United Nations Environment Programme
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GIS Barbados
UNEP Event
XXII Forum of Ministers of Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean
1 - 2 February 2021
Barbados
- Overview
- Documents
- Side events
- Media
- Speeches
The XXII Meeting of the Forum of Ministers of Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean will take place on 1-2 February 2021, and will address the pressing environmental issues of the region, opportunities for green recovery, and urgent actions for nature in the next decade to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing restrictions to prevent the further transmission of the virus, the regional gathering will be held in a virtual format for the first time, and will be organized by Barbados, the current president of the forum, and the Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
"This pandemic has proved that the equilibrium of our ecosystems is impacted by the way we use our natural resources. We can still build a sustainable future for Latin America and the Caribbean, and I call on the Ministers of the region to support the bold commitments we need to ensure just that", said the Hon. Adrian Forde, Minister of Environment and National Beautification of Barbados, who chairs the XXII Meeting of the Forum.
The Ministers will discuss pressing issues for the region, including the transition to a circular economy, the agenda on the closure of open dumpsites, air pollution, climate action, environmental justice and governance, gender and environment, the sustainable development of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and the importance of building back better and greener in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The XXII Meeting of the Forum will also consider the restructuring of the Inter-Agency Technical Committee and a Latin America and Caribbean Action Plan for the Implementation of the Decade of Ecosystem Restoration as integral dimensions of the Green Recovery to COVID-19.
“The world is facing a defining moment. While countries all over the world are preparing recovery plans, we are entering a new, critical decade in which we must deliver a final push to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Agreement, and a new and ambitious biodiversity framework,” said Leo Heileman, UNEP Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean. “I trust that this regional meeting will be a step forward in the path towards a brighter and sustainable future”.
The Forum of Ministers will also prepare the contributions of the region to the fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly, which will take place in 2021. The Assembly, the world’s highest-level decision-making body on the environment, will be held under the overarching theme “Strengthening Actions for Nature to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals”.
The Forum of Ministers of Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean was established in 1982 and is the oldest and most relevant cooperation body for environmental authorities in the region.
Previous meetings:
Visit the event pages of the XXI Meeting and the XX Meeting of the Forum of Ministers of Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean. Further information on the previous meetings can be found here.
For more information, please contact: unep-latinamerica-news@un.org
OUTCOME DOCUMENTS
Bridgetown Declaration. [español] [english]
Decisions of the XXII Meeting of the Forum of Ministers of Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean. [español] [english]
Final Report of the XXII Meeting of the Forum of Ministers of Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean. [español] [english]
WORKING DOCUMENTS
Preliminary Agenda. UNEP/LAC- IGWG.XXII/1 [español] [english]
Provisional Annotated Agenda. UNEP/LAC- IGWG.XXII/2 [español] [english]
Concept Notes
High - Level Dialogue on the Environmental Dimension of COVID-19 Sustainable Development Recovery in Latin America and the Caribbean. UNEP/LAC- IGWG.XXII/3 [español] [english]
The Urgency of Climate Action in Latin America and the Caribbean in the Midst of the COVID-19 Emergency. UNEP/LAC- IGWG.XXII/4 [español] [english]
Circularity, Sustainable Economy and Pollution Prevention. UNEP/LAC- IGWG.XXII/5 [español] [english]
The Role of Nature and Ecosystems Restoration in Building a Sustainable Recovery. UNEP/LAC- IGWG.XXII/6 [español] [english]
INFORMATION DOCUMENTS
Notification from the Regional Director [español] [english]
REFERENCE DOCUMENTS
Preparation meetings
Meeting of the Bureau 29th May 2020. [español] [english]
Meeting of the Bureau 2nd October 2020. [español] [english]
Meeting of the Bureau 25th November 2020. [español] [english]
Proposed Terms of Reference of the Interagency Technical Committee. [español] [english]
Report Major Groups and Stakeholders Meeting 23 November 2020. [español] [english]
Proposal of the Presidency: Enhancing the Implementation of the Outcomes of the Forum of Ministers of the Environment for Latin America and the Caribbean. [español] [english]
Chemicals and waste
Action plan for regional cooperation on chemicals and waste management 2021-2024. [español] [english]
Roadmap for the progressive closure of dumpsites in Latin America and the Caribbean. [español] [english]
Progress Report - Regional Action Plan 2019-2020 on Chemicals and Waste. [español] [english]
Priority issues on Chemicals and Waste Management for LAC and potential priority cooperation activities for 2021-2022. [español] [english]
Progress Report - Work Plan 2019-2020 of the Coalition for the Closure of Dumpsites. [español] [english]
Baseline - Coalition for the closure of dumpsites in LAC. [español] [english]
Compilation of policies, regulations and strategies to prevent marine litter and plastic waste in LAC. [español] [english]
Circular Economy
Terms of Reference, Regional Circular Economy Coalition for Latin America and the Caribbean. [español] [english]
Redefining Value: The Manufacturing Revolution - Remanufacturing, refurbishment, repair and direct reuse in the circular economy - Key insights. [english] [español]
Redefining Value: The Manufacturing Revolution - Remanufacturing, refurbishment, repair and direct reuse in the circular economy - Complete report [english]
Gender and Environment
Gender and the environment: a preliminary analysis of gaps and opportunities in Latin America and the Caribbean. [español] [english]
Other reference documents
Final Report of the Intersessional Meeting of the Forum of Ministers of Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean. [español] [english]
Conclusions and recommendations of the Intersessional Meeting of the Forum of Ministers of Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean. [español] [english]
Procedural
Friday, January 29
Latin America and the Caribbean Forum of Major Groups and Stakeholders (MGS).
Monday, February 1
High-level launch of the Circular Economy Coalition for Latin America and the Caribbean.
Tuesday, February 2
Building a Green Alliance between the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean.
Press releases:
Latin American, Caribbean ministers commit to build back better and greener
Latin America and the Caribbean region launches 10-year Action Plan to restore ecosystems
Circular Economy Coalition launched for Latin America and the Caribbean
Video messages by Ministers, digital content and relevant publications can be found in this Trello board.
Opening remarks by Mr. Leo Heileman, Regional Director and Representative of the United Nations Environment Programme, Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean. [english]
Statement by Alicia Bárcena, Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) at the ministerial session “Dialogue on the Environmental Dimension of COVID-19 Sustainable Development Recovery”. [español]
Statement by the H.E. Ambassador Chad Blackman of Barbados at the ministerial session "Circularity, Sustainable Economy and Pollution Prevention". [english]
Statement by Mr. Marcos Henrique Paranaguá, head of the Delegation of Brazil, Secretary of Climate and International Affairs. [english]
Statement by Lorena Terrazas, Regional Facilitator for Major Groups and Stakeholders. [english] [español]
