UNEP ROE

Civil Society: Regional Consultation Meeting

Representatives of major groups of civil society met in Geneva from 23 to 25 October 2006 in preparation for the 8th UNEP Global Civil Society Forum (GCSF).

The European Regional Consultation meeting provided a platform for civil society participation in and contribution to the preparations for the twenty-fourth session of the Governing Council/ Global Ministerial Environment Forum (GC-24/GMEF) that was held in Nairobi, from 5 to 9 February 2007.

The Governing Council / Global Ministerial Environment Forum, took as its central theme globalization and environment, and United Nations Reform. The two key themes dominated the discussions during the Regional Consultation.

In addition, dialogue sessions on water, chemicals management, gender, sustainable procurement policies and practices, international and regional processes were the focus for the representatives of the major groups of civil society.

All major groups were represented in the meeting in Geneva (Women, Youth, Indigenous peoples, NGOs, Local Authorities, Worker and Trade Unions, Business and Industry, scientific community, and Farmers associations).

Furthermore, UNEP National Committees in Europe participated in the meeting, which offered an opportunity for a broad exchange of views and networking between regional and national NGO constituencies.

The participants had the opportunity to hear from and interact with a number of Geneva-based international organizations working in the field of environment and sustainable development.

The meeting had a wide representation of European countries including: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkey, United Kingdom, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.