Past sessions of the Governing Council

The General Assembly, in its resolution 2997 (XXVII) of 15 December 1972, established the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme, composed of fifty-eight members elected by the General Assembly for three-year terms on the following basis:

(a) Sixteen seats for African States;

(b) Thirteen seats for Asian States;

(c) Six seats for the eastern European States;

(d) Ten seats for Latin American States;

(e) Thirteen seats for Western European and other States”

Within one year, in 1973, the first meeting of the Governing Council was held in Geneva to discuss organizational matters. In 1974, the second meeting was held in Nairobi and the UNEP Headquarters was established.

The General Assembly, in its resolution 67/213 of 21 December 2012, decided to establish universal membership in the Governing Council of UNEP. 

The General Assembly, in its resolution 67/251 of 13 March 2013, decided to change the designation of the “Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme” to the “United Nations Environment Assembly of the United Nations Environment Programme”.