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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6th Forum of Ministers and Environment Authorities of Asia Pacific
Delegates from Asia Pacific showed “strong convergence” across some key environmental issues they intend to raise in December at the seventh session of the UN Environment Assembly—the world’s highest-level decision-making body on the environment.
15th Session of the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP15) of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
Parties sought to match the ambition needed to reverse the alarming trends of wetland loss and degradation through increased synergies with other multilateral environmental agreements, institutional strengthening, enhanced implementation tools, partnerships and networks, and adequate financial support.
Participation Process for the German VNR and Global VNR Peer Learning
In the run up to presenting its third voluntary national review (VNR) of progress towards the SDGs, the Federal Government of Germany is supporting national review, dialogue and implementation processes and international peer learning with selected other countries presenting a VNR at the 2025 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF).
High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) 2025
Despite convening against a backdrop of enormous global disruption, most delegations at the HLPF agreed now is not the time to abandon ideals, but to double down on solidarity and commit to enhancing implementation of the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals.
Seventh German HLPF Conference
Participants shared expectations that Germany would continue supporting the 2030 Agenda, seek out opportunities to build coalitions to accelerate SDG implementation, and support an enhanced framework beyond 2030.
2025 Conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions (BRS COPs)
Meeting under the theme of “Making visible the invisible,” parties adopted a series of decisions that seek to protect human health and the environment. These decisions, however, were challenged by the complexities of modern supply chains and the economic importance of chemicals and wastes.
Voluntary National Reporting on the Sustainable Development Goals
The Federal Government of Germany hosted Finland, Guatemala, Indonesia, Nigeria, Thailand, and South Africa to reflect on lessons learned in the implementation of the SDGs and to raise the level of ambition of their upcoming Voluntary National Reviews.
Resumed Session of the 2024 UN Biodiversity Conference - CBD COP 16 / CP-MOP 11 / NP-MOP 5
While the financial mechanism and the need to mobilize financial resources were at the forefront of delegates’ deliberations, the resumed session saw the adoption of other decisions vital to the realization of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework’s goals and targets.
Governance in Drylands: A Vision for a Just Land Transition
A Just Land Transition would enable restoration of drylands while ensuring jobs, agricultural productivity, and social safety nets. Realizing this vision, speakers suggested, will require not only funding but also empowering community-based and women-led organizations.
16th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNCCD (COP 16)
While delegates did not adopt a decision to negotiate a framework or protocol on drought, many strong and groundbreaking decisions were adopted, including on gender, agriculture, civil society participation, rangelands and pastoralists, and land tenure, and science.