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Strengthening international cooperation on the environmental aspects of emergency response and preparedness

Tipo de documento
Decision
Número de referencia
UNEP/GC.26/15
Fecha
Nov 1, 2016
Fuente
UNEP, InforMEA
Estado
Activo
Reunión
The 26th session of the Governing Council / Global Ministerial Environment Forum (GC/GMEF) of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Página web
www.informea.org
Resumen
The Governing Council, Reaffirming its view that there are inherent linkages between environmental, humanitarian and development outcomes, and that there is a need to identify and address environmental risks linked to natural and man-made disasters as defined in subprogramme 2 of the programme of work of the United Nations Environment Programme, on disasters and conflicts,35 Welcoming the role of the United Nations Environment Programme as the focal point for environment in respect of needs assessments carried out in the United Nations system and within the humanitarian coordination system through the Inter-Agency Standing Committee cluster approach, Noting with concern the extent to which the current limitations of international emergency response systems could unintentionally amplify the environmental impacts of natural and man-made disasters, and recognizing that greater efforts and support are needed to assist affected countries, upon their request, to respond to and manage environmental risks and impacts, Acknowledging the need to tackle the underlying factors that contribute to an increased risk of disaster, Expressing concern at the possible future impacts of climate change, such as increases in the frequency, intensity and unpredictability of extreme hydrological and meteorological events, which could contribute to corresponding increases in the number and scale of disasters and the need for international assistance for prevention, response and recovery, Taking into account the vulnerability of developing countries, including the most vulnerable, such as small island developing States and least developed countries, to natural hazards and the environmental impacts of natural and man-made disasters, which could undermine the attainment of internationally agreed development goals such as the Millennium Development Goals, Recalling General Assembly resolutions 44/224 of 22 December 1989, on international cooperation in the monitoring, assessment and anticipation of environmental threats and in assistance in cases of environmental emergency, and 46/182 of 19 December 1991 and 58/114 of 17 December 2003 on strengthening the coordination of humanitarian emergency assistance by the United Nations, Recalling also its decisions 21/17 of 9 February 2001 and 22/8 of 7 February 2003 on further improvement of environmental emergency prevention, preparedness, assessment, response and mitigation, Noting that the medium-term strategy for the period 2010–2013 identifies disasters and conflicts as one of six cross-cutting thematic priorities of the United Nations Environment Programme, Welcoming the continued collaboration between the United Nations Environment Programme and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, through their Joint Environment Unit, as the principal multilateral tool for mobilizing and coordinating international response to environmental emergencies, Recalling the Hyogo Declaration and the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005–2015 adopted by the General Assembly in its resolution 60/195 of 22 December 2005, which outline relevant principles for disaster risk reduction and disaster preparedness at all levels, Noting with appreciation the development of specialized expertise within the United Nations Environment Programme on mainstreaming environmental issues in humanitarian operations to minimize possible environmental impacts and ensure that they do no harm with regard to longer-term vulnerability and development, Recalling also that, while it is a primary responsibility of Governments to establish, where possible, adequate structures, procedures and capacities for responding to environmental risks, preventive action and preparedness should always be prioritized as the means of dealing with such risks stemming from natural and man-made disasters,