1. Background:

Article 11 of the Escazú Agreement stipulates that the Parties shall cooperate to strengthen their national capacities to implement the Agreement effectively, and that they shall encourage the establishment of partnerships with States from other regions and with intergovernmental, non-governmental, academic and private organisations, as well as with civil society organisations and other relevant actors in the implementation of the Agreement.

In a world facing increasingly severe crises, ever-deepening inequalities and an erosion of trust in international institutions, it is essential to strengthen cooperation and multilateralism in the region to move towards the full and effective implementation of the Agreement.

2. Objective:

This session aims to reflect on how the United Nations system can contribute to progress towards the full and effective implementation of the Agreement. The conclusions of this session will serve as input for the discussion of draft decision IV/10.

3. Agenda:

Moderator: Aneesah Abdullah – UN Country Coordination Officer for the Bahamas.

• Andrea Brusco, UNEP
• Bastián Pastén, World Bank
• Michelle Brathwaite, OHCHR Caribbean
• Sarah Douglas, UN Women
• Deon Stewart, UNDP
• Miosotis Rivas, Director of the Subregional Office for the Caribbean, ECLAC