United Nations Environment Programme:
In a new report, Safe disposal of unused medicines by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) warned that the improper disposal of medicines poses serious risks to both environmental and public health.
- It is the leading global authority on the environment.
- It was founded in 1972 after a UN General Assembly resolution.
- It was conceived to monitor the state of the environment and coordinate responses to the world’s greatest environmental challenges.
- United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Structure:
- United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA): UNEA is the world’s highest-level decision-making body on environmental issues, comprising all UN member states.
- It meets biennially to set global priorities, adopt resolutions, and guide UNEP’s overall policy direction.
- Committee of Permanent Representatives (CPR): It acts as the main advisory body to UNEA and helps in preparing its agenda.
- Secretariat: The UNEP Secretariat, led by the Executive Director, implements UNEA decisions and oversees day-to-day operations.
- UNEP functions through multiple regional offices in Asia-Pacific, Africa, Europe, Latin America, West Asia, and North America.
- United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Functions
- It develops and supports global environmental treaties, such as the CBD, CITES, and Minamata Convention.
- Hosts secretariats of major environmental conventions and supports the negotiation of new environmental agreements.
- It publishes authoritative research and assessments, including the Global Environment Outlook and Emissions Gap Report.
- It supports developing countries with environmental capacity building, funding, and technical assistance.
- Headquarters: Nairobi, Kenya.
