[from UNEP secretariat] Start of the Future of GEO Stakeholder Consultations

The following message is sent on behalf of the Global Environment Outlook Programme.

Dear Stakeholder representative,

Following our communication last week, I have the honour to invite you to the consultations on the findings of the feasibility study for the Future of the Global Environment Outlook, starting from today October 4 to October 15, 2021. During this two-week consultation period, we request UNEP Accredited Stakeholders and major groups to provide inputs on the feasibility of the assessment options and governance alternatives for UNEP’s Global Environment Outlook (GEO), as requested by the fourth session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEP/EA.4/Res.23 on Science Policy Interface OP 6).

Paragraph 6 of the above Resolution “Requests the Executive Director…to prioritize …the preparation of an options document for the future of the GEO process in broad consultation with Member States, stakeholders and other global environmental assessment processes, focusing on the scope and objectives of the GEO process. The options document process and consultation will be overseen and managed by a Steering Committee to be established under the auspices of UNEA and pursuant to Terms of References and the nomination process as annexed herein.”

To ensure broad consultations on the potential assessment options and governance alternatives for the future of GEO, including their financial, administrative and collaborative consequences, you are requested to respond to the online questionnaire created for this purpose. Findings from this consultation will help ensure inclusivity and ownership of the process by interested regional groups, stakeholders and help ensure UNEP’s science-policy interface continues to be strengthened. This consultative process will include;

• Participate in an online webinar to learn about the feasibility of the assessment options and governance alternatives of the Global Environment Outlook and enable you to provide informed inputs.

• Complete a survey questionnaire designed to gather views on the potential assessment options and governance alternatives for the future of GEO and their financial, administrative and collaborative consequences as well as possible alternatives for their governance and implementation.

To facilitate your inputs during this consultation, a secure password protected website has been provided for you and can be accessed at:

Link: https://wesr.unep.org/futureofgeo/login

Username: futuregeo

Password: geo1234

And a link to the online questionnaire: https://bit.ly/3lomslf

The Website contains all the background material and resources that will equip you to make informed input through the online questionnaire. Further, if interested please register for one of the four available live webinars through the links provided below. These webinars are designed to offer context, more information and clarify any issues that participants may have on both the contents and the process of this consultation. Connection details will be provided after registration.

• October. 5, 2021 – 10h00 to 11h00 Nairobi time – (09:00 – 10:00 CET)

Future of GEO: Feasibility study consultation #1

Registration and connection details; https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/859884481602889228

• October. 7, 2021 – 16h00 to 17h00 Nairobi time – (15:00 – 16:00 CET)

Future of GEO: Feasibility study consultation #2

Registration and connection details;

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1379619229296426507

• October. 12, 2021 – 10h00 to 11h00 Nairobi time – (09:00 – 10:00 CET)

Future of GEO: Feasibility study consultation #3

Registration and connection details;

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1690951444259360011

• October. 14, 2021 - 16h00 to 17h00 Nairobi time – (15:00 – 16:00 CET)

Future of GEO: Feasibility study consultation #4

Registration and connection details;

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6103716018012782347

For additional information or clarifications please contact pierre.boileau@un.org and franklin.odhiambo@un.org

Thank you in advance for your generous contributions to the Global Environmental Outlook process and we look forward to receiving your valuable inputs and comments.

Yours Sincerely,

Pierre Boileau

Head, Global Environment Outlook Programme