UNEP and Belgium to scale up cooperation on the green economy

The head of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium met on Wednesday to discuss their coordination on sustainable development and the green economy.

UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner met with the Honourable Alexander De Croo, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Development Cooperation of Belgium, on the margins of the Financing for Development Conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The two discussed UNEP and Belgium's collaboration in areas of mutual interest, including sustainable development and the green economy.

Executive Director Steiner briefed the Deputy Prime Minister on the role in sustainable development of UNEP's Inquiry into the Design of a Sustainable Financial System, which aims to identify options that help align the financial system with the needs of a green economy.

Steiner also provided an overview on the Africa 2020 Renewables Initiative, which aims to boost the production of renewable energies in Africa up to 10 gigawatts by 2020.

Steiner and De Croo also took the opportunity to discuss areas of potential further cooperation  including UNEP supporting Belgium's initiatve to assist developing nations and fragile states; and employing digital technology with environmental and development initiatives.