Cherie Blair CBE (Cherie Booth K.C.)’s Post

Very much enjoyed working for #Albania with the amazing team at OMNIA STRATEGY LLP, to assist the drafting of its second round submission before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in proceedings seeking an advisory opinion on climate change. These are landmark proceedings, likely to influence the understanding of state obligations on climate change under international law, and to create cascading opportunities for stronger climate action via national legal systems. The ICJ is asked two questions by resolution 77/276 of the United Nations General Assembly : ❓ What are the obligations of States under international law to ensure the protection of the climate system and other parts of the environment from anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases for States and for present and future generations? ❓ What are the legal consequences under these obligations for States where they, by their acts and omissions, have caused significant harm to the climate system and other parts of the environment?

Advocating for Protected Areas Protection in Albania Dear LinkedIn community, We want to draw your attention to a crucial cause recently gaining significant attention in Albania. Numerous civil society organizations focusing on environmental protection have joined forces to address developments regarding protecting our precious natural landscapes. Ambassador Silvio Gonzato, the European Union's representative in Albania, has taken a stance in advocating for environmental preservation. In a recent Facebook post, he insisted that any proposed changes to the law on Protected Areas undergo a comprehensive consultation process grounded in factual information and inclusive of all relevant stakeholders. Ambassador Gonzato's commitment in this direction during a meeting with Arben Pëllumbi, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on the Environment, emphasized these issues' importance. This goes in the same line with the concerns voiced by civil society organizations dedicated to environmental causes. They raised questions about the procedures followed by the Albanian Assembly in conducting public consultations related to changes in legislation concerning PAs. 👉 On January 30, 2024, the first online public hearing was held between the Commission for Production Activities, Trade, and the Environment and AOS, where essential insights were exchanged. 👉 On February 1, four letters were sent from 28 organizations to the Albanian Assembly, the Council of Ministers, and the two current commissions responsible for examining proposed changes to the law. These letters collectively urged the inclusion of the Commission of European Affairs in this crucial discussion. Moreover, they firmly opposed an exclusionary approach that argued against aligning the law with the European legal framework. The reasoning behind this opposition includes: The draft law proposes changes to the Law on PAs, which was previously aligned with the acquis communautaire. Therefore, any alterations should undergo the same alignment process. The draft law's content was alleged to contravene the principles of the IUCN, as articulated in letters addressed to the deputies of the Committee for Production Activities, Trade, and the Environment, as well as the Committee for Legal Affairs, Public Administration, and Human Rights. Concerned organizations hope that Ambassador Gonzato's engagement in the protection of the Pa will be taken with the gravity it deserves from our authorities; this is not only instrumental for the European Union's integration process but also is essential for not throwing away the investments made by the European Union in Albania over the years. https://lnkd.in/ditBdixU  #EnvironmentalProtection #ProtectedAreas #Albania #EUIntegration #EnvironmentalAdvocacy 

In 2023, WWF Colombia, with support from the Targeting Natural Resource Corruption (TNRC) project, leveraged its environmental rights work to promote ratification and implementation of the regional Escazú Agreement. This unique landmark agreement is the first #environmental treaty in Latin America and the Caribbean to explicitly safeguard environmental and human rights defenders (EHRDs). Given the alarming rate of EHRD murders in Latin America, particularly in Colombia, the protections offered by the agreement are crucial. Beyond #EHRD protection, the Escazú Agreement focuses on four pillars: facilitating access to environmental information, fostering public participation in environmental decision-making, and ensuring access to justice in environmental matters. While the agreement is not an #anticorruption treaty, #corruption is closely linked to the issues the agreement seeks to address, and the four pillars contribute to anti-corruption outcomes. 👉 Read this case study to learn key takeaways from their work: https://lnkd.in/eyVRj_VC

Rodrigo Otavio Soares Pacheco, President of the Federal Senate (Senado Federal), provided insights following his meeting with Nasser Bourita, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, to explore the deepening of bilateral relations with #Morocco. The Federal Senate President stressed shared #social and #environmental challenges, extending an invitation to the #Moroccan authorities for the upcoming #climate conference set to take place next year in the state of #Pará, #Brazil. Regarding the issue of the #Sahara, he stated, “I am also aware of the seriousness with which the country addresses the issue of the Sahara, which leads Brazil to take a formal position on this matter from the Brazilian government.” #mwn #moroccoworldnews #morocco #brazil #moroccansahara #westernsahara

This week I had the great pleasure to participate in AMO - Association for International Affairs's conference on Czech Eastern policy 2024. Together with AMO Research Fellow Pavel Havlicek, Czech Special Envoy for Eastern Partnership David Stulík, and Head of the Mission of Democratic Belarus in Brussels Vladzimir Astapenka, we discussed the present and future of the #EasternPartnership and support to #civilsociety. Here are a few key points I shared:   👉 The #EasternPartnership policy has been successful in increasing the resilience of the EaP region. Its regional dimension is complementary to bilateral – and therefore to enlargement – relations. It offers important opportunities for #civilsociety cooperation, continued inclusion of #Belarusian democratic actors and a coordinated approach and training ground for regional cooperation of EaP governments. As such, it should be kept.   👉 The EaP is also an important safeguard when faced with democratic backsliding. #Georgia is offers a perfect example as the policy framework guarantees engagement with the country, including democratic civil society and actors, while we figure out how to proceed after #ForeignAgents law and #TbilisiProtests   👉 The outcome of the #EaP Foreign Ministerial meeting last December included a mandate for increased focus on #RuleofLaw and #Democratisation. This is very important and should be done in full cooperation with civil society.    👉 Cooperation should also increase in the #security field and ideally follow a #HumanSecurity approach, that fits the overall promotion of democratisation and resilience. Civil society has a key role to play in fighting disinformation, media literacy but also political and environmental security.   👉 Civil society maintains a key role as #watchdog, promoter of reforms, and generator of new ideas. EU member states, #EU and EaP institutions should continue engaging with civil society. Political and financial support from the #EU to #civilsociety is crucial but uneven across the #EaP region. It should continue, with 1) more resources allocated to core support that allows organisations to consolidate and react rapidly to the region’s volatile environment 2) further adapt to reach out to regions and grassroots organisations.   

✨️ Last week I had the honor of moderating the first panel of European Policy Institute - Skopje's annual conference - Forum Europaeum. This event was focused on rule of law instruments in view of EU accession and more specifically, on the preventive mechanisms comprising the rule of law toolbox which may be applied to candidate countries, as well as the new Growth Plan for the Western Balkan countries, which also includes one of those mechanisms - the conditionality mechanism. 👏 Many thanks to the panelists Ivan Novosel, Dr. Biljana Kotevska, Edo Kanlić and Ionut Sibian with whom we discussed the European rule of law mechanism and the inclusion of several candidate countries in the rule of law reports, as well as the perspective of the CSOs in the candidate countries in the Western Balkan. We dabbled in the work of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights with the candidate countries and their inclusion in its reports, as well as the initiative by the European Economic and Social Committee to welcome civil society experts from those countries to participate in its work. ⏭️ Looking forward to many more fruitful discussions on tackling rule of law challenges within the European Union and in its neighbourhood. #ruleoflaw #rol #eu #accession #enlargement #candidatecountries #westernbalkan #wb #fra #eesc

Big Win for Ethiopia and the Nile Basin! South Sudan has ratified the Nile Basin Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA) on July 8, 2024, officially bringing the agreement into force 60 days later. This marks a significant milestone in promoting cooperation among Nile Basin countries. Subsequently, the member states of the CFA successfully deposited their instruments with the African Union on October 6, 2024. The CFA required ratification from six countries to enter into force. It was initially signed on May 14, 2010, by Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda in Entebbe, Uganda, and was subsequently joined by Kenya and Burundi. South Sudan, which was not a state during the signing, has now acceded to the agreement, enabling it to become operational. However, Kenya is yet to ratify the CFA, raising eyebrows about its commitment to regional cooperation. South Sudan's ratification has been pivotal in allowing the agreement to take effect, highlighting the growing support among upper riparian states. The CFA recognizes and incorporates the principles of equitable and reasonable utilization of water resources, as well as the no-harm principle. These fundamental principles are key components of international law governing international watercourses. While most upstream countries support the CFA, Egypt and Sudan have refused to sign, basing their claims on colonial-era treaties (1929 and 1959), which are now seen as outdated and non-binding under international law. This agreement is a major step toward ensuring fair access to the Nile waters for all 11 basin countries, fostering sustainable development and cooperation. It’s a huge achievement for Ethiopia and the upper riparian states, enhancing equitable access to this vital resource!

A Historic Milestone for Mauritius and Its Future Today marks a pivotal moment in Mauritius' history as Mauritius and the United Kingdom have reached a groundbreaking political agreement on the sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago. After two years of respectful negotiation, both nations have demonstrated a steadfast commitment to international law and the peaceful resolution of disputes. This agreement not only reaffirms Mauritius' sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago but also opens up significant opportunities for our nation's future. The resettlement of Chagossians, the establishment of a trust fund, and a robust infrastructure partnership with the UK will directly benefit the people of Mauritius. Economically, this new era of cooperation will create avenues for meaningful development across the country, supporting strategic projects and driving growth. Additionally, Mauritius will play a key role in safeguarding one of the world’s most vital marine environments, collaborating with the UK to tackle issues like illegal fishing, irregular migration, and maritime security in the region. As we look ahead, this agreement reinforces Mauritius' position as a key player in the Indian Ocean Region, committed to both security and prosperity. The support of close partners such as the United States and India in reaching this milestone underscores the importance of this moment on a global scale. This historic agreement not only addresses past but also strengthens Mauritius's future, ensuring that the people of Mauritius will benefit for generations to come. #Mauritius #Chagos #UKMauritiusAgreement #EconomicDevelopment #IndianOcean #GlobalPartnership #MaritimeSecurity #Sustainability #FutureGrowth

The Centralization of Control Over Governance, Lands, and Resources in Canada: A Treaty-Informed Perspective From a Treaty-informed lens, the centralization of control over governance, lands, and resources in Canada represents a long-standing shift away from the original spirit and intent of the Treaties. These agreements were based on mutual respect, coexistence, and shared stewardship between Indigenous nations and the Crown. However, the reality reflects a systematic erosion of these principles. Original Treaty Intent: The numbered Treaties were agreements where Indigenous peoples retained inherent rights to their lands, governance, and resources. These agreements were meant to ensure shared benefit, with Indigenous nations maintaining autonomy over their territories. Erosion of Rights: Policies and legislation, such as the Indian Act (1876), centralized control over lands and resources at federal and provincial levels, prioritizing industrial development over Indigenous autonomy. The Act imposed colonial governance structures, diminishing traditional systems, while resource laws allowed provinces to issue permits that disregarded Indigenous sovereignty. Federal and Provincial Centralization: Governments bypass Indigenous governance systems, asserting control over lands and resources. Resource extraction projects often proceed with minimal consultation, leading to environmental degradation and displacement from traditional territories. The Role of International Frameworks: Policies like UNDRIPA (Bill C-15) and the Rights and Recognition Framework seem to support Indigenous rights, but in practice, centralize control under frameworks prioritizing global economic interests, undermining Treaty obligations. Impact on Indigenous Communities: Centralization has led to environmental destruction, loss of land, and reduced Indigenous decision-making power. Impact Benefit Agreements (IBAs) offer limited economic gain in exchange for land access, far from the full control promised in the Treaties. A Path Forward: A Treaty-centered approach requires decentralizing control and returning authority over lands and resources to Indigenous nations. This means respecting traditional governance and ensuring development only proceeds with full consent. I’d love to hear your thoughts on how we can push for a future that upholds Treaty rights and empowers Indigenous governance. What steps should we take to ensure sustainable and respectful resource management? Please share your insights in the comments below. #IndigenousRights #LandStewardship #Governance #TreatyRights #IndigenousSovereignty #Decolonization #Reconciliation #EnvironmentalJustice

Climate change threatens more than ecosystems—it challenges the very concept of statehood. For example, the Republic of Kiribati, a small island nation in the Pacific, faces an existential threat as rising sea levels could soon submerge its entire territory. This unsettling scenario makes us consider the unprecedented: What happens when a state loses its entire land by natural cause? The loss of the entire land can be concluded in three possible scenarios: - Total extinction: The state ceases to exist without a successor, leaving its citizens stateless. - Artificial territorial maintenance: Human intervention preserves a portion of the territory to maintain sovereignty. - Transformation into a unique legal subject: Following the model of the Sovereign Order of Malta, the state evolves into a “deterritorialized” international entity. These scenarios provoke difficult legal questions about sovereignty, human rights, and citizenship, demanding innovative solutions to secure the future of nations such as Kiribati and it's people. Want to dive deeper into how international law might adapt to climate-driven challenges? Please read the full article to explore these potential paths and what they mean for the future of states at risk. #ClimateChange #InternationalLaw #Kiribati #StateSovereignty #FutureOfNations