ICCA representatives meet with Erik Solheim at UNEA-3

Martin Kayser, BASF and co-chair Chemicals Policy and Health Leadership Group and Alexa Burr of ACC held a successful meeting with three members of the United Nations Environment Agency at the UN office in Nairobi at the start of December: Erik Sohleim, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme; Ligia Noronha, Director, Economy Division, UN Environment and Jacob Deuer, Chief, Chemicals and Health Branch.

Mr Solheim was supportive of ICCA’s cooperation with UN Environment, emphasing both the current joint projects and financial contribution.  He underlined the importance of UN Environment working with innovative industries in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In particular Erik Solheim stated the need to improve the communication of sound science and innovation to the general public and to present them at various forums.  On the subject of marine litter he acknowledged waste management as the long-term solution and said there was a need to rethink the current approach.  The possibility of a joint workshop on the Circular Economy, similar to the Sustainability workshop held in China, was discussed, with the thought that it could again be held in coordination with the CPCIF Conference in Shanghai.