The ongoing efforts to create an integrated structure of international environmental governance derive their original impetus from General Assembly decision XXVII/2997 of 1972, the preamble of which asserts that the international community is "aware of the urgent need for a permanent institutional arrangement within the United Nations system for the protection and improvement of the environment."

Since UNEP was established in 1972, the environmental crisis has become far more severe and much more global in scope, leading to reiterated calls for a reinforced international environmental structure. Dealing with environmental degradation was once seen as a luxury problem for industrialized nations. Today we know it is a challenge affecting developing countries and poor people disproportionately.

Therefore, the UN World Summit outcome of September 2005 in its article 169, recognized the need for "more efficient environmental activities in the UN system, with enhanced coordination, improved policy advice and guidance, strengthened scientific knowledge, assessment and cooperation, better treaty compliance, while respecting the legal autonomy of the treaties, as well as better integration of environmental activities in the broader sustainable development framework at the operational level, including through capacity building" and "to explore the possibility of a more coherent institutional framework to address this need, including a more integrated structure, building on existing institutions, and internationally agreed instruments, as well as the Treaty bodies and the specialized agencies."

To meet this need, the European Union does not wish to duplicate existing bodies within the UN system. However, we do believe that a resourceful and competent UN body on the environment is required to promote cooperation and problem solving between nations and to assist and advise governments and international organizations.

The European Union is keen to stimulate and encourage debate on the issue of International Environmental Governance (IEG) and to this end is organizing an Open Forum in Sydney on Friday 24th November.

Summary of press coverage of the open forum :

The World Today - ABC Radio http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2006/s1796672.htm

ABC Radio News - http://abc.net.au/news/opinion/items/200611/s1794772.htm

ABC website links - Forum on the Opinion message board on Environmental Governance:
http://www2b.abc.net.au/tmb/Client/MessageList.aspx?b=67&t=3&te=True Click on 'comments' to contribute.

Prof. Donna Craig : http://www.abc.net.au/news/opinion/items/200611/s1794772.htm

Dr Clive Hamilton : http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200611/s1796660.htm

Friday November 24, 2006 : ABC Radio : http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2006/s1796672.htm

ABC TV : Lateline at 22.45 http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2006/s1797088.htm

ABC Radio : Saturday Extra with Geraldine Doogue (ABC Radio National Sydney 574) at 8.30am 

http://www.abc.net.au/rn/saturdayextra/stories/2006/1795541.htm  then Listen to Next hour

HE Mr Glen Lindholm, Ambassador of Finland to Australia

Professor Don Rothwell, Australian National University

Dr Lorraine Elliott, Senior Fellow, International Relations, Australian National University

Professor Donna Craig, Macquarie University

Mr Shafqat Kakakhel, Assistant Secretary General / Deputy Executive Director, United Nations Environment Program

Dr Graeme Pearman, Monash University

Mr Phillip Toyne, Director EcoFutures

HE Mr Laurent Stefanini, French Ambassador for Environment

Dr Clive Hamilton, Director, Australia Institute

Mr Chuck Berger, Legal Adviser, Australian Conservation Foundation

HE Mr François Descoueyte, Ambassador of France to Australia

HE Mr Bruno Julien, Ambassador and Head of the Delegation of the European Commission to Australia and New Zealand

All speeches

HE Mr Glen Lindholm, Ambassador of Finland to Australia - opening speech

Professor Don Rothwell, Australian National University - Moderator

Dr Lorraine Elliott, Senior Fellow, International Relations, Australian National University: Principlies of International Environmental Governance

Professor Donna Craig, Macquarie University: Principles of International Environmental Governance

Mr Shafqat Kakakhel, Assistant Secretary General / Deputy Executive Director, United Nations Environment Program: Current Challenges for International Environmental Governance

Dr Graeme Pearman, Monash University: Current Challenges for International Environmental Governance

Mr Phillip Toyne, Director EcoFutures: Current Challenges for International Environmental Governance

HE Mr Laurent Stefanini, French Ambassador for Environment: Current Challenges for International Environmental Governance

Dr Clive Hamilton, Director, Australia Institute: Response to the Challenges - What sort of Organisational Framework will work?

Mr Chuck Berger, Legal Adviser, Australian Conservation Foundation: Response to the Challenges - What sort of Organisation Framework will work?

HE Mr François Descoueyte, Ambassador of France to Australia

HE Mr Bruno Julien, Ambassador and Head of the Delegation of the European Commission to Australia and New Zealand: Final word

HE Mr Glen Lindholm, Ambassador of Finland to Australia - opening speech

Professor Don Rothwell, Australian National University - Moderator

Dr Lorraine Elliott, Senior Fellow, International Relations, Australian National University: Principlies of International Environmental Governance

Professor Donna Craig, Macquarie University: Principles of International Environmental Governance

Mr Shafqat Kakakhel, Assistant Secretary General / Deputy Executive Director, United Nations Environment Program: Current Challenges for International Environmental Governance

Dr Graeme Pearman, Monash University: Current Challenges for International Environmental Governance

Mr Phillip Toyne, Director EcoFutures: Current Challenges for International Environmental Governance

HE Mr Laurent Stefanini, French Ambassador for Environment: Current Challenges for International Environmental Governance

Dr Clive Hamilton, Director, Australia Institute: Response to the Challenges - What sort of Organisational Framework will work?

Mr Chuck Berger, Legal Adviser, Australian Conservation Foundation: Response to the Challenges - What sort of Organisation Framework will work?

HE Mr François Descoueyte, Ambassador of France to Australia

HE Mr Bruno Julien, Ambassador and Head of the Delegation of the European Commission to Australia and New Zealand: Final word

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