Based upon the mission of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to promote the coherent implementation of the environmental dimensions of sustainable development within the UN system the Brussels office serves as a link for strategic partnership with the EU. As working closely with EU institutions the goal is to enhance policy dialogue and build strategic partnerships to fulfil the shared goals of both the UNEP and the EU.
The UNEP and the European Commission have a strong partnership both at the policy and the programmatic level, based on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The MoU is interested in tackling issues such as international environmental governance, sustainable finance, circular economy, healthy oceans, and biodiversity.
The cooperation further aims towards the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, the alignment of multilateral environmental agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, ensuring the implementation of United Nations Environment Assembly’s decisions and resolutions, and mainstreaming the priority actions of the European Green Deal into the global environment agenda.
The Brussels Office additionally supports the efforts of the UNEP to raise public attention to environmental issues, by organizing events and discussions, such as the EU Green Week, the European Development Days, and UN initiatives as the Environment Day.
The EU Green Week, 19-20 October 2020