The Consultative Group considered the broader reform of the IEG system, building on the set of options developed during the Belgrade Process but remaining open to new ideas.
23 November 2010: The Second Meeting of the Consultative Group of Ministers or High-level Representatives on International Environmental Governance (IEG) convened from 21-23 November in Espoo, Finland.
The Consultative Group was established by the Governing Council (GC) of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) in February 2010, following the series of meetings, known as the “Belgrade Process,” by an earlier consultative group. Its first meeting was held in Nairobi in July. In Finland, in response to GC Decision SS.XI/1, the Consultative Group considered “the broader reform of the IEG system, building on the set of options developed during the Belgrade Process, but remaining open to new ideas.”
The Consultative Group identified the following system-wide responses to the challenges in the current IEG system: strengthening the science-policy interface; developing a system-wide strategy for environment in the UN system; encouraging synergies between compatible multilateral environment agreements (MEAs); creating a stronger link between global environmental policy making and financing; developing a system-wide capacity-building framework for environment; strengthening strategic engagement at the regional level to strengthen UNEP Regional Offices; and, for the GC, considering the contribution of UNEP to identifying the implementation and follow up of these approaches.
The Consultative Group also considered institutional forms for implementing the aforementioned responses, with differing views expressed on this matter. In reference to five of the options put forward by the Belgrade Process, the Consultative Group recommended that establishing a new umbrella organization for sustainable development and reforming the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) would be best addressed in the wider sustainable development context. The Group also suggested that existing institutions be “strengthened and enhanced” and that the options of enhancing UNEP, establishing a specialized agency such as a world environment organization, and enhancing institutional reforms and streamlining existing structures were potential options.
Presenting its final report on 23 November, the Group recommended that the GC consider how to “secure political momentum” and “efficient follow-up of the IEG process.” At the GC’s request, the Consultative Group will present a final report at the 26th Session of the UNEP Governing Council and Global Ministerial Environment Forum (GC/GMEF) in February 2011, in anticipation of the Council’s contribution to the second meeting of the open-ended preparatory committee of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, also referred to as Rio+20), as well as to the 65th Session of the UN General Assembly. [Nairobi-Helsinki Outcome] [Finnish Government Press Release] [UNEP Environmental Governance webpage]