UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME

(UNEP) UN organization established in 1972 to guide and coordinate environmental activities within the United Nations system. UNEP recommends to its parent body policies that will promote environmental cooperation on an international level. Earthwatch, an international monitoring system devised to facilitate information exchanges among governments, is UNEP's most widely recognized activity. Participation in this enterprise enables members to assess significant environmental risks and to act accordingly. The Governing Council is composed of 58 members who are elected by the UN General Assembly.