From Stockholm to Rio and Geneva

From Stockholm to Rio and Geneva
Six Decades of Enhancing Collaboration in the Fight Against the Triple Planetary Crisis: A Roundtable with Elders

On 18 November, the Geneva Environment Network organized a roundtable discussion as part of their 25th anniversary series of events. It aimed to celebrate Geneva’s legacy in global environmental governance. Retired high-level experts and diplomats who have worked in International Geneva have been invited to provide their reflections and examine the evolution of partnerships and frameworks that address the triple planetary crisis. IEF President Arthur Dahl was one of the panelists.

Speakers explored the historical roles of Geneva-based institutions in the early stages of environmental governance, as well as the city’s role in key global milestones, from the Stockholm Conference, the Brundtland Commission, the First World Climate Conference, to the UN Conference on the Human Environment. Panelists reflected on their personal experiences in international Geneva, highlighting moments of meaningful impact and the collaborative spirit that has defined the city’s approach to global environmental challenges. 

Discussions also examined the evolution of environmental conventions and multilateral environmental agreements, reflecting upon the development of foundational environmental frameworks – from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), to the Strategic Approach to Integrated Chemicals Management (SAICM) to more recent agreements – from the Paris Agreement, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) to the Global Framework on Chemicals (GFC). Panelists assessed the strengths and gaps in these frameworks, offering perspectives on their ambition and proposing adjustments that may strengthen their impact. 

For a recording of this event and speaker information, go here: https://www.genevaenvironmentnetwork.org/events/from-stockholm-to-rio-and-geneva-six-decades-of-enhancing-collaboration-in-the-fight-against-the-triple-planetary-crisis-a-roundtable-with-elders-gen-25/