On this day in Stockholm, during the first UN conference on environmental protection, the United Nations Environment Programme was established.

     UNEP’s main tasks include developing a global environmental program and promoting its implementation within the UN, advocating for the protection of the globe’s natural environment, developing partnerships with other United Nations entities, and involving civil society, in particular scientific, youth and other organizations, and the private sector in environmental activities.

     UNEP’s programmes are financed by the Environment Fund, which is formed by voluntary contributions from governments and small allocations from the UN regular budget.

     UNEP operates under the guidance of its Governing Council, which includes representatives from 58 countries. The Governing Council meets annually at the organization’s headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.

     At its 19th session, held in February 1997, the UNEP Governing Council adopted the Nairobi Declaration. It redefined UNEP’s role: “The United Nations Environment Programme should serve as the leading global environmental authority, setting the global environmental agenda, promoting the coordinated implementation of the environmental component of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serving as the authoritative advocate for the global environment.”