As of: February 2006

• Title: The way forward

• Speaker: Federal Minister Sigmar Gabriel
• Occasion: Working Dinner at UNEP GC GMEF
• Date/Location: 08.02.2006, Dubai

- The key issue of UN environmental reform is the current institutional imbalance in the UN system. One thing is clear: nobody would think of assigning international health policy to a World Health Programme or international economic relations to a World Trade Programme.

- It is difficult to explain how we will ever be able to achieve real sustainable development if the current institutional imbalance remains. Ambitious environmental policy is a precondition for lasting economic growth. Cosmetic reform is not enough if we want to make progress in reconciling growth, employment and environmental policy. The UN environment authority must stand on equal footing with other specialised agencies in the UN system.

- I know that some believe UNEP is already far too political and influential. This is a nice compliment for the outgoing Executive Directive, whose major lifetime achievement as an outstanding international environmental policymaker we can honour here at this Conference.

- However, international environmental protection remains entrusted to a small, underfinanced programme and a range of environmental agreements. The New York UN Summit was right to criticise this structure: it is incoherent and therefore far from ideal. It is not efficient enough.

- The Bali Strategic Plan on Technology Support and Capacity-building is a significant step forward in the implementation of environmental and development policy priorities, for which we also owe thanks to Klaus Töpfer. The goal is to globally promote the implementation of existing environmental agreements, laws and standards for environmental protection through technological cooperation and capacity building. This has to take place in close cooperation with other international organisations and the major donor countries. I believe that we will only be able to make substantial progress here with a strong UN environment organisation.

- In my view the upcoming consultations at the General Assembly in New York offer a realistic chance of making a real breakthrough with regard to UN environmental reform.