THE WEEK AHEAD AT THE UNITED NATIONS THE EUROPEAN PERSPECTIVE (22/14) 26 – 30 May 2014
VIP visits
Achim Steiner, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Brussels 3 June.
Agenda Monday 26 May Brussels: Meeting of the EU Competitiveness Council: During the morning session the Council will deal with internal market and industry issues. The afternoon session will be devoted to research, innovation and space policies. The Council is expected to approve conclusions on the roadmap for implementation of pan-European research infrastructures. More information Conference on Deforestation and Forest Degradation: This Conference aims at taking stock of what we know, at identifying new synergies and at informing future work, in our common fight against global deforestation and forest degradation. (till 27 may) More information Athens: Plenary Meeting of the Senior Labor Inspectors Committee and Thematic day (27th): The Thematic Day of the 66th meeting in Athens focuses on the workers involvement in the management of OSH in small enterprises and its impact on the Labour Inspection activities. More information Mediterranean Natura 2000 Seminar: Launch of the Natura 2000 Biogeographical Process in the Mediterranean region. The process aims to improve and strengthen the implementation of Natura 2000 and ensure progress towards key EU 2020 Biodiversity Strategy targets. The Seminar will focus on 23 habitat types identified as priorities by the Steering Committee of Member State and user representatives that oversee the Process. (till 28 may) More information Tuesday 27 May Brussels: Meeting of the European Political and Security Committee (PSC) More information Palermo: EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) – Challenges and opportunities
for growth, jobs and territorial cohesion” Conference organized by the European Economic and Social Committee (till 28 May). More information Wednesday 28 May Brussels: “European regional level briefing and consultation on the Sustainable Development Goals and follow-up processes”. The United Nations Department for Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) in collaboration with the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) will organize a regional briefing and consultation on Sustainable Development Goals and the UN High-Level Political Forum on sustainable development. More information Meeting of the Permanent Representatives Committees (COREPER I and II) More information on COREPER I / More information on COREPER II Press conference; The European Commission presents a European Energy Security Strategy: The main aim of the strategy is to increase the resilience of the EU energy system to withstand possible supply disruptions and, in the long run, to reduce the EU energy dependence on external suppliers. The strategy is accompanied by an in-depth study of the security of the EU energy system. More information Dublin: “Outcome of the 2014 European Parliament elections” The European Parliament Information Office in Ireland together with European Commission Representation in Ireland and the Institute of International and European Affairs will hold a Conference on the outcome of the European elections. More information London: Public debate: “What can the EU's new reformed Regional Policy do for growth and jobs in 2014-20?” EU Commissioner for Regional Policy, Johannes Hahn, will be in London on Wednesday, 28th May to take part in a public debate at the London School of Economics (LSE) on the importance of EU Regional Policy and its investments. More information Thursday 29 May International Day of the United Nations Peacekeepers
And beyond: other dates to pin 3 June Brussels “Green Week Conference 2014: circular economy – saving resources, creating jobs”. The 2014 edition of the Green week will take place from 3 to 5 June at the Egg Conference Centre. The theme will be Circular Economy, Resource Efficiency and Waste. More information
More information on the UNEP participation to this Green Week “New Environmentalism Summit” There is a growing perception that environmental campaigns are no longer working and that despite the popular support of vast swathes of society, investment in clean technologies and the political rhetoric committing to urgent action, greener economic models are not cutting through into the mainstream at the pace that is required. This event is trying to change this situation. More information
5 June Brussels: The Cost of UN Peacekeeping: a lunch lecture (12:00-14:00) by Ambassador Peter Maddens in cooperation with Leuven Centre for Global Governance Studies. Venue: Rue de la loi 155, UN Regional Information Centre for Western Europe, 8th floor. Participation is free, please confirm your attendance by 2 June at conference@ggs.kuleuven.be 10 June Brussels: “Let’s talk happiness – beyond GDP” The objective of this conference organized by the European Economic and Social Committee is to debate indicators on well-being and social progress in the context of a transition to an alternative mode of growth. More information 11 June Brussels: LiveWell for low impact food in Europe (LIFE) Third 2-day Stakeholder Workshop organized by friend of Europe. More information Rome: Fourth Annual High-Level Anti-Corruption Conference for G20 Governments and Business organized by OECD. More information
16 June Brussels: “From active inclusion to social investment” this conference organized by the European Economic and Social Committee specifically aims at focusing on the measures taken at European level to step up active inclusion and social investment. More information
20 June Athens: “Raw Materials High Level Conference – Maximizing value: The importance of the extractive industry to growth in the EU economy and its regions” this conference organized by the European Economic and Social Committee aims at reflecting on how to secure reliable and undistorted access to row materials. The raw Materials Initiative aims at producing a response to raw materials issues at an EU level. More information 23 June Brussels: “Mitigation the increase in energy prices: coordination, Europeanization, involvement” conference organized by the European Economic and Social Committee will look at economic and industrial consequences of high energy prices and at the social and environmental challenges, and will suggest ways forward. More information 25 June Madrid “New attitudes towards consumption: Best practices in the domain of built- in obsolescence and collaborative consumption” conference organized by the European Economic and Social Committee aims at presenting the work of the EESC in this field as well as proposing a concrete action plan with view to foster more ecologic, economic, environmental and user friendly consumption patterns among consumers. More information United Nations Regional Information Centre Residence Palace Bloc C 7th floor Rue de la loi, 155, 104 Brussels http://www.unric.org/en/ Visit us at Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ONU.VN.Benelux?ref=hl.