (UK) in November 2021.

UNEP participation during the EDDs

The EDD21 features some 90 sessions. We hereby highlight those in which UNEP is participating:

On Tuesday 15 June, Ms Sheila Aggarwal-Khan, Director of UNEP’s Economy Division, will participate in a High-Level session titled Fast Forward: New Business models for a green and circular recovery organized by the International Trade Centre and UNEP. This High-Level panel that starts at 10:35 CEST will debate the urgent action needed to scale-up new patterns of sustainable consumption and production. The aim of this panel is to propose specific solutions to deliver successfully the European Green Deal through implementing Sustainable Development Goal 12.

The same morning, at 11:40 CEST Siemens Stiftung (Foundation) and UNEP will present lessons learnt from introducing 2-wheelers (e-cargo bikes, e-motorbikes) and e-outboard engines to Kenya and Uganda in a short 10-minute Agora session Sharing and Circular Economy: Introducing E-Mobility Business Models for Sub-Sahara Africa.

Later that day, at 14:55 CEST, Rolph Payet, Executive Secretary of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions Secretariat, will be speaking in a high-levelH paneLl organized by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, entitled ‘A zero pollution ambition for a toxic-free environment’. The panellists will discuss the plans of the international community to develop a new framework for the sound management of plastics, chemicals and waste beyond 2020. This panel will bring to the attention of the development community  the importance of addressing challenges related to chemicals and waste management.  

The same afternoon, the Climate and Clean Air Coalition is holding a lab debate session ‘Save Lives, Protect Food and Slow Climate Change – all at once’ at 16:20 CEST, and we have an Agora session at 16:00 CEST on  Integrated Water Resources Management to accelerate progress on the SDGs, with a 10- minute pitch about assisting countries in accelerating progress towards SDG 6.5.1 (IWRM) to contribute to a range of water-related SDGs and climate objectives.

In the evening, at 19:00 CEST we will screen “The Great Green Wall” to mark the launch of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought. To attend this online side-event please register here before 15 June.

During the second day of the EDDs, on Wednesday 16 June, join us in the morning at the High-level session “Are natural solutions fit for climate only?”, where panellists will highlight how wetlands, forests and coastal systems can act as natural infrastructure to reduce hazards and increase socio-economic resilience. There is also a High-Level session on forestry, where you can find out how transforming food systems could reverse forest and biodiversity loss while feeding the world. Mario Boccucci, Head of UN REDD will moderate this High-Level session, “Forests are too precious to lose: halting deforestation & enhancing biodiversity.” Both panels are starting at 9:25 CEST on the 16th of June, so make sure you take a look at the programs beforehand.

The same day, at 12:40 CEST, UNEP will speak  in an Agora session, on how science-policy-practice interface is supporting actions under the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Programme funded by EU to strengthen issues of ocean governance. Key lessons and approaches will be discussed.

Global Village

In addition to the panel discussions, UNEP is pleased to take part in two Global Village Stands: “Greening Latin America and the Caribbean” and “Working with Nature to Reduce Disaster Risk and Adapt to Climate Change”. Visit us there on the 15th or the 16th to learn more about the green transition of Latin America and the Caribbean towards a low carbon economy, and how we can increase community’s resilience and reduce disaster risks through ecosystem-based solutions.

Finally, stop by the Stand called ‘The United Nations: working globally and in the countries for green and sustainable future’, where you can find out more about UN wide engagement at the EDDs and how we work together with the EU to deliver on climate and environmental commitments, at a global level and in partner countries.

For a list of all the sessions organized during the EDDs see the full programme.

To attend these sessions or visit the stands, remember to register to the EDDs in advance.