The Co-Chairs of the UN General Assembly consultations on the institutional framework for UN environmental activities, Berruga (Mexico) and Maurer (Switzerland), briefed UN Member States on 15 February 2007 at UN Headquarters, New York, US, discussing their attendance at the Global Ecological Governance Conference, held in Paris, France, from 2-3 February 2007, and the Global Ministerial Environment Forum, held in Nairobi, Kenya, from 4-9 February 2007.

They also indicated that a report will be posted shortly on http://www.un.org/ga/president/61/follow-up/environmentalgovernance.
With respect to the next steps in the consultation process and the formulation of an options paper, the Co-Chairs asked delegations to address two key issues: why it has been so difficult, within the present institutional framework, to implement the reforms agreed to in Bali and Cartagena; and what a more effective environmental framework ought to look like. Delegations were requested to submit their comments by 30 March 2007. Three briefing sessions with leading authorities on the UN Environment Programme, Multilateral Environmental Agreements, and financing of environmental governance are scheduled to take place during the spring 2007.

Link to further information
Center for UN Reform Education website, 15 February 2007