26 April 2013: The first draft of the Strategic Plan for Migratory Species 2015-2023, prepared by the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) Intersessional Strategic Plan Working Group, has been released for comments, which are requested by 30 September 2013.
read more »
29 April 2013: The Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention) has reported that the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has designated Al Wathba Wetland Reserve as its fourth Wetland of International Importance. It is also the first Ramsar Site designated in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.
read more »
29 April 2013: Azzam Alwash has been awarded the 2013 Goldman Environmental Prize for his efforts to restore the Mesopotamian Marshlands in Southern Iraq, which were extensively drained and damaged by dam construction upstream, resulting in ecological damage and displacement of the Marsh Arab communities.
read more »
26 April 2013: The UNFCCC Secretariat has released a compilation of 11 views presented by parties (FCCC/SB/2013/MISC.3) on issues related to activities described in paragraph 70 of decision 1/CP.16 (Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries, and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries- REDD+). Three submissions from NGOs were posted on the UNFCCC website.
read more »
April 2013: The Global Environmental Facility (GEF) has released a study, titled "Two Decades of Experience: Investing in Ecosystem Services and Adaptation for Food Security," which provides an overview of the GEF's investments in ecosystem services and improved food security system during 1991-2011.
read more »
25 April 2013: The Standing Committee of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention) has announced that Christopher Briggs has been appointed to, and has accepted, the position of Secretary General. He will succeed Tiéga Anada, who has served the Convention in that position for the past six years.
read more »
22 April 2013: The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is providing a US$72 million loan to the Brazilian state of Acre to promote sustainable forestry and agroforestry to keep deforestation in check while contributing to economic growth and poverty reduction.
read more »
April 2013: The Climate Investment Funds (CIF) is calling for proposals to enhance the involvement of the private sector under the Pilot Program for Climate Resilience (PPCR) and the Forest Investment Program (FIP).
read more »
23 April 2013: At the meeting of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) in Vienna, Yury Fedotov, Executive Director, UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and John Scanlon, Secretary-General, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), called on the international community to strengthen its response to wildlife crime through legislation, law enforcement, criminal analysis and international cooperation.
read more »
22 April 2013: In commemoration of International Mother Earth Day, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) held an interactive dialogue on Harmony with Nature, called for in UNGA resolution 67/214. The dialogue, held at UN Headquarters in New York, US, on 22 April 2013, featured remarks from UN officials and Member State representatives, and a panel discussion and interactive exchange between participants and delegates.
read more »