The Council, which meets in regular session every two years, is a forum for the international community to address major and emerging environmental policy issues.
Issues on the agenda next month include the latest assessment of the state of the world environment, emerging environmental issues, the governance of UNEP, and linkages among environmental conventions. Another key agenda item will be preparations for the seventh session of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development, which will address sustainable tourism, freshwater, and resources and problems of small island developing states, which are specifically vulnerable to the adverse effects of environmental degradation.
There will also be special side-events with leading global players on sustainable tourism, chemicals and global telecommunications, as well as the launch of, and briefings on new UNEP initiatives and special reports.
With representatives from environment NGOs, business and industry joining ministers and senior government representatives from over 100 countries, UNEP's 20th Governing Council is clearly set to be the premier environment policy event of the year.
A three-day technical segment will be followed by a high-level ministerial meeting from 4 to 5 February.
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For more information (including travel and hotel advice) please contact:
Tore J. Brevik
tel: (254-2)-623292,
email: tore.brevik@unep.org,
or
Robert Bisset
tel: (254-2)-623084, fax: 623692,
email: robert.bisset@unep.org.
For details of how to apply for accreditation contact:
Anila Shah
tel. (254-2)-623089, fax: 623692,
email: anila.shah@unep.org
Governing Council documents are available on UNEP's Web site at:
http://www.unep.org