Brussels, June 4 - UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner concluded a successful visit today to Brussels, Belgium to meet with senior leaders from the European Parliament and the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP), and to speak at the European Development Days conference.
The Executive Director met with Mr. Davor Ivo Stier, Member of the European Parliament, member of the Parliament's Development Committee, and lead rapporteur for the Parliament on the UN Sustainable Development Goals process. They discussed the global sustainable development and environment agenda and opportunities for enhanced cooperation with UNEP.
The Executive Director then participated in a high-level panel discussion on the relationship of the environment to good governance and corruption as part of the European Development Days, which brings together over 400 organizations and more than 5,000 development cooperation practitioners. Here, Steiner outlined the link between corruption and environmental crime, emphasizing the importance of environmental rule of law, and explained how an inclusive green economy can contribute substantially to good governance.
Finally, the Executive Director took the opportunity to meet with the new head of the ACP Secretariat, Mr. Patrick I. Gomes, to discuss how to continue to strengthen the partnership and cooperation between UNEP and the ACP.
