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Irina Bokova inaugurates UNEP Division of Technology, Industry and Economics (DTIE) in UNESCO premises together with UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner
Monday, 21 March 鈥 The Director-General, Irina Bokova, inaugurated the new premises of the Division of Technology, Industry and Economics of UNEP in UNESCO building together with the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Mr Achim Steiner.
The event was also marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on renewing UNESCO cooperation with UNEP.
Irina Bokova stressed that the geographical proximity of the 2 agencies witness the further strengthening of the cooperation between the two institutions, notably in the field of environmental sciences, thereby emphasizing the strategic partnership that they developed over the years.
鈥淭his comes at an opportune time, as we seek to galvanize our collective networks, alliances and stakeholders to support countries in transforming their development pathways. Just as countries agreed here in Paris in 2015 that no single nation can address the climate change challenge on its own, no single agency working in isolation can make an optimal contribution to the 2030 Development Agenda for Sustainable Development鈥, declared the Director-General, referring to the growing interconnectedness of areas of cooperation from the natural and social sciences, to education and culture in the context of the Global agenda for sustainable Development.
Both the Director-General and the Executive Director thanked explicitly the French authorities, not only for hosting the offices of UNESCO and UNEP in Paris, but also for supporting the cooperation and galvanizing the interaction with all French partners, ranging from the civil society to the business partners, as demonstrated so exceptionally during the COP21 referring to the development of a 鈥淕reen Society鈥, rather than a 鈥淕reen Economy鈥.
鈥淭he 2030 Sustainable Development agenda and the Paris Climate agreement have put an important responsibility on the shoulders on UN organizations like ours, and they encourage us to scale up our actions, to demonstrate the way forward and provide as such the necessary confidence and inspiration to business and civil society alike鈥, stated Achim Steiner.
While signing a renewed Memorandum of Understanding, both Principals sealed their strong commitment to reinforce the steadfast cooperation in the field of water- and marine management, ocean health, biodiversity and land resources. The Agreement will also build further on the exemplary cooperation in the field of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), an area where UNESCO and UNEP join forces since the 1970鈥檚.
The Director-General thanked Achim Steiner for his exemplary commitment and inspirational drive, and wished him the best of luck in his future endeavors.
The ceremony was attended by Madame Christiana Figueres, Executive Secretary of the (UNFCCC), and select officials of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Environment, testifying of the privileged relationship with the host country.
Set up in 1975, the Division of Technology, Industry and Economics (DTIE) provides solutions to decision-makers, it provides leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling nations and people to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations. DTIE has offices located in Paris, Geneva, and Osaka and also has outposted staff located in UNEP Regional Offices.
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