UNFCCC: Making nitrogen visible through the Rio Conventions side event at SB 60

Making Nitrogen Visible through the Rio Conventions was a side event at SB60 the preparatory meeting for COP29 in Azerbaijan. 

This was organized by Compassion in World Farming in cooperation with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination of the government of Pakistan, the UN Environment Programme, the International Nitrogen Management System the University of Agriculture Faisalabad and the Stakeholder Forum for a Sustainable Future.

The panel shared their perspectives on the urgency for action and discussed prospective policy solutions.  The event covered.

• The intersectional nature of nitrogen waste and pollution by communicating its relevance to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the UN Convention on Biodiversity (UNCBD), and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
• Showcasing how sustainable nitrogen management can deliver just, inclusive, and enduring progress towards the Paris Climate Agreement.
• Suggesting solutions to optimize nitrogen use in agrifood systems.
•  Inspiring multilateral policy cohesion and accelerate ambition.

The speakers were:

• Muhammad Farooq, serves as the Senior Joint Secretary, Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Government of Pakistan
• Ionut Sorin BANCIU, Secretary of State, Ministry of Environment, Waters, and Forests, Government of Romania  w
• Dachen TSERING,Director Climate Change Division, UNEP 
• Professor Mark Sutton from the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, in Edinburgh, Scotland. Currently directs the UNEP/GEF International Nitrogen Management System and the UKRI Global Challenges Research Fund’s South Asian Nitrogen Hub. 
• Dr. Aimable UWIZEYE, Livestock Policy officer, FAO 
• Eirini PITSILIDI Global Head of International Affairs, CIWF  
• Mihai CONSTANTINESCU, Co-Chair, UNEP Working Group on Nitrogen and Director of Prevention and Reduction Management Unit, Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests of Romania