Previous Meetings and Archives
The Senior Officials of the EMG have, as of 2022, met twenty-eight times at the purpose of discussing the progress and the future of the EMG works going forward, as well as its place in the framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
The Decisions taken during the most recent Senior Official Meetings can be found in the following reports:
- Summary Report SOM28 (2022)
- Approved Action Points SOM28
- Summary Report SOM27 (2021)
- Detailed Proceedings SOM27
- Final Report SOM26 (2020)
- Approved Action Points SOM26
- Final Report SOM25 (2019)
- Approved Action Points SOM25
- Final Report SOM24 (2018)
- Approved Action Points SOM24
- Final Report SOM23 (2017)
- Approved Action Points SOM23
- Final Report SOM22 (2016)
- Approved Action Points SOM22
Senior Officials Meeting Archives by Year
SOM 28 Meeting Documents
Outcome Documents
Senior Segment (3 November 2022)
Technical Segment (13 October 2022)
- EMGSOM.28_1a Logistics Note Technical Segment
- EMGSOM.28_2a Agenda Technical Segment
- EMGSOM.28_3a Progress Report and Recommended Actions
- EMGSOM.28_3b Work Plan 2022-23 [DRAFT]
- EMGSOM28_4a Environmental Data and Statistics for the SDGs
- EMGSOM28_4b Strengthening UN System-wide Support to RCOs/UNCTs for Triple Planetary Crisis Responses
- EMGSOM28_4c Nexus Dialogue on the Environmental Aspects of Minerals and Metals
- EMGSOM28_4d Empowering countries and stakeholders for mainstreaming and implementing sustainable consumption and production
Information Documents
- EMGSOM.28_INF_1 Strategic Narrative
- EMGSOM.28_INF_2 Proposed governance of the UN Sustainability Strategy
- EMGSOM.28_INF_3 Draft Accountability Framework for the UN Common Approach on Biodiversity
- EMGSOM.28_INF_4 Common Narrative on Upholding the Right to a Healthy Environment
- EMGSOM.28_INF_5 Strategy for Engagement with the CBD by the IMG on Human Rights and the Environment
- EMGSOM.28_INF_6 Strategy for Engagement with the UNCCD by the IMG on Human Rights and the Environment
- EMGSOM.28_INF_7 Key messages by the IMG on Human Rights and Environment on Advancing the Human Rights-Based Approach to Desertification, Land Degradation and Drought
Mid-Term Meeting (18 May 2022)
The Mid-Term Technical Segment of the 28th Senior Officials Meeting of the Environment Management Group held on Thursday, 18 May 2022, from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM CEST via TEAMS.
Outcome Documents
- Mid-Term Meeting Report
- Mid-Term Meeting Summary (short version)
Meeting Documents
- Logistics Note
- Provisional Agenda
- Progress Report
- Concept Notes
SOM 27 Meeting Documents
Outcome Documents
Senior Segment (7 October 2021)
- EMGSOM.27_1b Logistics Note for the Senior Segment
- EMGSOM.27_2b Agenda for the Senior Segment
- EMGSOM.27_3a Summary of Action Points
- EMGSOM.27_5 Discussion Note: Pollution-free Planet
- EMGSOM.27_6 Discussion Note: Stockholm+50
Technical Segment (30 September 2021)
- EMGSOM.27_1a Logistics Note for the Technical Segment
- EMGSOM.27_2a Agenda for the Technical Segment
- EMGSOM.27_3 Progress Report and Recommended Actions
- EMGSOM.27_4 Draft EMG Work Plan 2021-2022
Information Documents
- EMGSOM.27_INF_1 Draft Terms of Reference for the EMG Issue Management Group on Biodiversity
- EMGSOM.27_INF_2 An overview of UN Activities and Initiatives related to Marine Litter and Microplastics: UN system-wide contribution to support the Member States in addressing marine litter and microplastics
- EMGSOM.27_INF_3 Strategy for sustainability management in the United Nations system, 2020-2030 – Phase II: Towards leadership in environmental and social sustainability
- EMGSOM.27_INF_4 International Good Practice Principles for Sustainable Infrastructure (DRAFT second edition)
- EMGSOM.27_INF_5 Strategy for Engagement with the 26th Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC by the EMG Issue Management Group on Human Rights and the Environment
- EMGSOM.27_INF_6 Inclusive Green Recovery: An Essential Post-COVID-19 Paradigm Shift to Build Back Better
- EMGSOM.27_INF_7 Youth Constituency Submission to EMG for SOM27
Mid-Term Meeting (30 June 2021)
The Mid-Term Technical Segment of the 27th Senior Officials Meeting of the Environment Management Group held via GoToMeeting on 30 June 2021 from 3:00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. (Geneva Time).
Outcome Document
Meeting Documents
- Logistics Note
- Provisional Agenda
- Progress Report
- Concept Notes
- Nexus Dialogue: Rethinking the UN Approach on Strategic Foresight for Environmental Action (UNEP)
- IMG on Environmental Sustainability and Digital Transformation (UNEP)
- IMG on Enhancing Synergies between the post-2020 Biodiversity and Chemicals Framework (UNEP)
- Consultative process on understanding the consequences of a 1.5°C temperature rise on United Nations’ programming (OCHA)
- Proposal on Joint Policy Paper (JPP) on Food System Resilience (UNU-FLORES)
- IMG on the UN System Response to the Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (FAO and UNEP)
- Consultative Process on a Pollution Free Planet (UNEP)
- UN system-wide contribution to the Stockholm+50 Conference (UNEP)
Information Documents
- Youth constituency submission to EMG mid-term meeting
- Update on EMG Consultative Process on Biodiversity (Presented by Corli Pretorius)
- Update on Environment & the Covid-19 Recovery Consultative Process (Presented by Steven Stone)
- Update on IMG Environmental Sustainability Management (Presented by Hillary Green)
Meeting Documents
Senior Segment (28 October 2020)
Information Documents
Technical Segment (15 October 2020)
Midterm Meeting(29 April 2020)
The 26th Senior Officials Meeting of the EMG is preceded by a Mid-Term Technical meeting which was held as an audio-video conference on Wednesday, 29 April 2020 from 3.00pm to 5.00pm CET.
Midterm Meeting
Outcome Document
Logistics and Agenda
Logistics Note Provisional Agenda
Meeting documents
UN Decade Ecosystem Restoration
Strategy for Sustainability Management in the UN System
Meeting Documents
- Senior Segment (25 September 2019)
EMGSOM.25_1b_Logistics Note-Senior Segment
EMGSOM.25_2b- Provisional Agenda for the Senior Segment
Working Documents
EMGSOM.25_3a- Summary of Action points
EMGSOM.25_5- Strategic Discussion Note
2. Technical Segment (17 September 2019)
EMGSOM.25_2a- Provisional Agenda for the Technical Segment
EMGSOM.25_3- Progress Report and Recommended Actions
EMGSOM.25_4- Potential Topics for Future Work
Information Documents
EMGSOM.25_INF_1- Presentation on the E-waste Coalition
EMSOM.25_INF_2- UN Model Approach to Environmental and Social Standards for UN programming
EMGSOM.25_INF_3- Strategy for Sustainability Management in the UN System
EMGSOM.25_INF_4- Minutes of the EMG meeting on Biodiversity
EMGSOM.25_INF_5- UN Decade of Ecosystem Restauration 2021-2030
EMGSOM.25_INF_6- Marine Litter
EMGSOM.25_INF_7- Sustainable Infrastructure
EMGSOM.25_INF_8- Sustainable Food Systems
Participants List – Senior Segment
Invitation:
Logistics:
EMGSOM.24(a) – 0. Logistics Note (Technical Segment)
EMGSOM.24(b) – 0. Logistics Note (Senior Segment)
Agendas:
EMGSOM.24(a) – 1. Provisional Agenda – Technical Segment (17 September 2018)
EMGS0M.24(b) – 1. Provisional Agenda – Senior Segment (24 September 2018)
Meeting Documents:
EMGSOM.24(a) – 2. Progress Report and Recommended Actions
EMGSOM.24(a) – 3. Table of Recommended Actions
EMGSOM.24(a) – 4. EMG Work Plan 2019
EMGSOM.24(b) – 5. Issue Note: Sand and Dust Storms
EMGSOM.24(b) – 6. Issue Note: Belt and Road Initiative
EMGSOM.24(b) – 7. Issue Note: E-waste Coalition
EMGSOM.24(b) – 8. Briefing Note: Post-2020 Biodiversity Agenda
EMGSOM.24(b) – 9. Briefing Note: Post-2020 Chemicals Agenda
EMGSOM.24(b) – 10. Briefing Note: UNEA4 Preparations
Information Documents:
EMGSOM24 INF – 1. Draft ToR Global E-waste Portal
EMGSOM24 INF – 2. Letter of Intent – E-waste Coalition
EMGSOM24 INF – 3. Draft E-waste Coalition Concept Note
EMGSOM24 INF – 4. Towards a Common Approach to Environmental and Social Standards for UN Programming
EMGSOM24 INF – 5. UN Examples – Sand and Dust Storms
EMGSOM24 INF – 6. UN Environment – Belt and Road Strategy
Outcome Documents:
- Mid-term Progress Report for Technical Segment
- EMGSOM23- Progress Report and Suggested Directions
- EMGSOM23- Summary of Approved Action Points
- Statement from the IMG on Tackling E-waste
- IMG on Tackling E-waste- Notes on Action Points
- Draft Synthesis Report- System-wide Contributions to the Implementation of the Environmental Dimension in the SDGs
- EMGSOM23- Report of the Meeting
- EMG Work Plan, 2018
Logistics:
- EMG SOM23 Invitation letter
- Logistics Note- Mid-term Technical Segment
- Logistics Note- SOM23 Technical Segment
Agendas:
- Provisional Agenda- Mid-term Technical Segment
- Provisional Agenda- SOM23 Technical Segment
- Provisional Agenda- SOM23 Senior Segment
Meeting Documents:
- Proposed theme- The Environment and Humanitarian Action
- Proposed theme- Air Pollution
- Table of proposed action points
- EMG Progress Report and Recommended Actions
- Strategic Note for Senior Level Segment
Information Documents:
- Reference Document- EMG Terms of Reference
- Reference Document- E-Waste
- INF- System-wide Collaboration on E-Waste
- Reference Document- Environmental and Social Standards and Accountability
- INF- Moving Towards a Common Approach on Environmental and Social Standards
- Reference Document- Status of UN Climate Neutrality Roadmap progress
- Reference Document- the Peer Review Process
- Reference Document- IMF Peer Review
- Reference Document- UN Environment Peer Review
- Reference Document- UNIDO Peer Review
- Reference Document- WMO Peer Review
- Reference Document- UN SWFS Survey Results (Draft)
- Concept Note- Environmental Law
- Concept Note- Renewing System-wide Collaboration on Biodiversity
Outcome Documents:
Logistics:
Agenda:
Meeting Documents:
Information Documents:
Outcome Documents:
- Mid-term Meeting Final Report
- EMG SOM21 Joint Statement
- Report on Maximising the Effectiveness of the EMG
- SOM21 Report
- EMG Work Programme, 2016
Logistics:
- SOM21 Invitation Letter
- EMGSOM21 Follow-up Letter
- Logistics Note- Technical Segment
- Logistics Note- Senior Segment
Agendas:
Meeting Documents:
- EMG Progress Report and Recommended Actions
- Proposed Action Points
- Strategic Directions for the EMG and Future Work, thematic panel discussions
Information Documents:
Outcome Documents:
Logistics and Agendas:
Meeting Documents:
- EMG Progress Report and Recommended Actions
- Strategic Directions for the EMG
- Proposed Action Points for the Technical Segment
Supporting Documents:
Outcome Documents:
- Draft Option Paper on System-wide Issues Following the Framework for Advancing Advancing Environemntal and Social Sustainability in the UN
- Draft Action Plan for Coordinated Action in the Drylands
- Interim Guidance for Implementing the Sustainability Framework for Environmental and Social Sustainability
- Approved Action Points
- SOM19 Final Report
Logistics and Agendas:
Meeting Documents:
- EMG Progress Report and Suggested Future Actions
- Strategic Directions for EMG and Considerations for Future Work
- Proposed Working Plan, 2014-2015
- UNEP Office GHG Footprint Calculator (Excel file download)
Issue Papers:
Outcome Documents
- Sustainable Procurement Communications Strategy
- Strategic Plan for Sustainability Management in the UN System
- A Framework for Advancing Environmental and Social Sustainability in the UN System (2011)
- Carbon Credits- selection and procurement recommendations
- SOM17 Draft Report
Meeting Documents
- Cover letter from the Chair of the EMG
- Technical Meeting Background Note and Provisional Agenda
- Senior Official Segment Provisional Agenda, Background Information, and Suggested Actions
- OIOS Evaluation Report on EMG Implementation of UN Climate Neutrality
- EMG Stocktaking Draft Report
- Joint Inspection Unit Report on Environmental Governance in the UN
- Report on Mainstreaming Environmental Sustainability in Country Analysis and the UNDAF (Annexes)
- Proposal Letter for Establishing a Biodiversity IMG
- IMG on Biodiversity Meeting Report (3 June, 2009)
- SOM15 Final Report
Outcome Document– SOM14 Final Report
Sustainable UN
- Introduction to SUN Presentation
- Extended Description of the SUN Facility
- Brochure
- Initial Questionnaire
- Office Culture Questionnaire
- Working with SUN, Next Steps to a Sustainable UN Presentation
Issue Management Group on Climate Neutral UN
- Second Meeting Participant List
- Second Meeting Provisional Agenda
- Second Meeting Background Note
- Workshop On Climate Neutral UN Provisional Agenda, Geneva
- Workshop on Climate Neutrality Participant List, Geneva
- Workshop on Climate Neutral UN Agenda, NY
- Climate Neutrality Workshop Participant List, NY
Presentations
- Sustainable Culture Presentation
- Reporting GHG Information Presentation
- Introduction to the GHG Protocol for GHG Inventories Presentation
- Common GHG Inventory Presentation
- Climate Neutral UN Knowledge Management (PPT download)
- High Quality Data Presentation
- Carbon Offsets Presentation
- UN Climate Neutral Strategy Presentation
- UNEP Climate Neutrality Implementation Steps Presentation
- Presentation on Sustainable Travel
- Prototype UN Air Travel CO2 Calculator Presentation
- UNFCCC Experience- GHG Inventory
- Sustainable Procurement SUN Presentation
- Inter-American Development Bank, Going Carbon Neutral Presentation
- USA EPA Corporate Climate Change Strategy Presentation
Meeting Documents
- SOM14 Invitation Letter
- SOM14 Provisional Agenda
- SOM14 Background Document
- Strategic Directions for EMG
- UN Climate Neutral Strategy
- Statement of the Chief Executive Board for Coordination on Climate Neutral UN
- ICAO Carbon Calculator Press Release
Tools
Executive Director Cover Letter for EMG Meeting Report
Working Documents
- EMG Meeting Provisional Agenda
- Progress Report on System-wide coherence to International Environmental Governance
- Key International Environment Governance Issues for EMG consideration
- Progress Report on Climate-Neutral UN
- Draft Statement on Climate-Neutral UN
- Strategy for a Climate-Neutral UN
- Presentation on UNEP/Grid-Arendal as a Carbon-Neutral Institution
- 2006 Report on Sustainable Procurement
- Progress Report on Sustainable UN Procurement and the EMG
- Analytical Paper on Sustainable Procurement in the UN
- Presentation on the review of existing UN initiatives on Sustainable and Socially Responsible Procurement
- Presentation on the EMG Sustainable Procurement Survey
Information Documents
- List of Documents
- List of invited organisations
- Logistics Note
- Issues relevant to future EMG work
- Questionnaire Responses
Issue Management Groups
- Invitation for Issue Management Groups on Climate-Neutral UN and Sustainable Procurement
- Draft Agenda
- Logistics Note
- Meeting Report on Climate-Neutral UN and Sustainable Procurement IMGs
Other Documents
- UN GHG Inventory Estimate
- UNFCCC Secretariat GHG emissions inventory
- List of participants for informal EMG meeting
- Report of an ‘informal brainstorming’ meeting
- Summary of EMG ‘brainstorming meeting’
- World Bank Presentation on a Market for Voluntary Carbon Compensation
- World Bank Presentation on Measuring and Reducing their Carbon Footprint
- World Bank Presentation on their Environmental Footprint Reduction Initiatives
- World Bank Presentation on their Chennai Green Building
- WRI Presentation on Using GHG Protocol for the UN GHG Inventory
Outcome Documents
- Chair Summary and Conclusions for the UNEMG High-Level Forum
- Terms of Reference for a new study on System-wide Coherence in Humanitarian Assistance, the Environment and Development
Meeting Documents
- Invitation to the EMG Partnership Forum
- Chairman Notification for the EMG Partnership Forum
- Provisional Agenda for the Partnership Forum
- Invitation Letter to the EMG High Level Forum
- Notification by the Chairman for HLF
- Logistics/Information Note for EMG HLF
- Chairs Discussion Paper for the HLF
- Provisional Agenda for the HLF
- Chairs Notification and Annotated Agenda for Forum on UN Reform Initiatives
- Issue Note for the Forum on UN Reform Initiatives
Information Documents
- EMG Terms of Reference
- Letter from the UN General Assembly President on the 2005 World Summit Decisions and Follow-up (2006)
- Report on United Nations Reform Initiatives (2006)
- Draft Report on Industrial Environmental Initiatives (2006
- ONE UN- Catalyst for Progress and Change (extract from a CEB Publication)
- Report of the Issue Management Group for the EMG’s input to the 14th session of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD-14) on ‘Industrial Development’ (2005)
- Summary Report of the First Meeting of the Issue Management Group (IMG) on Atmosphere/Air Pollution (2005)
- Report on Atmosphere/Air Pollution Best Practices and Lessons from UN Cooperative Programmes and Activities (2005)
- UNGA 60- Implementation of decisions from the 2005 World Summit Outcome for action by the Secretary-General (2005)
- Capacity Building for Chemicals Management – A Situation and Needs Analysis by UNITAR for EMG (2004)
- Outline of UN activities and initiatives on Environment Related Capacity Building and Technology Support (2004)
- Evaluation and Oversight Unit Report on the EMG (2004)
- Report of the work of the EMG on International Environmental Governance (2004)
- Background Paper on Sustainable Procurement (2004)
- Bali Strategic Plan for Technology Support and Capacity-building (2004)
- Note on Addressing the Environmental Aspects of the Water Agenda (2004)
- Report of the Executive Director on International Environmental Governance (2004)
- Work of the EMG on Cooperation and Coordination within the UN system on Environmental Matters (2004)
- Report of the first meeting of the UNEP/UNDP Co-chaired Issue Management Group on an Intergovernmental Strategic Plan for Technology Support and Capacity Building (2004)
- EMG Contribution to the 3rd Session of the High-level Open-ended Intergovernmental Working Group on an Intergovernmental Strategic Plan for Technology Support and Capacity Building
- Report on the Issue Management Group on Information Management and Reporting for Biodiversity-related Treaties (2004)
- Capacity building for biological diversity – a situation and needs analysis
- Role of the EMG- for the 7th Session of the UNEP Governing Council (2002)
- UNGA 53/242- SG Report on the Environment and Human Settlements (1999)
- Report of the Secretary General on the Environment and Human Settlements (1998)
Report of the 10th Session of the EMG
- Provisional Annotated Agenda
- Report of the Executive Director on International Environmental Governance
- Note by the Executive Director on the Bali Strategic Plan for Technology Support and Capacity-building
- Executive Director’s report on the work of the EMG on Coordination and Collaboration within the UN system
- Note on UN System Information Exchange on Environmental Capacity Building and the Role of the Environmental Management Group
- Report of the 9th Session of the EMG (2004)
- Study on UN System Information Exchange on Environmental Capacity Building and the Role of the Environmental Management Group (2004)
- Report of the 6th Meeting of the EMG (6 February 2004)
- Report on the 7th Meeting of the EMG (20 April 2004)
- Report of the 8th Meeting of the EMG (1 September 2004)
- Report of the 9th Meeting of the EMG (8 November 2004)
Documents for the 8th Meeting
- Outline of UN activities and initiatives on Environment Related Capacity Building and Technology Support
- Background Paper on Sustainable Procurement and Environmental Management Programmes
Documents for the 9th meeting
- List of Documents for the 9th Meeting
- Provisional Annotated Agenda for the 9th Meeting
- Report from the EMG to the UNEP Governing Council (DRAFT)
- Capacity-building for biological diversity- situation and needs analysis
- Capacity-building for chemicals management- situation and needs analysis
- Note on the Preparation of a Consolidated UN System Input to the Work of the High Level Intergovernmental Working Group on an Intergovernmental Strategic Plan for Technology Support and Capacity-building
High-level Open-ended Intergovernmental Working Group on an Intergovernmental Working Group for Technology Support and Capacity-building
- Report of the Chair
- Proposal from the Chair for a Framework for an intergovernmental strategic plan on technology support and capacity-building
- Inventory of UNEP Capacity Building and Technology Support activities
Additional Documents
No meetings