The United Nations earlier in 2015 launched the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which seeks to improve on the achievements of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and with a target year of 2030.

Clearly in a move sequel to this, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on the 14^th of December, 2015 launched a new initiative Environment and Trade Hub at the sidelines of the World Trade Organization?s (WTO) 10^th Ministerial Conference in Nairobi, Kenya.

The initiative is aimed at helping countries achieve the 2030 sustainable Development Agenda in 2030 while using Sustainable Trade as a vehicle in reaching the goals.

UNEP Executive Director Mr. Steiner said, "UNEP is already working directly with many governments and other stakeholders to implement an inclusive green economy in countries across all continents.

"The Hub holds enormous potential to build on this experience and help unlock the true capabilities of developing countries, using trade as a motor for sustainable development and environmental protection, and benefitting every single one of us."

"We need to ensure that the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including the SDGs and the Financing for Development Action Agenda, are fully incorporated into national trade policies and trade agreements that are negotiated at bilateral, regional and international levels," said Mr. Steiner.

The UNEP website reports that the Hub offers:

 - Capacity building services for developing countries such as tailored technical trainings to support international, regional and national design and implementation of sustainable trade and investment policies

 - Targeted stakeholder trainings technical assistance in designing trade and environment related agreements development of tools, methodologies and indicators for sustainable trade

 - Identification and dissemination of best practices support to stakeholder consultations and national, regional, and international dialogues on advancing sustainable trade

 - The identification of sector- or region-specific sustainable production and trade opportunities.

 

This is indeed a very timely initiative. It came at a time where huge investments are needed in renewable energy, food security, sustainable agriculture and climate change mitigation measures. I am really happy with the vision of the UNEP as this will assist countries willing to adopt climate-smart development measures to achieve their goals. It is equally important that for Africa, this initiative will also magnify the prospects of the African Renewable Energy Initiative (AREI) which was launched at the COP 21 in Paris by the President of the African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, as African nations prepare to develop in a green and more sustainable way with minimal emissions.

The UNEP also has a dedicated website for this green economy initiative of Environment and Trade Hub

 

Source: UNEP

Photo by: UNEP