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Newsletter 21 Sep 2026

Environment: What’s Up in GENeva | 21 – 27 September 2026

The Geneva Environment Network’s weekly newsletter includes the latest information on the global environmental agenda, main events, job vacancies, as well as other useful resources and updates. The Geneva Environment Network is not responsible for the content of any linked site or any link contained in a linked site. Stay tuned and follow us on X (Twitter), Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Bluesky, Youtube, and WhatsApp, or visit our website regularly for additional updates.

Image of the week |

Human Rights Council

 

Digital Innovation and MEAs

United Nations Blueprint for National AI and Data Strategies formally launches on Digital Cooperation Day (21 September) at “Introducing the AI Strategy Blueprint: Turning National Ambition into Action,” a session drawing on Lesotho’s experience. Guinea, the next country to apply it, will also join.

UNGA

The 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly will once again convene world leaders to revitalize global cooperation, give a critical push to the Sustainable Development Goals and drive collective action for peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet. Two key platforms will spotlight action and solutions: the flagship SDG Media Zone produced by the UN Department of Global Communications with dynamic interviews and panel discussions on SDG solutions held from 21–25 September; and the Goals Lounge, convened by the UN Deputy Secretary-General and hosted by the UN Office for Partnerships from 14-25 September, featuring unscripted dialogues, deep dives into vital issues and interactive experiences. Events are live streamed on UN WebTV.

  • General debate: from 22 September to 26 September, and on 28 September 2026
    At the General Debate — the annual meeting of Heads of State and Government at the beginning of the General Assembly session — world leaders make statements outlining their positions and priorities in the context of complex and interconnected global challenges. His Excellency Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh will preside over the UN General Assembly’s 81st session, under the theme of “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”
  • High-level meeting to commemorate the fortieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development: 23 September 2026 | A/RES/80/207
    Adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1986, the Declaration on the Right to Development  broke new ground in the universal struggle for greater human dignity, freedom, equality and justice. It called for every member of society to be empowered to participate fully and freely in vital decisions and demanded equal opportunities and the equitable distribution of economic resources. For the past four decades, the Declaration has provided a framework for advancing inclusive, sustainable, and participatory development at all levels, while shaping related laws and policies.
  • High-level meeting on climate action and the just transition: 23 September 2026
    This Climate Summit, convened by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, will bring together leaders from major economies, developed and developing countries, vulnerable nations, and major energy producers and consumers to strengthen cooperation at a pivotal moment. Ten years after the Paris Agreement, the climate crisis has entered a new phase in which overshoot is now inevitable, while the energy transition accelerates. Leaders will take stock of progress and set out how they will work together to accelerate the transition, strengthen energy security, advance climate justice, and protect people from an accelerating climate crisis.
  • High-level meeting to address the existential threats posed by sea level rise: 24 September 2026 | A/78/L.101
    The High-Level Meeting on Sea Level Rise will convene global leaders, experts, and other stakeholders to address the urgent and escalating threat of rising sea levels. This meeting will focus on building common understanding, mobilizing political leadership, and promoting multisectoral and multi-stakeholder collaboration and international cooperation towards the objective of “addressing the threats posed by sea-level rise”. Participants will work towards developing comprehensive solutions and actionable commitments to combat sea level rise, ensuring a resilient and sustainable future including for small island developing states and low-lying coastal areas.
  • High-level meeting on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response: 25 September 2026 | A/RES/79/333
    UN High-level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response (PPPR)
    The President of the United Nations General Assembly will convene a one-day meeting aimed at mobilizing political will at the national, regional and international levels for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. Guided by the theme, “Fostering a multilateral and intergenerational approach to prevent, prepare for and respond to pandemics and public health emergencies, through the principles of equity and solidarity,” the meeting will culminate in the approval of a concise, action-oriented political declaration agreed upon by consensus through intergovernmental negotiations.

International Geneva at UNGA:

Climate

Climate Week NYC continues this week with hundreds of events, ranging from high-level policy dialogues and industry forums to community-led initiatives and cultural exhibitions. Experts from Geneva and from the braoder environmental community will be actively participating in various sessions, including:

 

 

Seventh meeting of the Santiago Network Advisory Board (#SNAB7)
29 September – 1 October, Tokyo, Japan 🇯🇵
https://lnkd.in/edpjqNDP

Plastics

At the request of H.E. Mr. Julio Cordano, Chair of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, we wish to inform you that the INC website has been updated with the guiding questions by the Chair for the second informal in-person meeting of Heads of Delegation scheduled to take place from 27 to 30 September 2026.

The guiding questions can be found on the INC website.

I am pleased to invite accredited observer organizations to provide their written views in advance of the second informal in-person meeting of Heads of Delegation (HODs) to the INC, scheduled for 27 to 30 September 2026.

 

In this regard, accredited intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), United Nations system entities and accredited non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are invited to upload written views on the guiding questions that were circulated to Members of the Committee and published on the INC website in advance of the second informal in-person HODs meeting.

 

Who may provide views

This invitation is open to accredited NGOs, accredited IGOs and United Nations system entities.

 

Written views

Each accredited observer organization is invited to provide one consolidated set of written views addressing the guiding questions.

 

How to provide views

Written views should be uploaded through this dedicated upload form.

For upload purposes, the consolidated written views should be provided in English and as a single PDF file. Only PDF files can be uploaded through the form.

 

Publication

Written views received through the dedicated upload form will be published on the INC website, alongside the information for the meeting, on a rolling basis, and in the order in which they are received, thereby making them available to Members of the Committee in advance of the meeting.

 

Deadline

The deadline for receipt of Observer written views is Wednesday 23 September 2026 at 23:59 (GMT+3).

Observers reactions:

GAIA Response to the Aid to Negotiations

More Happening Abroad

Global Clean Air Dialogue

New York Climate Week

  • The Nature Conservancy and Danone to explore how companies can leverage policy to drive nature-based solutions for water security and ecosystem restoration. The event will provide an opportunity to discuss enabling policy conditions, co-build an external engagement plan and engage with corporate water stewardship leaders.
  • 2026 Plastics and Human Health Symposium

Caspian Sea Summit?

WOAH 32nd Conference of the Regional Commission for Europe 

Green Autumn

 

Events

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Updates

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