Open-ended Committee of Permanent Representatives
The Open-ended Committee of Permanent Representatives (OECPR) is the intersessional subsidiary body of UNEA. The OECPR serves as a preparatory meeting of the UNEA agenda and pre-negotiates and deliberates the content and wording of proposed resolutions, declarations and decisions for endorsement and approval by the Assembly. Comprising all accredited representatives to the Committee of Permanent Representatives, the OECPR prepares for the meetings of UNEA.
Since UNEA-3, OECPR meetings have been held on a back-to-back arrangement with the UNEA sessions to minimize on costs and travel logistics. OECPRs that have been held include:
- 1st OECPR: 24 to 28 March 2014
- 2nd OECPR: 15 to 19 February 2016
- 3rd OECPR: 29 November to 1 December 2017
- 4th OECPR: 4 to 8 March 2019
- 5th OECPR: 15 to 19 February 2021
- resumed session of the 5th OECPR: 22 to 25 February 2022
- 6th OECPR: 19 to 23 February 2024
In accordance with paragraph 10 of Governing Council decision 27/2 of 23 February 2013 and decision 6/7 of 1 March 2024, the seventh meeting of the Open-ended Committee of Permanent Representatives will be held from 1 to 5 December 2025.
Informal consultations in the form of working groups/contact groups are organized as hybrid meetings, with a combination of in-person and online participation through an online platform.
Regional Ministerial Environment forums
Regional Ministerial Environmental Forums are an important space for political dialogue and collaboration on environmental matters at the regional levels. They serve as a platform for Member States to contribute regional perspectives to the upcoming session of UNEA.
The dates of the Regional Ministerial Environment Forums in 2025 will be announced soon.
Read more about Regional Ministerial Environment Forums
Please contact the UNEP Secretariat at unep-sgb@un.org for more information.
Major Groups and Stakeholders Regional Consultative Meetings
Regional Consultative Meetings (RCM) take place at least once during the inter-sessional period between sessions of UNEA and are organized by the UNEP Regional Offices in close cooperation with the Regional Facilitators as elected by the Major Groups. During the regional consultations, joint positions are developed and challenges relevant to the region are discussed.
Read more about Regional Consultative Meetings
Please contact the UNEP Civil Society Unit at unep-civilsociety@un.org for more information.