The handbook was developed in association with the UN Non-Governmental Liaison Service (UN-NGLS). The Handbook presents the current rules and practices for the engagement of Major Groups and Stakeholders (MGS) in UNEP’s work, based on rules of procedure of the UN Environment Assembly of UNEP (UNEA).
In an accompanying message, UNEP advises stakeholders that Member States are currently negotiating a new UNEP Policy on Stakeholder Engagement, which will likely be in place by the second session of UNEA (UNEA-2), in May 2016. The handbook will be amended after UNEA-2 takes a decision on the matter.