United Nations Environment Programme

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Klaus Töpfer, former UNEP Exec. Director

The UN Environmental Programme (or UNEP) coordinates United Nations environmental activities, assisting developing countries in implementing environmentally sound policies and encourages sustainable development through sound environmental practices. It was founded as a result of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in 1973 and is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya.

Its activities cover a wide range of issues regarding the atmosphere and terrestrial ecosystems. It has played a significant role in developing international environmental conventions, promoting environmental science and information and illustrating the way those can work in conjunction with policy, working on the development and implementation of policy with national governments and regional institution and working in conjunction with Environmental Non-Governmental Organizations (ENGOs).

UNEP has aided in the development of guidelines and treaties on issues such as the international trade in potentially harmful chemicals, transboundary air pollution, and contamination of international waterways.

The World Meteorological Organization and the UNEP established the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1988. UNEP is also one of several Implementing Agencies for the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

1 Structure
2 Executive Director
3 Awards
4 See also
5 External links
6 Resources

[edit] Structure

UNEP's Governing Council consists of a total of 58 member states which serve three-year terms. These seats are allocated according to geographical regions. The Governing Council is the primary developer of policy guidelines for UN environmental programs and plays a diplomatic role in promoting cooperation between UN member states on environmental issues.

The UNEP secretariat consists of 890 staff members, roughly 500 of which are international staff while the remaining are hired locally. The Secretariat is the body which oversees the implementation of UNEP policies and programs and is responsible for the annual budget which totals around $105 million (US) and is almost entirely earned from member states.

[edit] Executive Director

UNEP's current Executive Director is Achim Steiner, who succeeded previous director Klaus Töpfer in 2006. Dr Töpfer served two consecutive terms, beginning in February 1998.

On 15 March 2006, the United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, nominated Achim Steiner, currently Director General of the IUCN to the position of Executive Director. One day later, the UN General Assembly followed Annan's proposal and elected him [1].

[edit] Awards

UNEP established a Global 500 Roll of Honour in 1987 to recognize notable contributions by individuals and organizations. This scheme closed in 2003 and has been replaced by Champions of the Earth.

[edit] See also

[edit] Resources

United Nations Environmental Programme. "Natural Allies: UNEP and Civil Society." Nairobi: United Nations Foundation, 2004.

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United Nations (UN)

UN System: General Assembly • Security Council • Economic and Social Council • Secretariat • Trusteeship Council • International Court of Justice

Programs, Funds, Agencies: FAO• ICAO • ILO • UNCTAD • UNDCP • UNDP • UNEP • UNESCO • UNFPA • UNHCR • UNHRC • UN-HABITAT • UNICEF • UNRWA • UPU • WFP • WHO