• Overview
  • Schedule
  • Documents
  • CSO Forum
  • Media
  • Side events

The third session of UN Environment’s Forum of Ministers & Environment Authorities of Asia Pacific, will take place from 23 to 25 January 2019 in Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre in Singapore. The Forum will focus on UNEA-4 theme ‘Innovative solutions for environmental challenges and sustainable consumption and production’. The Forum is an opportunity for Member States in Asia Pacific to bring an Asia Pacific perspective to discussions at the world's highest-level decision-making body on the environment, the UN Environment Assembly, which will meet in March 2019 in Nairobi. The meeting will be jointly organized by Singapore’s Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources and the UN Environment.

At the Forum, Member States will:

  • Review progress on implementation of UN Environment Assembly resolutions in Asia and the Pacific;
  • Review progress of regional forums where UN Environment is the secretariat, including Asia Pacific Clean Asia Partnership, Asia Pacific Adaptation Network, and Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia;
  • Identify priorities and engagement with Major Groups and Stakeholders in Asia Pacific;
  • Engage with private sector on environmental solutions;
  • Identify priorities and emerging issues from the region to be reflected in preparations for the upcoming UN Environment Assembly;
  • Provide regional inputs to the UN Environment Assembly theme and its draft outcome documents at its fourth session; and
  • Discuss challenges and opportunities to strengthen the regional environmental agenda for delivering the sustainable development goals and regional commitments to international agreements.  

The Forum is also an occasion for UN Environment partners, UN agencies, private sector representatives, scientists, academia, and civil society to bring their perspectives and ideas to achieve the environmental dimension of the 2030 sustainable development agenda.

Background

The 2nd Session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-2) of the United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) in May 2016 adopted Resolution No. 2/2 ‘Role and functions of the regional forums of ministers of environment and environment authorities’ in which it requested the Executive Director, within the mandate of UN Environment, to support and to facilitate convening and/or strengthening the existing regional forums of ministers of environment and environment authorities. In the first session of the Forum of Ministers and Environment Authorities of Asia Pacific held in May 2015, Member States requested the Executive Director of UN Environment to hold regular sessions of the Forum, convening every two years. The second session of the Forum of Ministers and Environment Authorities for Asia Pacific held in Sep 2017 in Bangkok under the theme ‘Towards a resource efficient and pollution free Asia-Pacific’ and provided regional inputs to 2017 UN Environment Assembly as a preparatory process.

Head of Delegation for the third Forum of Ministers and Environment Authorities of Asia Pacific

http://enb.iisd.org/ap/meaf3/

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

CONTACT

UN Environment

2nd floor, United Nations Building, Rajadamnern Nok Avenue, Bangkok 10200, Thailand

Telephone: (66-2) 288-1899 / E-mail: unep-apmf@un.org

Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources

40 Scotts Road, #24-00, Environment Building, Singapore 228231

Telephone: (65) 6731 9000 / Fax: (65) 6731 9456 / E-mail: mewr_international@mewr.gov.sg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23 Jan 2019

Time & Place
Event Details
08:00
Major Groups and Stakeholders’ Forum Registration
08:30
Opening session Opening video on development justice
Keynote speech
09:20
Session 1 - People’s Innovations to Address Environmental Challenges in Asia-Pacific Session 1 - People’s Innovations to Address Environmental Challenges in Asia-Pacific
10:30
Health Break Health Break
10:40
Session 2 - Sustainable Consumption and Production from Below Session 2 - Sustainable Consumption and Production from Below
11:40
Summary of Issues and Points from the thematic plenaries Process briefing: Objectives and methodologies for afternoon workshops

The facilitators will present the key issues and messages that will come out from the two thematic plenary sessions focusing on the two-pronged theme of UNEA-4. The objectives and mechanics of the workshops lined up for the afternoon will be explained before the session breaks up for lunch.
12:00
Lunch Break and Side Events Break.
12:15
Side Event 1: “Unleash the Power of Youth in Asia Pacific for Sustainable Development Goals” and Launch Event of the Global Environment Outlook-6 for Youth in Asia Pacific Side Event 1: “Unleash the Power of Youth in Asia Pacific for Sustainable Development Goals” and Launch Event of the Global Environment Outlook-6 for Youth in Asia Pacific
12:15
Side Event 2: “Empower Women in renewable energy, technology transfer and climate action to #SolveDifferent Asia Pacific” Side Event 2: “Empower Women in renewable energy, technology transfer and climate action to #SolveDifferent Asia Pacific”
14:00
Parallel Workshops The parallel workshops will provide opportunities for participants to discuss national and local issues in SCP and innovative solutions to environmental challenges, as well as for sharing of best practices, experiences and lessons. The assigned Facilitators per workshop will prepare guide questions to guide the workshop discussions and key messages will be drawn out as inputs to the regional Civil Society Statement.
15:30
Health Break Health Break
15:40
Plenary Report Back: Key Points from the Workshops for the Civil Society Statement Key messages from the thematic plenaries in the morning and the parallel workshops in the afternoon will be presented to the Plenary in this
session.
16:00
Deliberation and approval of the Collective CSO Statement to the Third Asia Pacific Forum of Ministers and Environment Authorities Collectively agreed messages that respond to the two-part theme of UNEA-4 and the agenda of the 3rd Forum of Ministers of Environment will be presented in the Civil Society Statement as the main output of the regional MGSF. Volunteers for the Drafting Committee will be requested from the participants.
16:40
Briefing on processes and opportunities for civil society interventions at the Third Forum of Ministers and Environment Authorities (+UNEA-4) AP-RCEM and the regional representatives will brief the participants on the processes and opportunities for civil society interventions in the
program of the Third Forum of Ministers and Environment Authorities on 24-25th January. Ways to optimize participation spaces and effective coordination with the Secretariat of UN Environment before and during the Forum will also be discussed. The briefing will also provide an overview of CSO role and participation opportunities in UNEA-4.
17:00
Interactive Session with UNEA-4 President Participants will have an opportunity for open and interactive discussions about UNEA-4 and other processes of UN Environment at the global and regional levels with H.E. Mr. Siim Kiisler, President of the UN Environment Assembly and Minister of Environment of Estonia.
17:45
Closing Plenary Representatives of AP-RCEM will deliver closing remarks for the regional MGSF
18:00
Drafting Committee Finalization of the CSO Statement The Drafting Committee comprised of volunteers from the participants and will be coordinated by a focal point from AP-RCEM, will meet after the regional CSO/MGS Forum to finalize the drafting of the CSO Statement to be presented at the 3rd Forum of Ministers and Environment Authorities.

The CSO Statement will present the key messages from the thematic plenaries and the parallel workshops as collectively agreed by the participants. The CSO Statement will serve as source reference for civil society interventions at the official process in the regional forum as well as at UNEA-4 in March. It will also serve as the official input of Asia-Pacific CSOs to the global CSO Statement at UNEA-4.
18:00
Dinner hosted by Carnegie Climate Geoengineering Governance Initiative (C2G2) Dinner

24 Jan 2019

Time & Place
Event Details
07:30
Senior Officials Meeting Registration
09:00
Agenda item 1 - Opening of the Senior Officials Meeting of the Third Forum of Ministers and Environment Authorities of Asia Pacific Welcome
Dr. Ramon J.P. Paje, Former Asia Pacific Vice President, 3rd United Nations Environment Assembly Bureau and Former Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Philippines (Chair)

H.E. Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State for Health and Environment & Water Resources, Singapore (tbc)

Dr. Dechen Tsering, Regional Director and Representative, UN Environment Programme, Asia and the Pacific

Inaugural address
H.E. Dr. Naser Moghaddasi, Asia Pacific Vice President, 4th UN Environment Assembly Bureau, and Deputy Head of the Department of Environment, Iran
09:30
Election of Officers and Adoption of the agenda Election of Officers and Adoption of the agenda.
09:45
Coffee/Tea Break Break
10:00
Agenda item 2: Review of the implementation of the resolutions of the United Nations Environment Assembly in Asia and the Pacific Introduction by the Secretariat

Country Statements
The agenda item will provide an opportunity to review the progress made in the implementation in Asia and the Pacific of resolutions adopted by the United Nations Environment Assembly and provide guidance on priorities to be addressed in the region.
11:00
Agenda item 3: Regional input to 2019 UN Environment Assembly outcome UN Environment Assembly theme: “Innovative Solutions for Environmental Challenges and Sustainable Consumption and Production”

Introduction by the Secretariat

Country Statements
The senior officials and stakeholders may wish to review the report and provide regional inputs, including priorities, action plan and good examples, on theme ‘Innovative Solutions for Environmental Challenges and Sustainable Consumption and Production’
12:00
Lunch Break and Side Events Break
12:30
Side Event 3- Catalyzing a global agenda on adaptation to climate change: exploring transboundary risks and opportunities in the Asia Pacific region “Catalyzing a global agenda on adaptation to climate change: exploring transboundary risks and opportunities in the Asia Pacific region”
12:20
Side Event 4- Electrifying the Transport Sector to Beat Air Pollution “Electrifying the Transport Sector to Beat Air Pollution”
14:00
Agenda item 3: Regional input to 2019 UN Environment Assembly outcome (continued) Draft resolutions for the 2019 UN Environment Assembly

Introduction by the Secretariat

Country Statements
Draft resolutions with respect to the theme ‘Innovative Solutions for Environmental Challenges and Sustainable Consumption and Production’ have been submitted by member states to the Secretariat of the Governing Bodies of the UN Environment Programme. The senior officials may wish to review the draft resolutions and provide regional inputs

Draft Ministerial Outcome for the 2019 UN Environment Assembly

Introduction by the Secretariat

Country statements
A process of consultation on a draft political declaration, addressing the theme of the fourth session of the UN Environment Assembly ‘Innovative Solutions for Environmental Challenges and Sustainable Consumption and Production’, was initiated by the President of the Assembly. The main objective is to develop, in a transparent and inclusive manner, a joint vision and achievable actions to address the theme. The senior officials are invited to provide regional inputs to the draft declaration of the UN Environment Assembly at its fourth session.
16:00
Coffee/Tea Break Break
16:15
Agenda item 4: Endorsement of the report of the Senior Officials of the Third Forum of Ministers and Environment Authorities of Asia Pacific Introduction by the secretariat

Endorsement of the report of the Senior Officials of the Third Forum of Ministers and Environment Authorities of Asia Pacific
18:15
Working Dinner Working Dinner

25 Jan 2019

Time & Place
Event Details
07:30
Ministerial Segment Registration
09:00
Agenda item 5: Opening of the ministerial segment of the Third Forum of Ministers and Environment Authorities of Asia Pacific Welcome address
H.E. Mr. Masagos Zulkifli, Minister, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Singapore and Chair of the 2nd Forum of Ministers and
Environment Authorities of Asia Pacific (Chair)

H.E Mr. Siim Kiisler, Minister of Environment of Estonia and the President of the 4th UN Environment Assembly
Ms. Joyce Msuya, Acting Executive Director, UN Environment Programme

Keynote address

H.E. Mr. Teo Chee Hean, Deputy Prime Minister, Singapore
H.E. Maithripala Sirisena, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and Minister of Mahaweli Development & Environment
H.E. Mr. Enele Sosene Sopoaga, Prime Minister of Tuvalu
09:45
Election of officers and Adoption of the agenda Election of officers and Adoption of the agenda
10:00
Group photo-taking for VVIPs and HODs, coffee/tea break Break.
10:30
Agenda item 6: Dialogue on policy support for innovative solutions and sustainable consumption and production Dialogue on policy support for innovative solutions and sustainable consumption and production

A ministerial panel will initiate discussion on policy support for innovative solutions and sustainable consumption and production in Asia and the Pacific.

The ministers and heads of delegations will be able to engage in interactive dialogue with the panel.

Moderator: BBC Anchor Rico Hizon (tbc)

Panelists:
▪ Hon. Ms Fiame Naomi Mataafa, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Samoa
▪ H.E. Mr. Masagos Zulkifli, Minister, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Singapore
▪ H.E. Mr. Malik Amin Aslam, Advisor to Prime Minister of Pakistan and Federal Minister of Climate Change
▪ H.E. Mr. Cho Myung Rae, Minister of Environment, Republic of Korea
▪ H.E. Ms Yeo Bee Yin, Minister of Energy Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change, Malaysia
12:15
Lunch Break and Side Events Break.
12:45
Room 4103, Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore
Side Event 6 - Incentivizing Action to Beat Plastic Pollution Side event
13:00
Room 4102, Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore
Side Event 5 - Making the Money Flow: Policy Levers and Financing Vehicles for Circular and Green Economies Side event.
14:15
Agenda item 7: Dialogue on financing for innovative solutions and sustainable consumption and production Dialogue on financing for innovative solutions and sustainable consumption and production:

An interactive dialogue will be organized to initiate discussion on policy measures to address critical challenges related to sustainable consumption and production in Asia and the Pacific. The ministers, heads of delegations and other stakeholders will have opportunity to engage in an interactive dialogue with the panel to share perspective on innovative solutions and commitments to address sustainable consumption and production in national, subregional and regional levels.

Moderator: BBC Anchor Rico Hizon (tbc)

Panelists:

▪ H.E. Mr. Yasuo Takahashi, Vice-Minister for Global Environmental Affairs, Ministry of the Environment, Japan
▪ Ms. Joyce Msuya, Acting Executive Director, UN Environment Programme
▪ Ms. Oyun Sanjaasuren, Director of External Affairs, Green Climate Fund
▪ Mr. Vipul Shah, Chief Operating Officer, Petrochemicals, Reliance Industries Limited, India
▪ Dr. Kazuhiko Takeuchi, President, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, Japan
16:00
Agenda item 8: Presentation of senior officials report and draft outcome of the Third Forum of Ministers and Environment Authorities of Asia Pacific Presentation of senior officials report and draft outcome of the Third Forum of Ministers and Environment Authorities of Asia Pacific
16:30
Coffee/Tea Break Break.
16:45
Agenda item 9: Adoption of the outcomes of the Third Forum of Ministers and Environment Authorities of Asia Pacific Adoption of the outcomes of the Third Forum of Ministers and Environment Authorities of Asia Pacific

The ministers and heads of delegation will consider the draft report of the senior officials and the draft ministerial outcome (Chair’s Summary) for adoption. The outcome will reflect policy perspective and commitments in Asia Pacific to address the theme of the fourth session of the UN Environment Assembly ‘Innovative Solutions for Environmental Challenges and Sustainable Consumption and Production’.
17:30
Agenda item 10: Closing session Closing remarks.
19:30
Official Reception hosted by the Government of Singapore The Official Reception will be held at Marina Barrage, Singapore’s first reservoir in the heart of the city. All delegates are cordially invited to attend. Return transport to the venue will be provided. Cocktail begins at 1900 hrs.

26 Jan 2019

Time & Place
Event Details
09:00
Field visit. The Singapore government has specially curated site visits to four destinations to showcase how environmental challenges are tackled in Singapore. From water supply to waste management, you will have the chance to go behind the scenes to find out more.

OPTION 1: MARINA BARRAGE, 0900 – 1200 hrs

Built across the mouth of Marina Channel in 2008, the Marina Barrage creates Singapore’s 15th reservoir, and the first in the heart of the city. Marina Barrage brings about three benefits: a source of water supply, flood control and a venue for lifestyle attraction. Housed at Marina Barrage is the Sustainable Singapore Gallery, which incorporates educational boards and digital exhibits showcasing initiatives for environmental sustainability in Singapore.

OPTION 2 – NEWATER VISITOR CENTRE, 0900 – 1300 hrs

NEWater is high-grade reclaimed water produced from treated used water. Introduced more than a decade ago, it is an innovative solution that enables Singapore to expand its available water resources and enhance its climate resilience. The NEWater Visitor Centre, an education hub that promotes water sustainability in Singapore, shares how NEWater is produced. Visitors will be able to view the membranes and ultraviolet technologies used in the purification process in the water recycling plant adjoining the Centre, and will have a chance to sample NEWater.

OPTION 3 – OUR TAMPINES HUB, 0900 – 1230 hrs

Our Tampines Hub (OTH) is Singapore’s first and largest integrated community and lifestyle hub. Envisioned as a ‘place of many places’, its design aims at enabling and empowering residents to enrich their lives through the activities and programmes of their choice at this lifestyle destination offering more than thirty community, sports, cultural, civic and lifestyle facilities. In addition to on-site design elements that support a closed loop system of environmental features and solutions, OTH features an Eco-Digester Centre that can process up to 1.4 tonnes of food waste generated daily from the Hawker Centre, supermarket and F&B establishments. OTH also widely uses Singapore Green Building Products and Singapore Green Label products and has established an Environmental Policy and Green Guide for staff and tenants.

Major Groups and Stakeholders’ Forum on the Environment

The Third Forum of Ministers and Environment Authorities of the Asia Pacific will take place from 24th to 25th of January 2019 in Singapore, with a one-day Major Group and Stakeholders’ Forum on 23rd January 2019. The meeting is jointly organized by Singapore’s Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources and the United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) Asia and the Pacific Office. The meeting also serves as a platform for Member States and Major Groups and Stakeholders to contribute regional perspectives to the fourth session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-4) that will be held in March 2019 in Nairobi, Kenya. It will carry the theme: “Innovative solutions for environmental challenges and sustainable consumption and production.” The proposed focus areas are:

  • Environmental challenges related to poverty and natural resources management, including sustainable food systems, food security and halting biodiversity loss;
  • Life-cycle approaches to resource efficiency, energy, chemicals and waste management;
  • Innovative sustainable business development at a time of rapid technological change.

The Major Group and Stakeholders’ Forum is intended to provide a platform for major groups and stakeholders and social movements to organize their positions and strategic inputs, and ensure that voices of marginalized sectors and grassroots are included in the Third Forum of Ministers. The outcome of the Major Group and Stakeholders’ Forum will present a collective Major Group and Stakeholders’ input to the Forum of Ministers and a regional Major Group and Stakeholders’ input to UNEA-4 in 2019.

The Major Group and Stakeholders’ Forum will aim to:

  • Enable major groups and stakeholders and grassroots representatives to prepare their collective views and positions on the issues at UNEA-4 and on the agenda of the 3rd Forum of Ministers and to ensure equitable opportunities to present those during the official sessions;
  • Ensure that the voice and views of major groups and stakeholders and grassroots movement in the region on the various issues in the UNEA-4 theme will be adequately and fairly presented and reflected in the Asia-Pacific regional inputs to UNEA-4;
  • Provide opportunities for major groups and stakeholders and grassroots representatives from across the region to understand and deliberate on the issues in innovative solutions to environmental challenges and sustainable consumption and production relevant to the specific situation and experiences in Asia-Pacific.

The format of the one-day Major Group and Stakeholders’ Forum will also enable active participation and productive deliberation among the participants. Plenary sessions will involve interactive processes while illuminating issues on the agenda, and offer contributions based on on-the-ground experiences and lessons from across Asia-Pacific. Workshops/group discussions will also be organized to allow opportunities for participants to focus on specific topics that will contribute to achieving the objectives of the Major Group and Stakeholders’ Forum.  A collective Statement from Major Group and Stakeholders summarizing the key inputs and positions of the participants on the agenda of the Third Forum of Ministers and Environment Authorities of the Asia Pacific will be adopted as main outcome document.

Agenda

Note: The geographical coverage of the UN Environment Asia-Pacific office includes 41 Member States: Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Cook Islands, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Japan, Kiribati, Korea (Democratic People's Republic of), Korea (the Republic of), Lao PDR, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Mongolia, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, New Zealand, Niue, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Viet Nam.

EMPOWER WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY, TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND CLIMATE ACTION TO #SOLVEDIFFERENT ASIA PACIFIC

12:15 to 13:45, Wednesday, 23 January 2019, Room 4102, Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore

Across Asia and the Pacific, women are leading innovative solutions in various sectors that contribute to sustainable living, environmental management and climate action. There is a wealth of new knowledge, innovative experiences and useful lessons to be shared such as women’s entrepreneurship in renewable energy, leadership in driving sustainable consumption solutions and governments’ commitment for the role of gender in addressing climate change.

This side event will explore the opportunities to #SolveDifferent by making women agents of change in environmental management, technology transfer and climate action in Asia Pacific. It will reflect on the role of gender in environmental management, address the benefits and trade-offs and how this region can drive the transition to more equitable and sustainable solutions.

Speakers' bios Flyer

UNLEASH THE POWER OF YOUTH IN ASIA PACIFIC FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 

12:00 to 13:45, Wednesday, 23 January 2019, Room 4103, Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore

The Global Environment Outlook (GEO) provides a comprehensive picture of the world’s environmental trends and challenges. It is a series of products that informs environmental decision-making for governments and various stakeholders, and enhances the interaction between science and policy.

The Global Environment Outlook for Youth in Asia-Pacific report aims to inspire and empower students and young professionals to integrate environmental considerations in their lifestyles, occupational disciplines and professional practices. Developed by a group of young scholars from regional partner institutions, the report will be available in multiple languages.

The side event will showcase the findings of the report and provides a platform for young leaders and professionals to share insights on sustainable behavioural change and practices. The side event will also highlight existing initiatives in Asia Pacific that drive actions towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

ELECTRIFYING THE TRANSPORT SECTOR TO BEAT AIR POLLUTION

12:25 to 13:45, Thursday, 24 January 2019, Room 4102, Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore

The Asia Pacific region is at the center of a public health crisis, with over 4 million people dying prematurely each year due to air pollution. Electric mobility is one of the most effective 25 measures identified by UN Environment and its partners to help beat air pollution in the region. Asia-Pacific is already a showcase for electric mobility, yet many countries and cities are not yet able to fully mainstream and maximize benefits from electric mobility.

This side-event aims to:

  • Highlight electric mobility as a measure to beat air pollution in Asia Pacific;
  • Inform Asia-Pacific Environment Ministers and senior officials on the state-of-the-art of electric mobility and benefits for environment; and
  • Identify opportunities to mobilize technical and financial support for electric mobility.

CATALYSING A GLOBAL AGENDA ON ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE: EXPLORING TRANSBOUNDARY RISKS AND OPPORTUNITIES IN THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION

12:30 to 13:45, Thursday, 24 January 2019, Room 4103, Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore

Paris Climate Change Agreement has recognised adaptation as a “global challenge” and framed almost exclusively as a national-to-local concern, while the broader international dimension of climate risk has received little attention in negotiations and pragmatic planning for adaptation. In an increasingly globalised world, it is important to understand how climate change and adaptation will affect interdependent relationships, adaptation measures and responses including understanding cross-border climate risks and informing adaptation planning and communication under the Convention. This side event will explore the transboundary risks that result from both the impacts of climate change and the effects of adaptation interventions (positive and negative). It will focus on the following aspects: (a) the state of knowledge on transboundary climate risks and the transboundary consequences of adaptation interventions (both planned and unintended) and build a common understanding among the target audience of adaptation as a global challenge; (b) highlight examples and case studies of transboundary risks within the Asia Pacific region, and the broader inputs and measures required to move this agenda forward, including the benefits to national-level actors; (c) encourage shared learning on relevant cross-border initiatives, projects and platforms within the region, to highlight the incentives that could be harnessed to better account for transboundary climate risk (across sectors, geographies and communities) and illustrate possible/appropriate policy responses; and (d) assess subsequent actions, roles and responsibilities (for different actors within policy and practice) and concrete opportunities to bring such grounded evidence to bear in the UNFCCC negotiations and/or other legal frameworks/conventions (highlighting common agendas and promoting policy coherence).

INCENTIVIZING ACTION TO BEAT PLASTIC POLLUTION 

12:45 to 14:00, Friday, 25 January 2019, Room 4103, Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore

An environmental threat that has attracted unprecedented level of attention in recent years is plastic pollution. In March 2017, UN Environment Programme launched the Clean Seas campaign to clean up the world’s oceans and forge global commitments against marine litter and plastic pollution. The global awareness has since turned into action; with commitments from 57 nations approaching 70 percent of the world’s coastlines, the global Clean Seas campaign is now the largest global compact for combatting marine litter. The Call for Action adopted at the 2017 high-level UN Ocean Conference - to address marine plastic litter through partnerships and leveraging action by all stakeholders – continue spreading across Asia and the Pacific.

Now that stakeholders’ attention has since shifted from “pledges” to “implementation”, incentivizing the society – including individuals, businesses, local governments, civil society groups – to plough ahead to beat plastic pollution is crucial. This side event will bring together prominent players in the transition to share experience in taking actions to beat plastic pollution; and introduce debates on incentives that are necessary for Asia and the Pacific to become Plastic Pollution Free.

Speakers' bios

MAKING THE MONEY FLOW: POLICY LEVERS AND FINANCING VEHICLES FOR CIRCULAR AND GREEN ECONOMIES

13:00 to 14:00, Friday, 25 January 2019, Room 4102, Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore

PAGE was conceived at Rio+20 in 2012 to promote the transition to green economy. With a focus on achieving Sustainable Development Goal 8 (inclusive and sustainable economic growth) and 17 (global partnership for sustainable development), PAGE and other partnerships can help unlock the flows of finance needed to make the 2030 Agenda a reality.

The session will explore best practices and raise awareness in the Asia Pacific region about innovative financing and how it is being used to tackle environmental challenges and sustainable consumption and production. This session particularly will showcase successful PAGE projects and other initiatives to promote spill-over effect around the region. The side event will also provide opportunities to exchange different policies and enabling conditions already in place to promote the transition to green economy, for example, by mobilizing both public and private finance for infrastructure, technology and productive capacity needed to make economies greener and more circular.