Monitoring The UN

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The United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) Organizational and Administrative Structure

Functional Structure

To view a graphical representation of the structure, click here.

Governing Bodies

The United Nations Environmental Programme is a multilateral organization. This means that Member States form its governing structure. The Executive Director of UNEP, who is appointed to the position by the Secretary-General, has the mandate to carry out the work defined by Member Countries. UNEP is composed of three governing bodies, the Governing Council, the Committee of Permanent Representatives and the High-Level Committee of Ministers and Officials.

The Governing Council is the principal governing structure of UNEP. It is comprised of 58 Member States elected by the General Assembly of the United Nations. Members are elected for a period of four years. Canada is a Member State of UNEP`s Governing Council until 2002.

The regional distribution of seats on the Governing Council is sixteen for African States, thirteen for Asian States, six for Eastern European States, ten for Latin America and the Caribbean, and thirteen for Western Europe and other States.

The functions and responsibilities of the Governing Council include providing policy guidance, reviewing periodic reports from the Executive director on the implementation of the environmental programmes, keeping under review the impacts of national and international environmental policies on developing country, and reviewing and approving the use of the Environment Fund.

The Committee of Permanent Representatives monitors and assesses the implementation of the decisions of the Governing Council. It also plays a role in the preparations leading up to the GC meetings. A Chairperson, three Vice Chairs and a rapporteur compose the CPR.

Like the CPR, the High-Level Committee of Ministers and Officials is composed of a Chairperson, three Vice Chairs and a rapporteur. The HLCOMO was created to provide guidance, advice and support to the Executive Director as well as to the Governing Council on matters of environmental policy, emerging environmental issues, and resource mobilization. The Committee is the active body between the Governing Council Sessions.

The Division of Regional Cooperation and Representation, located at Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, oversees the work of five Regional Offices. These offices have for mandate the delivery of the Programme of Work in the Region. Each Regional Office establishes its work plan to meet the needs of the region and contributes to the realization of the overall Programme of Work.