Environment: What’s Up in GENeva | 11 – 17 May 2026

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 Republishing The Geneva Environment Network’s weekly newsletter includes the latest information on the global environmental agenda, main events, job vacancies, as well as other useful resources and updates. The Geneva Environment Network is not responsible for the content of any linked site or any link contained in a linked site. Stay tuned and follow us on X (Twitter), Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Bluesky, YouTube, and WhatsApp, or visit our website regularly for additional updates.

Image of the week | High-Level Dialogue Toward a New Deal for Global Trade featuring Nobel Laureate Professor Joseph Stiglitz and WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, co-organized by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD). The discussion examined how the multilateral trading system can evolve to address today’s urgent economic, social, and environmental challenges. | Hôtel Président Wilson, 5 May 2026.

Sand and Sustainability Report 2026 | An Essential Resource for Nature and Development

The third edition of the Sand and Sustainability Report — Sand and Sustainability: An Essential Resource for Nature and Development — will be launched this week at a special event, organized by UNEP/GRID‑Geneva and the Geneva Environment Network in the framework of the Geneva Dialogues on Minerals and Metals. The report was developed in response to the UN Environment Assembly resolution 7/3 on Strengthening International Cooperation on the Environmentally Sound Management of Minerals and Metals, and builds on past resolutions 4/19, 5/12, 6/5. → Register on Indico to join in person the event taking place on Wednesday 13 May 2026 at Palais des Nations, Room XII at 15:00 CEST.

UNEP’s triennial Sand and Sustainability report has evolved from identifying the sand resource challenge (first report) to offering stakeholder-focused recommendations (second report). The third edition, prepared by a team of 27 authors under the coordination of the UNEP/GRID-Geneva, underscores sand’s strategic value. Leading experts joining the panel of the launch event will unpack the report’s findings, which identify two fundamental fault lines in global sand governance.

From Opinion to Action | Operationalizing the ICJ Climate Ruling through a UN General Assembly Resolution

On 6 February, 2026, the Government of Vanuatu, together with a regionally diverse core group comprising the Netherlands, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Barbados, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau, Jamaica, the Philippines, and Burkina Faso, introduced the zero draft of a UN General Assembly (UNGA) resolution to endorse and build upon the International Court of Justice’s Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the obligations of States in respect of climate change. Delivered on 23 July 2025, the advisory opinion unequivocally confirms that States have obligations to prevent climate harm and protect human rights, including the right to a healthy environment. Geneva-based permanent missions and human rights mechanisms have played a pivotal role in informing the advisory opinion through a wide range of resolutions, authoritative statements, and expert reports.

Following the conclusion of negotiations on this draft resolution, the core group publicly released the final text on 1 May 2026, and its adoption by the UN General Assembly is scheduled for 20 May 2026. The resolution is currently open for co-sponsorship through the e-deleGATE portal, and there is growing momentum among UN experts, civil society actors, and front-line communities in Geneva and worldwide to support its adoption.

In this context, a diplomatic briefing convened this week by Vanuatu, the Center for International Environmental Law, World’s Youth for Climate Justice, and the Geneva Environment Network, will present the key elements of the resolution and explore how Geneva-based actors can contribute to a strong and sustained support ahead of and following its consideration by the UN General Assembly next week. → Register on Indico to attend in person the event taking place on 12 May 2026 at Palais des Nations, Room IX at 16:00 CEST.

Read more at:

Preparations for the 62nd Session of the Human Rights Council

The 62nd Regular Session of the Human Rights Council (HRC62) is scheduled to convene in Geneva from 15 June to 10 July 2026, with the environment high on the agenda. With preparations ongoing, upcoming important deadlines and meetings:

  • NGOs Side Events | Registration of requests for NGO Side Events for HRC 62 is available from 11 May 2026, 12:00 CEST, until 18 May 2026, 12:00 CEST. NGOs in consultative status with ECOSOC may submit requests for NGO Side Events through the online registration platform.
  • Information-sharing session for activities related to the environment | To strengthen coordination among stakeholders and enhance outreach on the environmental agenda of HRC62, the Geneva Environment Network and its partners are convening an information-sharing session focused on activities and events related to the environment. This event will provide a platform to discuss and share information on planned environment-related activities at and around HRC62, such as in-person and online events, publications or exhibitions, among others, and exchange on opportunities for synergies and collaboration. → Register to participate in-person at the International Environment House I or online via Webex on Thursday, 28 May 2026, from 10:00 to 11:00 CEST and share as well information on your activity.
  • Organizational Meeting for the 62nd regular session of the Human Rights Council | The organizational meeting for the 62nd session of the Human Rights Council will convene on 1 June 2026.

→ Regular updates on key environmental issues at HRC62, side events, and further resources will be made available on our dedicated HRC62 and the environment update.

Other upcoming deadlines for calls for submissions by human rights mechanisms include:

  • The Human Rights Council Advisory Committee is preparing a study on the implications of plastic pollution for the full enjoyment of human rights, based on a comprehensive approach that addresses the full life cycle of plastic. The study is to be presented to the Council at its sixty-sixth session. → Deadline for submission is 15 May 2026.
  • The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, in its next general comment, would elaborate on the application of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) in situations of armed conflicts. The General Comment will address the entire conflict cycle: structural risk and prevention, active hostilities, occupation or effective control, stabilisation and post-conflict reconstruction. It will clarify how Covenant obligations continue across all phases, and how ESCR protection contributes to conflict prevention, humanitarian action, transitional justice, peacebuilding and sustainable recovery. → Deadline for submission is 15 May 2026.
  • The UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, Margaret Satterthwaite, is preparing her thematic report on the role of justice systems in addressing the climate crisis, to be presented at the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. This report will examine what is needed to empower judicial systems to play their essential role in upholding the obligations of governments and private actors to protect the climate. It will examine best practices from around the world: from expanded rules on standing, to specialized environmental benches or courts, to judicial capacity building and scientific education. → Deadline for submission is 2 June 2026.

Advancing Biodiversity Action | Countdown to Biodiversity Day and COP17

The 2026 UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP17), to be held in Yerevan, Armenia, from 19 to 30 October, marks a key milestone for global biodiversity action. In the lead-up, the International Day for Biological Diversity on 22 May — held this year under the theme “Acting locally for global impact” — highlights the importance of linking local initiatives to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and advancing a whole‑of‑society approach. To mark the occasion, the Geneva Environment Network and its partners are organizing the annual Geneva Celebration, bringing together experts from Geneva-based institutions to share updates on COP17 preparations and discuss inclusive implementation of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans. The event will feature a high-level intervention by H.E. Ambassador Mher Margaryan, Special Envoy of the COP17 Presidency, alongside dynamic Lightning Talks showcasing practical action for biodiversity. → Register on Eventbrite to participate in person on 22 May 2026 at the International Environment House II.

Other global observances and conferences highlighting the importance of biodiversity and the need for coordinated action to protect ecosystems in May include:

  • 🌱 12 May – International Day of Plant Health | This year’s theme, “Plant biosecurity for food security,” raises awareness on the importance of plant biosecurity, which, through checking, protecting and responding, prevents dangerous plant pests and diseases from damaging crops and disrupting their trade. By safeguarding plant health, it supports food security, protects farmers’ livelihoods, facilitates smooth international trade, and helps preserve biodiversity.
  • 🌳11-15 May – Twenty-first session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF21) | Convening at the UN Headquarters in New York, UNFF21 focuses on the Global Forest Goals (GFGs) 1, 3 and 5 of the UN Strategic Plan for Forests 2030 (UNSPF), the reference framework for the forest-related work of the UN system. → Access all documents, follow the discussions on UN TV and stay up-to-date with the Earth Negotiations Bulletin live coverage.
  • 🌳14 May – PEFC Forest Forum 2026 | Takes place in Istanbul, Türkiye, hosted by PEFC International and PEFC Türkiye. Bringing together people from across the forest sector and beyond for a day of open discussion, practical insights, and meaningful connections, the one-day Forum will explore topics such as sustainable forest management and climate resilience, climate-smart timber construction and how certification can support opportunities for non-timber forest products.
  • 🐝 20 May – World Bee Day | Celebrated each year on 20 May to raise awareness of the importance of bees as pollinators, the threats they face and their contribution to sustainable development. This year, the day is celebrated under the theme “Bee together for people and the planet,” the 2026 edition celebrates the essential role of pollinators in food systems and ecosystems.
    A special Geneva celebration will take place on 27 May at the Palais des Nations, featuring expert insights, beekeeping stories, and live demonstrations. → Register to participate in person at the Palais des Nations, Building H Auditorium.
  • 🌾 Last week, the 67th Standing Committee Meeting of the Convention on Wetlands marked an important stepping stone in preparation for the 16th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP16) to be held in Panama in June 2028. The meeting concluded on 8 May 2026 in Gland after a productive week of dialogue and collaboration, reflecting the shared dedication to safeguarding the world’s wetlands.

Additional news include:

#NowForClimate: Spotlight on Methane | Countdown to World Environment Day

Recent developments in addressing methane emissions — a potent greenhouse gas and the second-largest second-largest cause of global warming after carbon dioxide — have gained increasing attention, and will be highlighted as one of the effective solutions to accelerate climate action in the lead‑up to World Environment Day 2026. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), global methane emissions need to be reduced by 30 to 60 per cent below 2020 levels by 2030 to keep the 1.5°C goal within reach. Existing technologies and measures across the fossil fuel, agriculture, and waste sectors could deliver significant reductions this decade, supporting broader climate mitigation efforts. As the impacts of climate change intensify, from extreme weather to ecosystem degradation, this year’s World Environment Day calls on governments, businesses, and individuals to step up solutions such as methane mitigation, contributing to immediate climate benefits while supporting sustainable development and human well-being. Methane made the news last week:

  • Satellite methane alerts expanded to coal and waste sectors, UNEP announces at G7 Presidency event | UNEP | 4 May 2026
    UNEP International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) announced at a high-level methane event hosted by France under its G7 Presidency, a major expansion of its global methane detection system, enabling satellites to track emissions from coal mines and waste facilities for the first time.

    • IMEO and the International Energy Agency (IEA) released a new MARS Response Blueprint, providing governments with a clear, step‑by‑step playbook for verifying emissions, mobilizing operators, and tracking mitigation. IMEO and partners will support countries with hands‑on technical assistance to turn alerts into measurable emissions cuts. IMEO is a core implementing partner of the Global Methane Pledge, which is an attempt by 150 countries, led by the EU and US, to reduce global methane emissions by 30% by 2030 from 2020 levels.
    • National oil companies of Libya, Pakistan and Angola joined UNEP’s Oil & Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 OGMP 2.0, bringing OGMP 2.0 close to covering half of global oil and gas production.
    • IMEO launched its Coal Methane Database, delivering unprecedented mine‑level transparency for a sector long characterized by data gaps. The database gives operators, regulators, investors and steelmakers the information needed to act and cut methane emissions decisively – and ensure accountability.
  • Global Methane Tracker 2026 | IEA | 4 May 2026
    IEA released the Global Methane Tracker 2026 last week, showing that methane emissions from the energy sector are near record highs. Around 70% of methane emissions from fossil fuels could be abated with existing technologies, including three-quarters of emissions from oil and gas and about half of coal emissions. → Read more in the press release and in the Health Policy Watch article.

World Environment Day will take place in less than a month. Through the global call to #NowForClimate, the campaign invites governments, institutions and individuals to accelerate solutions and help steer a world already in transition. Many of these solutions are advanced in Geneva and will be spotlighted at the traditional World Environment Day Geneva Celebration, which will also build momentum towards the 2026 UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) to be held in Antalya, Türkiye. → Register on Eventbrite to attend on 5 June 2026 from 09:00 CEST.

Other recent news on climate action include:

Global Action on Chemicals and Pollution | Upcoming Events

The governance of chemicals, waste and pollution, including their impact on health and the environment, will be discussed in various intergovernmental meetings, negotiations and related events in the coming weeks:

Recent news include:

Switzerland Overshoot Day 2026 | 11 May

Every year, Earth Overshoot Day marks the date when humanity’s demand for ecological resources and services in a given year exceeds what Earth can regenerate in that year. The global date is expected to be announced on 5 June, coinciding with World Environment Day. At the national level, a country’s overshoot day marks the date when this threshold would be reached if everyone consumed at the same rate as its population. In 2026, Switzerland Overshoot Day falls on 11 May, based on the comparison between its ecological footprint and national biocapacity, with 40 other countries listed as having already reached their own limits earlier in the year. From this date onward, Switzerland will be living on credit at the expense of future generations. This milestone is a reminder of the need to reduce the pressure on the environment and its resources in order to #MoveTheDate. → Learn more about this observation and how to reduce your own ecological footprint.

Read more at:

  • Saviez-vous que c’est un Suisse qui a inventé le concept d’empreinte écologique? | Tribue de Genève | 1 May 2026
    In an interview with the Tribune de Genève, Mathis Wackernagel, co-inventor of the “ecological footprint” concept, stresses that we approach environmental issues through the lens of waste rather than resource security. The narrative of waste is a constraint, whereas that of resource security is an advantage. In his view, communicating about the environment through the lens of waste and decline is counterproductive and anxiety-inducing.
  • When one planet is not enough | GDI | 20 April 2026
    Reflecting on the scientific meaning behind Switzerland’s Overshoot Day, Gian-Luca Savino of the Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute underscores that while the Overshoot Day concept highlights the scale of overconsumption, it does not fully capture broader environmental pressures such as biodiversity loss, chemical pollution, and water stress, all of which are contributing to the breach of planetary boundaries. The persistence of early overshoot dates indicates limited progress in reducing resource use, underscoring the need for systemic changes in energy, food, and production systems, supported by strong policy frameworks, corporate responsibility, and individual action to move towards sustainable resource use.

Spotlight on Nuclear Weapons and the Protection of the Environment

The Lex Mundi Nova webinar series, convened by Horizon 2045 together with the Geneva Graduate Institute and IPPNW Geneva Liaison Office, on The ICJ Advisory Opinion on the Legality of the Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons 30 Years On: What Legacy and What Now? launched last month examines the ruling itself, the shifts in international law and new science in the last three decades, and emerging technological and geopolitical risks. Bringing together partners and expert panellists from around the world, the series explores whether the ambiguities and gaps in the 1996 opinion can and should be revisited in light of today’s legal, scientific and evidentiary context. It highlights key developments since 1996 across international humanitarian law (IHL), international human rights law (IHRL), international environmental law (IEL), and the rights of future generations, against the backdrop of significant new scientific evidence of the humanitarian, environmental, and socio-economic consequences of nuclear weapons. The next webinar in this series will look into developments in science and take place on 21 May 2026, 14:00 CEST. → Register to join online.

The second webinar, held last week, focused on Nuclear weapons and the protection of the environment (watch on Vimeo). While the 1996 ICJ Advisory Opinion acknowledged the relevance of IEL, it merely concluded that IEL “indicates important environmental factors that are properly to be taken into account” when implementing IHL. Three decades on, however, the considerable development of IEL, alongside strengthened provisions within IHL for environmental protection in armed conflict, raises important questions about how these advances further constrain the legality of nuclear weapons. Experts underscored the scale of the risk, noting that approximately 12,500 nuclear weapons remain globally, with around 3,000 deployed, including in or near major urban centres. They presented the impacts of a nuclear war on the climate and on the global food supply, and looked at the use of nuclear weapons under the lens of IEL and IHL. With the evolution of scientific modelling, and the ICJ’s clear signal that science must be the basis of law, especially when it comes to the environment and climate, there is an increasing degree of foreseeability, which only makes nuclear weapons that much more deterred under the international regime. Key developments in the past decade include:

Two resolutions adopted recently tasked the production of important reports looking into the environmental impacts of nuclear weapons:

  • Under resolution A/RES/79/238 ‘Nuclear war effects and scientific research’, adopted on 24 December 2024, the United Nations General Assembly decided to establish an independent Scientific Panel on the Effects of Nuclear War. The Panel has been tasked with examining ‘the physical effects and societal consequences of a nuclear war on a local, regional and planetary scale, inter alia, the climatic, environmental and radiological effects, and their impacts on public health, global socioeconomic systems, agriculture and ecosystems, in the days, weeks and decades following a nuclear war.’ It will produce a comprehensive report, make key conclusions, and identify areas requiring future research. The report will be submitted to the eighty-second session of the General Assembly, in 2027. The resolution calls upon the United Nations system and relevant agencies, including WHO, WMO and UNEP, to support the work of the Panel, including by contributing expertise, commissioned studies, data and papers.
  • Under resolution WHA78.28 ‘Effects of nuclear war on public health’ adopted in 2025, the World Health Assembly requested WHO Director-General to update the reports “Effects of nuclear war on health and health services” of 1983 and 1987, and the report “Health and environmental effects of nuclear weapons” of 1993, cooperating with relevant stakeholders and other United Nations bodies and international organizations, and to report on progress in the implementation of this resolution to the WHA82 in 2029.

More Happening Abroad

Many experts from international Geneva will be heading later this week to the thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), convened by UN-Habitat from 17 to 22 May 2026 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Held under the theme “Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities”, WUF13 will shine a global spotlight on the urgent need to address the global housing crisis and position housing as a driver of inclusive, resilient and sustainable urban development. → Follow the Opening Session on UN TV and stay up to date with the Earth Negotiations Bulletin Live Coverage.

Enjoying a Green Spring in Geneva

This week, schools and a few international organizations will enjoy a long weekend on the occasion of the Ascension holiday. Consult our Green Spring in Geneva page for ideas of activities to do both outdoors and indoors, including:

  • Réduire le plastique au quotidien – solutions concrètes dans le contexte Suisse | 12 May 2026 | NonPlastik | Maison de l’Avenir
    Organized by NonPlastik, this event offers a space for discussion on the impacts of plastic pollution and practical ways to reduce plastic use in everyday life. The programme includes talks by experts, including a French plastics researcher and a journalist specializing in these issues. 
  • Rousseau aux Enchères | 12 May 2026 | Jardin Botanique de Genève
    A roundtable on the preservation of scientific and cultural heritage through the example of Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s rare herbarium, acquired by the Geneva Botanical Garden in 2024. Experts discuss how such objects are valued, preserved, and shared with the public. 
  • Zélo – Épicerie qui réduit l’empreinte carbone grâce au 0 déchet, 0 carbone et 0 kilomèter | 12 May 2026 | The Shifters Switzerland | 3DD Genève
    A talk hosted by The Shifters Switzerland with the founder of Zélo, the Geneva grocery store, reducing carbon emissions through zero-waste, low-carbon, and local sourcing practices. The discussion explores climate challenges in food production, sustainable logistics, and the realities of running an impact-driven business. 
  • Entre patrimoine et énergie renouvable : visite des Berges de Vessy | 13 May 2026 | TCS | Berges de Vessy
    A guided visit to the historic Berges de Vessy site, a former 19th-century water facility now home to a functioning micro-hydroelectric plant operated by SIG. Usually closed to the public, the site offers a unique look at Geneva’s industrial heritage and sustainable local energy production, followed by access to a temporary exhibition and an reception at the Maison du Futur. 
  • Café quartier : urgence, climat ! | 13 May 2026 | City of Geneva | Café-restaurant, Le Nyamuk
    A neighbourhood café discussion on climate emergency and citizen action with members of the Swiss “Aînées pour le climat” association. 
  • Atelier participatif enfants – Biennale (re)connecting.earth 2026 – à la pêche aux ressources avec l’association terragir | 13 May 2026 | (re)connecting.earth | Salle Pfosi, Thônex
    A hands-on workshop for children and families exploring the hidden natural resources behind digital devices. Through games and interactive activities, participants discover the materials, energy, and environmental impacts linked to smartphones and computers. 
  • Petit marché aux plantes du Jardin Botanique de Genève | 14 May 2026 | Jardin Botanique de Genève
    A plant market bringing together local growers and gardening enthusiasts at the Geneva Botanical Garden. Discover a wide selection of vegetables, herbs, flowers, shrubs, and rare varieties, with workshops and gardening advice throughout the day. 
  • Fête du Printemps à la Jonction | 16 May 2026 | Association Maison du Quartier de la Jonction | Jonction
    A neighbourhood spring festival bringing together residents of the Jonction district for a day of music, games, activities, and community celebration. Organized by the Maison de Quartier de la Jonction, the event highlights local life in a festive and convivial atmosphere.
  • La Ville Est À Vous – Plainpalais | 16 & 17 May 2026 | City of Geneva | Plainpalais
    A neighborhood festival transforming Geneva’s streets into lively public spaces with flea markets, concerts, workshops, and community activities. Organized by local residents and associations, it celebrates conviviality and neighbourhood life. 
  • Marcher La Ville – Bain de forêt – Parc Trembley | 17 May 2026 | City of Geneva | Rendez-vous préau de l’Ecole de Chandieu
    This walk creates a gentle transition between urban areas and the city’s parks. Each route highlights a tree and its symbolism, serving as a vehicle for raising awareness of the natural world. Forest bathing, which involves slow walks, moments of meditation and sensory activities, is scientifically proven to reduce stress, strengthen the immune system, and support cardiovascular health.
  • Walk the Talk Geneva 2026 | 17 May 2026, 08:00 CEST | Place des Nations
    WHO is joining with the UN family, Member States, athletes, local sports clubs and health partners and the Geneva community to celebrate healthy lifestyles and demonstrate measures to safely conduct public events. The gathering will take place at Place des Nations from 08:00 for fun warm-up activities before the 09:00 official opening. Bring your friends, family and enthusiasm!
  • Exhibition – 40 Trees in the City of Geneva Through the Seasons | Until 31 May 2026 | Colladon Residence
    A photo exhibit dedicated to the trees of Geneva, produced by the City of Geneva’s Parks and Recreation Department, that takes you on a journey through the city and helps you get to know the trees around us better. 
  • 3e édition de la Biennale de l’Art et de la Nature Urbaine – (re)connecting.earth | Until 14 June 2026 | (re)connecting.earth | Various Locations
    The (re)connecting.earth Biennial returns with a cross-border outdoor exhibition along the Greenway of Greater Geneva, extending to Annemasse. Through artworks, workshops, and events, this edition explores “sensitive resources” and the role of natural materials, from sand to water, in shaping our daily lives and global systems. 
  • Exhibition “Quel froid!” | Until 30 August 2026 | Maison Tavel
    This exhibition explores the theme of winter in Geneva and beyond, bringing together traditions, artists’ perspectives, and visual archives. Visitors are guided through popular practices, urban scenes, and majestic landscapes, from Lake Geneva to the Alps. 
  • Temporary Exhibition – « Jamais la nature ne nous trompe » | Until 23 December 2026 | Jardin Botanique de Genève
    Come and discover a scientific and aesthetic object that bears witness to Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s passion for nature and botany: one of his rare portable herbariums, designed to deepen knowledge of plants and awaken an interest in botany.

What (Else) to Read Next?

  • Cruise ship hantavirus outbreak reveals an unexpected solution: Restoring nature | IUCN | 8 May 2026
    A deadly hantavirus outbreak aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius has renewed global attention on how rodent-borne diseases spread. 
  • UNECE report shows how use of wood is supporting economic resilience and climate action in Europe | UNECE | 6 May 2026
    According to a report released by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, the forest industry is undergoing a radical shift that places it at the centre of a regional green transition.
  • UN tech agency moves to protect submarine cables as tensions heighten risks | Geneva Solutions | 6 May 2026
    Undersea cables carry nearly all of the world’s data, yet they have never been more exposed to conflict, geopolitical tensions and big tech expansion. Countries are turning to the International Telecommunications Union to strengthen governance over the internet’s undersea backbone.
  • Central African countries commit to transboundary water cooperation to build resilience as climate crisis intensifies | UNECE | 5 May 2026
    The Yaoundé Call is a political declaration that sets a road map for the region. It urges the 11 member states of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) to accelerate accession to the UN Water Convention, integrate water cooperation into national climate policies, and mobilize innovative financing for shared basin management – reinforcing Central Africa’s collective voice ahead of the UN Water Conference in December 2026. 
  • Lifelong learning must become a strategic policy priority | ILO | 5 May 2026
    As digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI), the green transition, and demographic shifts reshape labour markets worldwide, a new ILO report calls on governments to raise lifelong learning to a central pillar of economic and social policy. Drawing on new worker surveys, online vacancy analysis, institutional data and a review of 174 studies on what works in training, the report Lifelong learning and skills for the future warns that without stronger investment in inclusive learning systems, these transformations risk widening inequalities between and within countries.
  • Pandemic Talks Extended – But Colombia Appeals for New ‘Method’ to Settle Differences | Kerry Cullinan | Health Policy Watch | 4 May 2026
    Talks on a Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) system were due to wrap up last Friday night, but have since been extended to July, with a resolution in that regard being prepared for the World Health Assembly, which starts on 18 May. Colombia has appealed for a new “method” to settle the outstanding annex of the Pandemic Agreement, after WHO member states failed to reach an agreement last week after almost a year of talks. 
  • Policy and legal enabling conditions for sustainable agriculture | IUCN | 4 May 2026
    The purpose of this report is to identify and assess key areas of law and policy that require renewed attention to support the development and implementation of sustainable agriculture, particularly at the national level. 
  • WTO members discuss action plan for cotton sector after MC14, World Cotton Day 2026 | WTO | 4 May 2026
    WTO members reviewed global cotton market trends and the path ahead for the cotton sector at meetings in Geneva on 4 May. The meetings follow the high-level cotton event at the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Cameroon in March. Delegations noted commitments announced at MC14 to invest in African countries moving up the cotton value chain and stressed the vital contribution of cotton to international trade and its potential to foster sustainable development.

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