United Nations Environment Programme

United Nations Environment Programme Latest News

Recently, in a new report, Safe disposal of unused medicines by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) warned that the improper disposal of medicines poses serious risks to both environmental and public health.

About United Nations Environment Programme

• It is the leading global authority on the environment.
• It was founded in 1972 after a UN General Assembly resolution.
• Mandate: It was conceived to monitor the state of the environment and coordinate responses to the world’s greatest environmental challenges. 
• Headquarters: Nairobi, Kenya.

‹ ›

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Structure

• United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA): UNEA is the world’s highest-level decision-making body on environmental issues, comprising all UN member states. It meets biennially to set global priorities, adopt resolutions, and guide UNEP’s overall policy direction.
• Committee of Permanent Representatives (CPR): It acts as the main advisory body to UNEA and helps in preparing its agenda.
• Secretariat: The UNEP Secretariat, led by the Executive Director, implements UNEA decisions and oversees day-to-day operations.
• Regional and Thematic Offices: UNEP functions through multiple regional offices in Asia-Pacific, Africa, Europe, Latin America, West Asia, and North America.

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Functions

• It develops and supports global environmental treaties, such as the CBD, CITES, and Minamata Convention.
• Hosts secretariats of major environmental conventions and supports the negotiation of new environmental agreements.
• It publishes authoritative research and assessments, including the Global Environment Outlook and Emissions Gap Report.
• It supports developing countries with environmental capacity building, funding, and technical assistance.

Source: DTE