NAIROBI, KEN / WASHINGTON, DC – Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) experts will be in Nairobi and available for comment during the Open-Ended Committee of Permanent Representatives (OECPR) and the second part of the Fifth United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) from February 19th – March 2nd. UNEA 5.2 is the first hybrid meeting of the highest decision-making body on environmental matters in the UN system since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
CIEL experts will closely follow negotiations, tracking progress toward establishing a mandate toward a legal instrument on plastic. In particular, they will monitor the progress toward an instrument that addresses the full life cycle of plastic, whether it is legally binding, and the development of specific provisions and targets for use in negotiations.
Beyond plastics, CIEL staff will be tracking two other developments: first, an “omnibus” resolution that seeks to address issues with chemicals and waste through financing, extending support for the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), responses to “issues of concern,” and second, the link to human rights and the establishment of an ad hoc open-ended working group (OEWG) to prepare a proposal for the establishment of a new panel on chemicals, waste, and pollution.
CIEL staff will be monitoring public participation throughout negotiations.
CIEL Experts in Nairobi:
David Azoulay — CIEL Senior attorney, Director of Environmental Health program, head of CIEL’s delegation at UNEA. He will focus on the plastic treaty process, chemical and health global policy, science-policy interface, and institutional issues. David will be in Nairobi from Feb 19th to March 3rd. Follow David on Twitter.
Jane Patton — CIEL Plastics & Petrochemicals Campaign Manager. Jane specializes in civil society participation and coordination into the plastics agenda at UNEA and the scientific and social basis for global governance on plastics. Jane will be in Nairobi from Feb 20th to Mar 3rd. Follow Jane on Twitter.
Andrés Del Castillo — CIEL Senior Attorney. Andrés specializes in international negotiations, the legal aspects of the plastics treaty, and right holders’ involvement in multilateral processes. Andrés will be in Nairobi from February 19 to March 4th. Follow Andrés on Twitter.
Giulia Carlini — CIEL Senior Attorney, specializing in chemicals and waste, the links between plastic and health, the science-policy interface, and stakeholders’ participation focused on the Women’s Major Group. Giulia will be in Nairobi from February 19th to March 4th. Follow Giulia on Twitter.
Additional availability:
Carroll Muffett — CIEL President and CEO focusing on climate litigation, corporate accountability, corporate climate denial, carbon capture and storage, false climate solutions, the climate impacts of plastics, and the role of fossil fuels in the climate crisis. Carroll will be following UNEA remotely. Follow Carroll on Twitter.
Media contact:
Cate Bonacini — CIEL Communications Manager. Cate will be in Nairobi for the duration of UNEA. To schedule an interview or to be added to our press list for UNEA, please reach out to press@ciel.org, or on Whatsapp: +1-510-520-9109.
Posted on February 14, 2022