UNGIS

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) was established by GA res. 2997 (XXVII) (1972) following the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment. It aims to provide leadership and encourage partnerships in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling nations and people to improve their quality of life, without compromising that of future generations.

In 1997, the Governing Council adopted the Nairobi Declaration on the Role and Mandate of the UN Environment Programme, which established the following core mandate for UNEP:

• Analyse the state of the global environment and assess global and regional environmental trends, provide policy advice and early warning information on environmental threats, and promote international cooperation and action, based on the best scientific and technical capabilities available
• Further the development of international environmental law aimed at sustainable development, including the links between existing international environmental conventions
• Advance agreed international norms and policies, monitor and foster compliance with environmental principles and international agreements, and stimulate cooperation on emerging environmental challenges
• Strengthen its role in coordinating environmental activities in the UN system, and its role as an implementing agency of the Global Environment Facility
• Promote greater awareness of and facilitate effective cooperation in implementing the international environmental agenda, and serve as an effective link between the scientific community and policy-makers at national and international levels
• Provide policy and advisory services in key areas of institution-building to governments and other relevant institutions.