United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

What is UNEP?

Structure of UNEP.

UN Environment Assembly.

History of UNEP.

UNEP

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment..  UNEP stablished by General Assembly resolution 2997 (XXVII) of 15 December 1972.  Its headquarters in the Nairobi, Kenya.

UN Environment work encompasses

Assessing global, regional and national environmental conditions and trends

Developing international and national environmental instruments

Strengthening institutions for the wise management of the environment


UNEP mission is

"To provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations."


 

Structure of UNEP

The Governing Council (GC) of UNEP is composed of 58 states, which need not be members of the UN. The GC meets biennially at UNEP headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya to deliberate policy matters, issue decisions, and set UNEP's agenda, including its environmental law program. 1 6 In most of its activities, UNEP plays a primarily coor- dinative role; however, in the area of environmental law, UNEP is authorized to undertake direct implementation.

Two different program units share environmental law responsibilities in UNEP. The Oceans and Coastal Areas Programme Activity Center (OCAPAC) is responsible for the regional seas conventions. 1 8 UNEP's Environmental Law Unit handles all of UNEP's other activities in the field of environmental law.' 9 For most UNEP convention and guideline negotiations, the Law Unit (or OCAPAC) prepares draft documenta- tion. UNEP then convenes an ad hoc working group of legal and tech- nical experts to review and revise the draft. 20 When a working group has reached consensus on nonbinding guidelines, UNEP refers the guidelines to the Governing Council for consideration and possible adoption. If the subject matter is a binding legal instrument, UNEP convenes a diplomatic conference to consider and hopefully adopt and sign the instrument.


 

UN Environment Assembly (UNEA)

The UN Environment Assembly is the policy-making organ of UNEP.

- UNEP Governing Council has become the UN Environment Assembly

-  Governing Council membership expanded by General Assembly resolution 67/213 of 21 December 2012

- Governing Council name changed to United Nations Environment Assembly by General Assembly resolution 67/251 of 13 March 2013
 

- First session held in June 2014


 

History of UNEP

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) established UNEP in December 1972" following the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment (Stockholm Conference). 10 The purpose of the new organization was to "promote international co-operation in the field of the environment and to recommend, as appropriate, policies to this end, [and] to provide general policy guidance for the direction and coordination of environmental programmes within the United Nations system."'" The UNGA established the UNEP secretariat "to serve as a focal point for environmental action and co-ordination within the United Nations system." 2 UNEP serves as the central catalyzing and coordinating body in the field of the environment within the UN sys- tem. 3 UNEP has a mandate to pay special attention to the situation of

developing countries. 1 4 In accordance with its charter, the UNEP sec- retariat remains relatively small in comparison to other UN bodies.