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SOME
OF UNEP'S ACTIONS
By: Nicole Siméon, Panos Institute
Nairobi, 10 February 2003 (Panos). "By
now, the environment is accepted to be key to sustainable development,
the future of the planet and a peaceful future." These were
the terms used by Mr. Eric Falt, Director of the Department of Communication
and Information and UNEP spokesman, while commenting on the success
of the 22nd World Forum of Environment Ministers, which was held
in Nairobi from 3 to 7 February 2003. He spoke just after this event,
which was rich in discussions and in resolutions on the global condition
of the environment.
"This enthusiasm of the governments on environmental matters
has never been so strong throughout the world. The number of representatives
who participated in this forum gives evidence of this," Mr.
Falt assured, while adding that this achievement is especially due
to the restructuring of UNEP undertaken during recent years under
the direction of Mr. Toepfer.
During the week, UNEP presented, among others, three reports on
burning subjects, published with its support: one on the issue of
the production and use of mercury, and two others relating to "post-conflict
situations": on the impacts of the occupation of the Palestinian
territory and on the damage caused by the conflicts in Afghanistan.
A part of UNEP's mandate is to raise awareness. In fact, it has
mobilized world opinion on many subjects, such as the hole in the
ozone layer, climate change and deforestation, Mr. Falt said.
In order respects, UNEP campaigns aim to break with the system
of prohibitions and to promote an effective consciousness-raising.
"We try to find out how to communicate differently. That means
not turning off people by telling them 'you must not…' but
to encourage them to change," Mr. Falt said.
To prove this, the international launch of a campaign "Plant
for the Planet" took place in Kenya on Saturday 8 February,
in the presence of the Executive Director of UNEP, representatives
of the Kenyan government and international governmental and non-governmental
organizations.
During the course of this campaign, the leaders of UNEP, in partnership
with the government, primary and secondary schools and civil society
organizations, aim to plant one million trees in Kenya, among which
4,000 by 600 children from Nairobi.
According to Mr. Falt, the initiative allows to double the remaining
forest cover in Kenya. "The forest cover of too many countries
has been destroyed and this continues at an alarming rate,"
he informed.
In addition to its mandate to raise awareness, UNEP supports the
activities of the Global Environment Fund (GEF), a mechanism for
concrete action co-financed by the World Bank and the United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP).
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