21 December 2012: As part of its implementation of the outcomes of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20), the UN General Assembly (UNGA) has adopted a resolution that decides to strengthen and upgrade the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).

By the resolution, which was approved by the UNGA’s Second Committee, the Assembly establishes universal membership for the UNEP Governing Council. It also “recalls the decision to have secure, stable, adequate and increased financial resources from the regular budget of the United Nations and voluntary contributions,” and calls for other UNEP donors to increase their voluntary funding and for the “Secretary-General to maintain the resource needs from the regular budget of the UN for UNEP.”

The first meeting of the newly enlarged Governing Council will take place in February 2013, which will address provisions of the UNGA resolution, including on arrangements for the future of the Global Ministerial Environment Forum (GMEF). [UN Press Release] [UNEP Press Release] [List of Resolutions in UN General Assembly] [IISD RS Story on Second Committee Approval]