Established in 1972, UNEP was intended to be a nimble, fast, and flexible entity at the core of the UN system, the anchor institution for the global environment. The fiftieth anniversary of the organization’s creation presents an opportunity to reflect on its core mandates, raise awareness about its accomplishments, and solicit input on its future. The forthcoming publication of The Untold Story of the World's Leading Environmental Institution: UNEP at Fifty by Professor Maria Ivanova offers a tool for understanding UNEP’s history and performance and engaging, member States, partners, staff and stakeholders in re-imagining its potential.
The past is prologue, and to frame the future of the organization, it is important to understand its history. Member States, partners, stakeholders and staff connected to UNEP would benefit from learning about the original vision, the efforts by the people of UNEP over time, the successes and challenges, and the opportunities at hand. Framed as UNEP@Fifty, the year ahead will open opportunities for dialogue and consideration of this past to help with imagining and developing potential transformative futures for the organization.
In this event, member States, partners, staff and general audiences will learn about the history of UNEP and its performance. They will also get an opportunity to discuss about the importance of multilateralism in an increasingly complex world, and the global role of UNEP in tackling unsustainable consumption and production to address the three planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.