Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
International Labour Organization
United Nations Environment Programme
The Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions
The EMG convened a Nexus Dialogue on Law for Environmental Sustainability on 19 November 2018 in Geneva, Switzerland, to explore how stronger legal frameworks and enhanced cooperation across the UN system could advance environmental protection and implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Bringing together more than 70 participants from UN entities, multilateral environmental agreement secretariats, governments, international organizations, civil society, academia and the private sector, the dialogue examined the critical role of environmental law and the rule of law in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Discussions highlighted the importance of strengthening national legislation, improving enforcement and integrating environmental considerations into economic and sectoral policies.
Participants identified opportunities for closer collaboration across environmental law, human rights, trade, labour and sustainable development. Key priorities included strengthening legal frameworks for the transition to a circular and low-carbon economy, advancing environmental rights and access to justice, building institutional and judicial capacities, and improving knowledge-sharing and technical cooperation across organizations.
The dialogue resulted in a set of recommendations to strengthen collaboration and coordination on environmental law across the UN system. Proposed follow-up actions included establishing a network of legal experts from UN entities and international organizations to facilitate continued cooperation, and contributing policy messages to the 2019 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. The dialogue underscored the importance of environmental law as a foundation for integrated, effective and inclusive implementation of the 2030 Agenda.