Register for online participation: tinyurl.com/ycm-oewg3-reg

The Youth Consultative Meeting (YCM) plays a pivotal role in the preparations for the third session of the ad hoc open-ended working group (OEWG 3) on a science-policy panel. Proposed to convene on June 16, 2024, this session serves as a collaborative platform, ensuring the effective integration of youth perspectives in the upcoming negotiations. Building upon intersessional activities, including capacity-building sessions and online consultations (virtual round tables), online webinars and written submission preparation, the YCM aims to consolidate youth input and ensure its effective integration into the third round of negotiations. As we gear up for OEWG 3, it is imperative to harness the collective potential and energy of young people in deriving ambition towards sound management of chemicals, waste and pollution prevention.

During OEWG2, The YCM contributed positively to enhance the self-organized youth engagement in the negotiations and with over 100 attendees in-person and virtually participants were informed about the forthcoming negotiations. The session was concluded with an intergenerational dialogue with the presence of the OEWG Chair, and high-level representation from UNEP Industry and Economy Division and the OEWG Secretariat.

Find more about CYMG's engagement with the OEWG SPP process: www.cymgenv.net/youth-oewg-spp 

Main Objectives:

1. Youth Priorities Finalization: Engage youth stakeholders in a collaborative process to refine and finalize key priorities for OEWG 3, drawing from insights gained through previous consultations and submissions. By incorporating diverse perspectives from various fields with the aim to ensure a comprehensive and inclusive set of youth-driven priorities.

2. OEWG3 Youth Coordination: Facilitate coordination among youth delegates to articulate a unified stance and maximize the impact of youth interventions during OEWG 3 discussions. By harnessing the collective strength of diverse youth backgrounds and experiences, we seek to amplify the youth voice and advocate for effective measures to address chemicals, waste, and pollution.

3. Delegates' Capacity Building: Provide targeted capacity-building sessions to equip delegates with the necessary knowledge to actively participate in OEWG 3 negotiations through interactive discussions on relevant working documents

4. Foster Knowledge Exchange and Best Practices: Facilitate dynamic knowledge exchange among networks and organizations, showcasing innovative projects and best practices in chemicals, waste, and pollution prevention. By sharing experiences and lessons learned, we strive to foster collaboration and inspire collective action towards a more sustainable future.

5. High-Level Dialogue and Presentation of Youth Top Priorities: Facilitate dialogue between youth delegates, MGS representatives and high-level representatives to explore avenues for stakeholder engagement in the future science policy panel.

Expected Outcomes:

• Clear articulation of youth priorities for OEWG 3, reflecting diverse perspectives and concerns.

• Strengthened the capacity of youth delegates to engage effectively in OEWG 3 negotiations and beyond.

• Enhanced collaboration and knowledge-sharing among youth networks and organizations, fostering innovation and collective action.

• Presentation of youth priorities to high-level participants for consideration towards the establishment of the future science policy panel

• Establishment of a solid foundation for ongoing engagement in future science-policy panels, ensuring sustained impact and relevance.

Provisional Agenda:

1. Opening of the Meeting 

2. Brief Scene Setting (UNEA Res 5/8, OEWG SPP process and others)

3. Key Updates from Key CWP processes (Updates for the period from December 2023 - June 2024)  

4. ⁠Review of the Official Working and INF. Documents for OEWG3 and finalizing youth position 

5. Towards a Youth Science-Policy Forum on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution for supporting the work of the future panel  (How youth engagements can be potentially (self-)organized for the future panel)

6. ⁠High-Level Roundtable (Chair, Principal Coordinator, Member States Delegates, WHO/ILO/OHCHR, MGS, etc.) 

7. Closing of the Meeting