UNEP is partnering with the regionally-renowned Sarajevo Film Festival to include a day dedicated to the opportunities arising from nature conservation in the festival’s programme.

The event, known as EnviroDay, will be held on 17 August 2015. It will promote Bosnia and Herzegovina’s splendid natural values and encourage green development for the wellbeing of both nature and people in the country.

The aim of the EnviroDay partnership is to build a strong and colourful network of national, regional and international organisations, companies and individuals willing to join in efforts showcasing and preserving Bosnia and Herzegovina’s natural wealth and promoting the sustainable use of available natural resources.

Ways in which countries – especially developing ones – can lay the foundations for a stable climate as well as a solid development path will be discussed at Geneva’s International Environment House II on 6 July.

Marianne Fay, Chief Economist for the Climate Change Vice Presidency at the World Bank, will present her organisation’s new report ‘Decarbonizing Development: Three Steps to a Zero-Carbon Future’ at the event, co-organised by the Green Growth Knowledge Platform (GGKP), the World Bank Group and the Geneva Environment Network.

The presentation on how countries can manage the transition to a carbon neutral economy will be followed by a discussion. In order to register for the event please click here.

UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner will join EU Environment Ministers during their informal Council meeting on 22 July 2015.

Mr Steiner has been asked to provide an introductory speech ahead of a debate between the Ministers on environmental issues related to the Sustainable Development Goals and the post-2015 agenda.

The Executive Director will later that day give a second speech on climate finance, notably drawing on the recent UNEP Inquiry report on designing a sustainable financial system. The subsequent discussion will feed into EU preparations on financing issues for COP 21.

The Environment Council is, together with the European Parliament, responsible for adopting ambitious legislation at EU level and for preparing the bloc’s position at international conferences. Informal Council meetings allow Ministers to discuss key issues without drawing conclusions.

Luxembourg took over the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU on 1 July and, as such, will chair Council meetings until 1 January 2016.

For more information: alexa.froger@unep.org