Africa
BK’s attend 142nd Meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives, UNEP, Nairobi, Kenya
The Brahma Kumaris represented by BK Sister Pratibha and BK Sister Urvashi attended 142nd Meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives , United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Nairobi, Kenya, as they are accredited with CPR status.
Sister Pratibha and Sister Urvashi met with Mr John Moreti, High Commissioner and Permanent Representative of Botswana and Ambassador of Poland, Marek Rohr Garztecki. They shared their views with the various members of UNEP.
The 142nd CPR of UNEP was officially opened and chaired by John Moreti, High Commissioner and Permanent Representative of Botswana. Erik Solheim, UN Environment Executive Director and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, was present.
Various opinions and suggestions came up in the meeting which is as follows:
The USA suggested that private sector is important but equally civil society should also be involved.
Ethiopia stated that a MoU has signed between UNEP and Ethiopian Airlines to ‘Plant one tree for every passenger flown.’ The objective of the project is to plant 9 million trees in the name of Ethiopian Airlines in different regions of Ethiopia. They also thanked China and India for introducing Solar Energy.
Pakistan spoke that the UN Secretary-General is very enthusiastic, but that alone won’t help; the former Executive Director of UNEP once said that reports should be such that our grandmothers could understand, also that they are not aware what is happening in the New York UN Office. At times it is just by chance they know. They suggested to get a simple report and on time.
Erik Solheim replied that in UN system two people speak in simple language and that is himself and the Secretary-General. They do not use anycroms.
Kenya representative thanked all the member states for the condolences for the flood victims.
Democratic Republic of Congo suggested involving more Interfaith for environment.
Erik Solheim said that he had meetings with various religious leaders – Vatican is going to have a huge Environmental Conference, also met with Satguru and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and had very intense discussion with them regarding Environment issues.
