On May 7, 2024, Amb. Simona-Mirela Miculescu, President of the 42^nd session of the General Conference of UNESCO, made a powerful reminder of the critical role that journalists and scientists play in the fight against environmental degradation 

Co-organized by the Permanent Missions of Austria and Chile, along with UNESCO, UNDP, the UN Human Rights Office, and the UN at Geneva, within the framework of the 2024 World Press Freedom Day celebrations, the event ‘A Press for the Planet: Protecting Journalists and Scientists in Defense of the Environment’ focused on science communication in shaping public understanding and policy-making regarding environmental issues.  

A united call for environmental journalism

During a dedicated session, Amb. Miculescu presented to Permanent Missions at the UN Office at Geneva, the Joint Statement entitled A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis, she had launched on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day Conference, on May 3rd, in Santiago de Chile. Joined by Amb. Omar Zniber, President of the UN Human Rights Council, she expressed gratitude to the two other co-signatories: Amb. Francis Dennis, President of the UN General Assembly, and Amb. Paula Narváez, President of the UN Economic and Social Council. This united message from global leaders called for stronger protections for journalists covering environmental issues, particularly as they face increasing dangers and pressures.

In her remarks, Amb. Miculescu highlighted the importance of a free, independent, and pluralistic media in addressing the climate crisis, emphasizing that accurate and timely information is crucial for informed decision-making. 

Reflections and lessons learned

Reflecting on the World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) celebrations in Chile, Amb. Miculescu noted that the 2024 edition marked the third consecutive year where leaders of UN governing bodies spoke with one voice on this issue. She underscored that the WPFD has evolved into a crucial platform for reaffirming the indispensable role of journalism in fostering sustainable development. She mentioned that some of the key takeaways from recent event included: stronger coordination within the UN system, particularly in implementing the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and combating impunity; closer interactions between delegations in key UN locations—New York, Geneva, and Paris—leading to more robust resolutions.

Collaborative platforms to advance freedom of expression

Although many recent initiatives promote international cooperation on this topic, Amb. Miculescu stressed the need for better communication and coordination to maximize impact. She pointed to several key platforms that Member States can leverage: the Groups of Friends on Safety of Journalists in New York, Paris, Geneva, and other key locations, which work to promote journalists’ safety and facilitate coordination between Member States; the Media Freedom Coalition (MFC), a partnership of over 50 countries advocating for media freedom and accountability for those who attack journalists; and the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) for the SDGs, which provide opportunities for Member States to share best practices, with support from UN agencies like UNESCO.

Amb. Miculescu also highlighted UNESCO’s role as a knowledge partner in multilateral forums such as the G20 Digital Economy working group, contributing to discussions on information integrity and AI ethics.

Amb. Miculescu’s engagements in Geneva also included a bilateral meeting with H.E. Omar Zniber, President of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC). They discussed ways to promote the essential role of journalists in the face of environmental challenges. The discussions also touched on human rights issues, including the protection of scientists and human rights in the era of artificial intelligence, aligning with UNESCO’s broader mandate.

While in Geneva, the President of the General Conference met also Ms Ana-Luiza Thompson Flores, Director of the UNESCO Liaison Office in Geneva and members of her team, and congratulated them for the excellent organization of this timely and important event.