Governance

The current system of global environmental governance reflects the challenge of assembling cooperation among the international community, even on environmental matters that all agree require common action. There are three elements to global environmental governance. One element is comprised of intergovernmental organizations within the United Nations system, led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which are responsible for developing and coordinating environmental and sustainable development policy at the international level. A second element is the framework of international environmental law, which takes the form of a large number of environmental treaties. These treaties, such as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, are legally binding agreements that call on countries to take joint action on environmental problems. A third element is the financing mechanism to build capacity to carry out treaty commitments, to supplement national efforts toward sustainable development in poorer countries, and to support the UN agencies and treaty secretariats that coordinate and carry out environmental efforts. These include the bilateral development assistance, the World Bank, other regional development banks, UN funds like the UN, the Global Environment Facility, philanthropies, and the private sector.

Events and Articles

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Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum (GMGSF) at UNEA-6

Serving as the prep meeting for major groups and stakeholders attending the UN Environment Assembly, talks will be organized around the UNEA-6 theme of “Effective, inclusive and sustainable multilateral actions to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.”
Event 24 February 2024 - 25 February 2024

UNEA-6 and OECPR-6

Under the theme “Effective, inclusive and sustainable multilateral actions to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution,” delegates adopted 15 resolutions, two decisions, and a Ministerial Declaration, covering topics including the highly hazardous pesticides, sustainable lifestyles, sand and dust storms, and environmental recovery in areas affected by armed conflict.
Event 19 February 2024 - 1 March 2024

14th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP 14)

From the launch of the first State of the World’s Migratory Species report, to a resolution on deep-sea mining, and updated guidelines on light pollution, ecotourism, and community involvement in conservation, the first Conference of the Parties in Central Asia effectively tackled many challenges in the conservation of migratory species.
Conference of the Parties (COP) 11 February 2024 - 17 February 2024

UN Climate Change Conference - United Arab Emirates Nov/Dec 2023

Parties adopted a decision operationalizing the new loss and damage fund and a number of parties announced pledges for its initial capitalization. But negotiations were difficult on the other central outcomes: the first Global Stocktake, the Global Goal on Adaptation, the mitigation work programme, just transition pathways, and climate finance.
Conference of the Parties (COP) 30 November 2023 - 13 December 2023

5th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury

Parties took crucial steps toward eliminating mercury pollution, including by adopting decisions on: new dates to phase out mercury-added products including cosmetics, strengthened ties with Indigenous Peoples, the Convention’s first effectiveness evaluation, and a threshold for mercury waste, which will help countries avoid becoming dumping grounds for mercury-contaminated wastes.
Conference of the Parties (COP) 30 October 2023 - 3 November 2023

25th Meeting of the CBD Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical, and Technological Advice (SBSTTA 25) and Resumed Second Part of the 15th Meeting of the CBD Conference of the Parties

Ten months after adopting the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), delegates met to provide expert advice on the scientific, technical, and technological aspects of GBF implementation. At the resumed 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP), delegates conducted elections and discussed the date and venue of COP 16.
Conference of the Parties (COP) 15 October 2023 - 20 October 2023

UN Summits Week 2023

Marking the halfway point to the 2030 Agenda, the SDG Summit and the Climate Ambition Summit aim to provide renewed impetus for accelerating the pace of change in the fields of sustainable development and climate action, respectively.
Event 18 September 2023 - 20 September 2023

SDG 6 and Water Action Agenda Special Event

The 2023 edition of the SDG 6 Special Event focused on the outcomes of the UN 2023 Water Conference, including the almost 830 commitments included in the Water Action Agenda.
Event 17 July 2023