From Chaos to Action: Insights from TEDxGeneva 2025

4 December 2025

News
TEDxGeneva 2025 stage.

The latest edition of TEDxGeneva, supported by UN CC:Learn, brought together a range of speakers who see “chaos” as an opportunity. Read on to find out more about the event.

On 28 November 2025, the iconic red TEDx letters lit up the Theatre Pitoeff in Geneva, Switzerland, as hundreds of people gathered for TEDxGeneva 2025 – CHAOS, an evening of 11 talks and 2 interviews in French and English exploring how disorder can become a catalyst for positive transformation.

For the fourth time, UN CC:Learn, with support from the Government of France, joined forces with TEDxGeneva to support a programme that put the environment, social justice, and systems change at the centre stage.

Chaos as a lens on today’s climate and social crises

This year’s theme, CHAOS, invited speakers and participants to look at the accelerating climate crisis, rising inequalities, and rapid technological change not only as sources of disruption but also as openings for new ways of thinking and acting.

How can the cracks in existing systems also create space for fresh ideas, fairer economies, and more resilient communities? That’s what 14 presenters addressed in their interventions over the 4-hour event. From leveraging product repairability as a business model to using AI to combat organized crime, the evening’s Talks covered a wide range of thought-provoking ideas that prompted the audience to reflect.

TEDxTalk during TEDxGeneva CHAOS.

TEDxTalk during TEDxGeneva CHAOS.

11 talks, 2 interviews, and many ways to navigate chaos

Doors opened at 17:00, with talks beginning at 18:00 and running in two parts, separated by a networking cocktail. Simultaneous translation via mobile phones made the evening accessible to both French- and English-speaking participants, reflecting Geneva’s international character.

The CHAOS programme brought together a rich and varied line-up of speakers:

Climate courage and circular solutions

  • Isabelle Veillon explored why grandmothers like her are prepared to risk arrest for the climate, reflecting a growing movement of older activists who refuse to remain silent as the climate emergency deepens.
  • François Marthaler shared insights on how the repair economy and circular solutions can help societies reduce waste, rethink consumption and confront ecological breakdown.

Learning from living systems

  • Martin Colognoli invited the audience to flip a common narrative: rather than seeing humans as protectors of coral reefs, what if coral could inspire us to rethink how we act and cooperate, in order to protect both ocean ecosystems and ourselves?
  • Carole Fonty showed how the arrival of a single small mussel species can trigger major ecological changes, illustrating how seemingly minor shifts can cascade through ecosystems, and why understanding these dynamics matters in a changing climate.

Food systems and radical transparency

  • Xavier Bengoa made the case for “radical transparency” in food systems as an antidote to chaos in what we eat, linking data, accountability and consumer empowerment to more sustainable and equitable food chains.

Information overload and artificial intelligence

  • Anna Nesvijevskaia tackled the “information flood” of the digital age and asked how societies can navigate massive data flows, measured in zettaoctets, without losing their humanity.
  • Gian Maria Campedelli examined how AI could become an ally in the fight against organized crime and corruption, showing the potential of new technologies to support the rule of law and fairer societies.

Ethics, analogue tools, and self-leadership

Across all interventions, one idea resonated strongly: chaos is not only about breakdown. It can also be the starting point for new, better, and more sustainable ways of living together.

TEDxTalk at the TEDxGeneva CHAOS.

TEDxTalk at the TEDxGeneva CHAOS.

UN CC:Learn and TEDxGeneva: four editions of ideas worth spreading

The CHAOS edition builds on a partnership that began in 2021, when UN CC:Learn brought youth and climate change to the forefront through discussions on scaling up climate action.

  • The Tide is Rising (2021), which spotlighted youth voices and the need for urgent climate action.
  • Regeneration (2022), which explored how regenerative approaches can help societies respond to the climate crisis.
  • Breathing (2023), which connected the act of breathing with environmental health, social well-being and climate solutions.

The 2025 CHAOS edition marked the fourth time UN CC:Learn has supported TEDxGeneva, this time alongside HEG Genève, TechFirm,  Loterie Romande and the Canton of Geneva.

Volunteers at the TEDxGeneva CHAOS

Volunteers at the TEDxGeneva CHAOS

Monitoring Air Pollution Effects under the Convention: New Affiliated E-Course Available!

27 November 2025

News

A new UNECE e-course on monitoring air pollution effects is now available on the UN CC:Learn platform. This self-paced training explains why air pollution monitoring matters, how it is carried out, and how it supports clean air policies.

 

Read on to find out more.

Air pollution poses a significant threat to our health, environment, biodiversity, and economies. Originating from sources such as transport, industry, and agriculture, pollutants travel long distances and cross national borders, making air pollution a truly transboundary challenge. Addressing it effectively requires coordinated action across sectors and countries.

Since 1979, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) member States have collaborated under the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution to improve air quality across the region. A cornerstone of this effort is the Convention’s Working Group on Effects, established in 1980 to monitor air pollution impacts at the receptor level. Over the decades, it has generated robust scientific evidence on how major air pollutants affect human health and the environment, identified the most vulnerable areas and ecosystems, and fostered a unique international network of scientists. This direct collaboration between experts and policymakers has enabled innovative solutions, built trust, and supported sound policy development.

To further strengthen understanding and engagement in this vital field, a new self-paced e-course, Monitoring Air Pollution Effects under the Convention, is now available on the UN CC:Learn e-learning platform. Developed by the UNECE, the course explores why monitoring air pollution effects matters, how it is done, and how this information supports clean air policies. It has been made available through the UN CC:Learn Affiliation Programme, which showcases high-quality external climate learning products that complement the UN CC:Learn portfolio.

What will you learn?

After completing the course, learners will be able to:

  • Identify the main effects of air pollution
  • Outline the objectives of the effects-related work under the Convention
  • Describe methods to monitor air pollution effects
  • Outline how effects assessments can support policy-making

Who is this course for?

This course is primarily designed to strengthen the capacities of staff working in ministries and technical institutions engaged with the Convention and its protocols. It will help learners contribute to national and Convention-level work on air pollution effects, an essential foundation for designing effective clean air policies. It is also aimed at academics, NGO representatives, and individuals interested in the study and monitoring of air pollution effects, including those working beyond the Convention’s framework.

Will you get a certificate?

Yes. Learners can take an assessment at the end of the course to obtain a UNECE certificate of completion. After achieving a minimum passing score of 70% within three attempts, participants will be able to download their certificate directly from the course’s “certification” page.

Take the course today!

UPU and UNITAR Explore E-commerce Sustainability Pressures in Second Global Webinar

22 July 2025

News

UPU and UNITAR organized the second global webinar as part of the “Climate Engagement Programme for Postal Sector Stakeholders”, this time focusing on the sustainability requirements for the e-commerce market.

 

Read on to find out more.

On 10 July 2025, the Universal Postal Union (UPU) and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) hosted the second event in their joint webinar series, focusing on how sustainability requirements in the e-commerce market are reshaping the postal sector.

Titled “Sustainability Requirements of the E-commerce Market – Implications for the Core Business of the Postal Sector”, the webinar brought together perspectives from capital markets, logistics providers, and regulators to over 60 participants, primarily from the postal sector, connecting from different parts of the world.

The first speaker, Ms. Yaxuan Chen from UPU, presented insights from ESG data covering over 200 publicly listed e-commerce companies (compiled together with S&P Global). She highlighted the growing influence of environmental and social indicators in shaping investor decisions, procurement processes, and market access. Postal operators, she explained, are increasingly expected to align with sustainability metrics, such as emissions reporting, sustainable packaging, and low-emission delivery, even if not directly regulated.

Dr. Janya Chanchaichujit from Prince of Songkla University examined how these new expectations are affecting logistics and delivery providers. She underlined how sustainability goals, such as offering low-carbon delivery options or disclosing emissions, are becoming standard features of e-commerce contracts. For many postal operators, this creates both a challenge and an opportunity to modernize operations and demonstrate leadership.

From a regulatory angle, Ms. Betül Yilmaz of Türkiye’s Information and Communication Technologies Authoritydiscussed how national authorities are beginning to respond. Drawing on Türkiye’s new sustainability reporting standards and recent developments in e-commerce legislation, she emphasized the importance of ensuring fair competition and supporting smaller actors through clearer policy frameworks and collaboration across agencies.

Throughout the session, participants engaged through live polls and a series of Q&As.

This webinar is part of the UPU–UNITAR global webinar series, Climate Engagement Programme for Postal Sector Stakeholders, which provides a platform for knowledge sharing and joint action on sustainability in the postal sector. The first webinar, “Overcoming Grid Constraints in Fleet Electrification,” is also available online. A third webinar in the series will follow later this year.

Watch the webinar recording:

Strengthening Country Support: UNITAR and the NDC Partnership Collaborate on Facilitators Exchanges

7 July 2025

News

UNITAR and the NDC Partnership joined forces to organize the Facilitators Exchanges, a series of workshops for NDC In-Country Facilitators to support them in co-creating solutions for key NDC implementation challenges.

 

Read on to find out more.

How can countries accelerate the implementation of their climate goals? One powerful tool is the exchange of best practices. At UNITAR, we believe that learning from peers and solving problems together can make a real difference, and that’s why we have partnered with the NDC Partnership to organize the Facilitators Exchanges, a series of interactive online workshops designed to support the Partnership’s in-country Facilitators.

NDC Partnership’s in-country Facilitators play a pivotal role in advancing the implementation of countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by facilitating coordination among key national stakeholders and mobilizing resources for climate action.

The Facilitators’ Exchanges aim to promote peer learning, share real-world experiences, and support practical problem-solving, empowering Facilitators to deliver on their complex and demanding mandate.

This event series was strategically designed to meet the needs of Facilitators.  Between February and April 2024, a learning needs assessment was carried out, highlighting a range of challenges faced by in-country Facilitators, including resource mobilization, consistently cited as a top priority across all regions. In light of this, UNITAR and the NDC Partnership co-designed a series of virtual, 90-minute workshops to address these needs following a methodology focused on process improvement, co-creation, and collaboration.

Each round of the FE features two complementary sessions: the first focuses on surfacing and discussing context-specific and regional challenges, inviting Facilitators to identify the root causes and symptoms of a problem. The second one is dedicated to collaboratively developing and co-creating tailored solutions for the challenges identified.

To date, the Facilitators Exchanges have been rolled out across various regions, including Anglophone and Lusophone Africa (which has already completed two rounds), Francophone Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Asia, with Eastern Europe and Iraq. While most sessions have centered on resource mobilization, a key pillar for implementing NDCs, the second round in Anglophone and Lusophone Africa zoomed in on strategies for engaging the private sector for resource mobilization.

Through this initiative, the NDC Partnership and UNITAR are equipping Facilitators with new insights and peer support to unlock climate action solutions in their countries. Facilitators  support governments in accessing climate finance and align funding opportunities with national priorities. The Facilitator Exchanges aim is to strengthen these capabilities and promote shared learning across the Facilitators’ community.

By creating dedicated spaces for Facilitators to reflect on shared challenges and co-create actionable solutions, this initiative is directly supporting more effective and resilient NDC implementation worldwide.

UPU and UNITAR Explore Grid Challenges in Postal Fleet Electrification in New Webinar Series

5 May 2025

News

UNITAR and UPU have launched a new series of webinars to unpack key sustainability challenges in the postal sector. The first webinar took place on 28 April 2025, covering the critical issue of postal fleet electrification.

 

Read on to find out more.

On 28 April 2025, the Universal Postal Union (UPU) and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) jointly hosted the first webinar of their new series on climate action and sustainability in the postal sector. Titled “Overcoming Grid Constraints in Fleet Electrification – Bridging the Gap Between EV Demand and Grid Capacity,” the 90-minute session brought together 51 postal professionals and stakeholders from around the world for an interactive dialogue featuring expert presentations, live polls, and a dynamic roundtable discussion. The session marked the first in a three-part series under the “Climate Engagement Programme for Postal Sector Stakeholders” set to run through 2026.

The event opened with welcoming remarks from Mr. Siva Somasundram, Director of Policy, Regulation and Markets at UPU, and Mr. Angus Mackay, Director of the Division for Planet at UNITAR. Framing the relevance of the issue, Mr. Somasundram emphasized that:

“The transition to electric vehicles is central to the broader transformation of our sector… electric vehicle deployment is not only a climate commitment, it is also a response to evolving market demand.”

And Mr. Mackay underlined the global reach and untapped potential of the postal network, stating:

“How much good can be done by harnessing some of this capacity towards emissions reductions and building capacity?”

The webinar addressed a key challenge faced by postal operators in greening their fleets. While many are actively deploying electric vehicle (EV) fleets, their progress depends  on local and national grid infrastructure capacity. Presentations explored these issues from three perspectives: from the postal sector angle and a policy and technology standpoint.

Mr. Malte Schütt of DHL’s Clean OPS Technology Centre, the first speaker to intervene, provided a sector-specific view on smart charging and operational hurdles. Covering the global experiences of DHL, Mr. Schütt highlighted the importance of local energy mix for deciding on the roll out of EV fleets for credible action of decarbonization. Ms. Swetha Ravi Kumar from FSR Global focused on policy , presenting the regulatory landscape that is relevant for grid-resilient fleet electrification. Ms. Kumar encouraged looking beyond the demand side perspective and highlighted the EV charging business models and other service innovations that the postal sectoral players can uptake.   Finally, Mr. Canaan Shao, from Wanbang Digital Energy, highlighted key technologies trends to support independent charging systems, centralized energy control  systems and split charging architecture that allow for scalable solutions for postal logistics.

The session also featured a mini roundtable with the three speakers that shifted the focus toward investment strategies, exploring how postal fleets can attract funding and innovation through public-private partnerships and co-financing models.

Looking ahead, the webinar series will continue with a second session in late June 2025, followed by a third installment later in the year. Each session will tackle a pressing sustainability challenge facing the postal sector, providing a collaborative space for postal sector workers and stakeholders to exchange knowledge and potentially co-develop actionable solutions.

Watch the webinar recording:

Sports for Climate Action: Two New Courses to Drive Climate Action in Sports

22 April 2025

News

Discover how the world of sports is rising to the climate challenge. Explore two new free e-courses that empower individuals and organizations to take meaningful climate action, on and off the field.

The impacts of climate change are being felt across every aspect of society, and the world of sports is no exception. Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and environmental degradation are disrupting training schedules, damaging infrastructure, and affecting athletes’ performance. At the same time, the sports sector itself contributes approximately 1% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions. With its broad appeal and influence, sport holds unique potential to lead by example and mobilize collective action for the planet. 

“Sport reminds us of our collective ability to overcome the seemingly impossible.” – Patricia Espinosa, former Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change.  

Recognizing this, the UNFCCC Sports for Climate Action Framework was launched in 2018 to guide environmental sustainability efforts within the sports sector and leverage its global reach to raise awareness and drive climate action. Towards this goal, two new e-learning courses have been launched as part of the Sports for Climate Action e-learning series. Developed in partnership between UNITAR (through the UN CC:Learn programme) and UN Climate Change (UNFCCC), and powered by adidas, the courses aim to empower individuals and sports organizations to take meaningful climate action – both on and off the field. 

The first course, Introduction to Sports for Climate Action, is designed for anyone interested in understanding how sports and climate change intersect. It explores how sports contribute to climate change, how they are affected by it, and what actions can be taken to build a greener and more resilient sports sector. Comprising four short modules, the course takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes to complete, using interactive lessons, videos, quizzes, and practical activities to guide learners through the essentials. 

The second course, Sports for Climate Action, takes the learning further. Targeted primarily at staff of sports organizations, it builds on the foundational knowledge from the introductory course and provides actionable strategies for integrating climate considerations into operations, business planning, and stakeholder engagement. With five in-depth modules, the course takes approximately 4 hours to complete and features real-world case studies, interviews with industry professionals, and practical exercises to help learners apply what they’ve learned. 

Both courses are fully online, self-paced, and free of charge. Participants who successfully complete them will receive an official certificate of completion from the United Nations – a valuable credential for professionals and organizations looking to lead the way in climate action within the sports sector. 

Whether you’re a coach, event organizer, athlete, fan, or decision-maker in a sports organization, these courses offer essential insights and tools to help you make a difference. By taking part, you’ll not only increase your own knowledge, but also contribute to a growing global movement for climate action and resilience in sports. 

Ready to take action? Take the courses today. 

NDC in Benin: awareness raising, mobilization and climate action

26 March 2025

News

Find out how Benin has mobilized citizens, young people, the media and institutions around its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) through a vast awareness-raising campaign. Through workshops, flagship events and digital tools, the country is laying the foundations for inclusive and sustainable climate action.

 

Read on to find out more.

Climate: In Benin, the NDC in the spotlight

Over the past two years, the updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) has been at the heart of a series of activities coordinated by the Ministry of the Quality of Life and Transport, with the support of UNITAR (United Nations Institute for Training and Research) through the UN CC:Learn program, as part of the Communicate and Monitor the NDC and the Partnership Plan Implementation project. This initiative, supported by the NDC Partnership, aimed to raise broad awareness among the Beninese population of the country’s climate commitments and to ensure rigorous monitoring of their implementation.

Decision-makers, civil society, young people and the private sector mobilized throughout Benin, creating an unprecedented dynamic around the updated NDC. Through innovative communication tools, media campaigns and participatory events, stakeholders made the NDC a living, understood and appropriated instrument.

“The dissemination of the NDC has been an absolute priority. We have deployed several tools to reach a wide audience: a summary note accessible in French, media campaigns, thematic events such as Tree Day and Environment Day, as well as a website and a dedicated platform,” explains Antoinette Sagbo, the project’s communications expert.

Actions on the ground to disseminate the NDC

The project kicked off with a workshop to launch and validate the NDC summary, held in Cotonou in November 2023. This event brought together some 40 participants from the government, civil society, the media and technical partners. It provided an opportunity to present the project, discuss the communication strategy and validate the content of the NDC summary intended for the general public. This moment of exchange laid the foundations for an inclusive and coordinated campaign.

Subsequently, several field actions were carried out. The 2024 National Tree Day, celebrated in Lokossa, mobilized young people trained by the CASAD NGO to plant more than 1,500 trees. As for World Environment Day, it gave rise to a high-level workshop in Cotonou, with presentations on land restoration, climate resilience and the environmental responsibilities of companies. These events have strengthened the visibility of the NDC and anchored its ownership at the local level.

In addition, a vast communication campaign was launched with the production and distribution of various materials: newsletters, fact sheets, banners, bags, mugs, pens, etc. Radio and television programs in French and local languages were broadcast on five media (including television and radio), reaching an estimated 40,000 people according to the project’s communications expert, appointed to carry out these activities. All of these actions have fostered a broad and participatory ownership of the NDC by citizens, communities and institutions.

Bag developed in the framework of the project.

Bag developed in the framework of the project.

Finally, the national digital platform for monitoring the NDC (www.cdn.bj) has been updated to provide simplified and secure access to all the country’s climate information. Training has been organized for sectoral focal points to enable them to enter data, monitor projects and increase transparency. This platform is now a central pillar for the collaborative monitoring of the NDC in Benin.

Examples of programs at the end of this article

A cross-disciplinary and sustainable mobilization

Benin has great ambitions in terms of climate change mitigation and adaptation. The country has estimated its needs at around US$10,515.88 million, from public funds, the private sector and international support. The dissemination of the NDC aims to make this document a lever for national mobilization, ensuring better coordination between stakeholders and greater visibility of the efforts undertaken.

The engagement of young people has been a pillar of this strategy. Koto Daniel Dagnon, president of the Beninese Network of the World Youth Parliament for Water, emphasizes

“I want youth organizations to be actively involved in the next NDC review. I am proud to have been able to mobilize many young people during the training sessions. They are the future of the climate in Benin!”

For his part, Hermann Kouadio Kpokamè, an environmental journalist, points out that

“Through the activities carried out with UNITAR, I became aware of the importance of these documents as strategic compasses, translating international commitments into concrete policies. They make it possible to measure progress, adjust efforts and mobilize all actors, including the media, for rigorous monitoring and increased awareness. I still have a thousand and one programs to produce on the NDCs,” he says.

The Communicate and Monitor the NDC and the Partnership Plan Implementation project, launched in November 2023, marked a turning point in the dissemination of Benin’s climate commitments. Today, the NDC is better understood, better monitored and, above all, driven by a collective will that goes beyond government circles.

Examples of programs:

Examples of materials :

Master the Rotterdam Convention with Our New Course!

20 March 2025

News

The rapid expansion of global chemical trade has raised concerns about hazardous substances and their impact on health and the environment. To support countries in managing these risks, a new e-course, A Deep Dive into the Rotterdam Convention, is now available on UN CC:e-Learn.

 

Read on to find out more!

The exponential growth of chemical production and trade in recent decades has heightened global concerns about the risks posed by hazardous chemicals and pesticides. Many countries, particularly those with limited infrastructure to regulate chemical imports, remain vulnerable to potential environmental and health hazards. Recognizing these challenges, the international community adopted the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade in 1998, which came into force in 2004. The Convention promotes shared responsibility and cooperation among nations to ensure the safe management of hazardous chemicals, thereby protecting human health and the environment.

To support national authorities and other stakeholders in effectively implementing the Convention, a new e-course titled A Deep Dive into the Rotterdam Convention has been launched on the UN CC:Learn platform. This self-paced course provides an in-depth exploration of the Convention’s key mechanisms, covering crucial topics such as the listing of hazardous chemicals, the prior informed consent (PIC) procedure, and information exchange requirements. Designed to complement the Introductory Course on the Rotterdam Convention, this 4-module course offers learners a structured, interactive learning experience over approximately 5-6 hours.

Developed by the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm (BRS) Conventions in collaboration with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), and made possible through the generous support of the European Union (EU), this course serves as a vital resource for designated national authorities (DNAs), official contact points (OCPs), and other key actors involved in international chemical trade. Whether you are a government official, customs officer, or industry stakeholder, this course will equip you with essential knowledge to strengthen the implementation of the Convention at the national level.

Learn more about the course below.

What will you learn?

After completing the course, you will be able to:

  • Explain the functioning, actors, key provisions and mechanisms of the Rotterdam Convention;
  • Identify relevant tools and resources for the implementation of the Convention at the national level;
  • Use relevant tools and resources for the implementation of the Convention at the national level;
  • Support effectively and efficiently the implementation of the Convention at the national level.

Who is this course for?

This self-paced online course on the Rotterdam Convention primarily targets the Rotterdam Convention designated national authorities (DNAs) and Official Contact Points (OCPs). It also offers valuable knowledge for other governmental and non-governmental actors with a role in the implementation of the Convention, from custom authorities to chemical importers.

The course also offers valuable knowledge and insights for the following audiences:

  • Private sector entities with a role in the import and/or export of chemicals;
  • Civil society organizations with an interest in the functioning of the Rotterdam Convention; and
  • Individuals with an interest in the international trade of chemicals.

Will you get a certificate?

The successful completion of the course rewards the learner with a certificate. To complete the course, the learner must complete all four modules and pass each associated quiz with a minimum grade of 70% from no more than three attempts. The completion of each module also rewards the learner with a badge.

Take the course!

The “Sustainable Development in Practice Series” Wins Triple Gold at Brandon Hall Excellence Awards

11 September 2024

News

The “Sustainable Development in Practice” learning series has won a hat-trick in this year’s Brandon Hall Excellence Awards, highlighting UNITAR’s excellence in e-learning solutions.

 

Read on to find out more.

The “Sustainable Development in Practice” e-courses have earned three prestigious gold awards at the renowned Brandon Hall Excellence Awards. Developed in 2024, this course series triumphed in the Human Capital Management category, winning top honors for Best Certification Program, Best Competencies and Skill Development, and Best Results of a Learning Program.

The Brandon Hall Excellence Awards, established in 1993 by the Brandon Hall Group, are often referred to as the “Academy Awards” for Learning, Talent, and Business Executives. These awards celebrate organizations that have successfully designed and implemented programs, strategies, tools, and processes that deliver measurable outcomes.

DelphianLogic, UNITAR’s instructional design partner, played an instrumental role in the success of the series, from development to implementation. It was DelphianLogic that submitted the course series for consideration at the awards, further highlighting the team’s crucial contribution.

This is the second time that UNITAR/UN CC:Learn has won a Brando Hall award. In 2021, both UNITAR and DelphianLogic won gold in Excellence in Learning for the Green Economy and Trade and Green Fiscal Policy e-courses.

The “Sustainable Development Series” is a two-part learning series hosted on UN CC:e-Learn that examines an integrated approach to sustainable development and why countries should prioritize it. The series explores the rationale, drivers, challenges, and opportunities for addressing environmental, climate, and poverty issues in an integrated manner. It builds on UNDP/UNEP’s Poverty-Environment Action for Sustainable Development project (UNDP-UNEP PEA), which aimed to bring poverty, environment, and climate objectives into the heart of development plans, policies, budgets, public and private finance in partner countries.

The course has attracted significant global attention, with over 9,178 certificates awarded to learners worldwide.

Benin Celebrates 40 Years of National Tree Day with Landmark Tree-Planting Event

15 July 2024

News

Benin celebrated the 40th National Tree Day with an iconic tree-planting event, supported by UN CC:Learn.

 

Read on to find out more.

Since 1985, the population of Benin has participated in the “National Tree Day” (Journée nationale de l’arbre – JNA, in French), an annual celebration that cherishes nature and puts trees and their role in addressing climate change in the spotlight. In 2024, to celebrate JNA’s 40th edition, the Government of Benin, through the Ministry of the Quality of Life and Transport in charge of Sustainable Development and with the support of UN CC:Learn and the NDC Partnership through a project dedicated to broadly communicate and raise awareness on climate change and the country’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), invited its population to value the role of trees once again.

The borough of Koudou in the commune of Lokossa, in the southwest of the country, was the main celebratory stage this year. Several high-level government officials, both local and national, were present at the city to take part in an event that culminated in the plantation of 1,500 native species of trees, which were carefully picked per their characteristics and with the support of the members of the Coopérative d’Aménagement Rural (CAR) de Koudo and the Fondation TOZO de Lokossa, who will be the main beneficiaries.

The saplings protected and lined-up, at the JNA in Lokossa, Benin.

To mobilize the community, particularly the youth, the NGO CASAD was charged with selecting 80 youth ambassadors from the region. Before the JNA, these 80 ambassadors learned about the role of plants, particularly the saplings that were identified to be planted at the celebration: teak, eucalyptus, mango, orange, cola, coconut, and avocado.

The CASAD team, in close collaboration with the Lokossa communal forestry session team, trained the young ambassadors on the proper way to plant a tree, covering fundamental aspects such as the monitoring and maintenance techniques needed to ensure successful plant growth. With this new knowledge, they were entrusted with planting saplings during the JNA. Moreover, during six months, these 80 young people will be responsible for the 1,500 plants, making sure they are well taken care of.

The JNA that took place in Koudou, in Lokossa, had a festive ambiance that engaged a broad number of people, regardless of their age. From government officials to local residents, many people bought into the idea of planting trees. Given the number of trees, the efforts continued on 2nd and 3rd June, extending what was supposed to be a one-day celebration into a three-day one.

The Coordinator of the communication project and follow-up of the NDC at the JNA 2024.

The Coordinator of the communication project and follow-up of the NDC at the JNA 2024.

The tree-planting campaign organized in Lokossa to mark National Tree Day 2024 was a success, demonstrating the collective commitment of the local community, authorities, and partner organizations to environmental protection. The 1500 trees planted represent a concrete contribution to the fight against climate change.

Watch interviews with officials at the JNA (in french):