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

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 well being; (2) gender and the environment; (3) water and the environment; and (4) chemicals management.