Children and Youth Major Group to UNEP

🌍 Join us on 22nd July at 13:00 UTC! Be part of the #Road2Busan Plastic Action Webinar Series as we kick off with our first session: "Advancing Intergenerational Well-being and Health Against Plastic Pollution." This webinar is co-convened by the Children and Youth Major Group to UNEP, IPEN (International Pollutants Elimination Network), Global Center for Good Governance in Tobacco Control, and Health Care Without Harm. We are thrilled to present an incredible line-up of speakers who will explore how the Plastics Treaty can be leveraged to protect health rights and promote well-being across generations. Dr. Megha Rathi‏ Dr Poorvaprabha P. Sonia Buftheim Andrea Gore Michelle Nhat Ly Reyes Laura Salgado from the Global Center for Good Governance in Tobacco Control and Indumathi from the Informal Waste Workers’ Community 🔗 Register now: tiny.cc/r2b22july. Feel free to leave your questions in the comments, and we'll address them during the webinar. Let's work together to combat plastic pollution and ensure a healthier future for all!

Had an incredible meeting with H.E. Abdullah Bin Ali Amri 🇴🇲, the President of the upcoming 7th Session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-7), and his team! 🌍✨Had the opportunity to present Children and Youth Major Group to UNEP’s impactful interventions from UNEA-6, highlighting the achievements of the Youth Environment Assembly, the Global Youth Declaration, and the inclusion of language on youth in the Ministerial Declaration. It was inspiring to see the vibrant and meaningful participation of youth in the negotiations. 🙌 Discussed our expectations for stronger youth engagement at #UNEA7 and expressed our eagerness to collaborate closely with the presidency's team. 💡 It was truly heartening to witness his enthusiasm for partnering with us and other Major Groups to enhance the effectiveness of UNEA and its associated events. Exciting times ahead for environmental action and #MeaningfulYouthEngagement 🌱🌟

During the 11th Annual CPR last week, I was part of a panel discussion by the UN Environment Management Group (EMG), representing the Children and Youth Major Group to UNEP. This session was seeking insights from stakeholders to make the EMG more fit for purpose and future-ready, particularly in the context of UNEA-7, the Summit of the Future, and the three COPs. The EMG delivers on its mandate through mainstreaming the environment with development, peace, health, human rights, and humanitarian affairs. As the Policy Coordination Focal Point of CYMG, I shared insights on how we have contributed to policy coherence, drawing from the expertise and lived experiences of our members on cross-cutting issues. Some of our notable actions include: 1⃣Contributed to UN Special Rapporteurs' reports on gender and toxics, as well as access to information on climate change and human rights. 2⃣Participated in the Second Global Meeting of National Focal Points for Montevideo Programme V, running a special side event on Environmental Democracy bringing in perspectives from different Member States and stakeholders like Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) and Youth Negotiators Academy 3⃣We have been attending the UNEP Nitrogen WG meeting and advocating of derived actions and NAPs to combat nitrogen pollution and waste 4⃣Submitted inputs towards the development of a Voluntary Code of Conduct on the sustainable use of plastics in agriculture 5⃣Initiated actions to create an Expert Youth Advisory Group after the Youth Environment Assembly 2024 6⃣Provided written inputs to the discourse of the UN Secretary-General’s Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals 7⃣Fully engaged with the OEWG process preparing for a Future Scienc-Policy Panel in Pollution 8⃣Co-organized online events celebrating International Zero Waste Day with UNEP IETC and the Caribbean Sub-Regional Office 9⃣Actively engaged with The Green Jobs for Youth Pact, a collaborative initiative of UNICEF, ILO, and UNEP to accelerate actions towards a just transition by equipping youth with green skills 🔟Engaging with the one Health Alliance and also has taken up an advisory role under the Working Group that was formed on Youth Engagement for Antimicrobial Resistance(AMR) to provide inputs on the Health impacts of environmental degradation Through these initiatives, and others not mentioned, and more that are in the pipeline, the constituency aims to ensure that the voices of children and youth are integrated into global environmental policies and actions. Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Kenya | UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme) | Hossein Fadaei| Gudi Alkemade| Judith Mulwa| Lev Neretin| Benjamin Schachter #PolicyCoherence #YouthEngagement #Environmentalgovernance #Environmentaldiplomacy #EnvironmentalJustice #EnvironmentalPolicy

Yesterday, I had the privilege of representing the Children and Youth Major Group to UNEP at the launch of the #UNEP Global Foresight Report. This #HLPF side event, "Navigating New Horizons: A Global Foresight Report on Planetary Health and Human Wellbeing," highlighted signals of change and critical shifts that could influence planetary health and wellbeing both positively and negatively. Interestingly, these global shifts are not solely about the environment—factors like AI, digital transformation, polycentricity and diffusion of governance, misinformation, declining trust, and polarization also play significant roles. This acknowledges that non-environmental factors are pushing natural ecosystems and humans to their limits and a general interconnectedness of challenges. As a youth representative on the panel, I emphasized that the Global Foresight Report incorporates youth perspectives from the Youth Foresight Workshop held alongside the Global Youth Environment Assembly in Nairobi this past February. Echoing the report, we need agile and adaptive governance that allows us to change the course of actions, listen to those implementing solutions on the ground, learn from peers, and foster collaboration rather than competition—among member states, different stakeholder groups, and multilateral agencies. Another key message of the report is the importance of embracing the views of a more diverse group of stakeholders. Active participation of civil society in decision-making processes is central to social cohesion and trust in government. This includes giving young people a stronger voice. With their ability to voice concerns, fight for justice, and drive change, youth can become key drivers of political stability and good governance. We need a new social contract that rebuilds trust in multilateralism, meaningfully engages stakeholders in all their diversity, and upholds the principles of intra- and intergenerational equity. Read the report: https://lnkd.in/dVpRiRYh.

🌍 You are now invited to join the Webinar: Advancing Intergenerational Well-being and Health Against Plastic Pollution | First session of the #Road2Busan Plastic Action Webinar Series This webinar, co-convened by Children and Youth Major Group to UNEP, IPEN (International Pollutants Elimination Network), Global Center for Good Governance in Tobacco Control and Health Care Without Harm as part of the ‘Road2Busan Plastic Action Webinar Series,’ will delve into the critical issue of plastic pollution and its severe impact on the health of vulnerable groups, especially children, women, and informal workers, addressing the full life cycle of plastic. As the world moves towards finalizing the international legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution, it is essential to integrate health perspectives into these efforts. 🗓️ Join us on 22nd July at 13:00 UTC for an insightful discussion on how the Plastics Treaty can be harnessed to protect the right to health and promote well-being across generations. 📌 Register: tiny.cc/r2b22july

🌊✨ Exciting News! 🌍✨ Today marks a historic milestone for ocean governance and youth empowerment! We are thrilled to officially launch the Ocean Science and Governance Youth Network of the Children and Youth Major Group (CYMG) to UNEP at the Global Dialogue of Sustainable Ocean Development (GDSOD) to facilitate youth engagement in UN Environment Programme Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans as well as other ocean-related processes l. 🌐 Together, we aim to amplify the voices of young ocean advocates, drive innovative solutions, and shape policies for a sustainable blue future. Our journey starts now, and we can’t wait to see the incredible impact we’ll make together! Stay tuned for updates, get involved, and join us in protecting our oceans! 💙🐬 Video ©Alejandro Luque #OSGYouthNetwork #SustainableOcean #Youth4Ocean #globaloceandialogue2024 #CYMG #UNEP Nairobi Convention Secretariat UNEP/MAP-Barcelona Convention UNEP - Cartagena Convention Secretariat and Caribbean Environment Programme (CEP) Ministère des Affaires étrangères français Embassy of Sweden Delegation of The European Union to Kenya Global Environment Facility Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Foundation Office Kenya - Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung International Maritime Organization UNESCO Ocean UN Ocean Decade UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration Ocean & Climate Platform Let's Be Nice to the Ocean Clément Payeur Agnes Mukami Muriuki Mario Galbert

Youth, as future leaders and innovators are uniquely positioned to drive forward solutions that address the urgency of joint climate and clean air action. This webinar, titled "Youth Action for Climate and Clean Air Now," is designed to engage, educate, and empower young people to act on SLCPs and air quality. By bringing together youth leaders, experts, and advocates, we aim to foster a collaborative environment where innovative ideas and practical solutions can be shared. This webinar will connect young people with experts, and advocates to foster a collaborative environment for sharing ideas and solutions. Register via the link below: https://lnkd.in/gikVzjYH Climate & Clean Air Coalition FACE Intergenerational Justice SEI — Stockholm Environment Institute NDC Partnership OpenAQ Inc

✨Get ready to make waves! 🌊 Introducing #Road2Busan Plastic Action Webinar Series 🚀. Join us on this journey to #INC5 as we strive for an effective #PlasticsTreaty. Find more: www.cymgenv.net/road2inc5 Share and stay tuned! #PlasticAction

Youth voices and expertise are crucial to #BeatPollution! Young people share their views on a new science-policy panel on chemicals, waste and pollution, calling for bridging science and policy for a cleaner, safer world. https://lnkd.in/d6Ve-zAq

"Science cannot be negotiated," remarked Inger Andersen, UNEP Executive Director, in her opening remarks. She highlighted the integral role of young people, emphasizing that “each one of you is on a journey not just of professional development but also of the heart and soul.” ED praised CYMG for their outstanding work during the #OEWG3 intersessional period, particularly their outspoken advocacy and the youth priorities. As UNEP seeks to establish a Science-Policy Panel to address chemicals, waste, and pollution—areas that have often been overlooked—the credibility and trust assigned to this panel are paramount. The Youth Expert Advisory Group is a novel idea that can be manifested once the panel is established. Youth are critical contributors to the panel’s assessments, the work programme, and outreach efforts. Zuhair Ahmed Kowshik Aseel Abotaleb Olga Skaredina Enkhuun Byambadorj Rabeb Aloui Mario Galbert Alix Chatton Rachel Radvany #GenerationRestoration #YouthVoices #YouthEngagement #SciencePolicyInterface #SPPCWP #OEWG #UNEP #PowerInYouth