The United Nation Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Organization of American States have recently renewed joint-efforts in order to reinforce the environmental rule of law. According to experts, this agreement represents an important breakthrough. It is a fundamental instrument to continue the Organization's work in member States with strategic partners such as judges, parliamentarians and civil society organizations in order to advance the environmental rule of law. Moreover, the UN South-South Cooperation Expo on enhancing cooperation for sustainable development represented a crucial step for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UNEP and the Organization of American States (OAS). This Memorandum is a key element designed to foster cooperation between the two organizations on the development and implementation of environmental rule of law for the promotion of sustainable development. The UN Under-Secretary-General and UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner has stressed the importance of consolidating the existing partnership with UNEP. The complementary nature of the work of both organizations in the attainment of shared goals is essential for achieving sustainable development in the context of the proposed post-2015 development agenda, Steiner said. The Global Symposium on Environmental Rule of Law, held in Nairobi, has brought together Chief Justices, Heads of Jurisdiction, Attorneys General, Auditors General, Chief Prosecutors, lawyers and legal experts from around the world to increase awareness of the role of environmental law as an indispensable instrument in achieving sustainable development and a green economy. Data reveal that only 4 out of 90 of the world's most important environmental objectives have registered significant progress. Additionally, experts suggest that violations of environmental laws often fail to give the adequate response from governments and the law enforcement agencies. In this context, experts highlight that this deal could represent a concrete measure to advance the environmental rule of law. Furthermore, experts argue that the Inter-American Democratic Charter clearly establishes that reinforcing legal frameworks for environmental protection and multilateral environmental agreements is a central tool in order to contribute to democratic governance. In this framework, parties have strengthened their commitments, increasing their efforts in many areas. This program includes the development and implementation of an Inter-American Judicial capacity building program on environmental rule of law and the establishment of an Inter-American Congress on environmental rule of law, the reinforcement of parliamentarian capacity and facilitation of international exchange of best practices on legislation and supervision on environmental rule of law in order to achieve sustainable development. The gLAWcal Team EPSEI project Friday, 21 November 2014 (Source: UNEP)