Civil society organizations operationg in the environmental orbit in Africa and in Morocco gathered for an International Conference in Rabat, to implement resolutions passed at the 5th Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 5) and discuss priorities for the 6th Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 6).
The Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection chaired by Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Hasnaa, in partnership with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the African Network for Animal Welfare (ANAW), held a workshop for African civil society organizations working on the environment. The workshop entitled « Reviewing UNEA 5 & looking forward to UNEA 6 » featured Ms. Leila Benali, Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development of the Kingdom of Morocco and Chair of UNEA 6, together with high-level institutional speakers and experts, both domestic and international, notably from Africa.
Held at the Foundation’s academic arm, the Hassan II International Center for Environmental Training, the two-day workshop builds on activities and actions promoted by the Foundation along with its partners over the last 20 years. The workshop develops an African civil society roadmap for implementing UNEA 5 resolutions and launches discussions on UNEA 6 priorities.
Ms. Leila Benali, Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development of the Kingdom of Morocco and Chair of UNEA 6:
« The Kingdom of Morocco’s commitment to environmental action and progress flows from His Majesty Mohammed VI’s leadership and vision. The commitment to the environment and sustainable development of the Chair of the Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection, Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Hasnaa, is fully in tune with that leadership and vision.
As President of UNEA, I pledge – with all due respect to the intergovernmental nature of the process – to ensure that engagement with stakeholders from Africa and beyond remains a factor throughout the decision-making process. »
Ms. Nouzha Alaoui, Secretary General of the Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection:
« We are thrilled to co-host this event first and foremost because it puts into action Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Hasnaa’s commitment to environmental issues she holds dear, and in accordance with His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s vision. This event builds on Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Hasnaa’s 2013 speech in Nairobi as Guest of Honor of the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Program. »
Mr. Alexander Juras, Head of the Civil Society Unit, United Nations Environment Program:
« This is the first time a UNEA Chair joins a civil society gathering so early into the UNEA preparatory process. In accordance with UNEA’s intergovernmental nature, civil society has always been instrumental to UNEP achieving its goals. In fact, the very founding of UNEP fifty years ago in Stockholm occurred at the behest and with the strong support of civil society, to tackle environmental challenges, many of which unfortunately still are with us today. »
Mr. Josphat Ngonyo, Executive Director, African Network for Animal Welfare:
« This is the first time that a UNEA President has joined a civil society meeting so early in the UNEA preparatory process. In keeping with the intergovernmental nature of the United Nations Environment Assembly, civil society has always been a key partner of UNEP in achieving its goals. Even the founding of UNEP exactly 50 years ago in Stockholm took place at the suggestion and with great support of civil society, in order to address environmental challenges, many of which are unfortunately still relevant today. »
The Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection, true to its fundamental mission of advocacy and education, has for 20 years mobilized stakeholders to further contribute to environmental protection and sustainable development. Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Hasnaa inaugurated the Hassan II International Center for Environmental Training, the academic arm of the Mohamed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection, in June 2019.