UN agencies launch new partnership

Organisation, UN Industrial Development Organisation and the UN Institute for Training and Research will partner in a new project aimed at reactivating the momentum towards achieving green economy targets among beneficiary nations.

The new Partnership for Action on Green Economy is a response to the outcome document of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development(RIO+20),entitled the Future We Want, which recognises the green economy as a vehicle for sustainable development and poverty reduction,” the agencies said in a joint statement issued in Nairobi.

During the RIO+20 summit in June last year, governments requested UN agencies to strengthen the capacity for countries to accelerate their low carbon transition and achieve sustainable development.

It is hoped that the new partnership will enable countries build national green economy strategies to generate new jobs and skills, promote clean technologies, and reduce poverty and environmental depletion.

“This is yet another example of how UNEP with partners is implementing the outcomes of RIO+20,” said UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner. He added that UN agencies will support developing countries establish conducive policies to accelerate low carbon pathways.

“The new Partnership for Action on Green Economy will work with countries to catalyse change at the national level, assisting them with targeted economic and policy instruments and training that will accelerate their green economy transition across sectors ranging from clean energy to sustainable agriculture,” Steiner said.

Several countries including Mexico, Nepal, South Africa and Barbados, have pioneered progressive initiatives to attain their green economy targets.
The statement said Germany, Kenya and the Republic of Korea, among other states have set out radical changes in their energy policies to harness the power of renewable s and re-invest in their natural capital.

“Lebanon and Madagascar are working to rebuild their agro- industries, while other countries like Peru and Senegal are focused on developing more capacity and green jobs,” said the statement. — Xinhua.