17 September 2015: The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has invited comments on the revised draft of its Access-to-Information-Policy. The Policy aims to enhance transparency and openness in the work of UNEP and its Governing Council (GC). It contains the principles and procedures governing access to information at UNEP, and includes sections on the statement of the Policy, public access to information, exceptions, request for information, review and appeal process, and an access-to-information panel.

The 27th session of the UNEP Governing Council, held in 2013, requested the UNEP Executive Director to establish a written access-to-information policy (GC decision 27/2), which he did on 6 June 2014. The first year after the establishment of the Policy served as a pilot phase, and included consultations with governments and other stakeholders.

During the first comment period, the Governments of Brazil, Canada, the EU and its Member States, the Holy See, New Zealand, Norway and the US submitted comments, along with 13 organizations and 11 individuals. UNEP has summarized these comments and provided responses by the UNEP Secretariat, which are open for further comments by 5 October 2015.

Following the current comment period, the UNEP Secretariat will prepare the draft revised Policy, which will be published and subject to additional comments, including through an informal dialogue. The UNEP Secretariat is then expected to finalize the Policy. [UNEP Access-to-Information Policy 2013] [Comments and Responses by UNEP Secretariat] [IISD RS Story on First Comment Period]