14 May 2014, IISD News - UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive Director Achim Steiner  briefed European Environment Ministers on the forthcoming UN Environment  Assembly (UNEA) at an informal Council Meeting in Athens, Greece. Steiner  addressed: UNEA's expected role and vision; UNEP priorities for the Sustainable  Development Goals (SDGs) and post-2015 development agenda; and wildlife crime.  UNEA's first session will take place in June 2014, and Steiner said it is  expected to agree on a common vision.

Steiner's presentation refers to UNEP as the "leading global environmental  authority in post-2015 processes.' He said UNEA's first session will address the  SDGs and the post-2015 agenda, including sustainable consumption and production  (SCP).

According to Steiner, the SDGs should cover specific environmental issues,  including: sustainable economies and green jobs; sustainable eco-agricultural  food systems; prosperity that does not degrade the environment;  inter-generational equity and harmony with nature; and tools and policies for a  sustainable future. Steiner also emphasized the importance of: integrating the  economic, environmental and social dimensions of sustainable development to  achieve long-term transformational change, including poverty eradication; and  addressing universal concerns with universal ambition through a differentiated  approach that recognizes different baselines, needs, capabilities and  priorities.

Steiner informed Ministers that a ministerial dialogue on 'Illegal Trade in  Wildlife' will take place during the UNEA, resulting in a Chair's summary and  outcome document. Steiner said natural resource theft, such as illegal timber  transport and elephant poaching, poses challenges to sustainable development,  poverty eradication and a green economy transition as well as jeopardizing local  livelihoods and the lives of law enforcement officials. To tackle these  challenges, Steiner proposed, inter alia: demanding a reduction in  illegally-sourced wildlife products; maintaining political momentum to support  international cooperation and strengthening political will to fight wildlife  crime; supporting enforcement, judicial and legal measures; and raising  awareness.

Source: http://forests-l.iisd.org/news/unep-executive-director-briefs-european-ministers-on-unea-sdgs-wildlife-crime/