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United Nations Environment Programme

Accreditation

Non-governmental organizations must successfully meet the requirements of the accreditation process before being granted observer status to the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) and its subsidiary bodies.

Accreditation is not a requirement for participation in the implementation of projects, programmes or partnerships with UNEP (read more about UNEP’s partnerships and its partnership policy).

Privileges of accredited organizations 

While decision-making within UNEP is the prerogative of Member States. accredited organizations may participate in meetings as observers and can provide both oral and written contributions. They are assigned seats at all official sessions of the Environment Assembly and meetings of its subsidiary organs, including the Committee of Permanent Representatives. Access to UNEP documents and related materials is provided on UNEP websites and portals (including the resolution portal)

Accredited organizations can also attend preparatory stakeholder meetings such as the Regional Consultative Meetings and the Global Major Group and Stakeholder Forum and can apply to organize side events during UNEA.

Additionally, representatives of accredited organizations may become or elect Regional Facilitators and/or members of the Major Groups Facilitating Committee (for more information see the Stakeholder Engagement Handbook). 

Responsibilities and obligations of accredited organizations 

In return, accredited organizations and their representatives have to act in accordance with relevant rules of procedure. Representatives must comply with registration requirements and seating arrangements for any meeting. Accredited organizations are expected to make a constructive and active contribution to UNEP's governing bodies and utilize opportunities provided by the secretariat.

Additionally, each accredited organization must submit proof of its existence and activities to the UNEP Secretariat at least every four years and promptly inform the UNEP secretariat of any changes in contact information or legal status.

Criteria for accreditation

To be granted accreditation, an organization needs to:

• Be a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization, with an international scope of work

• Be a legal entity in at least one country

• Have an interest in the field of environment and/or sustainable development

• Be in existence for at least two years at the time of the application

Accreditation process

Non-governmental organizations seeking accreditation should follow these steps:

1. Create an account on UNEP Accreditation Portal;

2. Fill the fields in the form in the portal following this user manual

3. Attach a cover letter, with the organization’s letter head, date and signature, a brief explanation of the organization’s background and its national and international environmental work and why you would like to be UNEP accredited

4. Attach a certified copy of constitution/charter and/or statutes/by-laws and amendments to those documents, as well as a list of partners if any;

5. Attach a certified copy of the certificate of registration which must include a stamp of the government authority that issued it, showing that the organization is non-governmental;

6. Attach a proof of non-profit status, e.g. registration certificate and/or tax exemption certificate;

7. Attach a proof of engagement in the field of environment e.g. annual reports; conference and seminar reports; recent press releases and copies of media statements; newsletters and other periodicals;

8. Provide account of the international scope of its activities e.g. headquarters and regional offices in different countries, evidence of engagement in more than one country, evidence of engagement with international organizations, activities that have an impact beyond one country;

9. Submit the request through the portal;

10. The submission can be tracked through the portal to find out at what stage it is at

 

The Civil Society Unit within the Governance Affairs Office reviews the submission and determines if any additional documents are required. If so, it notifies the applying organization. After the review is completed, the Civil Society Unit will send the documentation and its recommendation to the office of the Secretary of Governing Bodies. The Secretary for Governing Bodies reviews it and notifies the organization of its decision in case of approval of the accreditation request. Once approved, the organization is added to the UNEP list of accredited organizations.

Normal processing time for accreditation is 120 days/ 4 months.  

For further information or if you would like to submit your accreditation request, please contact us at unep-accreditation[at]un.org 

Resources

UNEP Accreditation portal

This is the portal to use to create an account and submit all information and documentation required in order to seek accreditation.

UN Environment Accreditation System – User Reference Manual

This reference manual is for organizations looking to create an account on the accreditation system and to submit an application to be accredited to UNEP.

Major Groups and Stakeholders Code of Conduct

It is an annex of the Stakeholder Handbook explaining the expectations of UNEP with respect to the participation of UNEP accredited Major Groups and their representatives.

Guidelines for participation of Major Groups and Stakeholders in policy design at UNEP

This document specifically addresses cooperation between UNEP and Major Groups and Stakeholders in governance functions and policy formulation during UNEP policy processes

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