By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy Castle
A significant signing ceremony took place at a reception in Enniscorthy Castle last evening (Wednesday) reciprocating the Enniscorthy Forum recently signed MOU (memorandum of understanding) with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) to create a collaboration going forward between the Forum’s Building Action Coalition (BAC) and UNEP’s Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (Global ABC).
Speaking at the event, Michael Dempsey, President of Enniscorthy Chamber said the Chamber of Commerce is the parent body which provides a home to Enniscorthy Forum. “We are delighted at what has been achieved by the Board and our CEO Barbara-Anne Murphy,” said Mr Dempsey, who added; “UNEP is the leading environmental authority of the United Nations and UNEP uses its expertise to strengthen environmental standards and practices while keeping implement environmental obligations at country, regional and global levels.”
Mr Dempsey, who is a native of John Street, Enniscorthy, explained that Enniscorthy is the ideal location for this Forum. “It is a revolutionary change that is needed, and our history has shown us to be happy to lead a revolution!”
“We have a talented and well-educated population. We have easy access to the EU and the UK and America. We are a small country that has been a very successful and consistently punches above its weight and with our history and aspirations we have a special affinity for the UN,” claimed Mr. Dempsey.
There was also an address from Professor Howard Keeley from the Wexford campus of the Georgia Southern University who told the gathering that Georgia has the second largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in Savannah and he stated that €6.2 million has been invested in Wexford, so far.
Chief Executive Officer of Enniscorthy Forum, Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy was on hand to welcome everyone to the launch and compliment the hosts, Enniscorthy Castle, on such a pleasant international occasion.
A two-day forum at Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy, attended by around 70 delegates from many parts of the world was opened on Tuesday by Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy in her role as Chief Executive Officer of the Enniscorthy Forum with an expert panel of speakers which included former President of the European Parliament, Pat Cox.
Participants and speakers included senior representatives from UNEP, UN Education Cannot Wait, United Nations Office in Geneva, Ireland’s Commission for Regulation of Utilities, Coalition members and partners from Washington DC, Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, Britain, India, and the Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board Mt. Lucas facility.
The purpose of the summit was to celebrate the signing and launch the work being conducted under the MOU.
As part of an ongoing effort since COP26 in Glasgow, the French government has proposed a “Building Breakthrough Target” as a guide to national policy around the world. The larger initiative is the Glasgow Breakthrough Agenda, which consists of targets set in various sectors to focus efforts to achieve the goals of the UN sustainable development agenda. According to GlobalABC, the Buildings Breakthrough statement “near-zero emission and resilient buildings are the new normal by 2030” serves as a joint vision and a rallying point for all countries.
The Building Action Coalition is reporting on outcomes of the Summit to the Environment Ministry in Dublin.
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