The ninth meeting of the Task Force on Access to Information will be held on 7–8 November 2024, in Salle XXIV, E building, Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland.
The Task Force will promote the exchange of information, case studies and good practices and discuss recent and upcoming developments focusing on active dissemination of environmental information. In particular, the Task Force will discuss (a) the implementation of the updated Recommendations on the more effective use of electronic information tools (ECE/MP.PP/2021/2/Add.2) adopted by the Meeting of the Parties at its seventh session through decision VII/1; and (b) the use of modern technologies by the public for assembling, exchanging and using environmental data and information. The Task Force will continue exploring good practices of and possible means to improve access to environment-related product information. Additionally, the Task Force will take stock of recent and upcoming developments with regard to public access to information related to: (a) transparency of public authorities on environmental matters and the application of restrictions on access to information; and (b) the protection of whistle-blowers and other persons exercising their rights in conformity with the provisions of the Aarhus Convention. The Task Force will be also informed about recent activities of relevant international forums to promote public access to environmental information and the transparency of public authorities on environmental matters.
The outcomes of the meeting will support countries’ efforts in implementing, monitoring and measuring environment-related Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 3 (Health), SDG 6 (Water), SDG 11 (Resilient and Sustainable Cities), SDG 12 (Sustainable Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on Land) and target 10 SDG 16 (Ensure Public Access to Information) that undergoes in-depth review this year.
Organization of work
The meeting will be held in-person. Interpretation in English, French and Russian during the sessions will be provided. In addition, the secretariat is exploring possible options for remote connection for the registered participants. More details will be provided closer to the meeting. As for all UN public meetings, unregistered participants can also connect to the meeting through audio means: https://listen-live.unog.ch/en/index.html
The organization of work will be as follows:
7 November 2024, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 3–6 p.m. Geneva time
8 November 2024, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 3–6 p.m. Geneva time
Each session will feature brief introductory presentations sharing experiences of the Parties to the Convention and stakeholders related to the agenda items followed by contributors’ statements and interactive discussion.
Delegates interested to make a presentation or statement at the meeting are kindly invited to contact the secretariat (public.participation[at]un.org) as soon as possible, before 1 October 2024, briefly outlining the title and focus of the presentation or statement with relation to the agenda items.
Case studies (item 2 of the provisional agenda)
Participants are encouraged to submit new or updated case studies on electronic information tools (see the template and other details from https://unece.org/env/pp/eit-case-studies ) in electronic form to the secretariat (public.participation[at]un.org) prior to the meeting, before 1 October 2024.
Aarhus Clearinghouse national nodes (item 2 of the provisional agenda)
Representatives of the Parties to the Aarhus Convention are requested to report on the establishment or the update of the national website, preferable environmental portal, as a national node for the Aarhus Clearinghouse mechanisms in accordance with decision VII/1: https://aarhusclearinghouse.unece.org/national-nodes
Key dates to remember:
Registration for delegates requesting financial support: 27 September 2024
Registration for other delegates: 22 October 2024
Subscribing to the Speaker’s list: 1 October 2024
Submitting statements and presentations: 22 October 2024
For additional enquiries about the meeting, please contact the secretariat at [email protected] (subject line: 9TFAI request).