North American Civil Society Statement to the 24th UNEP Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum

1. This statement has been prepared by North American civil society organizations for the 24th UNEP Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum (GC/GMEF) to be held in February 2007 in Nairobi, Kenya. The statement is the product of discussions that took place at the North American Regional Civil Society Consultation convened by UNEP on November 2-3, 2006 in Washington, D.C. The members of North American civil society organizations that took part in the Consultation are listed at the end of this statement. 1 This statement should be considered on its own and in support of the Global Civil Society Statement that will be distributed at the GC/GMEF. This statement contains observations and recommendations related to the four main issue areas on the agenda of the GC/GMEF: (1) globalization, ecosystem services, and human wellbeing; (2) gender and the environment; (3) water and the environment; and (4) chemicals management.