United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

The United Nations (UN) Environment Programme (UNEP) was created by UN General Assembly resolution 2997 (XXVII) on December 15, 1972, to act as the global and regional voice [Page 2908]for environmental policy within the UN system. This action followed the recommendation of the June 1972 UN Conference on the Human Environment, held in Stockholm, Sweden. The UNEP Secretariat was established in Nairobi, Kenya, and is headed by an executive director, who also serves as UN Under-Secretary-General. The executive directors included Maurice Strong (1973–1975), Mostafa Tolba (1975–1992), Elizabeth Dowdeswell (1993–1998), Klaus Toepfer (1998–2006), and, most recently, Achim Steiner (2006-present). The UNEP is funded by trust funds and funds allocated by the UN regular budget, by special earmarks, and by a voluntary Environment Fund. The largest contributors ...