K1350XXX XX0313

Decisions adopted by the Governing Council at its twenty-seventh 

and first universal session

Decision No. Title

27/1 New rules of procedure of the Governing Council

27/2 Implementation of paragraph 88 of the outcome document of the United 

Nations Conference on Sustainable Development

27/3 International water quality guidelines for ecosystems

27/4 Intergovernmental science-policy platform on biodiversity and ecosystem 

services

27/5 Coordination across the United Nations system including the Environment 

Management Group

27/6 Oceans

27/7 Work by the United Nations Environment Programme on sustainable 

consumption and production

27/8 Green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty 

eradication

27/9 Advancing justice, governance and law for environmental sustainability

2710 Climate technology centre and network

27/11 State of the environment and contribution of the United Nations Environment 

Programme to meeting substantive environmental challenges

27/12 Chemicals and waste management

27/13 Proposed medium-term strategy for 2014-2017 biennial programme of work 

and budget for 2014-2015

27/14 Management of trust funds and earmarked contributions

27/15 Provisional agenda, date and venue of the next session of the governing body 

of the United Nations Environment Programme
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Decision 27/1: New rules of procedure of the Governing Council 

The Governing Council,

Adopts its rules of procedure set out below.

 

RULES OF PROCEDURE OF THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF

THE UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME

I. SESSIONS

Regular sessions 

Rule 1

The Governing Council shall normally hold one regular session every two years. 

Date of opening of regular sessions 

Rule 2

Each regular session of the Governing Council shall be held, subject to the provisions of rule 

3, at a date fixed by the Governing Council at its previous session in such a way as to enable the 

Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly to consider the report of the Governing 

Council in the same year. 

Rule 3

Five members of the Governing Council or the Executive Director of the United Nations 

Environment Programme may request an alteration of the date of a regular session. In either case, the 

Executive Director shall forthwith communicate the request to the other members of the Governing 

Council, together with appropriate observations, including financial implications, if any. If within 

twenty-one days of the inquiry a majority of the members of the Governing Council explicitly concurs 

in the request, the Executive Director shall convene the Governing Council accordingly. 

Place of regular sessions 

Rule 4

Regular sessions shall be held at the headquarters of the United Nations Environment 

Programme, unless otherwise decided by the Governing Council at a previous session. 

Special sessions 

Rule 5

1. Special sessions shall be held pursuant to a decision taken by the Governing Council at a 

regular session, or at the request of: 

(a) A majority of the members of the Governing Council; 
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(b) The General Assembly; 

(c) The Economic and Social Council. 

2. Special sessions may also be requested by: 

(a) Five states Members of the United Nations or members of the specialized agencies or of 

the International Atomic Energy Agency, whether or not they are members of the Governing Council; 

(b) The President of the Governing Council with the concurrence of the other members of 

the Bureau of the Governing Council and in consultation with the Executive Director. 

In such cases, the Executive Director shall immediately inform all members of the Governing 

Council of the request, as well as of the approximate costs and relevant administrative considerations, 

and shall inquire whether they concur in it. If within twenty-one days of the inquiry a majority of the 

members of the Governing Council explicitly concurs in the request, the Executive Director shall 

convene a special session of the Governing Council. 

Date of opening of special sessions 

Rule 6

Special sessions of the Governing Council shall normally be convened within forty-two days 

of the receipt by the Executive Director of a request for such a session, at a date and place fixed by the 

President of the Governing Council in consultation with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, 

taking into account such observations as may have been made in the request for a special session. 

Notification of date of opening 

Rule 7

The Executive Director shall communicate the date of the first meeting of each session to all 

States Members of the United Nations or members of the specialized agencies or of the International 

Atomic Energy Agency, the Chairpersons of subsidiary organs of the Governing Council, as 

appropriate, the President of the General Assembly when the Assembly is in session, the President of 

the Economic and Social Council, the specialized agencies, the International Atomic Energy Agency, 

the appropriate United Nations bodies, the inter-governmental organizations referred to in the rule 68 

below and the international non-governmental organizations referred to in rule 69 below. Such 

notification shall be sent: 

(a) In the case of a regular session, at least forty-two days in advance; 

(b) In the case of a special session, at least fourteen days in advance of the date fixed in 

accordance with rule 6 above.

Adjournment of session

Rule 8

The Governing Council may decide at any session to adjourn temporarily and resume its 

meetings at a later date.

II. AGENDA

Drawing up of the provisional agenda for a regular session 

Rule 9

1. The Executive Director shall submit to the Governing Council at each regular session the 

provisional agenda for the following regular session. The provisional agenda shall include all items 

proposed by: 

(a) The Governing Council; 
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(b) A State Member of the United Nations or member of a specialized agency or of the 

International Atomic Energy Agency; 

(c) The General Assembly; 

(d) The Economic and Social Council; 

(e) The Executive Director. 

2. Items proposed under (b) above shall be accompanied by an explanatory memorandum and, if 

possible, by basic documents which shall be submitted to the Executive Director at least forty-nine 

days prior to the opening of the session. 

3. In drawing up the provisional agenda, the Executive Director shall take account of suggestions 

made by the Environment co-ordination Board a specialized agency, the International Atomic Energy 

Agency, an appropriate United Nations body, or an intergovernmental organization referred to in rule 

68 below. The Executive Director shall also consider suggestions from the international nongovernmental organizations referred to in rule 69 below.

Communication of the provisional agenda 

Rule 10

After the Governing Council has considered the provisional agenda for the following session, 

the provisional agenda, incorporating any amendments made by the Governing Council, shall be 

communicated by the Executive Director to all States Members of the United Nations or members of 

the specialized agencies and of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Chairpersons of 

subsidiary organs of the Governing Council as appropriate, the President of the General Assembly 

when the Assembly is in session, the President of the Economic and Social Council, the appropriate 

United Nations bodies, the specialized agencies, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the 

intergovernmental organizations referred to in rule 68 below and the international non-governmental 

organizations referred to in rule 69 below. 

Supplementary items 

Rule 11

The inclusion of supplementary items in the provisional agenda considered by the Governing 

Council may be proposed by any authority entitled to propose items under paragraph 1 of rule 9. The 

request for inclusion of a supplementary item shall be supported by a statement from the authority 

proposing it, except in the case of the General Assembly, regarding the urgency of the consideration of 

the item. The Executive Director shall communicate to the Governing Council any requests for the 

inclusion of supplementary items received before the commencement of the regular session, together 

with such observations as he may wish to make. 

Adoption of the agenda 

Rule 12

1. At the beginning of each regular session, subject to the provisions of rule 15 and after the 

election of officers when required under rule 18, the Governing Council shall adopt its agenda for the 

session on the basis of the provisional agenda and any supplementary items proposed in accordance 

with rule 11. 

2. A State Member of the United Nations or member of a specialized agency or the International 

Atomic Energy Agency which has requested the inclusion of an item in the agenda under rule 9 or 11 

above shall be entitled to be heard by the Governing Council on the inclusion of the item in the agenda 

for the session. 

3. The Governing Council shall normally include in its agenda for the session only items for 

which adequate documentation has been circulated to members at least forty-two days before the 

beginning of the regular session of the Governing Council. 
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Allocation of items 

Rule 13

The Governing Council may allocate items among the plenary meetings of the Governing 

Council and sessional committees and working parties, if any, set up in accordance with rule 60, and 

may refer items without preliminary debate in the Governing Council to: 

(a) One or more of its subsidiary organs, if any, set up in accordance with rule 62, for 

examination and report at a subsequent session of the Governing Council; 

(b) The Executive Director, for study and report at a subsequent session of the Governing 

Council; or 

(c) The proposer of the item, for further information or documentation. 

Provisional agenda for a special session 

Rule 14

The provisional agenda for a special session shall consist only of those items proposed for 

consideration in the request for the holding of the session. It shall be transmitted to the authorities 

mentioned in rule 10 at the same time as the notice convening the Governing Council.

Revision of the agenda 

Rule 15

During a regular session, the Governing Council may revise the agenda for the session by 

adding, deleting, deferring or amending items. Only items which the Governing Council considers to 

be urgent and important shall be added to its agenda during the session.

III. REPRESENTATION AND CREDENTIALS

Rule 16

Each member of the Governing Council shall be represented by an accredited representative, 

who may be accompanied by such alternate representatives and advisers as may be required.

Rule 17

1. The credentials of representatives and the names of alternate representatives and advisers shall 

be submitted to the Executive Director before the first meeting which the representatives are to attend. 

2. The Bureau of the Governing Council shall examine the credentials and submit its report to the 

Governing Council. This rule shall not, however, prevent a member from changing its representative, 

alternate representatives, or advisers subsequently, subject to proper submission and examination of 

credentials, where needed.

IV. OFFICERS

Elections 

Rule 18

1. At the commencement of the first meeting of its regular session, the Governing Council shall 

elect a President, three Vice-Presidents and a Rapporteur from among its members. These officers 

shall constitute the Bureau of the Governing Council. The Bureau shall assist the President in the 

general conduct of business of the Governing Council. The Chairpersons of such sessional committees 

or working parties as may be established under rule 60 below shall be invited to participate in 

meetings of the Bureau. 
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2 In electing its officers, the Governing Council shall have due regard to the principle of 

equitable geographical representation. 

3. The Offices of President and Rapporteur of the Governing Council shall normally be subject to 

rotation among the five groups of states referred to in section 1, paragraph 1, of General Assembly 

resolution 2997 (XXVII). 

Terms of office 

Rule 19

The President, the Vice Presidents and the Rapporteur shall hold office until their successors 

are elected. Subject to the provisions of rule 18, they shall be eligible for re-election. None of them 

may hold office after the expiration of the term of office of the member of which he is a 

representative. 

Acting President

Rule 20

If the President cannot preside at a meeting or any part thereof, the President shall appoint a 

Vice-President to take his place. 

Replacement of the President

Rule 21

If the President ceases to be a representative of a member of the Governing Council or is 

unable to perform President’s functions, or if the State of which he is a representative ceases to be a 

member of the Governing Council, the Bureau shall designate one of the Vice-Presidents as Acting 

President. 

Powers of the Acting President 

Rule 22

A Vice-President acting as President shall have the same powers and duties as the President. 

Voting rights of the President 

Rule 23

In the case of a member of the Governing Council, which is for the time being represented by 

the President, an alternate representative shall, at the discretion of the President, be permitted to 

participate in the proceedings and to vote in the Governing Council. In such a case the President shall 

not exercise the right to vote. 

V. SECRETARIAT

Duties of the Executive Director 

Rule 24

The Executive Director shall act in that capacity in all meetings of the Governing Council and 

of its subsidiary organs, if any. The Executive Director may designate any officer of the secretariat to 

act as the representative of the Executive Director. 
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Rule 25

The Executive Director shall direct the staff required by the Governing Council and any 

subsidiary organs which may be established by it.

Rule 26

The Executive Director shall be responsible for performing those functions in relation to the 

Governing Council which the Executive Director is required to undertake by General Assembly 

resolution 2997 (XXVII). 

Rule 27

The Executive Director, or the Executive Director’s representative, may, subject to rule 32, 

make oral as well as written statements to the Governing Council and its subsidiary organs, if any, 

concerning any question under consideration. 

Rule 28

The Executive Director shall be responsible for all the necessary arrangements for meetings of 

the Governing Council and of its subsidiary organs, including the preparation and distribution of 

documents at least forty-two days in advance of the sessions of the Governing Council and its 

subsidiary organs, if any. 

Duties of the Secretariat 

Rule 29

The secretariat shall interpret speeches made at meetings; shall receive, translate and circulate 

the documents of the Governing Council and its subsidiary organs; shall publish and circulate the 

resolutions, reports and relevant documentation of the Governing Council. It shall have the custody of 

the documents in the archives of the Governing Council and generally perform all other work which 

the Governing Council may require. 

Estimates of expenditures 

Rule 30

1. Before any proposal which involves expenditure from United Nations funds, including the 

resources of the Fund of the United Nations Environment Programme established by General 

Assembly resolution 2997 (XXVII), is approved by the Governing Council or by any of its subsidiary 

organs, the Executive Director shall circulate to all members of the Governing Council or of the 

subsidiary organ concerned, as early as possible, a report from the Secretary-General of the United 

Nations, in terms of Financial Regulations 2.10 and 2.11, on the estimated costs involved as well as on 

administrative and budgetary implications with reference to existing authorizations and appropriations 

in accordance with the provisions of section II, paragraph 3, and section III of General Assembly 

resolution 2997 (XXVII).

2. The Governing Council shall take into account the estimates referred to in paragraph 1 before 

adopting any proposal involving expenditure from United Nations funds including the resources of the 

Fund of the United Nations Environment Programme. If the proposal is adopted, the Governing 

Council shall indicate, whenever appropriate, the priority or degree of urgency which it attaches to the 

projects and, as the case may be, which current projects may be deferred, modified, or eliminated to 

ensure that the work of the United Nations Environment Programme will be carried on most 

effectively. 

3. The Executive Director shall submit to the Governing Council in each odd-numbered year, for 

the following biennium, the estimates of expenditure of the United Nations Environment Programme 

borne by the regular budget of the United Nations. He shall also submit to the Governing Council 

estimates of expenditures borne by the Fund of the United Nations Environment Programme, in 
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accordance with the General Procedures formulated by the Governing Council under section III, 

paragraph 7 of General Assembly resolution 2997 (XXVII), and the Financial Rules of the said Fund.

VI. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS

Quorum

Rule 31

The President may declare a meeting open and permit the debate to proceed when at least onethird of the members of the Governing Council are present. The presence of a majority of the members 

of the Governing Council shall be required for any decision to be taken.

Powers of the President 

Rule 32

In addition to exercising the powers conferred upon the Presidentelsewhere by these rules, the 

President shall declare the opening and closing of each meeting of the Governing Council, shall direct 

the discussion, ensure observance of these rules, accord the right to speak, put questions to the vote 

and announce decisions. The Presidentshall rule on points of order and, subject to these rules, shall 

have control of the proceedings of the Governing Council and over the maintenance of order at its 

meetings. The President may propose to the Governing Council the limitation of time to be allowed to 

speakers, the limitation of the number of times each representative may speak on any question, the 

closure of the list of speakers or the closure of the debate. The President may also propose the 

suspension or the adjournment of the meeting or of the debate on the question under discussion. 

Rule 33

The President, in the exercise of his functions, remains under the authority of the Governing 

Council. 

Speeches 

Rule 34

No person may address the Governing Council without having previously obtained the 

permission of the President. Subject to rules 35 and 36, the president shall call upon speakers in the 

order of which they signify their desire to speak. The President may call a speaker to order if remarks 

of the speaker are not relevant to the subject under discussion. 

Precedence 

Rule 35

The Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson or Rapporteur of a sessional committee or working party, 

or a designated representative of any subsidiary organ, may be accorded precedence in speaking for 

the purpose of explaining the conclusion arrived at by the sessional committee, working party or 

subsidiary organ concerned and for the purpose of replying to questions. 

Points of order 

Rule 36

1. During the discussion of any matter, a representative may at any time rise to a point of order, 

and the point of order shall be immediately decided by the President in accordance with the rules of 

procedure. A representative may appeal against the ruling of the President. The appeal shall be 
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immediately put to the vote, and the ruling of the President shall stand unless overruled by a majority 

vote of the members present and voting. 

2. A representative rising to a point of order may not speak on the substance of the matter under 

discussion. 

Time limit on speeches 

Rule 37

The Governing Council may limit the time allowed to each speaker and the number of times 

each person may speak on any question, except on procedural questions, when the President shall limit 

each intervention to a maximum of five minutes. When debate is limited and a speaker has spoken his 

allotted time, the President shall call the speaker to order without delay. 

Closing of list of speakers 

Rule 38

During the course of a debate the President may announce the list of speakers and, with the 

consent of the Governing Council, declare the list closed. The President may, however, accord the 

right of reply to any representative if, in the opinion of the President, a speech delivered after the 

President has declared the list closed renders this justified. When the debate on an item is concluded 

because there are no other speakers, the President, with the consent of the Governing Council, shall 

declare the debate closed. 

Adjournment of debate 

Rule 39

During the discussion of any matter, a representative may move the adjournment of the debate 

on the question under discussion. In addition to the proposer of the motion, one representative may 

speak in favour of and one against the motion, after which the motion shall be immediately put to the 

vote. 

Closure of debate 

Rule 40

A representative may at any time move the closure of the debate on the question under 

discussion, whether or not any other representative has signified wish to speak of that representative. 

Permission to speak on the closure of the debate shall be accorded only to two speakers opposing the 

closure, after which the motion shall be immediately put to the vote. If the Governing Council is in 

favour of the closure, the President shall declare the closure of the debate. 

Suspension or adjournment of the meeting 

Rule 41

During the discussion of any matter a representative may move the suspension or the 

adjournment of the meeting. Such motion shall not be debated, but shall be immediately put to the 

vote. 
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Order of procedural motion 

Rule 42

Subject to rule 36, and regardless of the order in which they are submitted, the following 

motions shall have precedence in the following order over all other proposals or motions before the 

meeting:

(a) To suspend the meeting; 

(b) To adjourn the meeting: 

(c) To adjourn the debate on the question under discussion; 

(d) For the closure of the debate on the question under discussion. 

Proposals and amendments 

Rule 43

Proposals and amendments shall normally be introduced in writing and submitted to the 

Executive Director, who shall circulate copies to the members. As a general rule, no proposal shall be 

discussed or put to the vote at any meeting of the Governing Council unless copies of it have been 

circulated to all members not later than the day preceding the meeting. Subject to the consent of the 

Governing Council, the President may, however, permit the discussion and consideration of proposals 

or amendments even though these proposals or amendments have not been circulated or have only 

been circulated the same day. 

Decisions on competence 

Rule 44

Subject to rule 42, any motion calling for a decision on the competence of the Governing 

Council to adopt any proposal or any amendment submitted to it shall be put to the vote before a vote 

is taken on the proposal or amendment in question. 

Withdrawal of motions 

Rule 45

A motion may be withdrawn by its proposer at any time before voting on it has commenced, 

provided that the motion has not been amended. A motion which has thus been withdrawn may be 

reintroduced by another member. 

Reconsideration of proposals 

Rule 46

When a proposal has been adopted or rejected, it may not be reconsidered at the same session 

of the Governing Council unless the Governing Council, by a two-thirds majority of the members

present and voting, so decides. Permission to speak on a motion to reconsider shall be accorded only to 

two speakers opposing the motion, after which it shall immediately be put to the vote. 
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VII. VOTING

Voting rights 

Rule 47

Each member of the Governing Council shall have one vote. 

Majority required and meaning of the expression "Members present and voting" 

Rule 48

1. Except where the present rules of procedure expressly provide otherwise, decisions of the 

Governing Council shall be made by a majority of the members present and voting.

2. For the purpose of these rules, the phrase "members present and voting" means members 

present and casting an affirmative or negative vote. Members which abstain from voting are 

considered as not voting. 

Method of voting 

Rule 49

Subject to rule 55 the Governing Council shall normally vote by show of hands, but any 

representative may request a roll call, which shall then be taken in the alphabetical order of the names 

of the members, beginning with the member whose name is drawn by lot by the President. 

Recording of roll call 

Rule 50

The vote of each member participating in a roll call shall be recorded in the relevant 

documents of the Governing Council. 

Conduct during voting 

Rule 51

After the President has announced the beginning of voting, no representative shall interrupt the 

voting except on a point of order in connection with the actual conduct of the voting. The President 

may permit members to explain their votes, either before or after the voting, except when the vote is 

taken by secret ballot. The President may limit the time to be allowed for such explanations. The 

President shall not permit the proposer of a proposal or of an amendment to explain the proposer’s

vote on the proposer’s own proposal or amendment. 

Division of proposals or amendments 

Rule 52

A representative may move that parts of a proposal or of an amendment shall be voted on 

separately. If objection is made to the request for division, the motion for division shall be voted upon. 

Permission to speak on the motion for division shall be given only to two speakers in favour and two 

speakers against. If the motion for division is carried, those parts of the proposal or of the amendment 

which are subsequently approved shall be put to the vote as a whole. If all operative parts of the 

proposal or of the amendment have been rejected, the proposal or the amendment shall be considered 

to have been rejected as a whole. 
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Voting on amendments 

Rule 53

1. When an amendment is moved to a proposal, the amendment shall be voted on first. When two 

or more amendments are moved to a proposal, the Governing Council shall vote first on the 

amendment furthest removed in substance from the original proposal and then on the amendment next 

furthest removed therefrom and so on until all the amendments have been put to the vote. Where, 

however, the adoption of one amendment necessarily implies the rejection of another amendment, the 

latter amendment shall not be put to the vote. If one or more amendments are adopted, the amended 

proposal shall then be voted upon. If no amendments are adopted, the proposal shall be put to the vote 

in its original form. 

2. A motion is considered an amendment to a proposal if it adds to, deletes from or revises part of 

that proposal. 

Voting on proposals 

Rule 54

1. If two or more proposals relate to the same question, the Governing Council shall, unless it 

decides otherwise, vote on the proposals in the order in which they have been submitted. The 

Governing Council may, after each vote on a proposal, decide whether to vote on the next proposal. 

2. Any motions requiring that no decision be taken on the substance of such proposals shall, 

however, be considered as previous questions and shall be put to the vote before them. 

Elections 

Rule 55

All elections shall be held by secret ballot unless otherwise decided by the Governing Council. 

Rule 56

1. If, when one person or member only is to be elected, no candidate obtains in the first ballot the 

majority required, a second ballot shall be taken restricted to the two candidates obtaining the largest 

number of votes. If in the second ballot the votes are equally divided, the President shall decide 

between the candidates by drawing lots. 

2. In the case of a tie in the first ballot among the candidates obtaining the second largest number 

of votes, a special ballot shall be held for the purpose of reducing the number of candidates to two. In 

the case of a tie among three or more candidates obtaining the largest number of votes, a second ballot 

shall be held. If a tie results among more than two candidates, the number shall be reduced to two by 

lot and the balloting, restricted to them, shall continue in accordance with the preceding paragraph. 

Rule 57

1. When two or more elective places are to be filled at one time under the same conditions, those 

candidates obtaining the required majority on the first ballot shall be elected. 

2. If the number of candidates obtaining such majority is more than the number of places to be 

filled, those candidates obtaining the largest number of votes shall be elected. 

3. If the number of candidates obtaining such majority is less than the number of places to be 

filled, there shall be held additional ballots to fill the remaining places, the voting being restricted to 

the candidates obtaining the greatest number of votes in the previous ballot, who shall number not 

more than twice the places remaining to be filled. However, in the case of a tie between a greater 

number of unsuccessful candidates, a special ballot shall be held for the purpose of reducing the 

number of candidates to the required number. 

4. If three restricted ballots are inconclusive, unrestricted ballots shall follow in which votes may 

be cast for any eligible person or member. If three such unrestricted ballots are inconclusive, the next 
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three ballots (subject to exception in the case similar to that of the tie mentioned at the end of the 

previous paragraph of this rule) shall be restricted to the candidates obtaining the greatest number of 

votes in the third of the unrestricted ballots. The number of such candidates shall not be more than 

twice the places remaining to be filled. 

5. The following three ballots there after shall be unrestricted and so on, until the places are filled. 

Equally divided votes

Rule 58

If a vote is equally divided on matters other than elections, the proposal shall be regarded as 

rejected.

VIII. SESSIONAL COMMITTES WORKING PARTIES AND SUBSIDIARY 

ORGANS OF THE GOVERNING COUNCIL

Rule 59

The Governing Council may establish such sessional committees, working parties and 

subsidiary organs as may be necessary for the effective discharge of its functions. 

Sessional committees and working parties 

Rule 60

1. At each session, the Governing Council may set up sessional committees and working parties, 

from among its members, and refer to them any questions on the agenda for study and report. 

2. The sessional committees and working parties may set up sub-committees and sub-groups of 

working parties. The member of such sub-committees and sub-groups of working parties shall be 

nominated by the committee or working party concerned. 

3. The Chairperson of sessional committee or working groups may declare a meeting open and 

permit the debate to proceed when at least one quarter of the members of the committee or working 

group are present. The presence of a majority of the members shall be required for any decision to be 

taken.

3. Subject to paragraph 3 above, the provisions of rules 32 to 58 of these rules of procedure shall 

be applied as appropriate in the proceedings of the sessional committees, working parties and any subcommittees or sub-groups set up by them. 

Rule 61

Each sessional committee or working party shall elect its own officers, unless otherwise 

decided by the Governing Council. In electing its officer each sessional committee or working party 

shall have due regard to the principle of equitable geographical representation. 

Subsidiary organs of the Governing Council and expert groups 

Rule 62

1. The Governing Council may establish such subsidiary organs on a permanent or ad hoc basis as 

may be necessary for the effective discharge of its functions and, as required, expert groups to 

consider specific problems and make recommendations.

2. Any State Member of the United Nations or member of a specialized agency or the 

International Atomic Energy Agency, whether or not that State is a member of the Governing Council, 

may become a member of any subsidiary organ of the Governing Council. In determining the size of 

the subsidiary organs and electing their members, the Governing Council shall take fully into account 

the desirability of including in the membership of these bodies States with a special interest in the 
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subject-matter to be dealt with by them, as well as the need to ensure equitable geographical 

distribution. 

3. The rules of procedure of subsidiary organs shall be those of the Governing Council, as 

appropriate, subject to such modifications as the Governing Council may decide upon in the light of 

proposals by the subsidiary organs concerned. Each subsidiary organ shall elect its own officers. 

4. Each subsidiary organ, taking into consideration the date of the regular session of the 

Governing Council and bearing in mind the items referred to it by the Governing Council, may adopt 

its own priorities within the framework of the work Programme established by the Governing Council 

and, in consultation with the Executive Director, meet as may be necessary.

IX. LANGUAGES AND RECORDS

Rule 63

Languages and Interpretation 

1. Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish shall be the official and working 

languages of the Governing Council. Speeches made in any of these languages shall be interpreted into 

the other languages of the Governing Council. 

2. Any representative may make a speech in a language other than the languages of the Governing 

Council. In this case the representative shall provide for interpretation into one of the languages of the 

Governing Council. Interpretation into the other languages of the Governing Council by an interpreter 

of the Secretariat may be based on the interpretation given in the first language of the Governing 

Council. 

Languages and distribution of resolutions, other formal decisions and documents

Rule 64

1. All resolutions, recommendations and other formal decisions of the Governing Council, as well 

as its reports to the General Assembly and other documents, shall be made available in the languages 

of the Governing Council. 

2. The text of the resolutions, recommendations and other formal decisions adopted by the 

Governing Council, its sessional committee and other subsidiary organs, if any, shall be distributed by 

the secretariat to all members of the Governing Council and any others participating in the session. 

The printed text of such resolutions, recommendations and other formal decisions, as well as the 

reports of the Governing Council to the General Assembly, shall be distributed after the close of the 

session to all states members of the United Nations or members of the specialized agencies or of the 

International Atomic Energy Agency, and to the intergovernmental organizations referred to in the 

rule 68 below. 

Sound records of meetings 

Rule 65

Sound records of the meetings of the Governing Council and of its sessional committees shall 

be kept by the secretariat in accordance with the practice of the United Nations. Such recording shall 

also be made of the proceedings of any subsidiary organs when they so decide. 
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X. PUBLIC AND PRIVATE MEETING

Rule 66

The meetings of the Governing Council, its sessional committees and working parties and 

subsidiary organs, if any, shall be held in public unless the body concerned decides otherwise. 

XI. PARTICIPATION OF STATES NOT MEMBERS OF 

THE GOVERNING COUNCIL

Rule 67

Any State Member of the United Nations or member of a specialized agency or of the 

International Atomic Energy Agency, which is not a member of the Governing Council, may 

participate in the deliberations of the Governing Council. Any State thus participating shall not have 

the right to vote, but may submit proposals which may be put to the vote by request of any member of 

the Governing Council. The provisions of this rule shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to participation in a 

subsidiary organ by States not members thereof. 

XII. PARTICIPATION OF SPECIALIZED AGENCIES, 

THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY, UNITED NATION BODIES 

AND OTHER INTER-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS

Rule 68

1. Representatives of specialized agencies, of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and of 

appropriate United Nations bodies, as well as of the intergovernmental organizations referred to in 

section IV, paragraph 5, of General Assembly resolution 2997 (XXVII) which are designated for this 

purpose by the Governing Council, may participate, without the right to vote, in the deliberations of 

the Governing Council and its subsidiary organs, if any, upon the invitation of the President or 

Chairperson, as the case may be, on questions within the scope of their activities. 

2. Written statements of specialized agencies, the International Atomic Energy Agency and 

United Nations bodies, as well as of other intergovernmental organizations referred to in paragraph 1 

above, related to items on the agenda of the Governing Council or its subsidiary organs, if any, shall 

be circulated by the secretariat to members of the Governing Council or of the subsidiary organ 

concerned. 

XIII. OBSERVERS OF INTERNATIONALNON-GOVERNMENTAL 

ORGANIZATIONS

Rule 69

1. International non-governmental organizations having an interest in the field of the environment, 

referred to in section IV, paragraph 5, of General Assembly resolution 2997 (XXVII), may designate 

representatives to sit as observers at public meetings of the Governing Council and its subsidiary 

organs, if any. The Governing Council shall from time to time adopt and revise when necessary a list 

of such organizations. Upon the invitation of the President or Chairperson, as the case may be, and 

subject to the approval of the Governing Council or of the subsidiary organ concerned, international 

non-governmental organizations may make oral statements on matters within the scope of their 

activities. 

2. Written statements provided by international non-governmental organizations referred to in 

paragraph 1 above, related to items on the agenda of the Governing Council or of its subsidiary organs, 

shall be circulated by the secretariat to members of the Governing Council or of the subsidiary organ 

concerned in the quantities and in the languages in which the statements were made available to the 

secretariat for distribution.
16

XIV. AMENDMENTS AND SUSPENSIONS OF RULES OF PROCEDURE

Rule 70

Any of these rules may be amended or suspended by the Governing Council subject to rules 71 and 72 

below. 

Rule 71

These rules may not be amended until the Governing Council has received a report on the 

proposed amendment from a committee or working party of the Governing Council established for 

that purpose. 

Rule 72

A rule of procedure may be suspended by the Governing Council provided that twenty-four 

hours’ notice of the proposal for the suspension has been given. The notice may be waived if no 

member objects.

Decision 27/2: Implementation of 88 of the outcome document 

of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development

The Governing Council,

Welcoming the outcome document, “The future we want”, of the United Nations Conference 

on Sustainable Development held between 20-22 June, 2012 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil that invited the 

General Assembly to adopt, at its sixty-seventh session a resolution strengthening and upgrading 

UNEP, as outlined in paragraph 88 sub-paragraphs (a-h) of the outcome document and further 

recalling resolution 66/288 of 27 July 2012, 

Reaffirming the need to strengthen international environmental governance within the context 

of the institutional framework for sustainable development in order to promote a balanced integration 

of the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development, as well as 

coordination within the United Nations system,

Recognizing General Assembly Resolution 67/213 of 21 December 2012 on, inter alia, the 

implementation of section IV.C, entitled “Environmental pillar in the context of sustainable 

development”, of the outcome document of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable 

Development and under which the first universal session of the Governing Council of the United 

Nations Environment Programme is held, 

1. Recommends to the United Nations General Assembly that the Governing Council of the 

United Nations Environment Programme, an inter-governmental body established pursuant to Article 

22 of the United Nations Charter, be renamed as the United Nations Environment Assembly of the 

United Nations Environment Programme;

2. Reaffirms the commitment to strengthen the role of the United Nations Environment 

Programme as 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;

3. Decides that the governing body of the United Nations Environment Programme 1will 

convene its sessions in Nairobi on a biennial basis, starting in 2014, and it will carry out its mandate as 

set out in General Assembly resolution 2997 (XXVII) and all other relevant resolutions that reinforce 

its mandate as well as the 1997 Nairobi Declaration on the Role and Mandate of UNEP, the 2000 

Malmo Ministerial Declaration, the 2010 Nusa Dua Declaration, and paragraph 88 of the outcome 

document of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development as endorsed by the General 

Assembly in resolution 67/288;

4. Decides to discontinue the Global Ministerial Environment Forum;

 

1

The Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme, whose designation is subject to change 

pursuant to paragraph 1 of this decision and a resolution of the General Assembly to that effect.
17

5. Decides that each session of the governing body of United Nations Environment 

Programme will conclude with a two-day high level segment as an integral part of the governing body 

of United Nations Environment Programme, which will take strategic decisions and provide political 

guidance and will perform inter alia the following functions:

(a) Setting the global environmental agenda;

(b) Providing overarching policy guidance and defining policy responses to address 

emerging environmental challenges;

(c) Undertaking policy review, dialogue and exchange of experiences;

(d) Setting the strategic guidance on the future direction of the United Nations Environment 

Programme;

(e) Organizing a multi-stakeholder dialogue;

(f) Fostering partnerships for achieving environmental goals and resources mobilization; 

6. Decides that the Bureau of the governing body of the United Nations Environment 

Programme shall be composed of 10 members to reflect the universality of the governing body, in 

accordance with equitable geographical distribution, and will assist the governing body and perform 

the functions as set out in the rules of procedure of the governing body; 

7. Decides that the governing body will ensure the active participation of all relevant 

stakeholders, particularly those from developing countries, drawing on best practices and models from 

relevant multilateral institutions and will explore new mechanisms to promote transparency and the 

effective engagement of civil society in its work and that of its subsidiary bodies, inter alia by:

(a) Developing by 2014 a process for stakeholder accreditation and participation that builds 

on the existing rules of procedure and takes into account inclusive modalities of the Commission of 

Sustainable Development and other relevant United Nations bodies;

(b) Establishing by 2014 mechanisms and rules for stakeholders expert input and advice;

(c) Enhancing by 2014 working methods and processes for informed discussions and 

contributions by all relevant stakeholders towards the intergovernmental decision making process;

8. Decides that the governing body of the United Nations Environment Programme will 

promote a strong science policy interface by reviewing the state of the environment, by building on 

existing international instruments, assessments, panels and information networks, including through an 

enhanced Summary for Policy Makers of the Global Environment Outlook, and in this regard, requests 

the Executive Director to identify critical gaps and present a report, with recommendations, to the 

governing body;

9. Decides that an open-ended Committee of Permanent Representatives will be the 

subsidiary inter-sessional body of the governing body of the United Nations Environment Programme 

and, in addition to its mandate2and in open and transparent manner, will perform the following 

functions:

(a) Contribute to the preparation of the agenda of its governing body;

(b) Provide advice to its governing body on policy matters;

(c) Prepare decisions for adoption by its governing body and oversee their implementation;

(d) Convene thematic and/or programmatic debates 

(e) Promote effective ways and means to facilitate participation of the non-resident 

members of the Committee, particularly from developing countries

(f) Perform any other functions delegated to it by its governing body;

10. Decides to convene an open-ended meeting of the Committee of Permanent 

Representatives, while ensuring support to developing countries representatives, to enable the 

participation of capital-based delegates as well as stakeholders for a period of five days in an even year 

to contribute to preparation of the agenda of its governing body, and to provide advice to its governing 

body on policy matters;

 

2 Governing Council decision 19/32, paragraph 7.
18

11. Decides to establish a sub-committee of the Committee of Permanent Representatives 

that will meet annually for a period of 5 days to review, with the support of the secretariat, the 

Medium Term Strategy and Programme of Work and budget, in a manner coherent with the budgetary 

cycle of the United Nations, to be endorsed by the Committee of Permanent Representatives and for 

the governing body’s approval, and to oversee their implementation and accountability by the 

Secretariat;

12. Decides that the Committee of Permanent Representatives will consider the frequency, 

schedule and programmatic focus of its meetings to enhance its efficiency and effectiveness and will 

improve upon its working methods;

13. Commits to progressively consolidate headquarter functions of the United Nations 

Environment Programme in Nairobi and in this context requests the Executive Director to present a 

report to the governing body at its next session and to include recommendations in the Programme of 

Work for the period 2016-2017 to be acted upon and implemented in a timely manner;

14. Decides to strengthen UNEP’s regional presence in order to assist countries in the 

implementation of their national environmental programmes, policies and plans and in this regard 

requests the Executive Director to increase UNEP’s participation in UN Country Teams; 

15. Stresses the importance of the regional ministerial environment forums for which the 

United Nations Environment Programme serves as the secretariats, and invites these forums to 

contribute, as appropriate, to the work of the governing body of the United Nations Environment 

Programme;

16. Decides to consider additional measures to strengthen United Nations Environment 

Programme’s voice and ability to fulfill its coordination mandate on environmental matters, and in this 

regard, invites the Secretary-General to take necessary steps to enhance United Nations Environment 

Programme’s role in key United Nations coordination bodies;

17. Decides to enhance transparency and openness in its work and in this regard request the 

Executive Director to establish a written access-to-information policy;

18. Invites the Executive Director to continue improving the timeliness and responsiveness 

to the needs and requests by the member states, and recalls the relevant provisions of paragraph 13 of 

its decision 19/32; 

19. Stresses the need by no later than 2016 to implement the provisions of paragraph 88 (b)

of the outcome document of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, and requests

the Executive Director to report thereon; 

20. Decides to implement paragraph 88 (f) of the outcome document of the United Nations 

Conference on Sustainable Development, and in this context, request the Executive Director to 

enhance the operationalization of the Bali Strategic Plan for Technology Support and 

Capacity-building;

21. Invites the General Assembly to adopt a resolution to change the designation of the 

Governing Council along the lines of the text contained in annex to this decision.

Annex to decision 27/2: Draft resolution for adoption by the General 

Assembly

Change of the designation of the Governing Council of the United 

Nations Environment Programme

The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolution 2997(XXVII) of 15 December 1972 concerning institutional and 

financial arrangements for international environmental cooperation, by which the Governing Council 

of the United Nations Environment Programme was established,

Also recalling its resolution 67/213 of 21 December 2012 on the Report on the Governing 

Council of United Nations Environmental Programme on its Twelfth Special Session and on the 

Implementation of Section IV.C “Environmental pillar in the context of sustainable development” of 

the outcome document of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development,
19

1. Takes note of Governing Council decision 27/2of 22 February 2013, by which the 

Governing Council recommends to the General Assembly to change its designation to the United 

Nations Environment Assembly of the United Nations Environment Programme, it being understood 

that this change of the designation in no way changes, nor will change, the present mandate, aims and 

purposes of the United Nations Environment Programme or the role and functions of its governing 

body;

2. Decides to change the designation of the Governing Council of the United Nations 

Environment Programme to the United Nations Environment Assembly of the United Nations 

Environment Programme.

Decision 27/3: International water quality guidelines for 

ecosystems

The Governing Council,

Recalling its decision SS/XII/6 of 22 February 2012 on the world environmental situation, 

where it is recognized that there are gaps in our knowledge of the state of the environment resulting 

from a lack of data and regular monitoring, particularly in areas such as freshwater quality and 

quantity, estuarine and ocean water quality, groundwater depletion, ecosystem services, loss of natural 

habitat, land degradation and chemicals and wastes,

Recalling its decision 26/14 of 24 February 2011 to revitalize the Global Environment 

Monitoring System/Water Programme (GEMS/Water), 

Recalling also the Washington Declaration on the Protection of the Marine Environment from 

Land-based Activities, and the Manila Declaration of the Third Intergovernmental Review Meeting of 

the implementation of the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment 

from Land-based Activities (GPA), which identifies nutrients, litter and waste water management as 

GPA priority areas,

Recalling that 2005–2015 is the United Nations International Decade for Action, “Water for 

Life”, and that 2013 is the United Nations International Year of Water Cooperation,

Reaffirming the role of the United Nations Environment Programme as the leading global 

environmental authority and principal body within the United Nations system in the field of 

environment, including global water quality monitoring and assessment,

Recalling further paragraphs 122 and 124 of the Outcome document of the United Nations 

Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio + 20 ), “The future we want”, which stresses the need 

to adopt measures to significantly reduce water pollution and increase water quality and recognizes the 

key role that ecosystems play in maintaining water quantity and quality,

Recognizing the availability of international guidelines for drinking water quality, for 

agriculture and drainage, for waste water reuse and other similar matters and the absence of 

international water quality guidelines for ecosystems,

Noting that water is essential for human life, the environment and the economy and thus action 

to protect water resources and promote its sustainable use is essential to the achievement of 

sustainable development, 

Recognizing that water is at the core of sustainable development and is closely linked to a 

number of key global challenges and reiterating therefore the importance of integrating water into 

sustainable development and underlining the critical importance of water and sanitation within the 

three dimensions of sustainable development as referred to in paragraph 119 of “The future we want”,

Noting the alarming trends in water quality degradation and its negative impact on ecosystems 

functioning and human wellbeing and development,

Noting targets 8, 11 and 14 of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets under the Convention on 

Biological Diversity, regarding water pollution control for ecosystem conservation, 

Recognizing that there is a need for international water quality guidelines, which may be 

voluntarily used by Governments to maintain and improve the status of ecosystems to sustain the 

services they provide, as a possible basis for managing water pollution and water quality, as they 

affect ecosystems, and to support decision-making,
20

Recognizing also that water quality guidelines for ecosystems should be coherent and 

integrated, as appropriate, into existing guidelines related to water to promote its sustainable 

management, 

1. Requests the Executive Director, in partnership with Governments, scientific 

institutions, United Nations agencies and other relevant stakeholders, particularly those from 

developing countries, to develop international water quality guidelines for ecosystems that may be 

voluntarily used to support the development of national standards, policies and frameworks, taking 

into account existing information while integrating, as appropriate, all relevant aspects of water 

management;

2. Encourages Governments, scientific institutions, United Nations agencies and other 

relevant organizations, including in the private sector, to participate actively in developing the water 

quality guidelines consistent with the preceding paragraph;

3. Invites Governments and others in a position to do so, including the private sector, to 

technically and financially support the process for the development of international water quality 

guidelines consistent with paragraph 1 of the present decision; 

4. Requests the Executive Director to report to the Governing Council/Global Ministerial 

Environment Forum at its twenty-eighth session on the implementation of the present decision.

Decision 27/4: Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on 

Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services

The Governing Council,

Recalling General Assembly Resolution 65/162 of 20 December 2010, 

Also recalling its decision 26/4 of 24 February 2011, by which it requested the Executive 

Director, in cooperation with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the 

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the United Nations Development 

Programme to convene a plenary meeting to determine modalities and institutional arrangements for 

the intergovernmental science-policy platform on biodiversity and ecosystem services and to continue 

to facilitate any ensuing process to implement the platform until its secretariat was established,

Further recalling that in decision 26/4 it invited the Executive Director to submit an offer of 

interest, to be considered along with other offers, subject to the procedures agreed during the abovementioned plenary meeting, signifying the interest of the United Nations Environment Programme in 

hosting or otherwise supporting the secretariat of the intergovernmental science-policy platform on 

biodiversity and ecosystem services,

Noting that the General Assembly, in its resolution 67/212 of 21 December 2012, welcomed 

the establishment of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem 

Services and its potential benefit to Governments, invited the early commencement of its work, in 

order to provide the best available policy-relevant information on biodiversity to assist decision 

makers, and encouraged Member States that had not yet done so to become members of the Platform,

Having considered the report of the Executive Director,1

1. Welcomes the establishment, in April 2012, of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy 

Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services;

2. Welcomes also the outcome of the first session of the Plenary of the Intergovernmental 

Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, held in Bonn from 21 to 26 January 

2013, and takes note of the request of the Plenary of the Platform to the United Nations Environment 

Programme that it provide the Platform’s secretariat, which will be solely accountable to the Platform 

Plenary on policy and programmatic matters and administrative arrangements in accordance with the 

rules of the United Nations Environment Programme;

3. Welcomes the significant progress on modalities of the platform, including efforts to 

achieve the early commencement of the work of the platform made at the first session of the Platform 

Plenary;

4. Authorizes the Executive Director, within available resources, to provide the secretariat 

and administrative arrangements in responding to the decision adopted by the Platform Plenary at its 

 

11 UNEP/GC.27/3.
21

first session on administrative and institutional arrangements for the Platform, including the 

secondment of a professional officer to the Platform secretariat;

5. Requests the Executive Director, in accordance with decision I/4, to enter into a 

collaborative partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, 

the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the United Nations Development 

Programme, for consideration by the Platform plenary, in order to enter into an institutional link with 

the Platform and its secretariat.

6. Authorizes the Executive Director:

(a) To finalize a host country agreement with the Government of Germany for the 

presence of the Platform Secretariat in Bonn;

(b) To make those arrangements necessary for the Secretariat of the Platform to operate, 

with a view to having a functioning Secretariat, at the latest, by the end of the second session of the 

Plenary;

7. Requests the Executive Director to continue to receive financial contributions that are 

provided for the Platform, until the Platform’s Trust Fund is established;

8. Requests the Executive Director to submit input and suggestions, following the 

procedures and guidance agreed by the IPBES plenary, and based on the findings of GEO 5, to inform 

the development of the initial work programme of the platform,

9. Also requests the Executive Director to report on the implementation of the present 

decision at its next session.

Decision 27/5: Coordination across the United Nations system, 

including the Environment Management Group

The Governing Council,

Recognizing the role of the United Nations Environment Programme in enhancing 

coordination and collaboration across the United Nations system to achieve greater coherence in 

environmental activities, 

Recalling its decision XII/2, on enhanced coordination across the United Nations system, 

including the Environment Management Group, 

Welcoming the efforts of the Executive Director, including in his capacity as Chair of the 

Environment Management Group, and those of the Group’s members, in promoting cooperation and 

joint approaches across the United Nation system on environmental activities, 

Expressing appreciation for the progress report prepared under the guidance of the senior 

officials of the Environment Management Group at their eighteenth meeting and as presented by the 

Executive Director,2including the strategic considerations of the Group in supporting the 

implementation of the outcome document of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable 

Development, “The future we want”, as well as its contribution to the post-2015 development agenda,

Commending the Group on its progress, and encouraging further work, in facilitating 

cooperation across the United Nations system to assist Member States in implementing the 

environmental dimension of sustainable development, including follow-up to the “The future we 

want”, and in enhancing United Nations system-wide interagency coordination related to specific 

issues in the field of environment; 

Welcoming in particular the Group’s contribution to the eleventh session of the Conference of 

the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity and its decision to provide United Nations 

system-wide support for the implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity (2011-2020) 

Welcoming also the Group’s focus and approach in ensuring that its future work supports the 

implementation of “The future we want”, 

1. Supports the Group’s continued efforts to mainstream environmental considerations 

into activities at the policy, programme, management and operational levels in close cooperation with 

the United Nations System Chief Executives Board for Coordination and its subsidiary bodies;

 

2 UNEP/GC.27/12/iv.
22

2. Urges the Group to identify opportunities to strengthen the collaboration at the country 

level between the resident coordinator and non-resident agencies in follow-up of General Assembly 

resolution 67/226 on the Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review, in line with “Delivering as One” 

and in the case of the United Nations Environment Programme with a view to an effective and 

efficient mainstreaming of environmental considerations at the country level;

3. Requests the Executive Director in his capacity as Chair of the Group, mainly through 

the Group and in line with Paragraph 88 of the “The future we want”, to develop system-wide 

strategies on the environment and to invite the engagement of the United Nations Secretary-General 

and Chief Executives Board to facilitate broad ownership in the United Nations at all levels;

4. Encourages the Group to continue its support for the drylands agenda and preparation 

of a United Nations system-wide action plan on drylands for the period 2012–2018 in follow-up to its 

report on drylands3and pursuant to the request of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations 

Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or 

Desertification, Particularly in Africa, for consideration of the action plan at the eleventh session of the 

Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those 

Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa;4

5. Invites the Group to continue facilitating cooperation among its members in support of 

the implementation of the Strategic Plan for biodiversity 2011–2020 and to provide a progress report 

for consideration by the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity at its 

twelfth meeting;

6. Encourages the Group to continue its contribution to advancing the sustainability in 

the work of the United Nations system, including on environmental sustainability management and 

peer-reviews, and welcomes the decision to recommend to the Chief Executives Board a transfer of 

the Framework for Environmental and Social Sustainability in the United Nations System to the Chief 

Executives Board to ensure follow-up on all its dimensions;

7. Requests the Executive Director in his capacity as Chair of the Group to provide a 

progress report on the Group’s work to the Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum 

at its thirteenth special session;

8. Invites the Executive Director in his capacity as the Chair of the Group to transmit a 

progress report on the Group’s work to the governing bodies of the Group’s members.

Decision 27/6: Oceans

The Governing Council,

Recalling its decision 22/2 of 7 February 2003, on the regional seas strategies for sustainable 

development, decision 21/28 of 9 February 2001, regarding the need for the development and 

strengthening of regional seas conventions and action plans in promoting the conservation and 

sustainable use of the marine and coastal environment, building partnerships and establishing linkages 

with multilateral environmental agreements, and paragraph 74 (b) of the Global Programme of Action 

for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities,5adopted in Washington, 

D.C., on 3 November 1995, including requests to the United Nations Environment Programme that it 

support the Regional Seas Programme and promote and facilitate the implementation of the Global 

Programme of Action at the regional level, 

Welcoming the outcomes of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development 

(Rio+20), expressed in the document, “The future we want”, paragraphs 158–177, on oceans and seas,

1. Urges countries to take the necessary steps to implement relevant and existing 

commitments, as well as commitments made at Rio+20, to protect and restore the health, productivity 

and resilience of oceans and marine ecosystems and to maintain their biodiversity, enabling their 

conservation and sustainable use for present and future generations, and to effectively apply an 

ecosystem approach and the precautionary approach in the management, in accordance with 

international law, of activities having an impact on the marine environment in order to deliver on all 

three dimensions of sustainable development;

2. Invites member States of existing regional seas conventions and action plans: 

 

3

“Global Drylands: A UN system-wide response”.

4 Decision: ICCD/CRIC(10)/L.8/Rev.1.

5 UNEP(OCA)/LBA/IG.2/7.
23

(a) To take a more proactive role in all stages of the implementation of the programmes of 

work of their respective regional seas conventions and action plans and to develop “ownership” of 

those conventions and action plans;

(b) To utilize the regional seas conventions and action plans as platforms for the regional 

implementation of multilateral environmental agreements and global programmes and initiatives;

(c) To strengthen the capacity necessary for the effective implementation of the existing 

regional seas conventions and action plans;

(d) To foster cross-sectoral governmental participation through the involvement of all 

relevant national ministries;

3. Requests the Executive Director to further encourage and promote the United Nations 

Environment Programme’s work on oceans and to incorporate the work of the existing regional seas 

conventions and action plans into the wider framework of the mid-term strategy 2014–2017 and its 

work programme;

4. Requests the Executive Director, as appropriate and within available resources and 

within the mandate of the United Nations Environment Programme and with due respect for the 

autonomy of the decision-making bodies of the existing regional seas conventions and action plans to 

coordinate their work, as contained in the regional seas strategic directions 2013–2016, and to bring 

them to the attention of member States through relevant forums and areas of work.

Decision 27/7: Work by the United Nations Environment 

Programme on sustainable consumption and production

The Governing Council, 

Noting that resource efficiency and sustainable consumption and production together constitute 

one of the six cross-cutting priorities of the United Nations Environment Programme medium-term 

strategy for the period 2010–2013, 

Recalling its decision 22/6 of 7 February 2003, on the promotion of sustainable consumption 

and production patterns, decision 26/5 of 24 February 2011, on a 10-year framework of programmes 

on sustainable consumption and production, and decision SS.XII/7 of 22 February 2012, on 

sustainable consumption and production, 

Welcoming General Assembly resolution 66/288 of 27 July 2012, by which the Assembly 

endorsed the outcome document of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, 

entitled “The future we want”, and, through its paragraph 226, adopted the 10-year framework of 

programmes on sustainable consumption and production patterns as contained in document 

A/CONF.216/5, which provides the guidance for the vision, objectives, goals, common values, 

functions, organizational structure, means of implementation, and possible areas of sustainable 

consumption and production programmes,

Noting that in accordance with paragraphs 4 (a) and 6 (b) of the 10 year framework of 

programmes the United Nations Environment Programme is to serve, within its current mandate, as 

the secretariat of the framework and was invited to establish a trust fund consisting of voluntary 

contributions for the implementation of the framework, in particular its programmes and initiatives, 

Recalling that the framework includes an indicative, initial and non-exhaustive list of possible 

areas of programme development that builds on previous experience, including, inter alia, consumer 

information; sustainable lifestyles and education; sustainable public procurement; sustainable 

buildings and construction, and sustainable tourism, including ecotourism,

Welcoming General Assembly resolution /67/203 of 21 December 2012, by which the 

Assembly decided on the composition and nomination process of the small board called for in 

paragraph 4 (b) of the 10-year framework of programmes document, and identified the Economic and 

Social Council as the ad interim Member State body to receive reports from that board and from the 

secretariat of the framework,

1. Requests the Executive Director to take the necessary action to enable the United 

Nations Environment Programme to serve as the secretariat of the 10-year framework of programmes 

and to carry out its functions pursuant to paragraphs 4 (a) and 6 (b) of the framework;

2. Recognizes the functions of the small board established in accordance with paragraph 

4 (b) and its nomination process in accordance with General Assembly resolution 67/203 of 21 
24

December 2012 and authorizes the Executive Director, in his capacity as the executive head of the 

organization serving as the secretariat of the framework, to take the necessary action that may be 

requested by the board in carrying out its functions as specified in the above-mentioned paragraph of 

the framework; 

3. Recognizes the function of the Economic and Social Council to act as the ad interim 

body to which the secretariat of the framework and the small board will report on a biennial and 

annual basis, respectively, in accordance with paragraphs 4 (a)(viii) and 4 (b)(vi) of the framework 

document, and authorizes the Executive Director, in his capacity as the executive head of the 

organization serving as the secretariat of the framework, to report on progress to the Economic and 

Social Council in its capacity as the ad interim reporting body;

4. Encourages the national focal points and other stakeholder focal points to participate in 

and contribute actively to the development and implementation of the framework, ensuring 

coordination and cooperation with the board and the secretariat in accordance with paragraph 4 (d) of 

the framework document;

5. Requests the Executive Director to further enhance cooperation with Member States in 

accordance with paragraph 4 (a)(i) of the framework document, with all relevant United Nations 

bodies in accordance with paragraph 4 (a)(ii) of that document, including through the establishment of 

an inter-agency coordinating group of relevant United Nations bodies, and with relevant international 

organizations and key stakeholders in accordance with paragraph 4 (a)(iii) of the document; 

6. Encourages Governments, the private sector, civil society and other stakeholders to 

support the implementation of the framework, enhancing efforts and building cooperation around the 

programmes of the Framework and technical assistance and capacity-building activities at the national, 

subregional, regional and global levels, to accelerate the shift towards sustainable consumption and 

production patterns; 

7. Invites Governments, development agencies and the private sector to provide voluntary 

contributions for the implementation and operationalization of the framework and to its trust fund, 

established by the United Nations Environment Programme to mobilize voluntary contributions from 

multiple sources, in accordance with paragraph 6 (b) of the framework document; 

8. Requests the Executive Director, in his capacity as the executive head of the 

organization serving as the secretariat of the framework, to elaborate a proposal on the duration of the 

subsequent terms of the board of the framework after it has served its initial two-year term, for the 

consideration of the General Assembly at its sixty-ninth session. 

Decision 27/8: Green economy in the context of sustainable 

development and poverty eradication

The Governing Council,

Welcoming the outcome document, “The future we want”, of the United Nations Conference 

on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), particularly Section III dealing with the Green Economy in the 

context of sustainable development and poverty eradication, 

Acknowledging paragraph 62, which encourages countries to consider the implementation of 

green economy policies in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication, and also 

noting that, as stated in paragraph 56, there are different approaches, visions, models and tools 

available to each country, in accordance with its national circumstances and priorities, to achieve 

sustainable development, 

Welcoming the publication of the report released by the United Nations Environment 

Programme in 2011 on green economy entitled: Towards a Green Economy-Pathways to Sustainable 

Development and Poverty Eradication,

1. Takes note with appreciation of those countries that have endeavoured to promote the 

green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication based on their 

countries’ own circumstances and priorities, such as the idea of ecological civilization, natural capital 

accounting, payment for ecosystem services, low-carbon economy and resource efficiency;

2. Acknowledges that there are different approaches, visions, models and tools developed 

by Member States of the United Nations in order to achieve sustainable development, and in this 

regard takes note of the approach of Living-Well in balance and harmony with Mother Earth as a 
25

holistic and integrated approach to sustainable development that can guide humanity to live in 

harmony with nature and lead to efforts to restore the health and integrity of the Earth’s ecosystems;

3. Requests the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme, within 

the Programme’s existing mandate and available resources, to collect such initiatives, endeavours, 

practices and experiences on different approaches, visions, models and tools including green economy 

in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication and to disseminate them, and 

facilitate information sharing among countries, so as to support them to promote sustainable 

development and poverty eradication;

4. Invites countries to implement green economy in the context of sustainable development 

and poverty eradication taking into account section 3 of “The future we want”.

Decision 27/9: Advancing justice, governance and law for 

environmental sustainability

The Governing Council, 

Recalling its decision 25/11 (I) concerning the Fourth Programme for the Development and 

Periodic Review of Environmental Law,

Recalling the 1997 Nairobi Declaration on the Role and Mandate of the United Nations 

Environment Programme, 

Noting principle 10 of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development and 

acknowledging the importance given to broad public participation and access to information and 

judicial and administrative proceedings in the outcome document, “The future we want”, of the United 

Nations Conference on Sustainable Development and in regional and national regimes and processes,

Recalling the guidelines for the development of national legislation on access to information, 

public participation and access to justice in environmental matters, as well as the guidelines for the 

development of domestic legislation on liability, response action and compensation for damage caused 

by activities dangerous to the environment, both adopted by the Governing Council in its decision 

SS.XI/5 A and B,

Welcoming the important contributions made to sustainable development by environmental 

law and constitutional provisions and rights of some countries related to nature,

Noting that democracy, good governance and the rule of law, at the national and international 

levels, as well as an enabling environment, are essential for sustainable development, including 

sustained and inclusive economic growth, social development, environmental protection and the 

eradication of poverty and hunger,

Noting also that offenses against the environment, in particular trafficking in hazardous waste, 

wildlife and illegal timber, is increasingly committed by organized criminal groups and recalling that 

international cooperation at all levels in accordance with international law while respecting national 

jurisdictions contributes to combating those offenses more effectively, 

Recognizing the important contribution made by the legal and auditing community worldwide 

to the enforcement of standards and safeguards for environmental sustainability,

Noting General Assembly resolutions 67/1 of 24 September 2012 and 67/97 of 14 January 

2013 on the rule of law at the national and international levels and Economic and Social Council 

resolution 2012/19 on strengthening international cooperation in combating transnational organized 

crime in all its forms and manifestations, which urges Member States to consider addressing 

transnational organized crimes that have a significant impact on the environment, including trafficking 

in endangered species of wild fauna and flora, 

Noting also the outcome document of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable 

Development, “The future we want”, endorsed by the General Assembly in its resolution 66/288 of 27 

July 2012, 

Noting the report of the Executive Director6and the information contained therein on the 

outcome of the World Congress on Justice, Governance and Law for Environmental Sustainability,

Mindful of the Fourth Programme for the Development and Periodic Review of Environmental 

Law, adopted by the Governing Council in 2009, which sets the strategy and a non-exhaustive list for 

 

6 UNEP/GC.27/13.
26

United Nations Environment Programme activities to be taken in coordination with states and others 

in the development and implementation of Environmental law for the decade beginning in 2010. 

Acknowledges the work of chief justices, heads of jurisdiction, attorneys general, auditors general, 

chief prosecutors and other high-ranking representatives of the judicial, legal and auditing professions 

at the World Congress on Justice, Governance and Law for Environmental Sustainability, 17–20 June 

2012, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; 

1. Notes that an independent judiciary and judicial process are vital for the 

implementation, development and enforcement of environmental law; 

2. Emphasizes that environmental and sustainability auditing are important in ensuring 

transparency, access to information, accountability and the efficient use of public finances while 

protecting the environment for future generations;

3. Emphasizes also that justice, including participatory decision-making, access to 

information and judicial and administrative proceedings as well as the protection of vulnerable groups 

from disproportionate adverse environmental impacts, should be seen as an intrinsic element of 

environmental sustainability;

4. Recognizes that the violation of environmental law has the potential to undermine 

sustainable development and the implementation of agreed environmental goals and objectives at all 

levels and that the rule of law and effective governance play an essential role in reducing such 

violations and invites Governments and relevant organizations to further strengthen mechanisms and 

explore initiatives for exchanging information and sharing experiences in order to reinforce 

international, regional and subregional cooperation to combat the noncompliance with environmental 

laws, including, inter alia, measures to increase the effectiveness of administrative, civil and criminal 

enforcement mechanisms, institutions and laws in the field of environment as well as applicable 

education and training; 

5. Requests the Executive Director:

(a) To lead the United Nations system and support national Governments upon their 

request in the development and implementation of environmental rule of law with attention at all 

levels to mutually supporting governance features, including information disclosure, public 

participation, implementable and enforceable laws, and implementation and accountability 

mechanisms including coordination of roles as well as environmental auditing and criminal, civil and 

administrative enforcement with timely, impartial and independent dispute resolution; 

(b) To improve coherence and coordination, seek opportunities to collaborate and promote 

partnership with, and avoid duplication among, United Nations entities and other relevant entities 

working to promote improved environmental governance at the national level and to provide support 

for existing efforts and initiatives in coordination with the Rule of Law Coordination and Resource 

Group;

(c) To promote quality information and data exchange among the legal and auditing 

communities and improve education, capacity-building and technical assistance, including with the 

aim of strengthening effective national environmental governance systems and improving the 

effectiveness of rule of law systems; 

(d) To encourage the further expansion of information sharing about environmental 

jurisprudence and the development of specialized expertise in environmental law among judges, 

prosecutors and law enforcement officials; 

(e) To promote the continued engagement in the work referred to above of judges, 

prosecutors, auditors and other related authorities such as inspectors, investigators, police, regulatory 

enforcement officials and other components of the environmental, legal and enforcement community 

and the institutions they represent, including associated networks, and exploring the possible 

establishment of an international institutional network;

6. Invites Governments to cooperate to build and support the capacity of courts and 

tribunals as well as prosecutors, auditors and other related authorities such as inspectors, investigators, 

police and regulatory enforcement officials at the national, subregional and regional levels to 

implement environmental law so as to promote effective domestic judiciary and enforcement 

institutions in environmental matters and to facilitate exchanges of best practices in order to achieve 

environmental sustainability, including through networks at the international and regional levels;
27

7. Acknowledges with appreciation the significant work and initiatives already undertaken 

by individual countries, international organizations and other entities to promote improved 

environmental governance at the national level, 

8. Requests the Executive Director to present a report on the progress made in the 

implementation of the present decision, as part of a report on the mid-term review of the Fourth 

Programme for the Development and Periodic Review of Environmental Law envisaged in decision 

25/11 (I), to the Governing Council at its twenty-eighth session.

Decision 27/10: Climate Technology Centre and Network

The Governing Council,

Recalling its mandate set out in General Assembly resolution 2997 (XXVII) of 15 December 

1972, under which the Governing Council is, inter alia, to promote the contribution of the relevant 

international scientific and other professional communities to the acquisition, assessment and 

exchange of environmental knowledge and information and, as appropriate, to the technical aspects of 

the formation and implementation of environmental programmes within the United Nations system, 

Recalling the Bali Strategic Plan for Technology Support and Capacity Building as adopted by 

its decision 23/1,

Noting UNFCCC decision 1/CP.16 establishing a Technology Mechanism consisting of a 

Technology Executive Committee and a Climate Technology Centre and Network,

Noting UNFCCC decision 2/CP.17 detailing the mission of the Climate Technology Centre 

and Network as to stimulate technology cooperation and to enhance the development and transfer of 

technologies; to assist developing country Parties at their request, consistent with their respective 

capabilities and national circumstances and priorities, to build or strengthen their capacity to identify 

technology needs, and to facilitate the preparation and implementation of technology projects and 

strategies taking into account gender considerations to support action on mitigation and adaptation and 

enhance low emissions and climate-resilient development,

Further recalling UNFCCC decision 2/CP.17 Paragraphs 139, 140 and 141 on the provision of 

financial and other resources to the CTCN 

Noting annex VII to UNFCCC decision 2/CP.17 detailing the Terms of Reference of the 

Climate Technology Centre and Network including its governance structure and stating that the 

Climate Technology Centre and Network shall operate within its terms of reference and be 

accountable to, and under the guidance of, the Conference of the Parties, through an advisory board, 

Noting UNFCCC decision 14/CP.18 selecting UNEP as the host of the Climate Technology 

Centre and Network for an initial term of five years, with possible renewal if so decided by the 

Conference of the Parties at its twenty-third session,

Noting also that the same UNFCCC decision has adopted the memorandum of understanding 

between UNEP and UNFCCC and has authorized the Executive Secretary of UNFCCC to sign it,

Noting further that the UNFCCC decision has established the advisory board of the CTCN and 

has requested UNEP as the host of CTCN to convene the first meeting of the advisory board as soon as 

possible in 2013, preferably prior to the 38th session of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies, 

Noting the Annex 1 to the UNFCCC decision 14/CP.18 which states that UNEP has the 

mandate among others to strengthen the ability of countries, in particular developing countries, to 

integrate climate change responses into their national development processes and specifically to 

reduce their vulnerability and build up their resilience to the impacts of climate change; to facilitate 

the transition to low-carbon societies; to facilitate access to climate change financing for clean 

technologies; to support both public and private financing mechanisms; to support national processes 

for implementing sustainable forest management plans; to improve the understanding of climate 

change science and its use in sound policy-making; and to improve the general understanding of 

climate change.

Having considered the report by the Executive Director,

1. Welcomes the decision of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations 

Framework Convention on Climate Change to select UNEP, as the leader of the consortium of partner 

institutions, as the host of the Climate Technology Centre and Network for an initial term of five 

years, and authorizes the Executive Director to provide necessary arrangements for the operation of 
28

the Centre subject to the availability of financial resources and in accordance with decisions of 

UNFCCC;

2. Authorizes the Executive Director of UNEP to sign the MOU with the Executive 

Secretary of UNFCCC and invites him to do so as a matter of urgency;

3. Requests the Executive Director of UNEP to make the necessary arrangements for the 

first meeting of the advisory board of the CTCN.

Decision 27/11: State of the environment and contribution of the 

United Nations Environment Programme to meeting 

substantive environmental challenges

The Governing Council, 

Mindful of its functions and responsibilities as outlined in General Assembly resolution 2997 

(XXVII) of 15 December 1972, including to keep under review the world environmental situation, and 

recalling its decisions 22/1 on early warning, assessment and monitoring, 23/6 and 24/2 on the world 

environmental situation, and 25/2 for a policy relevant, integrated and scientifically credible global 

environmental assessment,

Recognizing the potential benefits of a scientifically sound and evidence-based detailed 

assessment of the state of the environment for awareness raising, informed policy formulation and 

decision-making for sustainable development,

Recognizing that there are gaps in our knowledge of the state of the environment resulting 

from the lack of current data and information generation and dissemination and that there is an urgent 

need for Governments to take actions to bridge those gaps through the building of capacities, the 

strengthening of existing mechanisms for environmental assessments and monitoring and the use of 

established comparable methods for data collection and analysis, paying particular attention to the 

needs of developing countries, including capacity-building and technology support,

Acknowledging the important role that the UNEP Year Book has played over the past 10 years 

in bringing emerging issues and challenges to the attention of policymakers,

Welcoming the publication of the fifth Global Environment Outlook assessment report, 

GEO-5: Global Environment Outlook: Environment for the future we want, on 6 June 2012 by the 

Executive Director, including its summary for policy makers, negotiated and endorsed at the 

Intergovernmental Meeting on 31 January 2012 in Gwangju, Republic of Korea,

Acknowledging that the findings in GEO-5 and its summary for policy makers based on 

scientific evidence are a valuable contribution to facilitating informed policy decision-making on 

sustainable development issues and to strengthening the science-policy interface,

Appreciating the guidance and high-level input of the High Level Intergovernmental Advisory 

Panel as well as the Science and Policy Advisory Board, the coordinating lead authors, lead authors, 

contributing authors and reviewers who provided support for the preparation of GEO-5 and its 

summary for policy makers,

Taking note of the publication Measuring Progress: Environmental Goals and Gaps, which is 

based on GEO-5 and shows the progress made towards selected internationally agreed environmental 

goals and its potentially useful contribution to the elaboration of sustainable development goals by 

Governments and the post-2015 development agenda, as foreseen in the outcome document of the 

2012 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), “The future we want”, 

Acknowledging the Rio+20 outcome document, in particular its paragraph 88, calling for a 

strengthened and upgraded United Nations Environment Programme, and its paragraph 90, calling for 

strengthened assessment activities and improved access to data and information, and noting the need to 

integrate the economic, environmental and social dimensions of sustainable development and to 

disseminate and share evidence-based environmental information on critical and emerging economic, 

environmental and social issues,

Welcoming the progress made during the first phase of the design and development of the 

prototype proof-of-concept for UNEP-Live as an initiative to significantly enhance the efficiency and 

cost-effectiveness of the future approach to keeping the world environment situation under review, 

including capacity-building and technology support for developing countries and countries with 
29

economies in transition to improve their data collection and assessment efforts and ensure that data 

collected and information generated are made available to policy makers and the public, 

Further welcoming the proposal in the programme of work for 2014–2015 for a gender and 

environment outlook that would use social science information and gender-sensitive indicators to 

review gender-environment links and guide policy actions towards gender equality,

Welcoming the continued development of the Eye on Earth network and the implementation of 

the Eye on Earth special initiatives, in particular the partnerships developing through the Eye on 

Global Network of Networks Special Initiative as a major contribution to 

UNEP-Live,

Noting the progress made on the design and development of the Programme of Research on 

Climate Change Vulnerability, Impacts and Adaptation (PROVIA) as an initiative to identify research 

gaps and meet policy needs in respect of climate change vulnerability, impacts and adaptation,

Also noting the progress made in the implementation of decision 26/14 on the Global 

Environment Monitoring System/Water Programme, pursuant to paragraph 5 of the decision,

Noting the work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and specifically the 

release in 2011 of the two special reports entitled “Special Report on Renewable Energy Sources and 

Climate Change Mitigation” (SRREN) and “Special Report on Managing the Risks of Extreme Events 

and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation” (SREX), as well as the progress made in the 

preparation of the Panel’s fifth assessment report, due for release in 2013–2014,

Recalling that the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on 

Climate Change, through a number of recent decisions, has reiterated the relevance and role of the 

Panel’s assessments for its current and future work, 

Appreciating the work of the International Resource Panel, which contributes to a strengthened 

science-policy interface and knowledge base in key areas of resource use and management, 

Acknowledging that the Convention on Biological Diversity Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 

2011–2020, including the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, is an important global policy framework for 

reversing the ongoing decline in biodiversity and ecosystem services identified in GEO-5,

Also welcoming the Global Chemicals Outlook and its Synthesis Report for Decision Makers, 

as well as the related activities on the Cost of Inaction,

I

Assessments

1. Requests the Executive Director to review best practices and develop a set of 

transparent procedures, particularly with regard to administrative processes, the selection of 

participants the inclusion of diverging view points, as well as government and peer reviews to support 

a wide range of environmental assessments that the United Nations Environment Programme conducts 

in order to ensure that they are of the highest quality and have maximum impact. These procedures 

should be based on the knowledge and experience of nationally recognized experts and current best 

assessment practices should be provided to member states for comments. Those procedures relevant to 

the 6th Global Environment Outlook assessment should be prioritized to feed into its preparation and 

should be provided to Member States for review and comment in time for the preparation of the 6th

Global Environment Outlook assessment;

2. Requests the Executive Director to ensure that the United Nations Environment 

Programme continues to build on the capacities developed during the GEO-5 process and other 

thematic and integrated assessments at the national, regional and global levels. This should be done by 

compiling and making available the key best practice assessment procedures referred to in the 

preceding paragraph, with their different purposes, strengths and weaknesses, to all stakeholders;

II

Global Environment Outlook

3. Welcomes the enhanced policy relevance of the Global Environment Outlook as a 

result of its identifying policy options, taking into account different approaches and visions to achieve 
30

sustainable development, and making every effort to accelerate the achievement of the internationally 

agreed goals, including through informing relevant global and regional processes; 

4. Invites Governments to use the findings of the fifth Global Environment Outlook 

(Environment for the Future We Want) and its summary for policy makers to facilitate informed policy 

decision-making at all levels in accordance with their national circumstances and priorities;

5. Requests the Executive Director to strengthen the policy relevance of Global 

Environment Outlook reports by measuring the progress towards the achievement of the 

internationally agreed goals and targets and to inform relevant global processes and meetings where 

progress towards these agreed goals and targets will be discussed;

6. Also requests the Executive Director, in close collaboration with other United Nations 

agencies, funds and programmes, the private sector and civil society, to convene an intergovernmental 

and multistakeholder consultation as soon as practicable and before mid-2014 to determine the 

objectives, scope and process for the next Global Environment Outlook assessment taking into account 

progress made with UNEP-Live and acknowledging the potential to contribute to the process for 

developing the global sustainable development report by the High-Level Political Forum on 

Sustainable Development called for in paragraph 85 of “The future we want”;

III

Strengthening sustainable development

7. Requests the Executive Director, building on the Global Environment Outlook, to 

continue work at the national, regional and global levels to promote the science-policy interface 

through inclusive, scientifically sound, evidence-based and transparent thematic and integrated 

assessments, taking into consideration diverse knowledge systems, as well as access to reliable, 

relevant and timely data and information and making such data and information available to 

UNEP-Live for access by policy makers and the public; 

8. Requests the Executive Director to continue promoting access to reliable, relevant and 

timely data in areas related to the United Nations Environment Programme’s mandate aiming at 

reinforcing the integration of the three dimensions of sustainable development, building on existing 

international instruments, assessments, panels and information networks, including the Global 

Environment Outlook;

9. Welcomes the ongoing contribution of the United Nations Environment Programme to 

the elaboration of the sustainable development goals in accordance with the outcome document of Rio 

+20 and invites it to provide technical input in relation to global environmental goals;

10. Looks forward to the contribution of the United Nations Environment Programme on 

the need for broader measures of progress to complement gross-domestic product;

IV

UNEP-Live

11. Requests the Executive Director to implement the next phase of UNEP-Live during the 

2014–2015 biennium as an open platform in continued alignment with relevant environmental 

information systems designed for global, regional and national environmental assessment and data 

sharing;

12. Also requests the Executive Director to undertake and encourage capacity-building 

activities to ensure that developing countries and countries with economies in transition are able to 

work with UNEP-Live and contribute to scientifically sound evidence-based environmental 

assessment processes;

13. Invites Member States, major groups and stakeholders and United Nations agencies, 

funds and programmes to engage in the development of UNEP-Live and in particular the 

implementation of the online state-of-environment reporting capabilities by increasingly sharing 

relevant data, information and indicators through open platforms;

14. Invites the donor community, other sources and Governments in a position to do so to 

provide funding to support the full and effective implementation of technology support and 
31

capacity-building programmes to support environmental monitoring and data and information 

management needs of developing countries and countries with economies in transition;

15. Requests the Executive Director to provide a progress report on UNEP-Live at the 

thirteenth special session of the Governing Council in 2014; 

V

Programme of Research on Climate Change Vulnerability, Impacts 

and Adaptation (PROVIA)

16. Requests the Executive Director, working in close collaboration with relevant United 

Nations bodies, in particular the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, to further 

develop the Programme of Research on Climate Change Vulnerability, Impacts and Adaptation 

(PROVIA) and provide a status report at the thirteenth special session of the Governing Council in 

2014; 

17. Invites Member States, the international scientific community and centres of 

excellence to participate in PROVIA to mobilize and communicate the growing knowledge base on 

climate change vulnerability, impacts and adaptation;

18. Invites the donor community, other sources and Governments in a position to do so to 

provide funding and other means of support as appropriate for PROVIA so that the initiative can move 

from the design and development phase to an operational phase and enhance its effectiveness and its 

work from the global to the national levels;

VI

Global Environment Monitoring System/Water Programme 

(GEMS/Water)

19. Expresses gratitude to the Government of Canada for its support for the Global 

Environment Monitoring System/Water Programme (GEMS/Water) over the years and requests the 

Executive Director working in close collaboration with Member States to identify a new host country 

for GEMS/Water;

20. Invites Member States, the international scientific community and centres of 

excellence to participate in GEMS/Water to improve the global coverage and consistency of water 

quality data, expand the GEMS/Water network of national and collaborating rocal points, and improve 

data submission to the GEMStat global database and access of users to water quality data,

21. Invites the donor community, other sources and Governments in a position to do so to 

provide sustainable financial and in-kind support to GEMS/Water for its global 

coordination/management unit and global network, GEMStat and the implementation of technology 

support and capacity development activities for water quality monitoring in developing countries and 

countries with economies in transition;

VII

Climate change

22. Welcomes the completion of the process of consideration and implementation of the 

recommendations issued in August 2010 by the InterAcademy Council (IAC) as part of its review of 

the processes and procedures of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, including a number 

of important decisions related to the Panel’s governance and management, procedures, conflict of 

interest policy and development of a communication-strategy:

23. Requests the Executive Director to continue providing support for the work of the 

Panel and to explore ways to further strengthen the cooperation with it in line with the role of UNEP 

role in assessing the world environment situation, as reiterated in the Rio+20 outcome document;
32

VIII

Biodiversity and ecosystem services 

24. Takes note of the efforts, as highlighted by the Conference of the Parties to the 

Convention on Biological Diversity at its eleventh meeting, held in Hyderabad, India, in October 

2012, to review and, as appropriate, update and revise their national biodiversity strategies and action 

plans in line with the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020 towards attainment of the Aichi 

Biodiversity Targets at the national level, as highlighted by Parties to the Convention at the eleventh 

meeting; 

25. Takes note of the outcome of the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to 

the Convention, in particular decisions XI/3 and XI/4 on review of implementation of the Strategic 

Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020 and the strategy for resource mobilization;

26. Welcomes progress made at the first session of the Plenary of the Intergovernmental 

Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services and requests the Executive Director 

to continue to provide support for the work of the Panel in accordance with its decisions adopted at the 

current session.

Decision 27/12: Chemicals and waste management

The Governing Council, 

Recalling the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable 

Development and internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development 

Goals, and the goal that by 2020 chemicals are used and produced in ways that lead to the 

minimization of significant adverse impacts on human health and the environment,

Welcoming the Rio+20 Outcome document, “The future we want”,

Recalling also its decisions 26/3 and 26/12, and other relevant UNEP decisions on chemicals 

and wastes, and having considered the reports by the Executive Director on the implementation of 

Governing Council decision 26/12 and SS.XII/5 and on chemicals and waste management,

Recalling further its decision 16/34 calling for the establishment of the International 

Environmental Technology Centre, based on the agreement between the United Nations Environment 

Programme and the Government of Japan, and welcoming the enhanced role of the Centre as a focus 

for the work of the United Nations Environment Programme on waste management,

Recognizing that the sound management of chemicals and waste is crucial for the protection of 

human health and the environment and reaffirming the commitment of Governments to an approach 

for the sound management of chemicals and waste at all levels that responds in an effective, efficient, 

coherent and coordinated manner to new and emerging issues and challenges and encouraging further 

progress across countries and regions in order to fill the gaps in the implementation of commitments, 

Welcoming the role of the United Nations Environment Programme as a participating 

organization in the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management and underlining the 

value of the continuing cooperation between the United Nations Environment Programme and other 

participating organizations and observers of the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound 

Management of Chemicals,

Recognizing the growing significance of hazardous waste management for sustainable 

development due to rapid industrialization and urbanization and the technical and other challenges 

faced by developing countries and countries with economies in transition,

Recognizing that the actions in this decision are supportive of and consistent with 

commitments of countries to the sound management of chemicals and wastes,

I 

General provisions

1. Welcomes paragraphs 213 to 223 of the “The future we want”, relating to the sound 

management of chemicals and waste and the reaffirmation of the aim to achieve by 2020 the sound 

management of chemicals throughout their life cycle and of hazardous waste; 
33

2. Invites all stakeholders to support the sound management of chemicals and waste as an 

important contribution to building a green economy in the context of sustainable development and 

poverty eradication;

3. Recognizes the significance of the findings of the Global Chemicals Outlook, which 

highlighted the significant increase in the manufacture and use of chemicals globally, their importance 

to national and global economies and the costs and negative effects on human health and the 

environment of unsound chemicals management and made recommendations for future action; 

4. Requests the Executive Director to continue work on the Global Chemicals Outlook, 

particularly in areas where data were found to be lacking or inadequate, and to enhance transparency 

through regionally balanced stakeholder involvement, inter alia, with a view to developing in the 

future a tool for assessing progress towards the achievement of the sound management of chemicals 

and hazardous wastes, including the existing 2020 goal, taking into account and building upon other 

existing sources of information;

5. Encourages Governments and other stakeholders to promote safer, effective alternatives, 

including non-chemical alternatives, and to adopt measures to prevent industrial chemical accidents 

and unintended releases and emissions in order to prevent rather than remediate risks;

6. Invites Governments that have not already done so to ratify the chemicals and wastes 

multilateral environmental agreements and urges those countries that have ratified them to implement 

their obligations fully;

II

Lead and cadmium

7. Acknowledges the efforts made by Governments and others to address the risks posed by 

lead and cadmium, in particular to phase out lead from gasoline and paint through the Partnership for 

Clean Fuels and Vehicles and the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint respectively, and urges

Governments to continue participating in and contributing to those initiatives and to consider 

initiatives to encourage the development of more affordable and safer alternatives;

8. Emphasizes that further actions are needed to address the challenges posed by lead and 

cadmium and encourages Governments and others to continue efforts to reduce the risks to human 

health and the environment from lead and cadmium throughout the life cycles of those substances, 

taking into consideration the specific environmental, economic and social conditions and challenges of 

developing countries and countries with economies in transition;

9. Requests the Executive Director, in coordination with Governments, intergovernmental 

organizations, non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders, as appropriate, to continue 

activities on lead and cadmium and to enhance them within the existing mandate of the United Nations 

Environment Programme, subject to the availability of extrabudgetary resources;

10. Encourages Governments and other stakeholders to make available information on 

techniques for emissions abatement and on the possibility of replacing lead and cadmium with less 

hazardous substances or techniques and requests the Executive Director to compile such information 

and make it available on the United Nations Environment Programme website for the use of all 

stakeholders, noting that, where appropriate, use should be made of existing mechanisms like the 

Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management clearing-house mechanism when making 

information available;

III

Mercury

11. Welcomes the completion of the negotiation of a global legally binding instrument on 

mercury, which was accomplished prior to the twenty-seventh session of the Governing 

Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum as requested in paragraph 26 of decision 25/5;

12. Requests the Executive Director to convene a conference of plenipotentiaries for the 

purpose of adopting and opening for signature the Minamata Convention on Mercury, in Kumamoto 

and Minamata, Japan, from 9 to -11 October 2013, subject to the availability of extra-budgetary

resources, and welcomes the offer by the Government of Japan to host the conference of 

plenipotentiaries;
34

13. Calls on Governments and regional economic integration organizations to adopt and 

thereafter sign the Minamata Convention on Mercury at the conference of plenipotentiaries;

14. Encourages States and regional economic integration organizations to take, as soon as 

possible, the necessary domestic measures to enable them to meet their obligations upon ratification, 

and thereafter to ratify, accept, approve or accede to the Minamata Convention on Mercury, once 

adopted, with a view to its entry into force as soon as possible;

15. Authorizes the Executive Director to provide secretariat support to the Minamata 

Convention on Mercury and, if so decided by the conference of plenipotentiaries of the Minamata 

Convention on Mercury, and subject to the availability of extrabudgetary resources, to provide an 

interim secretariat to the instrument prior to its entry into force; 

16. Requests the Executive Director to inform the diplomatic conference of the Minamata 

Convention on Mercury about possible options available for the interim secretariat;

17. Recognizes that the decision on interim secretariat arrangements will be taken by the 

conference of plenipotentiaries and that it is for the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata 

Convention on Mercury to decide on secretariat arrangements;

18. Urges the Executive Director through an interim secretariat of the instrument to assist 

in the implementation of relevant resolutions of the conference of plenipotentiaries with a view to 

facilitating capacity-building, early entry into force and financing regarding the instrument;

19. Request the Executive Director to take actions to facilitate voluntary implementation of 

the instrument prior to its entry into force and to provide interim support for developing countries and 

countries with economies in transition, if so decided by the conference of plenipotentiaries;

20. Appeals to Governments as well as intergovernmental and non-governmental 

organizations and the private sector to support early action designed to facilitate ratification and 

implementation of the Minamata Convention and furhter to provide financial resources for the 

implementation of interim arrangements for the Minamata Convention, in conformity with relevant 

resolutions of the conference of plenipotentiaries, for the period until the end of the financial period in 

which the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention takes place, and 

welcomes with appreciation the contributions already made, including from China, Denmark, Japan, 

Norway and Switzerland, for those purposes;

21. Welcomes the efforts by the secretariat of the United Nations Environment Programme 

and its partners to take immediate action on mercury through the Global Mercury Partnership, urges 

all partners to continue their efforts and urges Governments and other stakeholders to continue to 

support, participate in, and contribute to the Global Mercury Partnership;

22. Requests the Executive Director to continue to provide the necessary support to the 

Global Mercury Partnership; 

23. Invites the Council of the Global Environment Facility to take into account any 

relevant resolutions of the conference of plenipotentiaries and consider ways of supporting their 

implementation;

24. Invites Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions to use the 

opportunity of their extraordinary meetings from 28 April to 10 May 2013 to consider steps that would 

facilitate possible future cooperation and coordination with the Minamata Convention on Mercury and 

to forward any outcome of that consideration to the conference of plenipotentiaries;

25. Acknowledges the 2013 update of the 2008 report from the Executive Director: “Global 

Atmospheric Mercury Assessment: Sources, Emissions and Transport” 7and requests the Executive 

Director to provide a further update within six years; 

IV

Implementation of the Strategic 

Approach to International Chemicals Management

26. Welcomes the decision adopted at the third session of the International Conference on 

Chemicals Management to extend the term for the receipt of contributions to the Quick Start 

Programme Trust Fund until the fourth session of the Conference and to allow the distribution of 

 

7 UNEP/GC.27/INF/14.
35

funding until all approved projects are completed and requests the Executive Director to extend the 

operations of the Trust Fund accordingly;

27. Welcomes also the adoption, at the third session of the International Conference on 

Chemicals Management, of the strategy for the engagement of the health-care sector in the 

implementation of the Strategic Approach;

28. Requests the Executive Director to give full support to the Strategic Approach 

secretariat and to give it the necessary support to develop orientation and guidance to implement the 

2020 goal on sound chemicals management; 

29. Notes with concern the withdrawal of staffing support to the Strategic Approach 

secretariat by the World Health Organization due to financial constraints and invites the World Health 

Assembly to consider reinstating the support of the World Health Organization, at the earliest date 

possible, to continue to provide health expertise within the Strategic Approach secretariat;

30. Welcomes the adoption of resolutions at the third session of the International Conference 

on Chemicals Management on international cooperative actions on emerging policy issues and 

requests the Executive Director to provide leadership, in partnership with others, on 

endocrine-disrupting chemicals, chemicals in products and perfluorinated chemicals and in this regard 

also acknowledges the 2012 joint United Nations Environment Programme and World Health 

Organization report on endocrine-disrupting chemicals and requests the Executive Director to submit 

to the Governing Council at its twenty-ninth session a report on progress and implementation;

31. Urges all relevant stakeholders to engage in effective implementation of the Strategic 

Approach throughout the materials life cycle and encourages enhanced engagement, particularly of 

intermediate and end users, in the Strategic Approach;

32. Underlines the importance of mainstreaming activities for sound chemicals management 

at the national level and the assessment of the economic and social costs of unsound chemicals 

management, as reflected in the Global Chemicals Outlook report, and requests the Executive Director 

to continue and expand work to facilitate country implementation of mainstreaming activities; 

33. Urges Governments, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, 

industry and others in a position to do so to make financial and in-kind contributions to the Strategic 

Approach, its Quick Start Programme, its secretariat and its implementation, including through the 

programme of work of the United Nations Environment Programme;

V

Waste management

34. Requests the Executive Director to review existing efforts of the United Nations 

Environment Programme on waste, to develop a UNEP-wide waste strategy to prioritize its work and 

to make recommendations on existing and future areas of United Nations Environment Programme 

work on wastes, taking care to not duplicate efforts under way in other forums;

35. Also requests the Executive Director to develop a global outlook of challenges, trends 

and policies in relation to waste prevention, minimization and management, taking into account the 

materials life cycle, subject to the availability of extra-budgetary resources and in consultation with 

Governments and stakeholders, building on available data, best practices and success stories, taking 

into account the Global Chemicals Outlook and any other relevant initiatives and taking care not to 

duplicate existing information, to provide guidance for national policy planning;

36. Welcomes the progress in establishing the Global Partnership on Waste Management 

hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme International Environmental Technology 

Centre and requests the Executive Director to continue to facilitate, including through this Partnership, 

cooperation and coordination across international efforts focusing on waste prevention, minimization, 

and management, taking into account the materials life-cycle and planning and implementing 

environmentally sound and integrated waste management strategies and activities;

37. Encourages the Executive Director to collaborate closely with the Secretariat of the 

Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions in pursuit of mutual objectives with regard to the sound 

management of waste, including support for capacity-building in relation to priority waste streams;
36

VI

Persistent organic pollutants

38. Welcomes the work undertaken to date and requests the Executive Director to continue 

to provide coordination of the PCB Elimination Network and the Global Alliance for the Development 

of Products, Methods and Strategies as Alternatives to DDT for Disease Vector Control in accordance 

with the invitation received from the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic 

Pollutants;

39. Urges the World Health Organization to cooperate with the United Nations Environment 

Programme in the implementation of the workplan of the Global Alliance for the Development of 

Products, Methods and Strategies as Alternatives to DDT for Disease Vector Control;

40. Invites the Executive Director to inform the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm 

Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants on the progress made in the work of the PCB Elimination 

Network and the Global Alliance for the Development of Products, Methods and Strategies as 

Alternatives to DDT for Disease Vector Control;

VII

Enhancing cooperation and coordination within the 

chemicals and wastes cluster

41. Notes the progress made and the activities carried out to date by the Executive Director 

in the implementation of decisions 26/12 and SS.XII/5; 

42. Requests the Executive Director to continue to facilitate and support an inclusive, 

country-driven consultative process on the challenges to and options for further enhancing cooperation 

and coordination in the chemicals and wastes cluster in the long term and to present a report on the 

outcome of that consultative process to the Governing Council at its twenty-eighth session and

encourages Governments to enhance efforts in this area;

VIII

Consultative process on financing options for chemicals and wastes

43. Welcomes an integrated approach to address the financing of the sound management of 

chemicals and wastes, and underscores that the three components of an integrated approach: 

mainstreaming, industry involvement and dedicated external finance are mutually reinforcing and are 

all important for the financing of sound management of chemicals and wastes;

44. Takes note of the proposal by the Executive Director as contained in document 

UNEP/GC.27/7 on his vision for making operational an integrated approach on financing sound 

management of chemicals and wastes;

45. Invites Governments, relevant organizations and entities and other stakeholders to apply 

an integrated approach to financing sound management of chemicals and wastes in their efforts to 

mobilize and manage financial resources for sound management of chemicals and wastes at all levels;

46. Invites Governments to implement actions to further mainstream sound management of 

chemicals and wastes, in national development plans, domestic budgets and relevant sector policies;

47. Further invites Governments to implement actions to further encourage industry 

involvement in the integrated approach, including the development of legislation on the 

responsibilities of industry and national administration, the provision of incentives for sound 

chemicals and wastes management, and promotion of measures by industry to internalize costs as per 

the polluter pays principle;

48. Invites all countries, within their capabilities, to further strengthen the element of 

dedicated external financing through the provision of adequate, predictable and timely financial 

resources, so as to support developing countries in their efforts to implement sound management of 

chemicals and wastes; 

49. Invites all Governments to involve relevant ministries, departments and agencies in the 

implementation of an integrated approach to financing the sound management of chemicals and 

wastes;
37

50. Requests the Executive Director to provide the necessary support, upon request, to 

Governments especially those from developing countries, and collaborate with relevant organizations 

and entities and other stakeholders as appropriate, towards the implementation of an integrated 

approach; 

51. Invites the conferences of the parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm 

conventions to take steps to implement, and the Conference of Plenipotentiaries of the Minamata 

Convention to consider, an integrated approach for the purposes of the respective conventions, as 

appropriate;

52. Further invites the ICCM to take steps to implement an integrated approach;

53. Also invites the governing bodies of international development agencies, international 

and regional financial institutions and other relevant stakeholders to take steps to implement, within 

their mandates, an integrated approach;

54. Invites the GEF in the context of its 6th replenishment process to revise its focal area 

structure and strategy in order to address the chemicals and wastes agenda, and consider ways of 

further strengthening its relations with the conventions it serves as a financial mechanism;

55. Invites Governments to consider establishing, through an existing institution, a special 

programme, funded by voluntary contributions, to support institutional strengthening at the national 

level for implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, the future Minamata 

Convention and SAICM, noting that each respective governing body would have to determine the 

participation of its entity in the special programme;

56. Emphasizes that the special programme should avoid duplication and proliferation of 

funding mechanisms and associated administration and should fund activities that fall outside GEF’s 

mandate;

57. Requests the Executive Director to facilitate and support a country-led meeting of 

governments and Regional Economic Integration Organizations, open to interested stakeholders, 

including potential donors, the private sector, civil society, UNEP, the Global Environment Facility 

and other relevant intergovernmental organizations and international financial institutions, and the 

secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions and SAICM, to further develop terms 

of reference for such a special programme, including:

(a) a definition of institutional strengthening;

(b) the duration of the special programme;

(c) clear parameters and eligibility criteria; 

(d) practical arrangements necessary to make the special programme operational;

58. Decides that the outcomes of the meeting should be submitted to the Conference of the 

Plenipotentiaries to the Minamata Convention on Mercury, the UNEP Governing Council, the 

Conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions and ICCM-4; 

59. Notes that this decision does not pre-empt the decision of the future Conference of the 

Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury on the specific international Programme referred to in 

the text of that Convention;

60. Requests the Executive Director to facilitate an evaluation of the implementation of the 

integrated approach, which should be done in cooperation with all relevant stakeholders and submit 

the evaluation, including recommendations, within six years for consideration by the Governing 

Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum, the relevant COPs and ICCM5; 

61. Also requests the Executive Director to submit to the Governing Council/Global 

Ministerial Environment Forum within three years a report on the implementation of the integrated 

approach.

IX

62. Requests the Executive Director to present a report on progress in the implementation of 

the present decision to the Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum at its 

twenty-eighth regular session;

63. Invites Governments and others in a position to do so to provide extra-budgetary 

resources for the implementation of the present decision.
38

Decision 27/13: Proposed medium-term strategy for the period 

2014–2017 and biennial programme of work and budget for 

2014–20158

The Governing Council,9

Having considered the proposed medium-term strategy for 2014–201710 and the programme of 

work and budget for the biennium 2014–201511 and the related report of the Advisory Committee on 

Administrative and Budgetary Questions,12

Noting General Assembly resolutions 66/288 of 27 July 2012 and 67/213 of 21 December 

2012, by which the General Assembly strengthened the United Nations Environment Programme,

Taking note of the United Nations Board of Auditors report for the period 2010-2011,

Affirming that there are different approaches, visions, models and tools available to each 

country in accordance with its national circumstances and priorities, to achieve sustainable 

development;

1. Approves the medium-term strategy for the period 2014–2017 and the programme of 

work for the biennium 2014–2015, taking into account the relevant decisions of the Governing 

Council;

2. Also approves appropriations for the Environment Fund in the amount of 245 million 

United States dollars, of which 110 million dollars is allocated to 2014 and a maximum of 122 million 

dollars is allocated to defraying post costs for the biennium for the purposes indicated in the following 

table:

Environment Fund programme of work and budget for the biennium 2014–2015 (thousands 

of United States dollars)

A. Executive direction and management 7 794

B. Programme of work 209 394

1. Climate change 39 510

2. Disasters and conflicts 17 886

3. Ecosystem management 36 831

4. Environmental governance 21,895

5. Chemicals and waste 31 175

6. Resource efficiency 45 329

7. Environment under review 16 768

C. Fund programme reserve 12 500

D. Programme support 15 312

Total 245 000

3. Welcomes the extensive consultations that have taken place between the Executive 

Director and the Committee of Permanent Representatives13 on the preparation of the draft 

medium term strategy for the period 2014–2017 and the draft programme of work and budget for the 

biennium 2014–2015; 

 

8

This decision does not take into consideration possible budgetary implications of the forthcoming decisions by 

the Governing Council on institutional arrangements and rules of procedure. 

9 Hereinafter, any reference to the Governing Council shall be understood to refer to the name of the main UNEP 

Governing Body.

10 UNEP/GC.27/9.

11 UNEP/GC.27/10.

12 UNEP/GC.27/10/Add.1.

13 Hereinafter, any reference to the Committee of Permanent Representatives shall be understood to refer to the 

appropriate intercessional body of the Governing Council
39

4. Emphasizes the need for comprehensive information, regarding proposed expenditures 

and contributions from all sources of funding including staffing information to be provided to the 

Committee of Permanent Representatives15well in advance of consideration of the programme of work 

and budget, and requests the Executive Director to hold timely consultations on the preparation of all 

future programmes of work and budgets prior to transmittal to other appropriate bodies; 

5. Acknowledges the progress on the implementation of the medium-term strategy 

2010-2013, as described in the programme performance report;14

6. Also acknowledges the progress made in increasing allocations from the Environment 

Fund to activities and operations in the 2014–2015 programme;

7. Authorizes the Executive Director, with a view to ensuring better conformity with the 

practices in other United Nations bodies, to reallocate resources between subprogramme budget lines 

up to a maximum of 10 per cent of those mentioned in paragraph 2 above, and to consult the 

subsidiary body15 of any allocation above that contained in the programme of work and budget 

approved by the Governing Council;11

8. Also authorizes the Executive Director, if necessary, to reallocate funds in excess of 

10 per cent and up to 20 per cent of the budget lines mentioned in paragraph 2 above in consultation 

with the Committee of Permanent Representatives;15

9. Further authorizes the Executive Director to adjust, in consultation with the Committee 

of Permanent Representatives,15 the level of Environment Fund allocations to subprogrammes, 

bringing them in line with possible variations in income compared to the approved level of 

appropriations;

10. Authorizes the Executive Director to enter into forward commitments not exceeding 

20 million United States dollars for Environment Fund activities for the biennium 2016–2017;

11. Requests the Executive Director to continue to apply a prudent approach to the 

management of the resources from all sources, including the Environment Fund, including through the 

careful management of contractual arrangements; 

12. Also requests the Executive Director to continue its current emphasis on the 

achievement of results for the achievement of programme objectives and the efficient and transparent 

use of resources to that end, subject to United Nations processes of review, evaluation and oversight;

13. Requests the Executive Director to continue efforts to increase effectiveness and 

efficiency through the implementation of best practices;

14. Also requests the Executive Director to continue to report to Governments, through the 

Committee of Permanent Representatives,15 on a yearly basis, and to the Governing Council11 at its 

regular and special sessions, on the progress made in respect the performance of each subprogramme 

and its relevant expected accomplishments and on the execution of the budget of the Environment 

Fund, including voluntary contributions, expenditures and reallocations of appropriations or 

adjustments of allocations;

15. Authorizes the Executive Director to continue to report to Governments, through the 

Committee of the Permanent Representatives,12 in a streamlined manner through the merging of 

progress reporting on administrative and budgetary matters with its programme performance reporting; 

16. Requests the Executive Director to continue to organize regular briefings of the 

Committee of Permanent Representatives12 on the programme and budget performance of each 

subprogramme to enable the Committee12 to perform its monitoring task adequately; 

17. Also requests the Executive Director to ensure that trust funds and earmarked 

contributions to the United Nations Environment Programme, are used to fund activities that are in 

line with the programme of work, apart from those funds which are governed by other 

intergovernmental bodies and for which the United Nations Environment Programme provides 

secretariat functions; 

18. Takes note of the document UNEP/GC.27/14 Rev. 1 and acknowledges the need for a 

timely and efficient transition to International Public Sector Accounting Standards and other revisions 

to the financial rules that may be required to improve the United Nations Environment Programme’s 

efficiency, effectiveness, accountability and responsiveness and requests the Executive Director, in 

 

14 UNEP/GC.27/INF/6/Add.1.
40

consultation with the relevant United Nations bodies and the Committee of Permanent 

Representatives,12 to take action and submit a report to the Governing Council9at its next session;

19. Notes that the work programme and budget for the biennium 2014–2015 is part of a 

continuing process and that the allocation of the United Nations regular budget to the United Nations 

Environment Programme will be approved by the United Nations General Assembly at its 

Sixty-Eighth Session;

20. Requests the Executive Director to submit a report to the Governing Council11 at its next 

session on the programme of work and budget 2014-2015, taking into account the latest information 

on funding and projected expenditures;

21. Recalls the outcome of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development 

stating that the United Nations Environment Programme should have secure, stable, adequate and 

increased financial resources from the regular budget of the United Nations, and voluntary 

contributions to fulfil its mandate, and calls for an allocation from the United Nations regular budget 

to the United Nations Environment Programme that takes into account the programme of work of the 

United Nations Environment Programme and the implementation of paragraph 88, subparagraphs (a)–

(h) of the outcome document of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development,15 as well 

as opportunities for increasing the efficient use of resources; 

22. Requests the Executive Director to ensure that the delivery of the programme of work 

supports and brings together regional and national programmes and activities in the medium term 

strategy for the period 2014-2017 and the biennial programme of and budget for 2014-2015 and takes 

into account regional priorities and regional frameworks, where they exist, and also requests the 

Executive Director to include information on regional programmes and activities by region in the 

progress report on the implementation of the work programme;

23. Reiterates the need for stable, adequate and predictable financial resources for the 

United Nations Environment Programme and, in accordance with General Assembly 

resolution 2997 (XXVII) of 15 December 1972, requests the Secretary-General in the preparation of 

his 2014-2015 budget submission, to keep the resource needs of the United Nations Environment 

Programme under review, as well as those of United Nations Office at Nairobi in order to permit the 

effective delivery of necessary services;

24. Urges donors to increase voluntary funding to the United Nations Environment 

Programme, including to the Environment Fund;

25. Requests the Executive Director in his efforts to mobilise resources for the United 

Nations Environment Programme to take actions so as to better reflect Governments’ capacity to 

contribute to the Environment Fund;

26. Notes the positive effect of the Voluntary Indicative Scale of Contributions (VISC) to 

broaden the base of contributions to, and to enhance predictability in the voluntary financing of the 

Environment Fund, and requests the Executive Director to adapt the Voluntary Indicative Scale of 

Contributions (VISC) in light of the universal membership of the United Nations Environment 

Programme, in accordance with decisions SS VII/1 and any subsequent decisions;

27. Further requests the Executive Director in his efforts to mobilise resources for the 

United Nations Environment Programme to take action to strengthen and broaden the donor base of 

the Environment Fund;

28. Requests the Executive Director to submit for consideration and approval by the 

Governing Council11 at its twenty-eighth session, in consultation with the Committee of Permanent 

Representatives,15 a prioritized, results-oriented and streamlined programme of work and budget for 

the biennium 2016–2017 that continues to monitor and manage the share of the Environment Fund 

devoted respectively to post costs and non-post costs while clearly prioritizing the application of the 

resources of the Environment Fund to programme activities;

29. Takes note of document UNEP/GC.27/INF/20 on the relationship between the 

United Nations Environment Programme and the multilateral environmental agreements for which the 

United Nations Environment Programme provides the secretariat, and the undertaking to provide a full 

report on this issue by 30 June 2013, and requests the Executive Director, in so doing, to deepen 

consultations with those multilateral environmental agreements, the Office of Legal Affairs, the 

United Nations Board of Auditors and other appropriate bodies and to submit the final report to the 

 

15 A/Conf.216/216.
41

Governing Council11 at its twenty-eighth session and to the governing bodies of the multilateral 

environmental agreements;

30. Recalls paragraph 13 of decision 19/32 of the Governing Council, and requests the 

Executive Director to ensure that the secretariat provides documentation and information related to the 

programme of work, budget and medium term strategy to the meeting of the Committee of Permanent 

Representatives15 at least four weeks in advance of the meeting in question.

Decision 27/14: Management of trust funds and earmarked 

contributions18

The Governing Council,

Having considered the report of the Executive Director on the management of trust funds,19

I

Trust Funds in Support of the 

United Nations Environment Programme programme of work

1. Notes and approves the establishment of the following trust funds since the 26th session of the 

Governing Council: 

A. General trust funds

(a) SLP –Trust Fund to Support the Activities of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition to 

Reduce Short Lived Climate Pollutants, which was established in 2012 with an expiry date of 

31 December 2017;

B. Technical cooperation trust funds

(b) AFB – Technical Cooperation Trust Fund for United Nations Environment 

Programme Activities as Multilateral Implementing Entity of the Adaptation Fund Board (AFB), 

which was established in 2011 with an expiry date of 31 December 2014;

(c) CFL – Technical Cooperation Trust Fund for the Implementation of the Framework 

Agreement on Strategic Cooperation between the Ministry of Environmental Protection of China and 

the United Nations Environment Programme, which was established in 2012 with an expiry date of 

31 December 2017;

(d) ECL – Technical Cooperation Trust Fund to Support Achievement of Contribution 

Agreement N° 21.0401/2011/608174/SUB/E2 – Strategic Cooperation Agreement between the 

European Commission – Directorate General of the Environment and – and the United Nations 

Environment Programme (covering ENRTP Priority 3.1 – Strengthening Environment Governance), 

which was established in 2011 with an expiry date of 31 December 2018;

(e) EAP - Multi-Donor Technical Cooperation Trust Fund for the Implementation of the 

African Elephant Action Plan, which was established in 2011 with no expiry date;

(f) EUL - Technical Cooperation Trust Fund to Support Achievement of Contribution 

Agreement N° DCI-ENV/2010/258-800 – Strategic Cooperation Agreement between European 

Commission – Directorate General for Development and Cooperation and the United Nations 

Environment Programme (covering ENRTP Priorities 1, 2 and 3.3. – Support for Mainstreaming), 

which was established in 2011 with an expiry date of 05 December 2020; 

(g) NPL - Technical Cooperation Trust Fund for the Management of the United Nations 

Environment Programme Division of Global Environment Facility Coordination Nagoya Protocol 

Implementation Fund, which was established in 2011 with no expiry date; 

(h) PGL - Technical Cooperation Trust Fund for the Implementation of the Partnership for 

Action on Green Economy (PAGE), which was established in January 2013 with no expiry date; and

 

18 CFL – Technical Cooperation Trust Fund for the Implementation of the Framework agreement on Strategic 

Cooperation between the Ministry of Environment Protection of China and UNEP and PGL – Technical 

Cooperation Trust Fund for the Implementation of the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) have 

been inserted under section 1 operative paragraph 1(b) by UNEP secretariat in the finalization of this document. 

19 UNEP/GC.27/11/Rev.1.
42

(i) SCP – Technical Cooperation Trust Fund for the 10-Year Framework of Programmes 

on Sustainable Consumption and Production, which was established in 2012 with an expiry date of 

23 January 2023;

2. Approves the extension of the following trust funds subject to the Executive Director 

of the United Nations Environment Programme receiving requests to do so from the relevant 

Governments or donors:

C. General trust funds

(a) AML – General Trust Fund for the African Ministerial Conference on the 

Environment (AMCEN), which is extended through 31 December 2015;

(b) CWL – General Trust Fund for the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW), 

which is extended through 31 December 2015;

(c) MCL – General Trust Fund in support of Activities on Mercury and its Compounds, 

which is extended through 31 December 2015;

(d) SML: General Trust Fund for the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals 

Management Quick Start Programme, which is extended up to and including 31 December 2015;

(e) WPL – General Trust Fund to Provide Support to the Global Environment Monitoring 

System/Water Programme Office and to Promote its Activities, which is extended through 31 December 

2015.

D. Technical cooperation trust funds

(f) AFB – Technical Cooperation Trust Fund for United Nations Environment Programme 

Activities as Multilateral Implementing Entity of the Adaptation Fund Board (AFB), which is extended 

through 31 December 2015;

(g) BPL – Technical Cooperation Trust Fund for the Implementation of the Agreement with 

Belgium (financed by the Government of Belgium), which is extended through 31 December 2015;

(h) ESS - Technical Cooperation Trust Fund for the Implementation by the United Nations 

Environment Programme of Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EBA), which is extended through 

31 December 2018;

(i) CIL – Technical Cooperation Trust Fund to Support the Implementation of the Strategic 

Plan for Remediation Activities Following the Toxic Waste incident in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, which is 

extended through 31 December 2015;

(j) GNL – Technical Cooperation Trust Fund in Support of the Coordination Office of the 

Global Programme Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities 

(financed by the Government of the Netherlands), which is extended through 31 December 2015;

(k) IAL – Technical Cooperation Trust Fund for Ireland Aid Multilateral Environment Fund 

for Africa (financed by the Government of Ireland), which is extended through 31 December 2015;

(l) IEL – Technical Cooperation Trust Fund for Priority Projects to Improve the

Environment in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (financed by the Republic of Korea), which 

is extended through 31 December 2017;

(m) MDL – Technical Cooperation Trust Fund for UNEP Implementation of the Millennium 

Development Goals Achievement Fund, which is extended through 31 December 2015

(n) REL – Technical Cooperation Trust Fund for the Promotion of Renewable Energy in the 

Mediterranean Region (Financed by the Government of Italy), which is extended through 31 December 

2015;

(o) SEL – Technical Cooperation Trust Fund for the Implementation of the Agreement with 

Sweden, which is extended through 31 December 2015;

(p) SFL - Technical Cooperation Trust Fund for the Implementation of the Framework 

Agreement between Spain and the United Nations Environment Programme, which is extended through 

31 December 2015;
43

II

Trust funds in support of regional 

seas programmes, conventions, protocols and special funds

3. Notes and approves the establishment of the following trust fund since the 26th session 

of the Governing Council:

CAP – Trust Fund for the Core Budget of the Carpathian Convention for the Protection and 

Sustainable Development of the Carpathians and Related Protocols, which was established in 2012 

with an expiry date of December 2014;

4. Approves the extension of the following trust funds subject to the Executive Director 

of the United Nations Environment Programme receiving requests to do so from the relevant 

Governments or contracting parties:

A. General trust funds

(a) AVL – General Trust Fund for Voluntary Contributions in Respect of the Agreement 

on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds, which is extended through 

31 December 2017;

(b) AWL – General Trust Fund for the African-Eurasian Waterbirds Agreement, which is 

extended through 31 December 2017;

(c) BAL – General Trust Fund for the Conservation of Small Cetaceans of the Baltics, 

North East Atlantic, Irish and North Seas, which is extended through 31 December 2017;

(d) BCL – Trust Fund for the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary 

Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, which is extended through 31 December 2017;

(e) BDL – Trust Fund to Assist Developing Countries and Other Countries in Need of 

Technical Assistance in the Implementation of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary 

Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, which is extended through 31 December 2017;

(f) BEL – General Trust Fund for Additional Voluntary Contributions in Support of 

Approved Activities under the Convention on Biological Diversity, which is extended through 

31 December 2015;

(g) BGL – General Trust Fund for the Core Programme Budget for the Biosafety Protocol, 

which is extended through 31 December 2015;

(h) BHL – Special Voluntary Trust Fund for Additional Voluntary Contributions in 

Support of Approved Activities of the Biosafety Protocol, which is extended through 31 December 

2015;

(i) BYL – General Trust Fund for the Convention on Biological Diversity, which is 

extended through 31 December 2015;

(j) BZL – General Trust Fund for Voluntary Contributions to Facilitate the Participation 

of Parties in the Process of the Convention on Biological Diversity, which is extended through 

31 December 2015;

(k) CAP – Trust Fund for the Core Budget of the Carpathian Convention for the 

Protection and Sustainable Development of the Carpathians and related Protocols, which is extended 

through 31 December 2015;

(l) CRL – Regional Trust Fund for the Implementation of the Action Plan for the 

Caribbean Environment Programme, which is extended through 31 December 2015;

(m) CTL - Trust Fund for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of 

Wild Fauna and Flora, which is extended through 31 December 2017;

(n) EAL – Regional Seas Trust Fund for the Eastern African Region, which is extended 

through 31 December 2015;

(o) ESL – Regional Trust Fund for the Implementation of the Action Plan for the 

Protection and Development of the Marine Environment and Coastal Areas of East Asian Seas, which 

is extended through 31 December 2015;
44

(p) MEL – Trust Fund for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea Against Pollution, 

which is extended through 31 December 2015;

(q) MSL – Trust Fund for the Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild 

Animals, which is extended through 31 December 2015;

(r) MVL – General Trust Fund for Voluntary Contributions in Support of the Convention 

on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, which is extended through 31 December 

2015;

(s) PNL – General Trust Fund for the Protection, Management and Development of the 

Coastal and Marine Environment and Resources of the Northwest Pacific Region, which is extended 

through 31 December 2015;

(t) ROL – General Trust Fund for the Operational Budget of the Rotterdam Convention 

on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in 

International Trade, which is extended through 31 December 2015.

(u) WAL – Trust Fund for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment 

and Coastal Areas of the West and Central African Region, which is extended through 31 December 

2015.

B. Technical cooperation trust funds

(v) BIL – Special Voluntary Trust Fund for Voluntary Contributions to Facilitate the 

Participation of Parties, in particular the Least Developed and the Small Island Developing States 

among them and Parties with Economies in Transition (Biosafety Protocol), which is extended through 

31 December 2015;

(w) RVL – Special Trust Fund for the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed 

Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, which is 

extended through 31 December 2015;

(x) VBL – Voluntary Trust Fund to facilitate the Participation of Indigenous and Local 

Communities in the work of the Convention on Biological Diversity, which is extended through 

31 December 2015.

5. Requests the Executive Director to prepare a report highlighting the challenges of 

managing multiple trust funds and to propose steps which could be taken to reduce the administrative 

burden of maintaining these trust funds. 

Decision 27/15: Provisional agenda, date and venue of the next 

session of the governing body of the United Nations Environment 

Programme

The Governing Council,

Recalling General Assembly resolutions 2997 (XXVII) of 15 December 1972, 53/242 of 

28 July 1999, 66/288 of July 2012 and 67/213 of 21 December 2012, 

Recalling also General Assembly resolutions 47/202 A (paragraph 17) of 22 December 1992, 

54/248 of 23 December 1999, 56/242 of 24 December 2001, 57/283 B (paragraphs 9–11 of section II) 

of 15 April 2003, 61/236 (paragraph 9 of section II A) of 22 December 2006, 62/225 (paragraph 9 of 

section II A) of 22 December 2007, 63/248 (paragraph 9 of section II A) of 24 December 2008, 64/230 

(paragraph 9 of section II A) of 22 December 2009 and 65/245 (paragraph 10 of section II A) of 

24 December 2010,

Taking into account its own decision 27/2 of 22 February 2013, 

1. Decides to hold the next session of the governing body of the United Nations 

Environment Programme20 at its headquarters in Nairobi21

 

20 Designation is to be determined subject to adoption of resolution by the General Assembly on this matter

23. Dates to be decided in consultation with the Bureau of the governing body and Member States. 

21 Designation is to be determined subject to adoption of resolution by the General Assembly on this matter
45

2. Requests the Committee of Permanent Representatives to contribute to the preparation 

of draft provisional agenda for the next session of the governing body of the United Nations 

Environment Programme.