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26 May 2016

PAGE Celebrates the Joining of Three New Countries: Barbados, Kyrgyz Republic and Brazil (Mato Grosso State)

Representatives posing for photo

The Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) celebrated the joining of three new countries to its community: Barbados, Kyrgyz Republic and Brazil (Mato Grosso State).

The announcement was made during the second session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-2) in Nairobi, Kenya, at a press event which featured the participation of the Minister of Environment of Barbados and high level representatives from Brazil (Mato Grosso State) and Kyrgyz Republic, as well the Director for Sustainable Development, Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Nik Sekhran. The event was also attended by Ministers of Environment and high level representatives from South Africa, Germany, Republic of Korea, United Arab Emirates, Norway and the European Commission.

Mr. Daniar Imanaliev, Deputy Minister of Economy, Kyrgyz Republic, said: “The support that we will get from PAGE will help us to transition from a brown economy to a green economy. PAGE’s support will help us to achieve true sustainability”.

In her speech, H.E. Bomo Edna Molewa, Minister for Environmental Affairs, South Africa, said: “New PAGE countries, you have joined the team that is winning the world”.  

PAGE represents a mechanism to coordinate UN action to assist countries in advancing the 2030 Agenda and reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 8: Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all, given its clear focus on generating sustainable growth, employment, income and wealth in an inclusive manner while reducing environmental risks. Achieving the SDGs will require deepening and expanding bilateral and multilateral advisory mechanisms, networks, and partnerships such as PAGE to support countries. This is called for by SDG 17: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.

In his speech, H.E. Denis Lowe, Minister of Environment and Drainage, Barbados, said “The PAGE movement is vitally important to the advancement of the green economy globally”. 

 

Representatives posing for photo
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From Left: Nik Sekhran, UNDP; Elliot Harris, UNEP; H.E. Denis Lowe, Env. Minister, Barbados; Daniar Imanaliev, Dep. Minister of Economy, Kyrgyz Republic; Pavan Sukhdev, UNEP Goodwill Ambassador

The media roundtable provided an opportunity to engage in a discussion on the importance of partnerships for achieving the SDGs. The purpose was to demonstrate that cross-disciplinary and deep institutional partnerships, of the kind called for in SDG 17, are possible and in fact in place to deliver on key aspects of the 2030 Agenda, including sustainable and inclusive growth with full employment. The event also enhanced visibility of participating countries and agencies wishing to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability, in particular by focusing on the key role of greening economic policies and setting a new frame for defining and measuring economic performance. 

Bringing together the expertise of five UN agencies – the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), and the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) PAGE seeks to put sustainability at the heart of economic policies and practices to advance the 2030 Agenda. Working closely with national governments, private sector and civil society, PAGE has been assisting partner countries to embark on inclusive green economy trajectories since 2013. Currently, eleven countries are officially included into the Partnership and receive direct support from PAGE: Burkina Faso, China (Jiangsu Province), Ghana, Mauritius, Mongolia, Peru, Senegal, South Africa, Barbados, Kyrgyz Republic and Brazil (Mato Grosso State). The Partnership expects to assist an additional 9 countries, bringing the total up to 20 by 2020. 

During the event the 2016-2020 Operational Strategy and the 2015 PAGE Annual Report were launched, showcasing PAGE alignment with the international sustainability agenda, a growing number of country and action partners, and the upscaling of country activities and global engagement.

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Mr. Kwang-Hee NAM, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Environment, Republic of Korea, shares his views on PAGE 

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H.E. Bomo Edna Molewa, Minister for Environmental Affairs, South Africa, takes the floor 

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The intervention of H.E. Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al-Zeyoudi, Minister, Climate Change and Environment, United Arab Emirates

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From Left: Mr. Karmenu Vella, Commissioner for the Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, European Commission, and Pavan Sukhdev, UNEP Goodwill Ambassador

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From Left: Pavan Sukhdev, UNEP Goodwill Ambassador, and H.E. Vidar Helgesen, Minister for Climate and the Environment, Norway

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