Harnessing the gender dimensions of biodiversity, sustainable land management and climate change to achieve environment protection and sustainable development
In an effort to highlight the inter-linkages between the three Rio Conventions, from gender perspectives in particular, and how this contributes to sustainable development, the Secretariat organised a high-level lunch-time panel discussion on
Harnessing the gender dimensions of biodiversity, sustainable land management and climate change to achieve environment protection and sustainable development in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), on 2 July 2010.
The dialogue aimed to contribute to richer and better informed discussions with regard to the achievement of Millennium Development Goal 3 and the demonstration of gender dimensions of climate change, sustainable land management, environment protection and sustainable development. This is in-line with the Annual Ministerial Review
(AMR) of ECOSOC to assess the state of implementation of gender-related goals and the UN development agenda and explore key challenges in achieving the international goals and commitments in the area of gender equality.
Participants included:
- Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Mtengeti Migiro
- Her Excellency Ms. Ritva Koukko-Ronde, Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Finland
- Her Excellency Ms. Elza Pais, Secretary of State for Equality, Portugal
- Her Excellency Ms. Melanne Verveer, Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues, U.S. Department of State — via video message
- Mr. Ahmed Djoghlaf, CBD Executive Secreatary
- Mr. Narinder Kakar, UN Permanent Observer, IUCN
- Mr. Nikil Seth, Director, Office of ECOSOC Support and Coordination
- Mr. Melchiade Bukuru, Chief, UNCCD Liaison Office
The discussions demonstrated the inter-linkages between climate change, biodiversity and sustainable land management (SLM), as well as how gender-sensitive approaches to these issues contribute to sustainable livelihoods, environment protection and sustainable development. In highlighting the implications for biodiversity and the people who manage and rely upon it, in (inter)government, business and other decision-making bodies, the panel members brought the issue to the forefront, similarly to what is currently being done for climate change. Through the interventions it was clear that the political, economic, and social empowerment of women is of vital importance and that investing in women and girls is key not only for achieving the Millennium Development Goals and sustainable development as a whole, but also for advancing global peace and security. It was also clear that governments need to provide financial support to gender equality initiatives within the responsible (environment) ministries as well as within the Rio Conventions.
In an effort to build on this event in the coming months leading to Nagoya, and as support to the United Nations General Assembly resolution A//RES/64/289 which aims to help the UN system be accountable for its own commitments on gender equality, including regular monitoring of system-wide progress, the inter linkages between biodiversity, climate change and sustainable land management from a gender perspective will be on the agenda at the September Biodiversity Summit. The Secretariat continues to collaborate and seek support from governments and partners for implementation of the CBD Gender Plan of Action towards achieving the international goals and commitments in the area of gender equality to achieve environment protection and sustainable development. In this vein, the Secretariat of the CBD and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ,in partnership with the Government of Finland and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) of the United States of America, will facilitate a luncheon discussion on
Gender inequality — A constraint to economic growth, biodiversity protection, poverty reduction and sustainable development: Linkages between MDG 1, 3, and 7 on 21 September 2010 at the margins of the MDG Summit.
