Malawi at the United Nations Environment Programme

Malawi is a member of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), an entity of the United Nations. UNEP, which was founded in 1972, is the leading global authority and voice on matters of environmental stewardship and protection and is responsible for the environmental pillar of sustainable development (SDGs). Since the headquarters of UNEP is in Nairobi, Kenya, the Malawi Mission is accredited to UNEP. Malawi regularly participates, at ministerial level, in sessions of the United Nations Environment Assembly (U.N.E.A), UNEP’s highest decision-making body, which takes place in Nairobi. During UNEA Sessions, the mission prepares for, facilitates and joins the Malawi delegation. The mission has four main roles in view of Malawi’s membership of UNEP. It represents the country during regular, annual and sub-committee meetings of the Committee of Permanent Representatives (CPR) an inter-sessional governing body of UNEP. The mission also negotiates on behalf of Malawi, advancing the country’s interests and national and regionally agreed positions. Thirdly, the mission is the liaison between UNEP and various Malawi government entities. The latter role includes following up on financial and technical interventions that UNEP is undertaking in Malawi principally through the country’s ministry responsible for environmental affairs. Lastly, the mission monitors and reports on developments in the environmental ornemtal area in general and regarding UNEP in particular. UNEP’s regional office for Africa is the Secretariat of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN), the latter of which Malawi is a member. The mission prepares, facilitates and follows up on outcomes of AMCEN sessions. Further information regarding the mandate and activities of UNEP is found here.