Why civil society matters

The Civil Society Unit at UNEP is committed to partnering with Major Groups and Stakeholders in order to ensure transparency and inclusiveness in the intergovernmental decision-making process at UNEP. It has been mandated to engage with accredited civil society organizations such as not-for-profit organizations, networks, and associations, who bring valuable research, expertise and advocacy functions to the table. These allies and partners to UNEP provide long-term, broad-based and essential support for UNEP’s mission and mandate.

UNEP strives to ensure an effective and balanced participation of Major Groups and Stakeholders as they play a central role in providing expertise and relevant knowledge. They also channel the voices of those most likely to be directly affected by environmental problems and related policies and calls needed attention to emerging issues as they reach out to their respective communities and the public at large.

Recognizing the crucial role of civil society, member governments, endorsed UNEP’s practice of organizing the Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum (GMGSF) - in conjunction with the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA). The GMGSF aims to inform civil society stakeholders of current and future UNEP policies and to provide a platform where representatives from Major Groups can exchange views and develop common ground to contribute to the policy dialogues at a multi-stakeholder level during UNEA. The Forum is preceded by preparatory Regional Consultative Meetings (RCMs) among Civil Society to ensure regional perspectives on all the UNEP mandates are included in UNEA.

The interaction between the UNEP and civil society has grown significantly in the past decade and over 1000 NGOs now have formal consultative status. Organizations who want to seize this opportunity and make their voice heard at the UNEP can get directly involved by applying for Accreditation, which grants them observer status to UNEA and other UNEP workstreams.