Batumi Talk Show: 

Scoring SDGs through action on green economy and clean air

How can we galvanize support to green our economies?

What can we do to improve air quality?

  BACKGROUND

At the Eighth Environment for Europe Ministerial Conference (Batumi, Georgia, 8–10 June 2016), ministers endorsed the Pan-European Strategic Framework for Greening the Economy –– a tool supporting countries’ efforts in transitioning to the green economy and, at the same time, contributing to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To make the Strategic Framework a reality, ministers also launched the Batumi Initiative on Green Economy (BIG-E) that consists of voluntary commitments to operationalize the Strategic Framework until 2030. The Strategic Framework and BIG-E are serviced jointly by the UNECE, UNEP and GGKP. At present, 117 commitments have been submitted by 25 countries and 13 organizations. These commitments specify concrete actions for moving towards greener and more inclusive economic patterns. With regard to air quality, ministers reconfirmed their commitment to reduce air pollution and protect public health and ecosystems by endorsing the Batumi Action for Cleaner Air (BACA). Thus far, 27 countries and 4 organizations have submitted 108 voluntary commitments to this initiative. The BIG-E and BACA initiatives remain open for stakeholders to join. Countries are invited to announce their new commitments for greening the economy and cleaning the air in a talk show format.

  PURPOSE

Promoting the Batumi initiatives with the participation of countries that have joined them with a view to attract new countries and additional voluntary commitments for greening the economy and cleaning the air, and advance the achievements of SDGs.

  PROGRAMME

- Opening of the event and brief introduction of BIG-E and BACA initiatives
- Short video on green economy and clean air 
- Discussion between the hosts and the guests of the Batumi Talk Show
- Representatives from countries and organizations participating in the discussion and present in the room are invited to join the initiatives and announce new commitments for greening the economy and cleaning the air
- Group photo
- Closing of the event

GUESTS OF TALK SHOW

Belarus, Czechia, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine

  HOSTS OF TALK SHOW

Marco Keiner, Director, Environment Division, UNECE, and Jan Dusik, Regional Director, UNEP 

  ORGANIZING PARTNERS

The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) and the Green Growth Knowledge Platform (GGKP)

The environmental dimension of the Belt and Road Initiative: opportunities & challenges

Date: 14 November 2017

Time: 1.15 – 2.45 p.m.

Venue: Salle VII

Detailed programme

Chair: Ms. Martine Rohn-Brossard, Head of Section Europe, Trade and Development, Deputy Head of International Affairs Division, Swiss Federal Office for the Environment, and CEP Bureau member

Programme:

1. Belt and Road Initiative: overview, key developments and milestones

2. The environmental dimension of the Belt and Road Initiative: opportunities and challenges 

- Relevance of environmental legal and policy instruments in the region 

- Belt and Road Initiative: key outcomes from discussion by the GREEN Action Task Force 

- Moderated discussion exchanging information, experiences and good practices with the participation of countries and other stakeholders 

3. Questions & answers

- Interactive discussion between participants in the side event and panelists

Speakers:

Mr. Fulai Sheng, Senior Economist, UN Environment; Mr. Marco Keiner, Director of Environment Division, UNECE; Mr. Jurgen Keinhorst, Co-Chair of the GREEN Action Task Force, Germany

Panellists:

Representatives of countries and organizations interested to share their experience: Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, European Investment Bank and the European ECO-Forum 

CAREC's key messages regarding the Belt and Road Initiative 

Organizers: the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment).

The event is in English and Russian, with the support of Norwegian funding to UN Environment.

GREENING ECONOMIES IN THE EASTERN NEIGHBOURHOOD: FROM COMMITMENT TO RESULTS

Date: 15 November 2017

Time: 1.15 – 2.45 p.m.

Venue: Salle VII

Detailed programme (En / Ru)

Objectives

The “Greening Economies in the Eastern Neighbourhood” (EaP GREEN) project, launched in 2013 and funded by the European Union, has been an important means to support the six EaP countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine) to progress faster towards a green economy through better management of natural capital in a context of higher economic productivity and competitiveness.

The side event at CEP-23 will highlight, in an interactive way, selected outcomes of the Project and their contribution to greening the economies in the EaP countries.

Agenda

1. Welcome and key features of the EaP GREEN

• Ms Helge Elisabeth Zeitler, European Commission

• Mr. Krzysztof Michalak, OECD

2. EaP GREEN interactive quiz with all the participants (awards envisaged for the winners)

3. Highlights of selected EaP GREEN results (introductions will be followed by the interventions from the floor) 

i. Green economy policy planning: Ms. Rie Tsutsumi, UN Environment

ii. Green finance: Mr. Krzysztof Michalak, OECD

iii. Strategic Environmental Assessment/Environmental Impact Assessment: Mr. Martin Smutny, UNECE  

iv. Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production: Ms. Carolina Gonzalez-Mueller, UNIDO

v. Organic farming: Ms. Rie Tsutsumi and Ms. Nina Schneider, UN Environment

4. Summary and closure

• Ms. Helge Elisabeth Zeitler, European Commission

Background reading

Web-site: http://www.green-economies-eap.org/

EaP GREEN project brochure: From Commitment to Results

The side-event is co-organized by four EaP GREEN implementing partners: OECD, UNECE, UN Environment and UNIDO and is funded by the European Union

English-Russian interpretation will be provided.

For further information please contact: Krzysztof Michalak and Irina Belkahia.