VIVAT International has been granted accreditation as an observer to the governing body of the UN Environment Program (UNEP), which was renamed the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) of the United Nations Environment Program. VIVAT will forthwith receive invitations as an observer to all public meetings and sessions of the United Nations Environment Assembly and its subsidiary organs.
Accreditation provides NGOs (non-governmental organizations) with observer status to the Assembly and its subsidiary bodies according to Rule 70 of the rules of procedure of the United Nations Environment Assembly of UNEP. Accreditation will bring many advantages for VIVAT with respect to participation in the work of UNEP’s Governing Bodies, such as the United Nations Environment Assembly of UNEP and the Committee of Permanent Representatives.
Accreditation is the main entry point for Major Groups and Stakeholders into policy dialogue at UNEP. In the process leading up to sessions of the United Nations Environment Assembly of UNEP, the accredited organizations have the opportunity:
- To participate in the Regional Consultation Meeting to be held in your region in preparation for the Assembly;
- To contribute in the preparation of Regional Civil Society Statements towards UNEP and the Assembly;
- To receive unedited working documents of the United Nations Environment Assembly at the same time as the Committee of the Permanent Representatives (CPR);
- To submit to the UN Environment Secretariat written contributions to these unedited working documents for distribution to the Governments through the Committee of the Permanent Representatives (CPR); and
- To participate in the public Meetings of the Committee of Permanent Representatives, the Assembly and the Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum, an associated meeting of the UN Environment Assembly (including via tele- or video conference).
During the session of the Environment Assembly, accredited organizations have the opportunity:
- To attend the plenary sessions of the Committee of the Whole and the Ministerial Consultations as observers and to exchange views and interact with the Governments present;
- To circulate written statements to Governments in the form of information documents through the UNEP secretariat; and
- To make oral statements during the discussions of the United Nations Environmental Assembly of UNEP.
VIVAT will be added to the List of Accredited Organizations with Observer Status to UNEP, which is available online at http://www.unenvironment.org/