26 th Session of UNEP GC/GMEF Debriefing Nairobi, Kenya, 21-24 February

Main Themes

Ministerial consultations and roundtables focused on emerging policy issues under the overall theme of contribution of UNEP to the preparatory process for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (

Rio+20

), to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2012. Specific themes addressed: – “

Green economy

” – “

International environmental governance (IEG)

”

"The world is again on the Road to Rio, nearly 20 years after the Earth Summit that has defined humanity's response to sustainable development over the intervening years."

Achim Steiner

Close to 100 ministers and over 130 countries attended UNEP Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum

Green economy

UNEP presented a pivotal new report on how a transition to a Green Economy might be achieved by countries.

International Environmental Governance (IEG)

How do we strengthen the maze of institutional and financial arrangements relating to the environment, globally and nationally in order to effect real, tangible and transformational change that decouples growth from degradation?

International Environmental Governance (IEG)

As a result of this Governing Council, the direction for that reform has been given a greater focus, new momentum and taken on a greater sense of urgency which will inform the discussion, debate and finally the outcome of Rio+20 next year.

17 Decisions adopted

International Environmental Governance (IEG)

On IEG (UNEP/GC.26/L.4/Add.1) the GC welcomes the results of the consultative group as contained in the outcome document of the consultative group’s meetings, known as the “Nairobi-Helsinki Outcome”

State of the Environment: Sustainable consumption and production

State of the Environment: World environment situation

Intergovernmental Science Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services

South-South Cooperation, Oceans, Status of Environmental Treaties

Global Environment Monitoring System Water Programme (GEMS)

Chemicals and Waste Management

BUDGET AND PROGRAMME OF WORK

Coordination and cooperation with major groups

Strengthening international cooperation for environmental crisis response

Environment and development

Follow-up to and implementation of the outcomes of the UN summits and major intergovernmental meetings

Provisional Agendas, Dates and Venues

Omnibus Decision on Reports by Executive Director

GC/GMEF Website

26th Session documents available online from:

http://unep.org/gc/gc26/