Tenth special session of the Governing Council/

Global Ministerial Environment Forum

Monaco, 20–22 February 2008

Items 2 (a) and (b) of the provisional agenda*

Organization of work: adoption of the agenda

Organization of work: organization of work

Annotated provisional agenda

Item 1: Opening of the session

1. The tenth special session of the Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) will be opened by the President of the Governing Council elected at its twenty-fourth session, or, in his absence, by one of the other officers of the Council/Forum at its twenty-fourth session. The session will be held at the Grimaldi Forum, Principality of Monaco, and will begin at 9.30 a.m. on Wednesday, 20 February 2008.

2. The Executive Director will hold informal consultations with regional groups on Tuesday, 19 February 2008, beginning at 3 p.m., also at the Grimaldi Forum.

Item 2: Organization of work

(a) Adoption of the agenda

3. The provisional agenda (UNEP/GCSS/X/1) for the tenth special session of the Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum, as approved by the Council/Forum at its twenty-fourth session, was distributed on 5 December 2007, together with the notification and the scenario note describing the objectives and expected outcome of the session and the means by which the work of the session will be conducted, subject to the formal approval by the Council/Forum. .

(b) Organization of work

4. In accordance with General Assembly resolution 53/242 of 28 July 1999, the Governing Council constitutes, when it meets in regular and special sessions, an annual ministerial-level global environmental forum to review important and emerging policy issues in the field of the environment. In view of that mandate, the Executive Director recommends that plenary meetings of the Council/Forum during the tenth special session should take the form of ministerial consultations, beginning mid‑morning on Wednesday, 20 February 2008, and continuing until and including the morning of Friday, 22 February 2008. The Executive Director also recommends that the Council/Forum should conduct its closing plenary meeting on the afternoon of Friday, 22 February 2008. It is further recommended that at its plenary meeting on the morning of Wednesday, 20 February 2008, the Council/Forum should establish sessional committees, including a Committee of the Whole. The Chair of the Committee of the Whole will be elected at the plenary meeting on Wednesday, 20 February 2008.

5. The Executive Director recommends that under item 4 (b) of the provisional agenda (Policy issues: emerging policy issues) the ministerial-level consultations should feature discussions on “Globalization and the environment – mobilizing finance to meet the climate challenge” and “International environmental governance and the United Nations reform”, as themes I and II, respectively. The Executive Director also recommends that a ministerial working dinner be held on the evening of Thursday, 21 February 2008, to consider a topic in support of the theme I of the ministerial consultations.

6. The Executive Director recommends that the Committee of the Whole, if established, should meet from the afternoon of Wednesday, 20 February 2008, until and including the morning of Friday, 22 February 2008. The Executive Director further recommends that the Committee of the Whole should consider the following items of the provisional agenda: item 4 (a) (Policy issues: state of the environment), item 4 (c) (Policy issues: environment and development), item 5 (Follow-up to and implementation of the outcomes of United Nations summits and major intergovernmental meetings, including the decisions of the Governing Council), and 6 (Other matters).

7. The Executive Director recommends that item 3 (Credentials of representatives), item 7 (Adoption of the report) and item 8 (Closure of the session) of the provisional agenda should be considered at the plenary meeting on the afternoon of Friday, 22 February 2008.

8. The Executive Director will present his policy statement, contained in document UNEP/GCSS/X/2, during the opening plenary meeting on the morning of Wednesday, 20 February 2008.

9. The tenth special session of the Council/Forum will be preceded by informal consultations with the regional groups, to be held at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, 19 February 2008, at the Grimaldi Forum, and at the ninth Global Civil Society Forum, commencing at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, 19 February, at the Grimaldi Forum.

10. In addition to formal meetings of the session of the Council/Forum, the Executive Director, in collaboration with the Government of Monaco and relevant partners, will organize special events, exhibitions and an excursion addressing key topical issues of the ministerial consultations. Details of these events will be found on the UNEP website (http://www.unep.org/GC/GCSS-X) and in the daily journal of the session.

Item 3: Credentials of representatives

11. In accordance with rule 17 of the rules of procedure, the credentials of representatives at the tenth special session of the Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum will be examined by the Bureau, which will report thereon to the Council/Forum. It should be noted that, under rule 16, each member of the Governing Council is to be represented by one accredited representative, who may be accompanied by alternate representatives and advisers.

Item 4: Policy issues

(a) State of the environment

12. Under this agenda item, the Council/Forum will have before it a report of the Executive Director on the findings of the fourth Global Environment Outlook report (UNEP/GCSS/X/3), the GEO Yearbook 2008 (UNEP/GCSS/X/INF/2) and a summary of the fourth Global Environment Outlook report for decision makers (UNEP/GCSS/X/INF/8).

Documentation
Symbol and title	Annotation
UNEP/GCSS/X/3 Findings of the fourth Global Environment Outlook report: report of the Executive Director	The document sets out the findings of the fourth Global Environment Outlook report, Global Environment Outlook: environment for development (GEO-4). Those findings comprise an assessment of environmental change and the ways that it affects people’s security, health, social relations and material needs (human well-being) and development in general. The report also describes the process by which it was produced, in the context of work to strengthen the scientific base of UNEP. The report also contains a chapter on responding to the GEO-4 findings, specifically addressing international efforts, enhancing capacity of UNEP and consultations on the future GEO series. The draft decision in the document includes provisions by which the Council would urge Governments, United Nations bodies, intergovernmental organizations, the private sector, civil society organizations and the public at large to work with UNEP for sustainable development and would request the Executive Director to respond to the present and future challenges facing humanity by means of the programme approach, which addresses six priority areas, as identified in the proposed Medium‑term Strategy (UNEP/GCSS/X/8).
UNEP/GCSS/X/INF/2 UNEP Yearbook 2008: note by the Executive Director	The annual yearbook series, to be launched at the tenth special session, focuses on how market and financial mechanisms can advance the transition to a low-carbon and environmentally sound economy.
UNEP/GCSS/X/INF/8 Summary for decision makers: note by the Executive Director	The document provides a summary of GEO-4 for decision makers. It was endorsed at the second global intergovernmental and multi‑stakeholder consultation on the fourth Global Environment Outlook report, held in Nairobi in September 2007.

(b) Emerging policy issues

13. Under this agenda item, the Council/Forum will have before it the background papers for the ministerial consultations on both theme I (Globalization and the environment – mobilizing finance to meet the climate challenge) and theme II (International environmental governance and the United Nations reform). Civil society statements on these themes are also available in document UNEP/GCSS/X/INF/5.

Documentation
Symbol and title	Annotation
UNEP/GCSS/X/9 Background papers for the ministerial-level consultations: discussion paper presented by the Executive Director	The document contains background papers for the ministerial consultations on theme I (Globalization and the environment – mobilizing finance to meet the climate challenge) and theme II (International environmental governance and the United Nations reform), as well as the policy options contained in the President’s summary of the ministerial-level consultations at the twenty‑fourth session of the Council/Forum.
UNEP/GCSS/X/INF/5 Statements of civil society	The document contains the civil society statements to the Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum that were prepared at the civil society regional consultation and preparatory meetings for the tenth special session. The statements provide observations and recommendations on the following issues which are to be addressed at the tenth special session: globalization and the environment – mobilizing finance to meet the climate challenge, and the UNEP Medium‑term Strategy. The statements also address enhancing major groups’ participation at the governance level of UNEP and the GEO-4 report.

(c) Environment and development

14. Under this agenda item, the Council/Forum will have before it several reports of the Executive Director submitted in pursuance of decisions of the Council at its twenty-fourth session. These comprise reports of the Executive Director on chemicals management (UNEP/GCSS/X/4), on mercury (UNEP/GCSS/X/5), on progress in implementing Governing Council decision 24/4 on the prevention of illegal international trade (UNEP/GCSS/X/6) and on waste management (UNEP/GCSS/X/7). The Council/Forum will also have before it notes by the Executive Director on waste management (UNEP/GCSS/X/INF/6) and on chemicals management (UNEP/GCSS/X/INF/7).

Documentation
UNEP/GCSS/X/4 Chemicals management: report of the Executive Director	The document describes the results of work undertaken pursuant to decision 24/3 II, by which the Governing Council requested the Executive Director to explore ways to make more effective use of the funding provisions of the Overarching Policy Strategy of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management to identify those areas that can support implementation of appropriate and relevant objectives of the Strategic Approach. By the same decision, the Council requested the Executive Director to continue collaboration between the United Nations Environment Programme and other participating organizations of the Inter‑Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals and to prepare a report on endeavours by the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals in implementing the Strategic Approach. The draft decision in the document includes provisions by which the Council would request the Executive Director to continue to broaden the funding basis for the Strategic Approach, urge Governments and other relevant parties to contribute to the Strategic Approach secretariat, the Quick Start Programme and its trust fund, and encourage the Executive Director to continue the cooperation between UNEP and the participating organizations of the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals.
UNEP/GCSS/X/5 Progress report of the ad hoc open-ended working group on mercury: report of the Executive Director	The document provides a progress report on the work of the ad hoc open‑ended working group on mercury and is submitted pursuant to paragraph 32 (b) of decision 23/4 IV. The draft decision in the document includes provisions by which the Council would take note of the progress made by the working group at its first meeting.
UNEP/GCSS/X/6 Progress report on the implementation of Governing Council decision 24/4 on the prevention of illegal international trade: report of the Executive Director	The document provides a progress report on the implementation of decision 24/4, by which the Governing Council requested the Executive Director of UNEP to promote the implementation of paragraph 18 of the Overarching Policy Strategy of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management, which sets out the objectives of the Strategic Approach with regard to illegal international traffic.
UNEP/GCSS/X/7 Waste management: report of the Executive Director	The document was prepared pursuant to paragraph 1 of Governing Council decision 24/5. It contains a review of the work being carried out or planned by relevant organizations, institutions, forums and processes in the field of waste management; successful examples and possible gaps, taking into account the possible need for further work, such as guidelines, on integrated waste management; and tangible recommendations on how to bridge any gaps, including on how to assist developing countries and countries with economies in transition to develop their own waste management strategies. It also contains information on the outcome of the process of cooperation with relevant United Nations bodies in the area of waste management. The draft decision in the document includes provisions by which the Council would request the Executive Director to assist developing countries and countries with economies in transition in the implementation of waste-related multilateral agreements, bearing in mind the “3Rs” approach and the circular or life cycle economy, and to assist those countries to develop economic and market-based instruments. The draft decision also includes provisions by which the Council would request the Executive Director to strengthen support for capacity-building and technology support, in line with the Bali Strategic Plan, focussing in particular on reduced use and recycling of materials and energy, demonstration of pilot projects, public-private partnerships and awareness-raising.
UNEP/GCSS/X/INF/6 Waste management: note by the Executive Director	The document contains information on the activities and programmes of international organizations in the area of waste management.
UNEP/GCSS/X/INF/7 Chemicals management: note by the Executive Director	The document provides information on endeavours of the Inter‑Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals to implement the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management.

Documentation

Symbol and title

Annotation

UNEP/GCSS/X/4

Chemicals management: report of the Executive Director

The document describes the results of work undertaken pursuant to decision 24/3 II, by which the Governing Council requested the Executive Director to explore ways to make more effective use of the funding provisions of the Overarching Policy Strategy of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management to identify those areas that can support implementation of appropriate and relevant objectives of the Strategic Approach. By the same decision, the Council requested the Executive Director to continue collaboration between the United Nations Environment Programme and other participating organizations of the Inter‑Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals and to prepare a report on endeavours by the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals in implementing the Strategic Approach.

The draft decision in the document includes provisions by which the Council would request the Executive Director to continue to broaden the funding basis for the Strategic Approach, urge Governments and other relevant parties to contribute to the Strategic Approach secretariat, the Quick Start Programme and its trust fund, and encourage the Executive Director to continue the cooperation between UNEP and the participating organizations of the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals.

UNEP/GCSS/X/5

Progress report of the ad hoc open-ended working group on mercury: report of the Executive Director

The document provides a progress report on the work of the ad hoc open‑ended working group on mercury and is submitted pursuant to paragraph 32 (b) of decision 23/4 IV.

The draft decision in the document includes provisions by which the Council would take note of the progress made by the working group at its first meeting.

UNEP/GCSS/X/6

Progress report on the implementation of Governing Council decision 24/4 on the prevention of illegal international trade: report of the Executive Director

The document provides a progress report on the implementation of decision 24/4, by which the Governing Council requested the Executive Director of UNEP to promote the implementation of paragraph 18 of the Overarching Policy Strategy of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management, which sets out the objectives of the Strategic Approach with regard to illegal international traffic.

UNEP/GCSS/X/7

Waste management: report of the Executive Director

The document was prepared pursuant to paragraph 1 of Governing Council decision 24/5. It contains a review of the work being carried out or planned by relevant organizations, institutions, forums and processes in the field of waste management; successful examples and possible gaps, taking into account the possible need for further work, such as guidelines, on integrated waste management; and tangible recommendations on how to bridge any gaps, including on how to assist developing countries and countries with economies in transition to develop their own waste management strategies.

It also contains information on the outcome of the process of cooperation with relevant United Nations bodies in the area of waste management.

The draft decision in the document includes provisions by which the Council would request the Executive Director to assist developing countries and countries with economies in transition in the implementation of waste-related multilateral agreements, bearing in mind the “3Rs” approach and the circular or life cycle economy, and to assist those countries to develop economic and market-based instruments.

The draft decision also includes provisions by which the Council would request the Executive Director to strengthen support for capacity-building and technology support, in line with the Bali Strategic Plan, focussing in particular on reduced use and recycling of materials and energy, demonstration of pilot projects, public-private partnerships and awareness-raising.

UNEP/GCSS/X/INF/6

Waste management: note by the Executive Director

The document contains information on the activities and programmes of international organizations in the area of waste management.

UNEP/GCSS/X/INF/7

Chemicals management: note by the Executive Director

The document provides information on endeavours of the Inter‑Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals to implement the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management.

Item 5: Follow-up to and implementation of the outcomes of United Nations summits and major intergovernmental meetings, including decisions of the Governing Council

15. Under this agenda item, the Council/Forum will have before it a note by the Executive Director on the proposed Medium-term Strategy 2010–2013 (UNEP/GCSS/X/8), which was prepared in consultation with the Committee of Permanent Representatives to UNEP, the secretariats of UNEP‑administered multilateral environmental agreements, civil society organizations and the private sector. The policy statement by the Executive Director (UNEP/GCSS/X/2) and two information documents (UNEP/GCSS/X/INF/3 and UNEP/GCSS/X/INF/4) are also of relevance to this agenda item.

Documentation

Symbol and title

Annotation

UNEP/GCSS/X/2

Policy statement by the Executive Director

The policy statement sets out the overall policy direction of UNEP, including information on the progress of UNEP reform and the way forward, and the implementation by UNEP of result-based management. It will also contain information on follow-up actions taken by UNEP to implement decisions of the Governing Council and of relevant intergovernmental meetings.

UNEP/GCSS/X/8

Proposed Medium-term Strategy 2010–2013: note by the Executive Director

The document contains the proposed Medium-term Strategy 2010–2013, prepared in full consultation with the Committee of Permanent Representatives to UNEP, the secretariats of UNEP-administered multilateral environmental agreement, civil society and the private sector.

The Medium-term Strategy sets out the next phase in the evolution of UNEP as it becomes a more effective, efficient and results-focused entity, meeting the expectations of its stakeholders in responding to global environmental challenges and opportunities.

The draft decision in the document includes a provision by which the Council would approve the Medium-term Strategy 2010–2013.

UNEP/GCSS/X/INF/3

Issues arising from the General Assembly at its sixty-second session: note by the Executive Director

The document provides information on issues arising from the General Assembly at its sixty-second session of relevance to the Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum, including the implementation of the outcome of the previous session of the Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum.

UNEP/GCSS/X/INF/4

Execution of the budget of the United Nations Environment Programme for the biennium 2006-2007: note by the Executive Director

The document provides information on the execution of the UNEP budget for the biennium 2006–2007. The document is being submitted pursuant to paragraph 8 of Governing Council decision 22/20.

Item 6: Other matters

16. The Council/Forum may wish to consider any other matters raised by its members and observers.

Item 7: Adoption of the report

17. The Council/Forum may wish to consider and adopt its report.

Item 8: Closure of the session

18. The Council/Forum is expected to conclude the work of its tenth session by 6 p.m. on Friday, 22 February 2008.

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