GENeva Environment Network

#Environment: What's Up in #GENeva from 26 Oct – 1 Nov? ✅ #GFC #IC1 ✅ #UNTOC2026 Outcomes ✅ #COP17Armenia ✅ #COP31 ✅ 2026 #UNWaterConference ✅ #HumanRights & Envt. ✅ #DeepSeabedDay ✅ #GreenAutumn ✅ & more Check events, #jobs, suggestions ▶️ tiny.cc/GEN26Oct-1No...

#Live now! The first Global Framework on Chemicals Conference #GFC #IC1 will be taking place in #GENeva. Join this briefing that focuses on bringing finance to action for a planet free of harm from chemicals and waste. @unep.org ▶️ tiny.cc/GEN27Oct26 📺 youtube.com/watch?v=WcHKlwl0Pao

Addressing chemicals & waste is not only an environmental imperative but an investment in the future. In closing, Michel Tschirren of #Switzerland stresses the importance of not only mobilizing more finance but ensuring resources are directed to where they can generate impact.

"#IC1 is the moment at which the Global Framework on Chemicals moves into full implementation.” With three weeks to go before #GFC #IC1, the discussion underscored that finance should become an engine of implementation, not a separate discussion. ▶️ tiny.cc/GEN27Oct26

Highlighting financing needs, Eduardo Caldera-Petit of #GFC shares proposals to be considered at #IC1 on making existing grants generate longer-term financing, develop new investment mechanism to mobilize larger capital flows & establish more predictable support for Secretariat.

Focusing on outcomes of discussions on #EPR and private investment at Berlin Forum, Matthias Wolf of #Germany underscores #GFC #IC1 provides an opportunity for supporting intl. cooperation on data harmonization, development & testing of EPR schemes, and facilitating partnerships.

#GFC Head Kay Williams shares main decisions for consideration at #IC1 in relation to "Investing for Impact": 🔹 Revised GFC Fund ToR 🔹 Continue Benefits of Action activity & expand Value Chain Transition 🔹 Continue developing financial modelling approach

With #GFC #IC1 working documents now available, Secretariat Head Kay Williams present ongoing preparations for the upcoming meeting, including information on the conference schedule and the High-Level Dialogue. ▶️ www.unep.org/en/global-fr...

#GFC Bureau VP Santos Virgilio of #Angola highlights finance and implementation should be part of the discussion, as this enables countries and stakeholders to translate commitments into concrete, measurable progress through mobilized resources & strengthened partnerships.

Mobilizing capital requires more than ambition. Eric Usher of @unep.org highlights that while #GFC can set where financing needs to be directed, the transition to safer, more sustainable chemicals management requires aligning financial flows, including investments, with environmental objectives.

The GEN is at the 14th session of #EMRTD, as it celebrates the 40th anniversary of the UN Declaration on #RightToDevelopment. This morning's thematic discussion focuses on businesses and RTD in the age of mandatory human rights due diligence. ▶️ www.ohchr.org/sites/defaul...

Discussing how the LBI on #BizHumanRights could contribute to RTD, Deputy PR Walter Schuldt of #Ecuador underscored the evolution of corporate human rights due diligence standards and how the LBI can place a common framework for greater intl. coordination to protect human rights.

As #RightToDevelopment and respect for human rights are mutually reinforcing rather than competing, WG on #BizHumanRights Vice-Chair Fernanda Hopenhaym highlights that human rights due diligence is not a box-ticking requirement, but an essential tool for ensuring responsible business conduct.

The GEN is at MACO (Manufacture Collaborative) for a tour organized by #2050Today on the ecosystem dedicated to experimenting with new modes of production and consumption, demonstrating that alternative models are possible at a local level. ▶️ 2050today.org/tour-of-the-...

"Businesses should move beyond do-no-harm approach to integrate broader human rights considerations into operations." Amid ongoing LBI negotiations on #BizHumanRIghts, Xiaohui Liang of #EMRTD underscores HRDD can advance RTD while preventing human rights and environmental risks.

The #MontevideoProgramme promotes environmental rule of law, strengthens capacities and contributes to 2030 Agenda. Join the briefing as part of @unep.org Environmental Law Week highlighting the Programme's role in advancing envt. law. 📆 3 November, 9:30 CET ▶️ tiny.cc/GEN5Nov26

Today, Darwin Forever Association members visited the International #EnvironmentHouse. Engaging exchanges took place on #GENeva as a global hub for environmental governance, with a spotlight on the work of @brsconventions.bsky.social with Amelie Taofiq-Cailliau.

Today, SIT Study Abroad Int'l Studies students visited the Int'l #EnvironmentHouse for an intro on #GENeva as a global hub for env't governance! Engaging discussions Took place with Whitney Wanjiku Mwangy on @unops.org’s work and Rowan Palmer of @unep.org on resilient & sustainable infrastructures.

Today, Sciences Po Bordeaux students visited Int'l #EnvironmentHouse for an intro on #GENeva as a global hub for env't governance! Rich exchanges took place with Rafael Moser of @unep.org Disasters & Conflicts Branch on climate, peace & security and Kate O’Connor on her experience as an intern.

The GEN is at the high-level briefing on Meetings of the governing bodies of the Air Convention, Espoo Convention & its Protocol on SEA and Industrial Accidents Convention, taking place in December in #GENeva. ▶️ unece.org/environmenta...

Consult highlights of the information session for the Focal Points and other stakeholders of the Espoo Convention and its Protocol on SEA on the forthcoming MoP-10/MoP-6.

GENeva Environment Network@genevaenvironmentnetwork.org

Delving into a more technical segment, the Secretariat offers the 1st advanced information session for the Focal Points and other stakeholders of the Espoo Convention and its Protocol on SEA on the forthcoming MoP-10/MoP-6, supporting informed and effective participation.

and other stakeholders of the Industrial Accidents Convention on the forthcoming #CoP14.

GENeva Environment Network@genevaenvironmentnetwork.org

Complementing the High-Level Briefing, the #UNECE Secretariat is holding a briefing for the Focal Points and other stakeholders of the Industrial Accidents Convention on the forthcoming #CoP14 to support preparation and provide an opportunity to pose questions.

The Secretariat reiterates that that financial pledges at CoP-14 are critical to implementing the workplan, and is inviting governments to communicate, where possible, the amounts they intend to pledge by 11 November 2026.

CoP-14 is also expected to consider guiding principles for financial assistance, prioritizing eligible countries in Eastern and South-Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia, with support beyond the UNECE region where funding allows.

Martin Merkofer of #Switzerland presents the Draft updated Guidelines and decision to facilitate the identification of hazardous activities, in relation to mine tailings safety, showing that the new methodology aims to improve risk assessment and strengthen revention.

Secretary Franziska Hirsch presented the proposed 2027–2028 workplan, which will include 8 workstreams and various outputs for the upcoming years, requiring $4.26 million in funding.

Alan Bond of @uniofeastanglia.bsky.social shares findings of a study on the use of LLMs & machine learning in environmental impact assessments. He stresses project approval depends heavily on the model & the prompts, with both contextual and structural bias, making human oversight essential.

On the road to the meetings in #GENeva, the Chair & the Secretariat invite all to review draft decisions and meeting documents to ensure an efficient meeting, and to submit comments in anticipation to support efficient decision-making.

Following a presentation on elections at the upcoming meeting, the Secretariat presented an overview of the Global seminar on the Safe and Secure Management of Hazardous Chemicals, taking place on 8 December, which will include an opening high-level panel and launch of a report.

Maud Casier of #EU outlines a CoP-14 proposal establishing and mandating an open-ended Expert Group on the Industrial Safety of the Energy Transition (ISET) replacing the Extended Small Group, as a flexible, expert-driven platform for cooperation, guidance development & exchange.

With Industrial Accidents Convention CoP-14 taking place on 9-10 December, Secretary Franziska Hirsch provides an overview of the key agenda items over two days, with a high-level dialogue on Natech risk management.

Key decisions for adoption include: 🔸 Amending Guidelines to facilitate identification of hazardous activities on tailings management facilities 🔸 Strengthening intl cooperation to advance industrial safety of energy transition 🔸 Guiding principles for financial assistance

Ahead of COP14 in #Geneva on 9–10 December, Chair Marie-Claire Lhenry of #France highlights key priorities: strengthening Natech risk management, addressing industrial safety challenges linked to the energy transition and securing commitments.

40 years after the Sandoz chemical accident, Paola Deda of #UNECE highlights the growing importance of the Convention as climate hazards, urbanization and emerging technologies reshape risks. She calls for stronger prevention and cooperation ahead of the December COP.

Sharing an overview of progress thus far, the Secretariat provides details on: ▪️ High-Level Segment - with registration for speakers, nominations on 30 Oct & for statements on 15 Nov ▪️ Documents (11 of 15 already available) ▪️ Deadlines for submission of comments on documents.

Providing an outlook on Industrial Accidents Convention CoP-14, Secretary Franziska Hirsch presents highlights: 🔸 High-Level Dialogue on climate change impacts on natech risks 🔸 Strategic session on industrial safety amid the energy transition 🔸 Safe management of hazardous chemicals

"The world needs good decisions and concrete actions resulting from efforts under the multilateral environmental agreements." Ahead of the December meetings in #GENeva, the briefing underscored strengthening links among environmental assessment, air pollution control & industrial safety.

Describing the priorities for the 46th session of the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution Executive Body, Albena Karadjova of #UNECE spotlights: 🔹 Gothenburg Protocol revision 🔹 Revised doc on emission control techniques for mobile sources 🔹 Inventories

Presenting key priorities for Espoo Convention and its Protocol on SEA meetings, Chair George Kremlis & Secretary Elena Santer spotlight discussions that will tackle work plan, financial arrangements, among others, resulting in a #GENeva Declaration on a forward-looking vision.

“An industrial accident does not stop at the border.” H.E. Amb. Céline Jurgensen of #France welcomed the growing participation in the Industrial Accidents Convention, called for adapting industrial safety to climate change, and highlighted emerging risks from energy transition.

“The treaties show how countries can turn political commitment into practical actions across borders.” #UNECE Exec. Sec. Tatiana Molcean underscored reaffirmed the importance of upcoming meetings as an opportunity to turn decades of multilateral commitments into practical action.

“The success of Air Convention demonstrates that multilateral cooperation works.” Ahead of the Global Methane Forum in 2027 in #GENeva, H.E. Amb. Peter MacDougall of #Canada, Chair of the EB, underscores need for stronger methane action for climate, air quality & human health.

As we mark 35 years of #EspooConvention, H.E. Amb. Ioannis Ghikas of #Greece highlights its role in "providing countries with a framework for preventing environmental harm and building confidence through early dialogue", encouraging wider accession and stronger implementation.

As part of @unep.org Environmental Law Week, join this briefing that will provide an overview of the #MontevideoProgramme V and its role in advancing environmental law, and highlight opportunities to engage in its implementation. 📆 3 November, 9:30 CET ▶️ tiny.cc/GEN5Nov26

#Environment: What's Up in #GENeva from 19–25 Oct? ✅ 2026 #UNECE Environmental Treaty Meetings ✅ #ILPPW ✅ #COP17Armenia ✅ #COP31 ✅ 2026 #UNWaterConference ✅ #UNTOC COP13 ✅ #FoodSecurity ✅ #GreenAutumn ✅ & more Check events, #jobs, suggestions ▶️ tiny.cc/GEN19-25Oct26