€¦ · Web view- Latin America and Caribbean Initiative for Sustainable Development: Moving Towards a Sustainable Future

Intersessional Meeting of the Forum of Ministers of Environment of Latin America and the CaribbeanRegional Consultation for the Third UN Environment AssemblyBogota, Colombia11-13 October 2017

Distribution:Limited

UNEP/LAC-IC.1.2017/3

30 August 2017Original: Spanish

Summary of the progress in the Implementation of the Decisions from the XX Meeting of the Forum of Ministers of Environment of Latin

America and the Caribbean


Decision 1 - Latin America and Caribbean Initiative for Sustainable Development: Moving

Towards a Sustainable Future

1. During the XX Meeting of the Forum of Ministers of the Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean, the countries of the region approved the update of the document on the Latin American and Caribbean Initiative for Sustainable Development: Moving towards a sustainable future.

Decision 2 – Latin America and Caribbean Initiative for Sustainable Development (ILAC)

Indicators2. In general, the implementation of Decision 2 on ILAC Indicators is considered to have progressed satisfactorily. In particular, the achievements related to the following points are highlighted: 2.2 (proposal for new indicators and/or an update of the existing ones); 2.3 (a construction of indicators that adequately reflects the approaches and visions of the region); 2.4 (indicators on Sustainable Consumption and Production); and 2.6 (formulation of proposals). In addition, there are concrete actions proposed to be advanced during 2017 regarding the following points: 2.5 (subregional meetings); 2.7 (exploring sources of data such as those derived from remote sensing for the construction of indicators); 2.8 and 2.9 (in terms of availability and use of indicators).3. The Working Group on Environmental Indicators will be advancing South-South cooperation and capacity-building activities, with a view to consolidating a baseline of environmental information based on ILAC indicators and regionally prioritized Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The objective is to ensure that such information serves as a basis for the discussions of the Forum of Ministers and other regional and global political dialogues.

Advances - Implemented activities and results

4. The countries of the region developed a proposal for a set of indicators on sustainable consumption and production (SCP) that could contribute to the Latin American and Caribbean Initiative for Sustainable Development and that are relevant to the region in the context of the Regional Strategy for SCP as well as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its respective goals (SDG). This was done during the Regional Meeting of Experts on Indicators of Sustainable Consumption and Production held under the Technical Cooperation Agreement between the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment), (August 2-3, 2016, Panama), where forty-three ILAC and SDG indicators were analysed. Sixteen of the SCP indicators were classified as high priority, eleven as medium priority,

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nine as low priority, and seven were discarded. Likewise, the meeting also enabled the identification of indicators that enable decision-making in the Ministries of Finance and Industry with regard to operations to promote sustainable growth in the region as well as to support CAF and the Ministries in the formulation of adequate policies, regulations and national plans. 5. On the topic of capacity building and opportunities for cooperation, and in order to respond to the new challenges and opportunities that the countries present in the measurement of indicators, the participants proposed the development of institutional capacity and technical assistance through courses and workshops on environmental indicators and/or sustainable development, the creation of an association of Caribbean countries to address the new specific challenges of that subregion, the strengthening of technical assistance for the development of sustainable production and consumption plans as well as the development of publications on the topic of indicators and how they have been used for decision-making in public policy.6. Some of the countries of the region (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama and Uruguay) met (11-13 December 2016, Brasilia) during the Working Group on Environmental Indicators for the implementation process of the South-South Cooperation Project and for the capacity building for GEO-6. These countries had the opportunity to advance in the identification of thirteen indicators related to each of the objectives defined for the seven areas of ILAC as well as to produce a robust list of relevant indicators to be considered for implementation at a national and regional level.

Future Activities

South-South Cooperation Project and Capacity Building for the GEO-6 Process in Latin America and the Caribbean (October 2017-March 2018)

7. The project "South-South Cooperation and capacity building for the GEO-6 process in Latin America and the Caribbean" that is funded by Brazil through its donation to UN Environment in 2014, is being implemented with the participation of experts and officials that are responsible for environmental indicators and statistics in the Ministries of Environment of the region, National Statistics Offices and other relevant national institutions.8. The project aims to accelerate the harmonization, adoption and implementation of environmental indicators using a selected set of Sustainable Development Goals/Latin America and the Caribbean Initiative for Sustainable Development/Multilateral Environmental Agreements indicators to produce regional reports (as part of the GEO initiative) to track progress towards implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the ILAC, the SAMOA Pathway, and other relevant Multilateral Environmental Agreements. In addition, the project will strengthen national and regional environmental information systems and networks in LAC and also promote a more effective and integrated use of environmental information and data for policy and decision making in the region.9. The objective of the experts and partner institutions in the region is to develop a framework of multi-purpose indicators, as well as guidelines for their

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implementation (in relation to the underlying information systems, as well as deployment and dissemination strategies), while also taking into account the differences between countries in terms of installed capacity, institutional arrangements and priorities. The experts and partner institutions will also be in charge of transferring capacities to countries through four subregional training of trainers workshops (Q4 2017, Q1 2018). Lastly, these experts are also expected to contribute to the preparation of a proposal to provide support and long-term capacity for the use of the indicators in order to effectively implement the scientific-political interface in Latin America and the Caribbean.10. At the end of this project in March of 2018, the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean are expected to agree on a set of multi-purpose environmental indicators to be used throughout the region to evaluate the state and trends of the environment as well as to monitor the progress made towards sustainable development.11. Additionally, the project will promote the calculation of the indicators that are selected by the majority of countries. This calculation will then be used to prepare a regional report on the environmental dimension in Latin America and the Caribbean (2017/2018). This report will be the first in a series of annual/biennial reports on the progress towards the 2030 Agenda, ILAC, etc. (See next section). The report will contribute to Global Environmental Outlook (GEO) global and regional assessments, as well as national reports on the state of the environment and multilateral environmental agreements.

Environmental Performance Report for Latin America and the Caribbean (2017-2018)

12. The transition to sustainability in Latin America and the Caribbean urgently requires more effective mechanisms to provide robust information on the current state and trends of the environment in the region to governments, civil society, the private sector and international and multilateral agencies (among others). This information includes a regional analysis of transformation systems, impacts, policy responses and future scenarios. Although much of this information exists (the region has made significant progress with regard to the production of environmental indicators and comprehensive environmental assessments), limitations on access, frequency, coverage, relevance and usability are noteworthy.

13. In this context, the production of an Environmental Performance Report for Latin America and the Caribbean, based on ILAC and Sustainable Development Goals indicators, is proposed, and will serve as an easily accessible reference source to report succinctly on the progress made on the implementation of the environmental dimension of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the SAMOA Pathway, the Paris Agreement, ILAC and other multilateral environmental agreements relevant to the region. The first of these biennial reports would be launched at the XXI Meeting of the Forum of Ministers of the Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean, and it will serve as the main summary document to provide scientific and technical support to the discussions of the Ministerial Forum, including the identification of priority actions, success stories and opportunities for inter-sectoral dialogue.

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14. This activity will also allow the achievement of the following specific objectives:

a. Strengthen the capacity of the ILAC Working Group on Environmental Indicators (WGEI-ILAC) in the processes of data and information management to support the Forum of Ministers

b. Establish a regional mechanism to monitor the environmental dimension of the transition processes towards sustainable development in Latin America and the Caribbean.

c. Contribute to the consolidation of a regional environmental information network, established to facilitate free and open access to data and information on the state and trends of the environment in Latin America and the Caribbean.

d. Streamline the harmonization of ILAC, SDG and other multilateral environmental agreement indicators to provide a more efficient and integrated regional framework for the management of environmental data and information.

e. Contribute, from the environmental dimension, to inter-ministerial and intersectoral dialogue as well as among governments, the private sector and civil society on issues related to sustainable development, green and inclusive growth, and sustainable consumption and production, among others.

15. In terms of expected results, the following are highlighted:a. A first regional report on environmental status and environmental

performance, launched during the XXI Meeting of the Forum of Ministers of the Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean (to be held during the first quarter of 2018).

b. A set of harmonized ILAC and SDG environmental indicators that are promoted for their adoption implementation and calculation (biennial) in most of the region’s countries.

c. A Regional environmental information network established by the Working Group on Environmental Indicators of ILAC that gives effective support to the Forum of Ministers and is articulated to other relevant initiatives and instances.

Decision 3 – Environmental Education for Sustainable Development

16. The XX meeting of the Forum of Ministers of the Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean (28-31 March 2016, Cartagena, Colombia) adopted Decision 3 on Environmental Education for Sustainable Development. Decision 3 contains ten substantive paragraphs, one of which, in turn, covers thirteen actions.17. Sixteen months after the adoption of the decision (April 2016 – August 2017), it is estimated that the decision has been 70% implemented with the

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prospect of achieving 90%-100% of its execution within the term of its 2016-2018 Work Plan.18. In spite of the limited human and financial resources for the operation of the Network Coordination, it has been revitalized in accordance with the Work Plan. Regular exchanges among its members have been facilitated, namely with the directors and managers of the environmental education units within the Ministries of Environment, they have delved deeper into the state of environmental education in Latin America; information has been disseminated through e-mail, the webpage and Facebook; there has been collaboration with national university networks for the environment and sustainability; research has been carried out on potential areas for collaboration and resource mobilization with other actors, such as the secretariats of multilateral environmental agreements and multilateral development banks. A list of policies and legislation on environmental education in the region has also been updated with a comparative analysis of its main elements and the identification of the main environmental training courses either face-to-face or virtual that are being offered by the ministries of environment and education during this year.

19. Finally, various aspects of a new visual image and projection of the Environmental Training Network have been developed, including a new logo, courtesy of the Ministry of Environment of Panama, an information booklet and a quarterly bulletin (No. 1: May-August 2017, will be available from September), among others.20. One of the major challenges of promoting environmental education from the work of the Ministries of Environment, Ministries of Education, and other actors is passing from policy declarations and instruments to actual resource allocation in order to honor statements and implement these policies.21. During this period, another aspect to be highlighted is the lack of knowledge about the 2030 Agenda and the sustainable development goals in the technical educational personnel of governments, non-governmental organizations and academia.

Progress - Implemented Activities and Results

22. Since the adoption of decision 3 and, in follow-up to paragraph 2 of the decision, the UN Environment Programme proceeded to prepare the draft of the 2016-2018 Work Plan1. It was circulated by e-mail for feedback from the focal points of the Spanish-speaking countries and Brazil, and it was adopted in May of 2016.23. The activities of the Work Plan follow the guidelines of the operative paragraphs of Decision 3 and have been grouped into 5 main lines of work, namely:1 See Environmental Training Network Work Plan 2016-2018: http://www.pnuma.org/educamb/documentos/Work_Plan_ETN_LAC_2016-2018_ENG.pdf

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a. training and research; b. articulation with universities;c. coordination with other initiatives and non-traditional sectors (private

sector, d. Secretariats of multilateral environmental agreements);e. exchange of experiences and South-South cooperation;f. financing.

24. In total, approximately 20 activities were incorporated for completion within two years. The work plan also includes: a roadmap to implement the actions, schedule, links or synergies with the other decisions of the Forum of Ministers, the person in charge, the partners for implementation and the necessary resources.

A. Training and research

Systematization of environmental education experiences in Latin America with an integrated approach

25. Research was carried out in order to elaborate the "Systematization of experiences of environmental education in Latin America with an integrated approach". The document has compiled 24 experiences, from 13 countries, and these experiences have been taken as an initial sample to carry out an analysis of the contemporary situation of environmental education, with an integrated approach in the region. The document reveals aspects of this process, based on a set of initial reflections on the conceptual framework of this integrated approach in environmental education processes, and it is accompanied by a methodological proposal to carry out systematizations in this field. The document is in the process of being designed for digital publication and it is expected to be ready during the second half of 2017.

Indicators for environmental education in Latin America

26. The proposal on indicators for environmental education in Latin America was finalized. This proposal reviews processes on indicators for environmental education in connection with education for sustainable development (particularly in the framework of sustainable development goal 4 (quality education) and its target 7 (education for sustainable development). The document also includes a comparative analysis of national indicators vs. regional objectives and global objectives. Moreover, it incorporates a proposal of 14 indicators related to global, regional and national priorities and objectives at global and regional levels. 27. The proposal has been submitted to the focal points of the Environmental Training Network for consideration. Likewise, it will be transferred to the Working Group on Environmental Indicators of the ILAC (Latin American and Caribbean Initiative for Sustainable Development) as possible input for indicative purposes related to environmental education as well as training of human resources from ILAC goal 7 on Governance and Institutional arrangements.

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Multilateral Development Banks as well as the Rio Conventions and related: two lines of work that are essential to reach sources of financing and strategic alliances, within the framework of the Environmental Training Network

28. In order to follow-up on paragraphs 6 and 7 of Decision 3, research was initiated to address resources mobilization in order to enable the implementation and dissemination of environmental education policies and the identification of opportunities for cooperation between the Environmental Training Network and the Secretariats of the main multilateral environmental agreements on environmental education. With regard to multilateral development banks, the analysis focused on: the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB); the Development Bank of Latin American (CAF) and, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). A first version of the document was circulated to the focal points of the Environmental Training Network in February, and it was presented and discussed at the online meeting of the Network held on 17 February, 2017. The final version will be available during the second half of 2017.

B. Coordination with universities

29. The cooperation between UN Environment and ARIUSA (Alliance of Ibero-American University Networks for Sustainability and the Environment) was renewed on 9 May 2016 through a memorandum of understanding between UN Environment and the University of Applied and Environmental Sciences (UDCA ). The areas of cooperation from the new agreement include:

a. Promoting the participation of Latin American universities in the "Global Universities Partnership on Environment and Sustainability" (GUPES), facilitating their articulation with other university networks operating in the region and promoting the inclusion of environmental considerations in universities (in four areas that addressed in the curriculum, institutional management, extent and research) that are based on both common and differentiated indicators by country.

b. Supporting the planning of the II Latin American Forum on Universities and Sustainability as well as the planning of national forums on the subject.

c. Promoting the role of university networks in the process of participation and formulation of policies and programmes for alignment with the sustainable development goals and the 2030 Agenda.

30. On 20 September 2016, the UN Environment Latin America and the Caribbean Office and the University of Applied and Environmental Sciences (UDCA) signed a Small-Scale Funding Agreement to consolidate, strengthen and clearly define their cooperation as well as to reinforce their effectiveness in achieving common objectives in the field of environmental sustainability and higher education and, additionally, to implement the memorandum of understanding mentioned above.

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31. In response to this request, the Ministry of Environment in Peru that supports the Inter-university Environmental Network reported that in this country there is already some progress in the formulation of public policies to promote sustainability in higher education institutions. Thus, since last year, the National Superintendence of Higher University Education established that one of the indicators for the basic conditions of quality in higher education is for universities to have policies, plans and actions for the protection of the environment. This was declared in "Condition VI.7 Indicator 49" of the Resolution of the Directing Council No. 006-2015-SUNEDU/CD. As of several years ago, a similar standard is being promoted in Colombia by the Colombian Network of Environmental Training, before different agencies in the national university system. As a result of these efforts, in 2015, the Cross-Sector Committee for Quality Assurance in Higher Education agreed to create a group of experts to recommend environmental criteria that should be taken into account in the evaluation process and accreditation of the quality of the country's universities. Although no further information is available on this working group, in 2017 the need to include environmental criteria for the accreditation of higher education Colombian institutions will be underlined.32. Another similar process is developing in Panama. Recently, the Environmental Commission of the Council of Principals of Panama and the Network of Panamanian Universities for Sustainable Development began to draft a proposal for an environmental policy for universities.33. Thanks to the coordination of the Environmental Education and Training Unit of UN Environment headquarters, this organization, together with the Alliance of Ibero-American University Networks for Sustainability and the Environment, held a workshop during the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) Week of Peace and Sustainable Development: The Role of Education (6-10 March, Ottawa, Canada). 34. The workshop focused on the work on sustainability indicators for Latin American Universities that is based on the report Designing Indicators for the Evaluation of Sustainability Policies in Latin American Universities (ARIUSA, RISU project - Network of Indicators of Sustainability of Universities, 2014) and national diagnostics of Colombia (led by the Colombian Environmental Training Network), Ecuador (led by the Ministry of Environment), Mexico (led by the Environment and Natural Resources Secretariat) and Peru (led by the Ministry of Environment) on the incorporation of environmental considerations in universities.35. The results of this report as well as the national diagnostics were made widely available through the UN Environment2 website. An infographic was also prepared in relation to the report, and it has been disseminated via twitter.

C. Coordination with other initiatives and non-traditional sectors (private sector, secretariats of multilateral environmental agreements)

2 (http://web.unep.org/stories/story/latin-american-universities-prioritize-sustainability).

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http://web.unep.org/stories/story/latin-american-universities-prioritize-sustainability


36. UN Environment participated in the Regional Meeting of Ministers of Education of Latin America and the Caribbean: E2030, Education and Skills for the 21st Century (24 and 25 January 2017, Buenos Aires, Argentina).37. In the Buenos Aires Declaration3 (main outcome of that meeting), paragraph 14 was included where ministers decided: We will design and implement comprehensive programs of education for sustainable development (ESD) and global citizenship education (GCED), which are crucial for the acquisition of values and attitudes related to human rights, gender equality and a culture of peace, non-violence and coexistence; for the protection of the environment and life on the planet; and to face the challenges of climate change. As an integral part of these programs, we will disseminate the SDGs to education stakeholders with the aim of empowering them as key global and responsible citizens for this new agenda.”

D. Exchange of experiences and South-South Cooperation

38. The exchange of experiences and South-South cooperation is a central axis of the Environmental Training Network. The Network operates, to a large extent, as a community of practice for the directors and managers of the environmental education units of the Ministries of the Environment in order to strengthen expertise, mutual learning, exchange of experiences and environmental education practices through virtual and face-to-face meeting spaces.39. During the period that this report is being presented, the Coordination of the Training Network convened two virtual meetings:

a. December 16, 2016 to discuss the draft of the document on the systematization of environmental education programs with a integrated approach in Latin America as well as to review progress in the implementation of the Network's Work Program.

b. February 17, 2017, to comment on the results of the Regional Meeting of Ministers of Education of Latin America and the Caribbean. E2030: Education and skills for the 21st century and, the mobilization of multilateral bank funding and the Rio Conventions.

40. Moreover, at the invitation of the Itaipu Binational Paraguay Biodiversity Project and the Paraguayan Environment Secretariat, several focal points of the Network and the network coordinator participated in the International Forum: Biodiversity Corridors and Protected Areas (4-6 April, 2016, Asunción, Paraguay) to contribute to the discussions on environmental education topics.41. Additionally, the network coordinator participated in the following activities to discuss environmental education in Latin America, explore new partnerships for the Network and disseminate the range of action and opportunities for collaboration:

3 Buenos Aires Declaration http://www.unesco.org/new/fileadmin/MULTIMEDIA/FIELD/Santiago/pdf/Buenos-Aires-Declaration-ENG-2017.pdf

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http://www.unesco.org/new/fileadmin/MULTIMEDIA/FIELD/Santiago/pdf/Buenos-Aires-Declaration-ENG-2017.pdf

http://www.unesco.org/new/fileadmin/MULTIMEDIA/FIELD/Santiago/pdf/Buenos-Aires-Declaration-ENG-2017.pdf


a. The 6th National Meeting and the 1st Latin American Round of Environmental Education for Sustainable Human Development4, RENEA 10 (from its initials in Spanish) (22-24 September, 2016, Las Piedras, Uruguay). See the Declaration of the Meeting:

b. Information and work meetings with the team of the Division of Environmental Education and Citizen Participation of the Ministry of the Environment of Chile 5(September 28, 2016).

42. As additional mechanisms to promote the exchange of information and experiences of the Training Network we have the Facebook account6 which is regularly updated and a communication group through the Whatsapp cell phone application.

E. Financing

43. Since the establishment of the fund in 1989, the 19 countries contributing to the Trust Fund of the Network are divided into 3 groups: Group I made up of countries that contribute US $ 20,000 each, per year; Group II made up of countries that contribute US $ 10,000 each, per year and; Group III countries that contribute US $ 5,000 each, per year. 44. The amount available in the trust fund as of 15 August, 2017 is: 64, 815 USD

Future Activities

45. In order to follow-up on the Work Plan of the 2016-2017 Environmental Training Network, the activities expected in the coming months include, among others, the following:

a. Training and research: The final versions of the documents mentioned above, as well as their digital design, will be finalized.

b. Coordination with universities: The implementation of the small-scale funding agreement signed between UN Environment and the University of Applied and Environmental Sciences (U.D.C.A.) will be continued within the framework of the areas of collaboration jointly with ARIUSA.

46. One of the main activities will be to collaborate with the organization of the second Latin American Forum of Universities for the Environment and Sustainability coordinated by ARIUSA to be held in the city of Santa Marta (Colombia) from 19 to 20 October, 2017.

Coordination with other initiatives and non-traditional sectors (private sector, secretariats of multilateral environmental agreements)

4 http://www.reduambiental.edu.uy/2016/09/declaratoria-final-6to-encuentro-nacional-renea-10/5 http://educacion.mma.gob.cl/encargada-de-la-red-de-formacion-ambiental-del-pnuma-visito-ministerio-del-medio-ambiente/6 (http://www.pnuma.org/educamb/)

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http://www.pnuma.org/educamb/

http://educacion.mma.gob.cl/encargada-de-la-red-de-formacion-ambiental-del-pnuma-visito-ministerio-del-medio-ambiente/

http://educacion.mma.gob.cl/encargada-de-la-red-de-formacion-ambiental-del-pnuma-visito-ministerio-del-medio-ambiente/

http://www.reduambiental.edu.uy/2016/09/declaratoria-final-6to-encuentro-nacional-renea-10/


47. During February and March of 2017, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF) have been approached in order to strengthen relations in the coming months.

Exchange of experiences and South-South cooperation

48. Based on exchanges, at the end of 2016, with the National Environment Office of the Ministry of Housing, Territorial Planning and Environment of Uruguay, the offer to host the face-to-face meeting of the Network of the Year 2017 in this country was confirmed. The meeting will be held in 2018, since a meeting was held in May this year at the request of Brazil.

Decision 4 - Environmental dimension of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

49. In order to "promote the application of integrated and holistic approaches in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda", the United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment), with the support of the Government of Brazil, is implementing a regional pilot in Latin America and the Caribbean, of the project "Integrated Approach for Sustainable Development". The objective of the pilot is to support countries with the challenges of sustainable development by addressing, the three dimensions of development, in a balanced way, that is to say, to maximize economic, environmental and social benefits.50. To achieve this goal, UN Environment has carried out a process of identifying programmes in the region that are already moving towards an integrated approach to sustainable development. Thirty-three countries in the region participated in this process, which entailed the identification of more than a hundred programmes. Subsequently, twenty-eight experiences (experiencias ) from twenty-one countries were selected to be systematized and take part in a more detailed analysis of lessons learned, challenges and available tools. All this is reflected in the publication "Sustainable Development in Practice: Applying an Integrated Approach in Latin America and the Caribbean", available in English, Spanish and Portuguese.51. As part of this process, a regional symposium was organized on 4-5 October in Brasilia, with the participation of government representatives, civil society, academia and the private sector from twenty-one countries in the region. There was also a large attendance from Brazilian partners. In the symposium, the progress and new challenges of the region in terms of sustainable development were discussed. Concrete experiences that are already using an integrated approach in the region were presented and, moreover, practical elements, tools and areas of cooperation for the implementation of 2030 Agenda were identified. 52. Similarly, the existing gaps and challenges for the implementation of an integrated approach in the region were identified. As a result of this symposium, and as a follow-up to the need to “Provide political guidance on

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http://uneplive.unep.org/region/index/LA#integrated_approach_experiences


recommendations regarding the environmental dimension of sustainable development at the regional level” a policy note has been prepared that presents recommendations, entry points and tools to make progress in the implementation of an integrated approach to sustainable development. It has been disseminated within the framework of the first Forum of Latin American and Caribbean Countries on Sustainable Development (26-28 April, Mexico City).53. Following up on the decision to "Promote international and regional cooperation and national capacity‐building for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including through South‐South and Triangular cooperation"; the symposium focused on promoting South-South and Triangular Cooperation. Thus, as part of the regional symposium, opportunities for exchanging best practices, experiences and lessons learned between specific actors and countries are being identified and are starting implementation this year, in order to: 1) formulate a regional proposal that will advance the practical integration of the achievement of the targets of SDGs 1 to combat poverty and those of SDG 15 for ecosystem conservation, through a more structured inclusion of the environmental dimension in the efforts towards poverty reduction with green compensation schemes; 2) analyse the institutional and legal reforms of the countries of the region to promote programmes that advance an integrated approach and implement exchanges and discussions with parliamentarians and legislators; (3) establish the cooperation between Paraguay and Uruguay on agroforestry for energy purposes, one of the key issues identified for an integrated approach between the energy, forest and sustainable production sectors.54. Following a regional exchange symposium, a workshop was held to exchange experiences on socially inclusive conservation mechanisms (June 20-22 in Medellin, Colombia), with the participation of government officials of Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica and Mexico, private sector, civil society and international organizations. It sought to facilitate the exchange of experiences and the definition of potential national or regional implementation of initiatives that achieve synergies between SDG 1 and SDG 15. These initiatives were focused on green compensation schemes with a focus on communities in poverty or whose work contributes to the conservation of areas of environmental importance. The workshop identified relevant lines of action, such as the design of an environmental compensation scheme in artisanal fisheries, related to the SDG 14 to conserve and sustainably use oceans, seas and marine resources. One line of action for which progress is being made is a project proposal to strengthen the mechanisms of environmental compensation through Ecosystem-based Adaptation.

Linkage with the Forum of Latin American and Caribbean Countries on Sustainable Development:

55. The Forum for Sustainable Development was created at the 36th session of the Economic Commission of Latin America and the Caribbean (Mexico City, May 23-27, 2016) as a regional mechanism for monitoring and reviewing the implementation and follow-up of the 2030 Development Agenda for Sustainable Development, their goals, their means of implementation and the

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Addis Ababa Agenda for Action on Financing for Development. Subsequently, the United Nations Economic and Social Council endorsed the establishment of the Forum through the adoption of its resolution 2016/12.56. Consistent with Decision 4 of the XX Meeting of the Forum of Ministers, the Resolution establishing the Forum of Latin American and Caribbean Countries on Sustainable Development invites other relevant regional intergovernmental mechanisms, including the Forum of Ministers of the Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean, to provide inputs and contributions and to inform the Forum of Latin American and Caribbean Countries on Sustainable Development, within their current mandates, of their work related to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda.57. The Forum held its first meeting in Mexico City from April 23 to 27, 2017. Representing the Chair of the Forum of Ministers of the Environment, the Vice-Minister of Environment of Colombia provided a report to the Forum. The UN Environment Program also supported ECLAC by submitting inputs for the preparation of the Annual Progress Report of the Secretariat and participating in the deliberations on the environmental dimension of sustainable development

Linkage to the United Nations Environment Assembly

58. The Forum also contributed to the implementation and global monitoring of the environmental dimension through its linkage with the United Nations Environment Assembly. In May 2016, the Forum of Ministers of Environment brought the region's voice to the United Nations Environment Assembly, sharing its vision on the main environmental challenges of the region, as well as progress in integrating the environmental dimension into sustainable development. This contribution was integrated into the messages that the Assembly transmits to the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development to support its role in the follow-up and review process of the 2030 Agenda.59. The Second United Nations Environment Assembly adopted Resolution 2/2 "The role and functions of regional forums of ministers of environment and environmental authorities" in which it recalled Council resolution 10 / V 1982, which recommended that the governments of Latin America and the Caribbean should periodically convene regional intergovernmental meetings on the environment in Latin America and the Caribbean with a view to establishing policies and a strategy for the region in this regard. And the Executive Director of UN Environment had been requested to provide support from the Permanent Secretariat to these regional intergovernmental meetings, through the Office for Latin America and the Caribbean.60. It also welcomed the progress and achievements of the regional forums of ministers of environment supported by UN Environment and recognizing that these platforms are important in strengthening the participation of countries in the preparation And follow-up to the sessions of the United Nations Environment Assembly of the United Nations Environment Program, recognizing "the continued work of the Forum of Ministers of the Environment

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of Latin America and the Caribbean and taking Note of the results of the XX meeting of the Forum held in March 2016 in Cartagena, Colombia ".61. In this resolution, the Assembly requested the Executive Director, in accordance with UN Environment’s mandate and in accordance with the program of work and budget, to support existing regional forums of ministers and environment authorities and facilitate its convening or strengthening.

Decision 5 - Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration -Access to information, public participation and

access to justice in environmental matters62. By means of this Decision, the XX Meeting of the Forum of Ministers took note of progress made at the national level to strengthen the rights enshrined in Principle 10, and the pending challenges for its implementation as well as the particular conditions of each country as well as the process of the Declaration on the implementation of Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean, in particular the establishment and functioning of an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee with ECLAC as the technical secretariat.63. In this context, it was decided: 1. To reaffirm the commitment to work towards achieving full implementation in Latin America and the Caribbean of Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, 2. To continue efforts to strengthen regional dialogue and cooperation, technical assistance and capacity building in support of the construction and implementation of its own regional agenda on the rights of access, considering the advances, tools, experiences and practices in place since the adoption of Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, including the ongoing intergovernmental negotiation process in which participate the countries of the region that have joined the Declaration A/CONF.216/13 on application of Principle 10.64. In May 2016, the United Nations Environment Assembly adopted Resolution 2/25 "Implementation of Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development in the Latin American and Caribbean region", recognizing That respect for the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations in relation to democracy, good governance and the rule of law at the national and international levels is essential for sustainable development and stressing that broad public participation And access to information and judicial and administrative procedures are essential to promote sustainable development.65. Recalling its resolution 1/13 on this same subject and noting the achievements at the national and regional levels in strengthening the rights of access to information, justice and participation in environmental matters, as well as the pending issues for its implementation And the specific circumstances of each country, the Assembly "1. Encourages countries to continue their efforts to strengthen international dialogue and cooperation, technical assistance and capacity-building in support of the implementation of

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Principle 10 of the Declaration Taking into account progress made since its adoption, existing instruments, experiences and practices, and work towards strengthening the rule of law at the international, regional and national levels, and 2. Notes the progress made In the region of Latin America and the Caribbean to promote the implementation of a regional agreement on access To information, public participation and access to justice in environmental matters enshrined in Principle 10 of the 1992 Rio Declaration, with the support of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean as a technical secretariat.66. Since the XX Meeting of the Forum of Ministers, the regional process has continued to make progress. The Declaration currently has 24 signatory countries and it is open to all countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.67. During the intersessional period of the Forum of Ministers, five negotiation meetings were held in Montevideo, Santo Domingo, Santiago de Chile, Brasilia and Buenos Aires. At the Seventh Meeting of the Negotiating Committee held in Buenos Aires from 31 July to 4st August , 2017, significant progress was made in negotiating the text compiled by the Board, which will be included in a seventh version of said document. It was also decided to hold the Eighth Meeting, in November 2017, the venue is to be confirmed.68. During this period UN Environment has developed and presented in the region the implementation guide "Implementing Principle 10 of Rio" (October 2015). Based on extensive national experience, the Bali Guidelines Implementation Guide is a practical tool to assist countries in developing and improving national legislation and institutions required to comply with Rio Principle 10. It includes examples of best practices, analyzes each of the elements, provides case studies on its application and outlines possible implications at the institutional level.69. Likewise, on the occasion of the Fifth Meeting of the Negotiating Committee, in November 2016, UN Environment and ECLAC co-organized the High Level Conference on Environmental Justice and Access Rights for Sustainable Development in Latin America and the Caribbean, with the participation of supreme court judges from countries in the region. 70. In March 2017, on the occasion of the Seventh Negotiating Meeting, ECLAC presented the Clearinghouse on laws, policies, jurisprudence and treaties guaranteeing that the rights of individuals to information, participation and justice in environmental matters, enshrined in Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration, be fully implemented. This Clearinghouse is an initiative to contribute to having better knowledge, dissemination and implementation of the rights of access to information, public participation and access to justice in environmental matters. The development of the Clearinghouse was supported by the United Nations Development Account through the project "Addressing fundamental socio-environmental challenges in Latin America and the Caribbean". This information clearing house aims to promote synergies and foster coordination in capacity building in environmental access rights at the regional level. It also seeks to contribute to the negotiations for the elaboration of a regional agreement on access to information, participation and justice in environmental matters in Latin America.

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Decision 6 –Sustainable Consumption and Production

71. Countries in the Latin American and Caribbean region have made progress in decision-making as well as in the implementation of policies, programmes and initiatives to promote more sustainable patterns of consumption and production. The region has established a Regional Strategy on Sustainable Consumption and Production with the support of the Regional Council of Government Experts on Sustainable Consumption and Production, which responds to nine regional priorities, most of which are supported by the 10 Year-Framework of Programmes (10YFP). Many meetings, workshops and conference calls have been held in recent months, and others are planned for the coming months in order to increase capacity-building and strengthen the capacity of countries to implement the SCP Agenda. This year will focus on identifying specific areas of cooperation among countries to increase resource mobilization, beginning with the South-South Cooperation Conference on Sustainable Consumption and Production (Brasilia, Brazil, 5-6 April 2017). The region has also been working on the harmonization of SCP indicators in order to improve the measurement of progress in sustainable consumption and production, and the region is committed to continue working on this issue.72. In response to Decision 6 on Sustainable Consumption and Production, from the Forum of Ministers of the Environment of LAC, the main activities developed and planned for the coming months are the following:73. In compliance with the specific decision to “ reiterate the commitment of the Latin America and the Caribbean region to support the implementation of the Ten-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns (10YFP) and to maintain an active role in its production”.

74. International Workshop on “Challenges and Opportunities of Sustainable Agrofood Systems in Latin America” (Panama, June 6 and 7, 2017). The workshop was a joint effort between UN Environment and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), with the support and interest of the Governments of Costa Rica and Honduras. It was a product of the “Core Initiative” from the Sustainable Food Systems Program from the 10 Year-Framework of Programs (10YFP) on “Sustainability along all value chains : identifying and promoting local initiatives linking small-scale producers and consumers.” The workshop included the participation of experts from various regional organizations, the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT, for its acronym in Spanish), the Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Centre (CATIE, for its acronym in Spanish), the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), Conservation International, the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), among others. In addition, the Ministers of Agriculture of Panama and Costa Rica participated in the meeting. As a result of the meeting, a report on technical and policy recommendations was prepared and subsequently presented at the 10YFP Global Conference on Sustainable Food Systems Program, which took place on 21-23 June in South Africa.

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75. On the other hand, two projects were launched in Colombia and Honduras: In Colombia, the UNDA project on food waste was officially launched in Bogotá, Colombia (November 2-3 2016), supported by the United Nations Development Account (UNDA). This project will develop an initial evaluation of waste management in the sub-sectors of prepared foods and dishes in Bogotá, focused mainly on food waste. The counterpart to the program is the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development. UN Environment, Colombia's Ministry of the Environment, the Academy of Innovation Foundation for Sustainability and the main consultant launched the project in an informal meeting.

a. Official launch of UNDA project on National Action Plan on SCP in Honduras (7-8 December 2016). A workshop was presented to all relevant actors at the national level. The counterpart is CONADES (National Sustainable Development Council, for its acronym in Spanish)b. UN Environment has been invited to present the work on sustainable lifestyles in different events in Panama City, Medellín-Colombia, Córdoba-Argentina.

76. In compliance with the specific decision to "strengthen the 10YFP National Focal Points and the 10YFP National Stakeholders Focal Points”, a series of telephone conferences were held to address different topics:

a. Regional Executive Committee on SCP (August 10 2016). The conference call was organized to inform the Executive Committee on ongoing activities in accordance with the 2016-2017 Work Plan of the Regional Strategy for the Implementation of the 10YFP in LAC (2015-2022);

b. Preparation for the World 10YFP Meeting (5 January 2017). The conference call was organized by the members of the Board of Directors (Mexico and Brazil) to prepare alongside the SCP Regional Council the meeting for the 10YFP World Council which took place in Paris from 9 to 10 April, 2017. The main outcome of the Meeting was a list of priorities that the members of the Meeting presented to the Board;

c. SCP Regional Council "South-South Cooperation Conference on Sustainable Consumption and Production" (23 January 2017). The seminar was organized to present to the Regional Council the main objectives, context and expected results of the South-South Cooperation Conference on SCP, which took place in Brasilia, Brazil, from 6 to 7 April 2017;

d. Also the Annual Meeting of the Executive Committee on SCP in Brasilia, Brazil (5 April 2017) to debate with the Executive Committee the main regional priorities and key messages to development agencies in order to make better use of the South-South Cooperation Conference on SCP. Members of the Executive Committee will also contribute to the Road Map 2017-2018 for the implementation of the 10YFP.

77. In compliance with the specific decision to "integrate as a cross-cutting element in all of the 10YFP programmes, the need to assist the small and medium enterprises (SMEs)”,

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a. UN Environment, in collaboration with the European Commission, is promoting resource efficiency and eco-innovation through the Eco-Innovation Project. The project aims to change consumption and production patterns in developing and transition economies, encouraging companies to reduce their environmental footprint. This project takes place in eight countries globally, among them Peru and Colombia of Latin America and the Caribbean. The closing events were held in Bogota (3-4, April 2017) and in Lima, Peru (18-19 April, 2017) with the main objective being to present and raise awareness on the results of the draft. As main results, it can be highlighted that both countries have a report called "Integrating eco-innovation into national sustainable consumption and production frameworks", a policy roadmap for implementing eco-innovation actions in the next five years, and ten case studies on SMEs in the chemical (five in Colombia) and metalworking (five in Peru) sectors. b. UN Environment gave the Intensive Workshop "Eco-Innovation - Tools for the implementation of sustainability strategies in Design projects" in Buenos Aires (Argentina) on 13 and 14 July, 2017, together with the Ministry of Production of the Nation and the national centres of cleaner production in Colombia and Peru. The government's intention is to continue implementing the methodology of eco-innovation in SMEs that participate in its national programs related to Design and Sustainable Production.c. UN Environment gave the Intensive Workshop "Eco-Innovation - Tools for the implementation of sustainability strategies in Chilean SMEs" in Santiago (Chile) on September 27, 2017, together with the Ministry of the Environment of Chile and the National Council Of Cleaner Production of Chile (nowadays, Chilean Climate Change Agency). In addition, UN Environment participated in the "Seminar on Sustainable Trade" organized by PROCHILE on 28 September (Santiago) and on September 30 (Temuco).

78. In compliance with the specific decision to "replicate and scale up on sustainable public procurement, which helps governments lead by example in the adoption of sustainable consumption and production".

a. The project Sustainable Public Procurement and Eco-labelling focuses on supporting countries with their needs in order to develop and implement policies and action plans for sustainable public procurement. This is done by drawing on UN expertise in both sustainable public procurement and eco-labelling in order to combe these two instruments to more effectively meet the common objective of stimulating supply and demand for sustainable products.b. The most noteworthy results are mentioned below: Colombia: Elaboration of a National Plan of Action for Sustainable Public Procurement and a National Plan of Action for Eco-labelling for the Colombian Environmental Seal; an update of the Conceptual and Methodological Guide on Sustainable Public Procurement.Costa Rica: Elaboration of Technical Regulations for the implementation of Sustainable Public Procurement, production of online training material for the Ministry of Finance, training at the national level.

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Peru, Ecuador y Argentina: Elaboration of baseline, legal study, market analysis and National Plan of Action for Sustainable Public Procurement (under review)Chile: National Plan of Action for Sustainable Public Procurement (in the process of elaboration), production of online training material for SMEs, training at the national level (in development).Brazil: Document with policy recommendations for the implementation of Sustainable Public Procurement at the national level. Development of methodology to develop sustainability criteria for Sustainable Public Procurement.SPPEL activities in the Southern Cone: Development of sustainability criteria for Sustainable Public Procurement in paper products, wood furniture and cleaning products, and conducting dialogues with the private sector in Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil and Chile (and a market assessment in Uruguay ) on these criteria.SPPEL regional Latin America and the Caribean: Development of a regional online Platform for the implementation of Sustainable Public Procurement in Latin America and the Caribbean (in development). This platform seeks to be the single point where one can find information in English and Spanish on the subject that is generated in the region. It is being developed jointly with the Organization of American States (OAS) within the framework of the Inter-American Network of Government Procurement (IGRN) that this organization coordinates.

c. The closing event of this Project in the region will be held in Colombia (Bogotá) on October 24-25 and 26, 2017 with the main purpose being to present and raise awareness on the project to the main stakeholders the results of the project as well as to receive feedback in order to update the UN Sustainable Environment Public Procurement Methodology.

79. In compliance with the specific decision to "invite all the countries in the region to use the available scientific knowledge on efficient management of natural resources and reduction of environmental degradation”,

a. The meeting of the International Resource Panel will take place in Lima (November 20-24, 2017). Peru joined the Steering Committee of the International Resources Panel in 2014. Since then, Peru has been actively participating in the meetings of the International Resource Panel. As a sign of its continued commitment, Peru offered to host the 21st meeting of the International Resource Panel in Lima in November.

80. In compliance with the specific decision to "articulate environmental education and training processes in the development of policies and technical and operatice tool to achieve SCP”, the following activities are planned

a. Life Cycle and Eco-innovation for the sustainable creation of the value chain in Latin America and the Caribbean in the framework of the 7th International Conference on Life Cycle Assessment in Latin America (June 12-15 2017). The training is part of the project "Efficiency of resources through the application of life cycle thinking (REAL, for its acronym in Spanish)", by the UN Environment Fund and is funded by the European Commission. The purpose of the training was to introduce the concept of

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life-cycle thinking as well as associated policies and business solutions that can assist decision-makers in the public and private sectors in identifying where, in the key areas, there is a need for improvement. Similarly, the concept and methodologies of eco-innovation were introduced, which are based largely on the life-cycle thinking approach.b. E-learning course "Approaches and Practical Tools for Sustainable Consumption and Production in Latin America and the Caribbean" (October 2-November 24, 2017). With the objective of broadening learning about the various approaches and tools for SCP in the region, UN Environment and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) have partnered together for the first time to give this interactive e-learning course that is specially adapted to the context of Latin America and the Caribbean. Participants will learn about the SCP's global and regional agendas as well as international and national commitments to SCP, and they will also receive practical examples of different SCP concepts, approaches, tools and indicators.

81. In compliance with the specific decision to “strengthen efforts aimed at improving efficiency in cities in order to minimize their environmental and social impacts”,

a. A side event was organized in Habitat III "Better cities, better lifestyles in Habitat III in Quito, Ecuador (October 18, 2016)". This event brought together experts in sustainable cities and lifestyles to share the latest discoveries and research in order to understand cities as metabolisms and enable a sustainable lifestyle. The event also served as the setting for launching an official UN publication "A Framework for Shaping Sustainable Lifestyles: Determinants and Strategies" which is the first evidence-based document that presents the results of a sustainable lifestyle, outlining a global framework of what is a sustainable lifestyle and synthesizes recent scientific narratives about what determines a lifestyle and how it could be shaped to respond to sustainability challenges.

82. In compliance with the specific decision to “urge international cooperation, private sector, financial sector and countries, to provide technical assistance and funding for initiatives involving implementation of SCP in the region”,

a. As mentioned above, the South-South Cooperation Conference on Sustainable Consumption and Production was held in Brasilia, Brazil (April 6-7, 2017), which includes: (i) coordination with the Government of Brazil (Ministry of Environment and Ministry of International Relations) on the agenda, logistics and other related issues; (ii) liaison with all 10YFP Programs in the preparation for the specific agendas of the working groups; and (iii) the identification of organizations that are invited for cooperation. The event brought together 200 government officials, representatives of regional institutions, development agencies, civil society and the business sector from Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. Participants learned from countries, professionals and development agencies about opportunities, benefits and challenges in implementing South-South cooperation projects, like how to build conditions that enable cooperation and how to identify specific areas and opportunities for cooperation.

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b. Within the framework of UN Environment Support to the Government of Honduras in the preparation of the National Plan for Consumption and Sustainable Production, on August 7 and 8 in Tegucigalpa, an exchange of experiences was organized between government officials from Brazil, Chile and Honduras on the elaboration of National PHC Plans. The event served to achieve the high level of political commitment that the process now relies upon.

83. In compliance with the specific decision to “continue to work on development and harmonization of SCP indicators as appropriate”,

a. As aforementioned, the Regional Meeting of Experts on Sustainable Consumption and Production Indicators was organized in Panama City, Panama (August 2-3, 2016). This meeting brought together representatives of 18 governments in the region. The main objectives of the meeting were: (i) to present a proposal for Sustainable Consumption and Production Indicators to contribute to the Latin American and Caribbean Sustainable Development Initiative (ILAC) in the context of Agenda 2030 and the Regional Strategy on Sustainable Consumption and Production ; ii) contribute to the discussion of the harmonization of the indicators of Sustainable Consumption and Production, as well as their measurement methodologies, iii) identify relevant indicators of Sustainable Consumption and Production that contribute to decision making in the Ministries of Finance and Industry ; iv) establish a new set of indicators for Sustainable Consumption and Production to include in ILAC.b. In addition, on 23 November, 2016, a conference call was held with the SCP focal points to report on the results of the meeting on 2-3 August, 2016.

Decision 7 Regional Platform on Climate Change84. In compliance with Decision 7 on the Regional Platform for Climate Change, two informal meetings with the countries on the Board of Directors of the Forum of Ministers of the Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean have been held. The first meeting was held on 4 October 2016 in Bogota, with the participation of some countries of the Board of Directors of the Forum of Ministers of the Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean (Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay) who were participating in other climate change meetings to exchange views on the draft of the Work Plan for the proposed Platform. The second meeting was held within the framework of the Conference of the Parties (COP) 22 in Marrakech on 15 November 2016.85. The meetings discussed the draft of the Work Plan for the Platform. Currently, the suggested areas for implementation are as follows: (i) Dialogue and exchange of experiences on climate policy, (ii) Climate Action, Financing and other means of implementation. It was concluded that the draft would be circulated by the Chair of the Forum, Colombia, to the countries of the region in order to receive their contributions to the document.

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Decision 8 –Chemicals and wasteRegional Cooperation / Intergovernmental Network

86. According to the Terms of Reference adopted by Decision 8, the Intergovernmental Chemicals and Waste Network will be composed of all the focal points nominated by the governments of the region and, additionally, will have a Steering Committee composed of two members from each of the sub-regions of Latin America and the Caribbean (Mesoamerica, Caribbean, Andean Region and the Southern Cone).87. At the beginning of June, 2016, UN Environment sent a note to the governments of the region inviting them to designate their respective focal points for the Network as well as to express the possible interest of their countries in being a part of the Steering Committee. To date, the focal point nominations of twenty-six governments in the region have been received.88. With regard to the Steering Committee, it was established in August of 2016 based on interest expressed and agreements among sub-regions as follows: Mesoamerica: Costa Rica, and Mexico; Caribbean: Jamaica, and Dominican Republic; Andean region: Colombia, and Peru; Southern Cone: Brazil, and Uruguay. Since its establishment, the Steering Committee has met six times, five sessions by teleconference, and one face - to - face meeting, which took place on 15-17 November 2016. The objectives and results of this meeting are listed below:

a. To develop the operational regulations of the Network: the Steering Committee agreed on the operational regulations, in accordance with the mandate of the Forum of Ministers, which establishes how the network will be organized, modalities of participation of governmental and non-governmental actors, functions of the Steering Committee and the Secretariat, etc. This document was circulated to all the focal points of the Network.b. To establish the process of development of the Regional Action Plan, as well as its potential elements and scope, taking into account the priorities and initiatives on chemicals and wastes at regional and international levels: it was agreed to establish a working group that, with the support of the focal points, will develop the Network's regional action plan. The preliminary design of the plan was discussed and a number of priority issues to address in the region with regard to cooperation on chemicals and wastes were identified. c. Identify possible initial activities for exchange of information: seventeen possible initial activities for information exchange were identified.

89. Initial activities for information exchange: To date, the countries of the region have exchanged their experiences in developing legal frameworks and

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programmes for the sound management of chemicals and wastes, including the management of industrial chemicals (Brazil, Colombia , Chile), as well as financing mechanisms for the management of chemicals (Legal and Institutional infrastructures for the sound management of chemicals and measures for Recovering costs of national Administrations-LIRA-Uruguay guide) and projects (Argentina, Special Programme) during four webinars, with an average of forty to fifty participants per session.90. The results of the questionnaire that was submitted by focal points are currently being analyzed in order to support the development process of the regional action plan, which should reflect priority cooperation themes and actions.

The Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM)

91. The 1st Meeting of the SAICM Intersessional Process for the consideration of SAICM after 2020 was held on 7-9 February 2017. At that meeting, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC) highlighted the importance of SAICM and reiterated the region's interest in participating actively in this process. The results will be reflected in a detailed report of the meeting by the Secretariat and in a summary by the co-chairs that reflects the consensual elements (both are non-negotiated documents). Regional SAICM meetings will take place in early 2018, prior to the next intersessional meeting.92. In 2016, the first special programme for the institutional strengthening of chemical and waste conventions was held, where two projects were assigned to countries in the region (Argentina and the Dominican Republic). The second call closed on 20June 2017, where several countries in the region presented new project proposals, currently under review. The next call will take place in early 2018.

BRS Conventions

93. The regional preparatory meeting for the Conference of the Parties from the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions took place in Sao Paolo on 28-30 May, 2017.94. The Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, together with UN Environment, the Office for the Coordination of Human Affairs (OCHA) and the Brazilian Regional Center of Stockholm (CETESB), organized a workshop on hazardous waste and chemical emergencies, which took place in Sao Paolo (1-3 February, 2017.

Mercury and Lead

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95. During this period (since April 2016) eight new countries in the region have ratified the Minamata Convention on Mercury (Antigua and Barbuda, Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis), and others have already reached ratification at the national level (Argentina) or have made significant progress in the process. The Convention entered into force on 16 August 2017 and the first Conference of the Parties (COP1) will take place in Geneva, Switzerland, from 24 to 29 September 2017.96. Numerous countries in the region have made progress with the development of Minamata Initial Assessments, including the development of mercury emission inventories, within the framework of Global Environment Facility (GEF)-funded projects. Some countries have also initiated the development of National Plans of Action for small-scale artisanal gold mining.97. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) organized a workshop on health-related aspects of the Minamata Convention in Jamaica (18-19 October, 2016). 98. A Technical workshop on the Minamata Convention was held in Sao Paolo on 27 and 31 March 2017 within the framework of the preparatory meeting for the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm COPs.99. The GRULAC preparatory meeting for COP1 was held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on 24-28 July 2017.100. In October 2016 activities related to the International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week of Action were widely disseminated in the region and further dissemination activities are planned in the region for this year. At the end of 2016, a communication to the Caribbean countries with information on lead removal in paints was sent jointly from UN Environment and PAHO. As a follow up, a webinar on lead in paintings for the Caribbean countries was organized on 7 April, 2017, coinciding with World Health Day.

Waste Management

101. From 2016 to date, we have been working on the development of the regional perspective of waste management in Latin America and the Caribbean. Some fifteen countries in the region provided national information on the generation and management of waste, and several drafts of the report have been developed following the Project Steering Committee’s recommendations. In November 2016, the second meeting of the editorial team took place. During the months of May-June 2017 the regional consultation of the draft was circulated to the focal points and other parties, and it is expected that the draft for regional consultation will be circulated in order to have a new version by September of 2017.

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102. In May of 2016, a regional workshop on waste management was held in Montevideo, Uruguay, where several countries and organizations in the region had the opportunity to train and exchange experiences. In the framework of this event, the Consortium of Universities for the sustainable management of waste in Latin America and the Caribbean was also set up. The consortium is formed by eight universities from seven countries of the region, and it has developed an academic programme on integrated waste management that is expected to be presented in October of 2017. 103. A conference on waste management and circular economy in the Caribbean countries was held on 4-7July, 2017 in Kingston, Jamaica, with the support of the Government of the Netherlands. The event served to outline a possible regional action plan on waste management in the Caribbean that is to be developed over the next few months.104. Three countries in the region (Honduras, Saint Lucia, and Uruguay) are developing national and municipal waste management strategies with the support of UN Environment.

Decision 9 - Towards the full implementation of the Regional Plan of Action on Atmospheric

Pollution105. Despite not having resources for its operation, the Intergovernmental Air Pollution Network is still active and in continuous communication. Countries such as Mexico and Chile are making great progress in the design of their national strategies for air quality management. Significant South-South collaboration projects have been generated from this ongoing dialogue (eg: Mexico providing training to El Salvador for the installation of its air quality monitoring system).106. In terms of fuel quality, progress at the regional level is more significant, with the adoption of stricter standards in, for example, Paraguay, Peru, and the Dominican Republic.

Progress - Activities and results achieved

107. The Ministry of Environment of Peru and UN Environment with the support of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, organized the 1st Regional Conference on Short-lived Climate Pollutants7 (Lima, 5-6 May, 2016) with the objective of promoting regional synergies on Short lived Climate Pollutants for a continuous exchange of experiences and lessons learned with regard to the implementation of policies, programmes, and projects as well as an integrated

7 Link:http://www.minam.gob.pe/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Resumen-Conferencias-CCVC_Lima-4-6-Mayo.pdf

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database at the regional level. This conference aimed to promote the exchange of scientific knowledge and show progress in actions to improve air quality.108. The conference was attended by representatives from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, the Dominican Republic and Uruguay to give an account of the achievements in the implementation of the Regional Action Plan for Intergovernmental Cooperation on Air Pollution.109. The synergies between the work of the Intergovernmental Network on Air Pollution and the work of the Climate & Clean Air Coalition were also identified.110. As members of the Coalition, Uruguay and Paraguay were invited to apply for funding to strengthen their policy to reduce short-lived climate pollutants under the Supporting National Action and Planning on Reducing Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (SNAP) initiative. 111. The results of this conference include a) Increase in the cooperation between the Network. Mexico, Chile, Peru and Colombia sharing experiences on black carbon inventories; b) The proposals of Paraguay and Uruguay were approved by the Climate & Clean Air Coalition; and c) Agreement to find funding in order to be able to hold a meeting with the network during the following year.

Awareness Raising -

112. A number of dissemination and awareness activities were held during this period. A Webinar on Low Emission Development Strategies in Latin America and the Caribbean LEDSLAC8 platform- Air Quality, Climate Change and Development in Latin America: Opportunities for the reduction of Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (22 June, 2016), with the objective of presenting the perspective of the policies and actions that are implemented in the region of Latin America and the Caribbean with regard to short-lived climate pollutants. During the webinar the initiatives of the Climate & Clean Air Coalition, the results of the Regional Assessment of Short-lived Climate Contaminants, and the policy framework from Mexico that includes in its climate change policies the reduction of these pollutants were presented. A total of one hundred and twelve participants took part in the webinar.113. A Webinar BreathLife9 for a Joint Campaign of UN Environment, the World Health Organization and the Climate & Clean Air Coalition was held on 29 September, 2016. The webinar allowed for an early presentation of the BreathLife campaign which had been planned for UN Habitat III in Quito in October last year. During this online session the objectives of the campaign with regard to taking action at the city level were informed. Respira Santiago (Breathe Santiago) (Chile) is the flagship campaign in the region. As a result, Guadalajara joined the campaign for its launch in Quito, Cusco, Medellin and Mexico City, alongside another 13 cities in the region that are joining the initiative. 114. - The virtual session of UN Environment – Latin America and the 8 Link: http://ledslac.org/es/portfolio-items/calidad-del-aire-cambio-climatico-y-desarrollo-en-latinoamerica-oportunidades-para-la-reduccion-de-contaminantes-climaticos-de-vida-corta/9 Link: http://breathelife2030.org/

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http://breathelife2030.org/

http://ledslac.org/es/portfolio-items/calidad-del-aire-cambio-climatico-y-desarrollo-en-latinoamerica-oportunidades-para-la-reduccion-de-contaminantes-climaticos-de-vida-corta/

http://ledslac.org/es/portfolio-items/calidad-del-aire-cambio-climatico-y-desarrollo-en-latinoamerica-oportunidades-para-la-reduccion-de-contaminantes-climaticos-de-vida-corta/


Caribbean Office "Transport and air pollution", (2 March, 2017) was held in the MOVE Platform as part of the initiatives promoted by the UN Environment Latin America and the Caribbean Office, MOVE10 has become the platform that seeks to promote electric mobility for the region.115. During the second day of debate, the impacts of transport as the main source of air pollution in the cities of the region were highlighted. The impacts of transport affect both climate change and air quality. Existing data on its impact on health were mentioned and effective policies for achieving clean and efficient transportation were discussed from an air quality management perspective. The session was dedicated to the work of the Intergovernmental Air Pollution Network, the Spanish speaking members were part of a very participatory audience. Online meetings of the Intergovernmental Network Steering Committee

116. The steering committee has representation from the four sub-regions. It comprises Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, and Mexico. They meet periodically in order to analyze the alternatives to promote the implementation of the regional action plan.

Future Activities

117. Mexico, based on funds from the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, has decided to host a meeting of the Intergovernmental Air Pollution Network. The meeting will be held on 24-26 October. The Network Steering Committee has requested a much more pragmatic and less procedural meeting that could contribute to the elaboration of a regional proposal (from the countries that are interested) to submit to the International funds. As a result of this meeting it is expected a) identification of countries to participate in the financing proposal for issues of air quality, climate change and health, and b) a work program for the preparation of the proposal118. Finally more online training sessions are expected to be held on topics proposed by the countries.

Decision 10 –Mainstreaming Biodiversity for Sustainable Development in Harmony with

Nature119. Decision 10 “Mainstreaming Biodiversity for Sustainable Development in Harmony with Nature” of the XX Meeting of the Forum of Ministers of the Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean represented an opportunity for the Latin American and Caribbean region to unify their efforts toward the thirteenth Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity

10Link: http://movelatam.org/groups/contaminacion-atmosferica-y-transporte/

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http://movelatam.org/groups/contaminacion-atmosferica-y-transporte/


(CBD) held in Mexico, 4-17 December 2016. It also supported the implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, recognizing that the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity offers the opportunity to contribute to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, to fight hunger, poverty as well as to promote food security and human health.

Progress - Implemented activities and results achieved

120. In 2016 there were two conferences of parties to biodiversity-related conventions, the Seventeenth Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which was held in South Africa, 24 September to 5 October 2016 and the Thirteenth Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity held in Mexico 4-17, December, 2016. The region prepared for these Conferences of the Parties by holding regional preparatory meetings for the conference of the CITES and CBD parties, held in Antigua, Guatemala, in August of 2016. This preparatory meeting allowed the countries of the region to analyze, discuss and formulate regional strategies around the different decisions proposed by the parties' conferences. It also allowed for working sessions where possibly complementary decisions between the two biodiversity-related conventions were analyzed and discussed. In this sense, the basis of synergies between biodiversity agreements as well as the opportunity that the coordination between national entities represents for the effective implementation of the commitments of the decisions from the conferences of the parties was discussed.121. The Thirteenth Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity was held in Mexico, 4-17 December 2016. This meeting was a milestone for the environmental regime focused on biodiversity. Hosted by the Government of Mexico, the conference of the parties successfully advanced the concept of integrating biodiversity in productive sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, forestry and tourism. In this sense, the importance of biodiversity in the productivity of sectors that traditionally have had a significant impact on the alteration and destruction of vital ecosystems was highlighted.122. National dialogues on biodiversity and business were carried out in partnership with the Governments of Chile and Uruguay in November 2016. These dialogues allow the national productive sectors to establish a common understanding of the value and importance of biodiversity and ecosystems for their operations. In this sense the dialogues presented the opportunity to advance the understanding of ecosystem services and how these contribute to the productivity of sectors of national importance.123. National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) continue to be an important platform for national biodiversity priority-setting. There is an increase in the understanding of how sustainable use of biodiversity can foster the creation of new industries, employment opportunities, and boost national economic diversification. In this regard, there is an increase in the support of Global Environment Facility (GEF) projects for the development and revision of NBSAPs in the countries of the region.

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124. The development of a Biodiversity Strategy for the Caribbean is advancing towards a better understanding of the region's priorities, as well as the identification of possible joint actions at the regional and national levels to combat the driving forces that cause disruption and destruction of ecosystems vital to the productivity of the Caribbean biome. The strategy is oriented to the island countries contained within the area of cooperation of the CARICOM, as well as Cuba and the Dominican Republic. There is an effort to identify and harmonize the various initiatives, programmes and projects that currently interact in the Caribbean region to ensure the coordination and facilitate the identification of action plans based on cooperation and capacity building to implement the Strategic Plan on Biodiversity 2011-2020 and the Aichi Biodiversity Targets.125. UN Environment took the initiative to promote the development with the countries of the region for a Regional Cooperation Programme on Biodiversity, based on a process of consultation and interaction with the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. The objective of the regional programme is to: (i) Strengthen the institutional capacities of Latin American and Caribbean countries to mainstream conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in the different productive sectors of the countries, including fisheries, agriculture, energy, and other priorities with regard to national particularities; (ii) To promote, improve and facilitate the communication and exchange of information between authorities and focal points on biological diversity in the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.126. The Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization to the Convention on Biological Diversity, continues to provide an opportunity for the Latin American and Caribbean region to develop national, sub regional and regional technical and research capacities, by promoting access to genetic resources as well as the fair and equitable sharing of benefits that arise from their use. In this regard, progress is being made in support of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) projects to develop legal frameworks to enable countries to regulate and monitor the extraction of genetic resources, ensuring participation in the distribution of benefits.127. A growing area of interest for the region is the need for greater understanding of the blue forests - mangroves, underwater meadows and marshes - that are key in carbon capture and storage. In this regard, a regional workshop on blue forests was held in Panama under the Global Environment Facility (GEF) project of the same name.

Future Activities 128. The operation of a Regional Cooperation Program on Biodiversity for Latin America and the Caribbean is expected by the second half of 2017. The pillars are expected to be established around a platform for the exchange of relevant information, that includes the integration of biodiversity in different national productive sectors of the region as well as the creation of an active network of authorities and focal points that interact on a regular basis from short and moderate sessions on critical and priority issues for the region.

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129. The holding of national dialogues on biodiversity and business is an important platform for establishing a rapprochement with the national productive sectors. Progress is expected at the national and regional levels in the organization where these dialogues take place. In September of 2017, the Mesoamerican Workshop on BioTrade will be held in Costa Rica, in collaboration with the Mesoamerican Alliance for Biodiversity and the German Cooperation Agency (GIZ).130. Eleven countries in Latin America and the Caribbean will continue to develop and revise their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), with the support of funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF).131. The culmination of the process of developing a biodiversity strategy for the Caribbean, where the priorities of the region are established, as well as developing possible joint actions at the regional and national levels to combat the driving forces that cause alteration and destruction of ecosystems that are vital to the productivity of the Caribbean biome is expected.132. The region is preparing for the twelfth Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species that will be held in Indonesia in October of 2017. A regional preparatory meeting was organized for this Conference of the Parties in the city of La Paz, Bolivia, 18-20July, 2017.

Decision 11 –Oceans133. This decision stressed the importance of the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and seas and their resources for sustainable development. The Latin America and the Caribbean region took important steps to combat the growing pollution of the oceans, including marine litter as well as nutrient pollution reduction through better management of agricultural practices. Likewise, coordination and governance of the region's seas were strengthened through the regional seas conventions.

Progress - Implemented Activities and Results Achieved

134. The Thirteenth Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity held in Mexico, 4-17 December, 2016, also addressed the growing problem in the oceans and their possible reduction in productivity due to mainly three factors: (1) overfishing; (2) pollution and (3) climate change.135. The biodiversity convention, through its Sustainable Oceans Initiative, held a regional meeting for Central America and the Caribbean in February of 2017 that focused on improving the understanding of integrated ecosystem management and the use of the marine spatial planning tool. This meeting enabled countries to conduct case studies on how to apply marine spatial planning, for implementation in their respective national contexts.136. The region made progress in the development of regional plans for marine litter, as part of the countries' commitments to regional seas conventions, the Cartagena (Caribbean) Convention and the Lima (Southeast

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Pacific) Convention. These action plans form the basis for tackling the growing problem of marine litter, including micro-plastics.137. There is progress at the national level in recognizing the problem of marine litter, especially plastic in the oceans. Three countries (Costa Rica, Panama and Uruguay) joined the launch on 23 February 2017 of the UN Global Environment Campaign on Clean Seas. Efforts to increase awareness of the importance of combating marine litter due to its high impact on the oceans from the environmental and socio-economic perspective are beginning to bear fruit in the steps that countries are taking in legislation, like bills to eliminate or limit the use of plastic bags in several Caribbean islands. Similarly, the mobilization of civil society around this issue has increased as evidenced by the increase in beach clean-up activities and information available to the general public.138. The region is continuing to reach goal 11 of the Aichi Targets, which calls on countries to conserve at least 10% of their territorial waters destined for marine protected areas. In the region of Latin America and the Caribbean, an estimated increase from 3% in 2015 to 7% in 2017 is expected.139. As stated in the prior decision which also relates to this one, a growing area of interest for the region is the need for greater understanding of the blue forests - mangroves, underwater meadows and marshes – which are key in carbon capture and storage. 140. The region prepared for the United Nations Conference on Oceans to be held in New York, USA, 5-9 June 2017. This conference placed particular emphasis on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goal No. 14 on oceans.

Future Activities

141. An alliance with relevant organizations is expected to advance to a national level in the understanding of the blue forests - mangroves, seagrass beds and marshes.142. Of particular importance to the region is the increased understanding of integrated management of marine ecosystems and the use of the marine spatial planning tool. In this sense, it is hoped to hold regional workshops in alliance with the conventions of the regional seas.143. The region has an opportunity to integrate oceans into its development agenda through the inclusion of the Sustainable Development Goal No. 14, whose purpose is to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development. In this sense, it is proposed to conduct a study on how the region can cope with these commitments involving inter-sectoral coordination.144. An area of importance to the region is to understand "blue economy" , namely, to understand how the region can improve the use of marine resources in a more sustainable and efficient way. This includes improving fishing practices, nutrient management and pesticides in the agricultural sector and

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the use of marine spatial planning tools for sectors such as the coastal tourism sector.145. Further legislative progress is expected on laws on the subject of marine litter, specifically those that aimed at encouraging a decrease in the use of non-recyclable plastics. Public awareness campaigns are also expected in several countries in the region.

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