World Environment Day & UNEP

World Environment Day (WED) is observed every year on June 5 to raise global awareness to take positive environmental action to protect nature and the planet Earth. 

• It is run by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

This year’s theme for World Environment Day is – "Go Wild for Life" – which encourages us to 

• celebrate all those species under threat and take action of our own to help safeguard them for future generations. 

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP):-

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is an agency of United Nations and 

• coordinates its environmental activities, assisting developing countries in implementing environmentally sound policies and practices. 

It was founded by Maurice Strong, its first director, as a result of the "United Nations Conference on the Human Environment" (also known as Stockholm Conference) in June 1972 

• has its headquarters in the Gigiri neighborhood of Nairobi, Kenya. 

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, 

• promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.

UNEP work encompasses:

• Assessing global, regional and national environmental conditions and trends
• Developing international and national environmental instruments
• Strengthening institutions for the wise management of the environment

Its activities cover a wide range of issues regarding the atmosphere, marine and terrestrial ecosystems, environmental governance and green economy. 

It has played a significant role in 

• developing international environmental conventions, 
• promoting environmental science and information and illustrating the way those can be implemented in conjunction with policy, 
• working on the development and implementation of policy with national governments, regional institutions in conjunction with environmental non-governmental organizations (NGOs). 
• UNEP has also been active in funding and implementing environment related development projects.

UNEP has aided in the formulation of guidelines and treaties on issues such as the international trade in potentially harmful chemicals, transboundary air pollution, and contamination of international waterways.

The World Meteorological Organization and UNEP established the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1988. 

UNEP is also one of several Implementing Agencies for the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the "Montreal Protocol", and it is also a member of the United Nations Development Group.

The United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA)

The second session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-2) will take place at UNEP headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, under the overarching theme of "Delivering on the environmental dimension of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development". 

• The Assembly, which represents the world’s highest-level decision-making body on the environment, will culminate in resolutions and a global call to action to address the critical environmental challenges facing the world today.

UNEA enjoys the universal membership of all 193 UN Member States and the full involvement of major groups and stakeholders. 

With this wide reach into the legislative, financial and development arenas, UNEA provides a groundbreaking platform for leadership on global environmental policy. 

Through UNEA, we can all work together to build a healthier environment to support humanity for generations to come.

UNEA-2 brings together over 2000 participants from over 190 nations. Heads of States and Government, over 200 ministers, Heads of United Nations, Multilateral and Bilateral Agencies, Chief Executive Officers, Civil Society and Private Sector representatives will engage and take part in over 100 events.

source: http://www.unep.org/stories/unea/The-United-Nations-Environment-Assembly.asp#sthash.6ikHuKJX.dpuf