Changing the Role of UNEP: a Critical Analysis of the Rio+20 Reform

During the Rio+20 Conference, the International Community decides to strengthen the environmental pillar in the context of the sustainable development governance. The UNGA decides, with the resolution 67/213, to strengthen and upgrade the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in the manner set out in paragraph 88 of the outcome document of the Conference, “The Future We Want”. The most interesting measure of this process is the establishment of the universal membership in the UNEP Governing Council (GC), until now composed by 58 members. The UNGA decides, with the resolution 67/251, to rename it United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA), taking note of the GC Decision 27/2. Moreover the UNGA decides to give UNEP secure, stable, adequate and increased financial resources from the regular budget of the UN, and to promote the full participation of civil society in the decision-making process. The article discusses this important reform, underlining its strengths and weaknesses, starting from the outcome of the first universal session of the GC, held in Nairobi in February 2013. The author asks if the UNEA is sufficient to fill the gap between the environmental one and the other pillars in the context of the institutional framework for sustainable development. Will the upgrading of the Programme, without modifications of its legal status in the UN system, be the best response to the weaknesses of the actual international environmental governance system? Which is the new role played by the civil society in the UNEA? Which is the value of an act adopted by such new universal assembly?