Nomination and Selection of GEO-6 Experts

Following the successful Global Intergovernmental and Multistakeholder Consultation (IGMS) on the sixth edition of the Global Environment Outlook (GEO-6) held in Berlin (21-23 October 2014), where the structure and process for GEO-6 were agreed upon, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) invited governments and stakeholders to nominate experts to participate in the GEO-6 global and regional assessments.

Governments and stakeholders submitted their nominations for experts to participate in GEO-6 using the GEO-6 IGMS Community of Practice (CoP) nominations portal. Registration and UNEP verification were required to enter the IGMS CoP and access the nominations portal. The nominations portal required details to be submitted for both the nominee and the nominator, including areas of expertise and roles in the assessment. Self-nominations were not accepted. The nomination process closed on 31 January 2015, but late nominations were accepted under mitigating circumstances. 

Nomination criteria for GEO-6 experts 

The GEO-6 nomination process aimed to identify the best available expertise representing a range of disciplines, and geographical and gender balance, with particular emphasis on ensuring full representation from developing-country experts. Member States and stakeholders were invited to nominate experts and individuals for the various roles in GEO-6 through the Nominations Portal in the UNEP Live GEO-6 CoP. Guidance for the different roles is given below. The deadline for submission of nominations for the various roles was 31 January 2015. 

The names, profiles, and curriculum vitae of all nominees was made  available through the GEO-6 CoP (Environment Live online open platform). The identity of the Member State, observer state, or institution/individual making the nomination was required. The Secretariat does not accept self-nominations. The Secretariat can accept late nominations at its discretion. An individual may not serve on more than one advisory body. 

The following considerations should be carefully weighed before nominating experts and individuals to the GEO-6 regional and global assessments: 

• Availability and willingness of the candidate to commit to actively participating from the beginning of the process right through until completion of the GEO-6, bearing in mind the intensity of responsibilities of the respective role(s), including the requirement to attend key meetings, subsidiary meetings and consultations, as appropriate (3-5 in total); 
• In-depth expertise in one or more areas relevant to the scope of GEO-6, including natural and social sciences, local and traditional knowledge, assessment and policy analysis, and 
• Experience in communicating, promoting and incorporating science into policy development processes. 

The following criteria had to be taken into account in nominating and selecting members to the GEO-6 Scientific Advisory Panel and Coordinating Lead Authors (CLAs): 

• World-renowned expert as recognized by membership of a national academic society, union, professional body, or equivalent, senior university faculty member and corresponding publication record; 
• Experts with an established reputation in providing a high level of scientific credibility to assessment processes; 
• At least ten years of documented professional experience, including assessment-work at the regional and global level; 
• Ability to assess and synthesize technical material rapidly; and 
• Excellent drafting/writing skills (preferably in English, not excluding other UN languages). 

The following criteria had to be taken into consideration when nominating and selecting members for the CoP Moderators:

• At least ten years of documented professional experience, including assessment-work at the regional and global level; 
• Ability to assess and synthesize technical material rapidly; 
• Excellent drafting/ writing skills (in English and other UN languages as appropriate for facilitating discussion and incorporating sources across different languages); 
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills and experience in moderating discussions; 
• Multi-lingual would be highly desirable, and 
• Ability to use the ICT platform and tools effectively. 

UNEP recommends the following criteria should be applied in nominating and selecting members to the High-Level Intergovernmental and Stakeholder Advisory Group: 

• At least ten years of documented professional experience with international environmental affairs and international sustainable development; 
• Comprehensive understanding of environmental assessment processes and their role in informing policymakers; 
• Extensive expertise with the international policy agenda and assessment work; 
• Preferably previous experience with high-level intergovernmental processes in relation to environmental policy and sustainable development and 
• For major groups and stakeholders, the nominee is required to be a leading representative of the group and have a track record of practical experience in one or more of the above criteria.