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The United Nations logo at the U.N.
Environment Program's office
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The U.N.
Environment Program’s budget and role in overseeing aid projects
around the world will central topics of debate at a meeting of its governing
council in Nairobi, Kenya, which kicks of today.
The program is projected to
receive a significantly larger allocation from the U.N. regular budget than in
previous years, after a U.N. General Assembly decision in December strengthened
its role at a time of pressing environmental challenges. This week’s meeting of
UNEP’s governing council will be the first since that decision. All of the
United Nations’ 193 member and observer states are expected to attend the
event, which runs until Friday, Feb. 22.
Under the proposed biennial budget for 2014-2015,
UNEP will receive $47.6 million from the regular U.N. budget — a
$34 million increase from the current one (though smaller from the original
proposal of $50.7 million). This is subject to approval by the General
Assembly, which, under resolution 67/213, called for a “secure, stable and
increased financial resources” for UNEP. Voluntary contributions to the
Environment Fund, which cover costs for environmental programs, are expected to
increase from $191 million to $245 million.
The proposed budget is guided by
the outcomes of Rio+20, a conference last June in Brazil where world leaders
agreed to “upgrade” UNEP’s status. With more resources at its disposal, UNEP is
expected to be “transformative in nature,” increase its reach and boost its
global environmental assessments, capacity-building and technology transfer
activities in developing countries, among other things.
UNEP is expected to add nine more
positions in 2014-2015, reflecting its bigger role.
Apart from the budget, UNEP will
also launch a number of
reports, partnership and initiative at the event, which will
include:
- UNEP’s proposed medium-term strategy for 2014-2017.
- A new initiative on technology transfer.
- A new partnership on sustainable off-grid lighting, which will include a number of projects in 15 African countries.
- The third edition of the Africa Environment Outlook.
- The announcement of two new National Goodwill Ambassadors for Kenya.
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