On 17 December 2014, UNEP's Executive Director and UN Under-Secretary-General Achim Steiner addressed the EU Environment Ministers at an EU Environment Council meeting in Brussels on the topic of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to be agreed in 2015. In particular, he underlined the importance for the EU to continue to play a strong leadership role in supporting and shaping the SDG agenda, following the constructive role that the EU played in Rio+20, and in the discussions under the UN Open Working Group on SDGs.

Mr. Steiner especially emphasized the need to maintain an integrated approach, and the principle of universality, two fundamental aspects of the SDG process. He also pointed out that strong EU environmental leadership is necessary in delivering the sustainable development agenda on the ground globally and in Europe. Environment policy should no longer be perceived as a constraint, but as a driver for economic wealth that opens up new economic opportunities and markets.

More information: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/council-eu/configurations/env/