22 February 2012: Delegates to the 12th Special Session of the UN Environment Programme Governing Council/Global Environment Ministerial Forum (UNEP GCSS-12/GMEF) adopted decisions on: accounting, financial and administrative arrangements between UNEP and the MEAs; enhancing cooperation and coordination with the chemicals and wastes cluster; a consultative process on financing options for chemicals and wastes; the world environment situation; international environmental governance; sustainable consumption and production; and the UNEP 40th Anniversary Ministerial Statement. More.

Photo: Federico Ramos de Armas, Spain, President of the Governing Council, gaveled the meeting to a close at 7:25pm.

19 February 2012: The thirteenth session of the Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum (GMGSF-13) brought together approximately 150 representatives from all regions and the nine Major Groups. In addition to facilitating their participation at the UNEP Governing Council and its associated meetings, GMGSF-13 provided a platform for exchange between representatives of Major Groups and governments on their respective positions for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20). More.