Lee Maanee, Ministry of the Environment, Republic of Korea, offered to host the Eighth Special Session of the Governing Council and the Fifth Global Ministerial Environment Forum

COW Chair Tanya Van Gool (the Netherlands) at the close of the session

The International Maritime Organization makes an intervention during the discussions on marine safety and protection of the marine environment from accidental pollution, which was submitted by the EU

On the budget, John Turner, United States, noted the strong commitment of the US to UNEP, and that it is a large financial contributor. However, he stressed that the proposed Programme of Work includes initiatives outside of UNEP's traditional strengths and other initiatives that have not received adequate consideration by the Governing Council. He said that while joining the consensus to the decision, they could not endorse the programme overview or the subprogramme narratives and underscored their intention to submit detailed comments to remedy the deficiencies in the programme, expressing a desire to work with other delegations and the Executive Director to strengthen the process of drafting and reviewing the budget and accompanying work programme.

Minister Michael Meacher, UK, speaking on behalf of the EU, expressed their full support for UNEP, the Programme of Work and budget, and endorsed UNEP playing a central role in the follow up the WSSD.

In his closing remarks, Minister Michael Meacher, on behalf of the EU, thanked delegates for maintaining the momentum from the WSSD, and said the EU would remain faithful to the commitments it had made. Asserting that UNEP's role as the lead environmental agency has been confirmed, he said EU ministers are committed to making the Global Ministerial Environment Forum the key worldwide arena for international policy guidance on environmental issues.

Uganda, speaking for the Africa region (left), speaking for AMCEN, said this session of the Governing Council had built on the work of the WSSD, particularly in relation to Africa. He called for further strengthening of UNEP's regional office for Africa.

Declaring this to be "one of the most successful sessions in recent times," Professor Wangari Mathaai, Assistant Minister, Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Wildlife, Kenya, said the Governing Council had charted a way forward towards regional implementation of the WSSD. She noted that decisions had been taken on a wide range of issues, adding that the challenge now was to translate these agreements into action.

On the budget, Morocco, on behalf of the G77/China, supporting the statement of the EU, called for a strong UNEP to carry out its mandate as outlined in the Programme of Work.

In his closing remarks, he indicated that it was satisfied with the outcomes of the meeting, although results on some issues had not lived up to its expectations. Syria, for the Arab Group, drew attention to the decision on the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Klaus Töpfer reiterated that the adoption of a decision by the Governing Council endorsing the desk report on the environment in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and giving the go ahead for action to improve the environment in the Occupied Palestinian Territories was a great achievement.

Pekka Haavisto provided general information on the report on the environmental situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories

Tree Planting Ceremony for the late Kjell Larssen, former Swedish Environment Minister

Kenya's Castaways- The Ogiek and National Development Processes; Published by Minority Rights Group International in Partnership with the Center for Minority Rights Development

Adnan Amin, UNEP New York Executive Director, addressing the
gathered delegates before Officially launching the report

Minister for Lands and
Settlement, Hon Amos Kimunya giving his speech