Press Release: Global efforts for the environment: Commission and UNEP to reinforce co-operation

The European Commission and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) announced on 20 September that they will strengthen their cooperation to fight global threats to the environment more effectively. The agreement takes the form of a Memorandum of Understanding and was signed by Environment Commissioner Margot Wallström and Klaus Töpfer, Executive Director of UNEP. The Memorandum will reinforce policy dialogue and collaboration at all levels between UNEP and the European Commission. This co-operation will support implementation of the commitments made at the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development, for example on sustainable consumption and production, biodiversity, water and sanitation, renewable energy and chemicals. It will also help achieve the environment-related UN Millennium Development Goals, such as environmental sustainability and the eradication of poverty and extreme hunger.

European Commission: DG Environment http://ec.europa.eu/comm/environment/index_en.htm

UNEP: Homepage http://www.unep.org/

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