The Tenth Session of the Global Civil Society Forum will be held from 14-15 February 2009, prior to the 25th UNEP Governing Council/ Global Ministerial Environment Forum (GC/GMEF) scheduled for 16-20 February 2009, in Nairobi Kenya.

The objective of the GCSF is to provide a platform for exchange and consultation on key environmental issues to be addressed by the Member States during the GC25/GMEF, and to facilitate Major Groups’ contribution to the GC/GMEF and other international environmental fora.


Major Groups’ participation in and contribution to the GCSF-10 and 25th GC/GMEF were facilitated by a series of Regional Consultative Meetings which were held in November 2008

In the process leading to the 25th UNEP Governing Council/ Global Ministerial Environment Forum (GC.25/GMEF), and as per the rule 69 of the rules of procedures of the UNEP Governing Council, organizations accredited to UNEP receive the unedited working documents of the UNEP Governing Council sessions at the same time as the Committee of the Permanent Representatives (CPR), for their review and comments. This consultation with civil society prior to the Governing Council provides an opportunity for civil society to contribute to the discussions on the above mentioned thematic and policy issues.

This year’s session will include the traditional dialogue with Achim Steiner, Executive Director of UNEP and discuss the following key topics: