Zoe Chafe: A Worldwatch Account from Dubai

Last week, I joined more than 100 environment ministers in the glittering desert city of Dubai for a series of meetings organized by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). This gathering, billed as the first of its kind in West Asia, brought together scores of government officials, youth, business associations, and NGOs to discuss four important subjects: chemicals management, international environmental governance, energy, and tourism.

For the first two days of my trip, I participated in the Seventh Global Civil Society Forum, where I worked side by side with representatives from every region of the world. As part of the North American Civil Society delegation, my objective was to contribute American and Canadian perspectives to our lively discussions. After deliberating trade unions’ contributions to environmental discussions and the broader role of civil society, we broke into working groups to tackle the focal issues: international environmental governance, energy, and tourism. I chaired the tourism group, guiding a discussion on what aspects of tourism would be most important to express to ministers. We agreed that sustainable tourism practices, certification, community ownership, education, and transport options topped our list.

Meanwhile, just next-door, government delegations were already deep in negotiations on a global strategy to streamline chemicals management and reduce stockpiles of harmful chemicals. Chemicals production is expected to rise 80% over the next 15 years, making a global agreement crucial to both human and environmental health. The chemicals meetings ended on a positive note: despite one delegation’s efforts to derail the entire process, countries finally reached agreement on a Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management.

For the next two days, environment ministers filled the same room to deliver statements on energy issues. NGO, youth, and business representatives were given the opportunity to voice their support for renewable energies, the need for immediate energy solutions, and the role of innovative financing, respectively. International environmental governance sessions focused on the best way to streamline environmental issues within the UN system, with many countries supporting the creation of a high-level UN Environment Organization. During the tourism discussions, the moderators did not allow time for civil society to speak. Disappointed, we passed out a written statement instead.

Back at the Worldwatch offices in Washington, D.C., I continue to exchange thoughts with the inspirational people I met in Dubai. I look forward to the UN Commission on Sustainable Development meetings this May, at which energy will again be discussed, and wonder whether tourism issues will get the international attention that they merit.

Join Zoë Chafe (Worldwatch), Daryl Ditz (Center for International Environmental Law), and Kate Davenport (EcoVentures International) to discuss tourism, energy, chemicals, international environmental governance, and their experiences at the Dubai meetings.
http://www.worldwatch.org/live/discussion/121/