Date: 9-10 January 2019
Venue: Crown Plaza, Dead Sea, Jordan
West Asia Office/ United Nations Environment Programme, 8 January 2019
Under the patronage of His Excellency the Prime Minister, Dr. Omar Alrazzaz, The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is hosting the Extraordinary Session of the Council of Arab Ministers Responsible for the Environment, during the period 9-10 January, at the Dead Sea. The Session is held in preparation for the Fourth Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 4) and the Global Pact for the Environment that will take place during 11-15 March 2019 in Nairobi, Kenya.
The Extraordinary Session is organized by the United Nations Environment Programme, West Asia Office in coordination with the League of Arab States. In addition to Ministers responsible for environment, the session will gather Arab experts and regional organizations active within the framework of the Council.
Ministers will debate environmental issues of critical importance and urgency for the Arab Region and convey them through Ministerial declaration and decisions to the UN Environment Assembly which is the international body responsible for shaping the environment global agenda. Two resolutions will be tabled to the Assembly by the Arab Group proposing innovative solutions to tackle food loss and waste in hot climate countries and solid waste management. Both issues are critical to achieving sustainable development goals and the development Agenda 2030. Mr Sami Dimassi, the Director and Regional Representative for UN Environment West Asia Office stated on this occasion that “this exceptional session demonstrates the growing interest and commitment by the governments of the region to address environmental challenges not only at the national and regional level but also influencing global environment agenda.”