Non-governmental organizations must successfully meet the requirements of the accreditation process before being granted observer status to the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) of UNEP and its subsidiary bodies.
Accreditation is not a requirement for participation in the implementation of projects, programmes or partnerships with UNEP (read more about UNEP’s partnerships and its partnership policy).
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Benefits of getting accredited to UNEP
While decision-making within UNEP is the prerogative of Member States, accredited organizations may participate in meetings as observers and can provide both oral and written contributions. They are assigned seats at all official sessions of the Environment Assembly and meetings of its subsidiary organs, including the Committee of Permanent Representatives. Access to UNEP documents and related materials is provided on UNEP websites and portals (including the resolution portal)
Accredited organizations can also attend preparatory stakeholder meetings such as the Regional Consultative Meetings and the Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum and can apply to organize side events during UNEA.
Additionally, representatives of accredited organizations may become or elect Regional Facilitators and/or members of the Major Groups Facilitating Committee (for more information see the Stakeholder Engagement Handbook). -
Responsibilities and obligations of accredited organizations
In return, accredited organizations and their representatives have to act in accordance with relevant rules of procedure. Representatives must comply with registration requirements and seating arrangements for any meeting. Accredited organizations are expected to make a constructive and active contribution to UNEP's governing bodies and utilize opportunities provided by the secretariat.
Additionally, each accredited organization must submit proof of its existence and activities to the UNEP Secretariat at least every four years and promptly inform the UNEP secretariat of any changes in contact information or legal status.
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Criteria for accreditation
To be granted accreditation, an organization needs to:
• Be a legal entity in at least one country
• Be in existence for at least two years at the time of the application
• Be established as non-governmental and not-for-profit organization
• Demonstrate substantive activities undertaken within the past five years in the field of environment and/or sustainable development, with a clear international scope.
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Important Information to note
- Submission of accreditation requests is open from January to June of each year.
- Processing period of an accreditation request: 6 months from the date of submission provided all the necessary information has been submitted on the portal
- Documents not submitted in English: Organizations must provide official translations of all the documents that are not in English
- The application letter to be attached on the accreditation portal must follow the format in this template
Accreditation Process
NOTE: The accreditation application period for 2026 closes on 30 June.
1. Create an account on UNEP Accreditation Portal
2. Fill in your application in the UNEP Accreditation portal following this user manual
3. Upload all required documents (and translation in English, if the original documents are not in English), including:
- Cover letter drafted using the structure shown in this template.
- Certificate of registration showing the organization has been in existence for at least two years at the time of the application
- Proof that your organization is non-governmental
- Proof that your organization is not-for-profit
- Constitution, charter, statutes, or by-laws (including any amendments) signed/ stamped
- Evidence of national and international activities undertaken within the past five years in the area of environment and/or sustainable development. Evidence must be presented in the format provided in the national activities template and the international activities template. The completed documents must be uploaded with your accreditation application
4. Submit the request through the UNEP Accreditation Portal
The Civil Society Unit within the Governance Affairs Office reviews the submission and determines if any additional documents are required. If so, it notifies the applying organization. After the review is completed, the Civil Society Unit will send the documentation and its recommendation to the office of the Secretary of Governing Bodies. The Secretary for Governing Bodies reviews it and notifies the organization of its decision in case of approval of the accreditation request. Once approved, the organization is added to the UNEP list of accredited organizations.
Normal processing time for accreditation is 180 days/ 6 months. Please note that, at the moment, the status of the submission cannot be tracked through the portal
For further information, please contact us at unep-accreditation[at]un.org
