The following side events will take place in connection with the Third Global Meeting of National Focal Points to the Montevideo Programme V, to be held virtually from 4–5 November 2026.
The side events will take place virtually on 6 November 2026, from 14:00 to 15:30 EAT.
Links to recordings of the side events will be made available following the events.
For more information on each side event, including a detailed description, please click on the respective tab above.
| Title | Day | Time | Location | Recording Link | Inquiries |
Side Event 1 | “Strengthening Environmental Rule of Law through Environmental Law Clinics: Regional Experiences and Global Collaboration under the Montevideo Programme V” | Friday, 6 November 2026 | 14:00–15:30 EAT | Online | Watch here | Ms Georgina Lloyd: georgina.lloyd@un.org Ms. Catalina Pizarro: catalina.pizarro@un.org
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Side Event 2 | ‘Strengthening Enforcement of the Montreal Protocol: Addressing Illegal Trade and Crimes that affect the Environment’
| Friday, 6 November 2026 | 16:00–17:30 EAT | Online | Watch here | Ms Yiwei Zou: yiwei.zou@un.org |
Strengthening Environmental Rule of Law through Environmental Law Clinics: Regional Experiences and Global Collaboration under the Montevideo Programme V
Co-organisers:
- Global Network of Environmental Law Clinics (GNELC)
- Alliance of Environmental Law Clinics of Latin America and the Caribbean
- Alliance of Environmental Law Clinics and Legal Aid Centres of Asia-Pacific
- Association of Environmental Law Lecturers in Africa (ASSELLAU)
- UNEP Law Division
Date: Friday, 06 November 2026
Time: 14:00-15:30 EAT
Location: Online
Registration link: Click here to register
Summary:
This side event will explore how environmental law clinics and their networks can strengthen the environmental rule of law, access to environmental justice and implementation of Montevideo Programme V. It will bring together experiences from Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and North America to highlight the contribution of environmental law clinics to legal education, capacity-building, community engagement and environmental governance.
The discussion will also examine how regional networks and the Global Network of Environmental Law Clinics (GNELC) can enhance knowledge exchange, comparative research and collaboration, while respecting regional diversity, local leadership and equitable partnerships.
The key focus of the event will be on strengthening environmental law clinics as strategic partners in advancing environmental governance, environmental justice and the implementation of Montevideo Programme V.
Confirmed Speakers:
- Georgina Lloyd, UNEP Officer/Asia-Pacific Environmental Law Clinics Network
- Andrea Dominguez, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú/ALCJA/GNELC - Latin America and the Caribbean
- David Rossati, GNELC Clearing House System, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam - Europe
Prof. Robert Kibugi, University of Nairobi, Kenya - Africa
Rose-Liza Eisma-Osorio, Professor, University of Cebu, School of Law - Asia-Pacific
William Piermattei, University of Maryland Environmental Law Clinic Program - North America
Joaquin Chacin, Environmental Law Clinic Professor, University of Cochabamba, Bolivia
Programme
Time | Session | Speakers |
14:00-14:05 | Opening Keynote: Environmental Law Clinics as Strategic Partners in Advancing Montevideo Programme V Introduction to the role of environmental law clinics, universities and collaborative regional networks in supporting the implementation of Montevideo Programme V through capacity-building, environmental rule of law, legal education, environmental governance and access to environmental justice. | Georgina Lloyd UNEP Officer / Asia-Pacific Environmental Law Clinics Network |
14:05-14:30 | First Round – Regional Perspectives Moderator: TBC Guiding Question: How are environmental law clinics contributing to the implementation of Montevideo Programme V by strengthening environmental governance, the environmental rule of law and access to environmental justice in your region? 5 minutes per speaker | Andrea Domínguez – Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú / ALCJA / GNELC – Latin America and the Caribbean David Rossati – GNELC Clearing House System, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam – Europe Prof. Robert Kibugi – University of Nairobi, Kenya – Africa Rose-Liza Eisma-Osorio – Professor, University of Cebu School of Law – Asia-Pacific William Piermattei – University of Maryland Environmental Law Clinic Program – North America |
14:30-14:40 | Benefits of Collective Action and Collaboration in Asia-Pacific: Showcase of the Alliance of Environmental Law Clinics and Legal Aid Centres in Asia-Pacific | Rose-Liza Eisma-Osorio – Professor, University of Cebu School of Law – Asia-Pacific |
14:40-14:50 | Benefits of Collective Action and Collaboration in Latin America and the Caribbean: Showcase of the Alliance of Environmental Law Clinics of Latin America and the Caribbean | Joaquin Chacin Environmental Law Clinic Professor, University of Cochabamba, Bolivia |
14:50-15:15 | Second Round – Strengthening Collaboration Moderator: TBC Guiding Question: How can stronger collaboration among regional environmental law clinic networks, and emerging global initiatives such as the Global Network of Environmental Law Clinics (GNELC), accelerate the implementation of Montevideo Programme V while respecting regional diversity, local leadership and equitable partnerships? 5 minutes per speaker | Joaquin Chacin – Environmental Law Clinic Professor, University of Cochabamba, Bolivia – Latin America and the Caribbean |
15:15-15:25 | From Regional Experiences to Global Collaboration: Connecting Environmental Law Clinics through GNELC Introduction to the Global Network of Environmental Law Clinics (GNELC), which facilitates knowledge exchange, ethical partnerships, comparative research and collaborative responses to transboundary environmental challenges while respecting regional diversity, local leadership and equitable partnerships. | Andrea Domínguez – Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú / ALCJA / GNELC |
15:25-15:30 | Closing Reflections and Next Steps Closing reflections on key messages emerging from the dialogue and opportunities for continued engagement with environmental law clinics and collaborative networks under Montevideo Programme V. | UNEP |
Strengthening Enforcement of the Montreal Protocol: Addressing Illegal Trade and Crimes that affect the Environment
Co-organisers:
- OzonAction Compliance Assistance Programme
- UNEP Law Division
Date: Friday, 06 November 2026
Time: 16:00-17:30 EAT
Location: Online
Registration link: Click here to register
Summary:
Effective enforcement is essential to sustaining the Montreal Protocol's achievements as parties phase out ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) under the Kigali Amendment.
This side event will explore emerging enforcement challenges, including illegal trade in controlled substances and its potential links to crimes that affect the environment.
Drawing on the forthcoming UNEP OzonAction report, speakers will share national experiences and discuss practical approaches to strengthening legal frameworks, institutional coordination, inter-agency cooperation and international partnerships.
The event will also highlight how UNEP OzonAction and the Montevideo Programme V can help countries strengthen enforcement and environmental rule of law under the Montreal Protocol and other multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs).
Meeting documents
Concept Note and Agenda for Side Event 1