International Organizations

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UN Environment Program (UNEP)• Established in 1972 by General Assembly

Resolution 2997 following the Stockholm Conference

• Based in Nairobi and comprises a Governing Council of fifty-eight members elected by the General Assembly

• Reports to the General Assembly through ECOSOC

• Following UNCED and WSSD, it remains The only UN body exclusively dedicated to international environmental matters

UN Environment Program (UNEP)Tasks

• Promote international environmental co-operation• Provide policy guidance for environmental programs within

the UN system• Receive and review reports from UNEP’s Executive Director

on the implementation of the UN’s environment programs• Review the world environment situation• Promote scientific knowledge and information and contribute

to technical aspects of environmental programs• Maintain under-review the impact of national and

international environmental policies

UN Environment Program (UNEP)Relation to Environmental Law

• Has been responsible for the development of several global environmental treaties– more than thirty environmental treaties on sea program– 1985 Vienna Convention (Ozone)– 1987 Montreal Protocol (----Ozone), – the 1989 Basel Convention (Hazardous Waste),– the 1992 Biodiversity Convention, – the 2000 Bio-safety Protocol

• Focused attention on the inadequacy of existing international legal instruments

• Division of Policy Development

UN Environment Program (UNEP)Priorities

• Environmental information, assessment and research

• Environmental emergency response capacity • Strengthening of early warning • Enhanced the co-ordination of environmental

conventions• Development of policy instruments • Support to African states.

UN Development Program (UNDP)Establishment

• Established by The UN General Assembly in 1965• The principal channel for multilateral technical

and investment assistance to developing countries

• Active in all economic and social sectors and has addressed environmental issues since the early 1970s

• Receives voluntary contributions from participating states as well as donors

UN Development Program (UNDP)Tasks

• Six thematic practice areas, including energy and environment

• Focus on building developing country capacity to protect natural resources wisely, acquire them affordably and use them sustainably

• Help developing countries strengthen their capacity to deal with challenges at global, national and community levels

• Provide policy advice• Administers several special purpose funds which

are relevant to environmental matters

International Law Commission (ILC)• Established by the General Assembly in 1947 to promote the progressive

development of international law and its codification– 1947 15 members– 1956 21 members– 1961 22 members– 1981 34 members

• Important contribution to the development of general aspects of international law, including the law of treaties, state responsibility, and treaties between states

• Contributed significantly to the development of international environmental law• Contributed to the development of the 1958 Geneva Conventions (seas and

oceans)• 2001 Draft Articles on the Prevention of Trans-boundary Harm from Hazardous

Activities

Other UN Specialized Agencies

• FAO 1945• UNESCO 1945• International Maritime Organization 1948• World Health Organization 1946• International Atomic Energy Agency 1956

Case for Discussion:http://www.bicusa.org/en/Project.58.aspxhttp://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/RS22876.pdf