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UN Documentation: Environment

Principal Environmental Bodies

The UN leads environmental policy development through the work of some key bodies.

High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development

The High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development was established in follow-up to the outcome of the 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) to replace the Commission on Sustainable Development. The Forum is a subsidiary of the Economic and Social Council and General Assembly. 

  • Established by General Assembly resolutions 66/288 of 27 July 2012, 67/203 of 21 December 2012, and 67/290 of 9 July 2013
  • Will convene annually at the ministerial level under the Economic and Social Council, and every four years at the level of Head of State under the General Assembly
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Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD)

The Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) is a subsidiary of ECOSOC with primary responsibility for environmental questions. 

  • The General Assembly, in its resolution 47/191 of 22 December 1992, requested the Economic and Social Council to establish a high-level Commission on Sustainable Development to ensure effective follow-up to the Conference on Environment and Development (1992).
  • While General Assembly resolution 47/191 contains its mandate, the Commission was established by Economic and Social Council decision 1993/207 of 12 February 1993 (p. 94 of E/1993/93).
  • The Commission was superseded by the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, in accordance with General Assembly resolution 67/203. The 20th and last session was held in 2013.
  • The Commission met annually and reported to the Economic and Social Council.
  • The Commission often served as the preparatory body for major conferences on environmental issues.
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  • Sessional reports
    • Supplement 29 to the Economic and Social Council Official Records (ESCOR)
    • dual symbol: E/year/29 - E/CN.17/year/-
    • example: E/2013/29-E/CN.17/2013/4
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Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is a specialized expert body to review scientific research and report to policy makers.

  • IPCC website;
  • Established jointly by the UN Environmental Programme (UNEP) and World Meterological Organization (WMO) in 1988, and endorsed by General Assembly resolution 43/53 of 6 December 1988;
  • Network of scientists and experts who review scientific research on the climate change and prepare reports for policy makers;
  • Reports aim to provide the world with a clear scientific view on the current state of knowledge in climate change and its potential environmental and socio-economic impacts;
  • Five Assessment Reports have been completed in 1990, 1995, 2001, 2007 and 2013. The sixth is expected in late 2022 or early 2023.

UN Forum on Forests

The UN Forum on Forests is a subsidiary of ECOSOC; it took over the tasks of the two predecessor bodies listed below.

  • Established by ECOSOC resolution 2000/35 of 18 Oct. 2000 to "strengthen political commitment to the management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests" (p. 64-66 of E/2000/99);
  • The Forum meets annually and reports to the Economic and Social Council;
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  • Sessional reports
    • Supplement 42 to the Economic and Social Council Official Records (ESCOR)
    • dual symbol: E/year/42 - E/CN.18/year/-
  • Press releases series symbol ENV/DEV/-

Predecessors of the UN Forum on Forests

The Inter-governmental Forum on Forests (IFF) was a predecessor body of the UN Forum on Forests, 1997-2000.

  • Established by ECOSOC resolution 1997/65 of 25 July 1997;
  • The Forum met annually from 1997 to 2000 and reported to the Economic and Social Council;
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The Ad hoc Inter-governmental Panel on Forests (IPF) was a predecessor body of the Inter-governmental Forum on Forests, 1995-1997.

  • Established by ECOSOC decision 1995/226 of 1 June 1995;
  • The Forum met at irregular intervals between 1995 and 1997 and reported to the Economic and Social Council;
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