UNEP is in the process of developing its next Medium-Term Strategy (MTS) for the period 2022-2025. The development of the Strategy comes at a critical time for global environmental action, as we face enormous environmental challenges and collectively battle a global pandemic.  

The strategy process represents a tremendous opportunity for UNEP to review and strengthen its organizational performance as a way to achieve the transformation change as called for in the 2030 Agenda, including budget priorities and inclusion of stakeholders in the environmental governance.

The first consultative draft of the MTS that was made available in June 2020 did not reference youth. A big thanks to those involved in the inter-sessional meetings and Bureau meeting last month - especially Aditi, Birendra, Christianne, Clarence, Hadia, Kate, Keshi, Nathan, Shyan and others - for their relentless advocacy and intervention support; which eventually led to the second narrative draft containing over six references to youth and a section on major group engagement. While a lot of work remains to be done, this is a positive start. 

The UNEP secretariat is organising virtual MTS Discovery Sessions (3 hr long) with different stakeholders - such as MGOS, faith-based groups, private sector, etc. to consult on the strategy and reflect perspectives of relevant groups, in both narrative and budget formation. 

In the same context, a virtual MTS discovery session specially for Children and Youth Major Group will take place on the 19th August, in morning / afternoon Nairobi time (exact timings to be communicated later). 

GCYF global focal points will be among the 30 youth delegates to participate at this crucial session organised by UNEP. In the session, we will discuss where UNEP stands with regard to the environmental challenges we face, how to strengthen the role of young people in global environmental leadership, and catalyze action to improve the health of the planet.