International Cooperation

Directory of Waste Resources on the Web

Governments and Inter-governmental organizations around the world work to protect land and resources.  Choose pins on the map for the individual country ministries and departments. See the separate listing for selected international inter-governmental organizations whose mission is environmental protection.


Environmental Programs by Country

Click on a country capital to link to additional waste management information provided by that country.

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Intergovernmental Organizations

African Development Bank Group - Environment Exit The overarching objective of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group is to spur sustainable economic development and social progress in its regional member countries, thus contributing to poverty reduction

Arctic Council – Environment and Climate Exit The Arctic Council is an intergovernmental forum for Arctic governments and peoples.  Arctic Council working groups include the Arctic Contaminants Action Program (ACAP) and Emergency Prevention, Preparedness and Response (EPPR)

Asian Development Bank (ADB) – Environmental Sustainability Exit ADB's long-term strategic framework identifies environmentally sustainable growth as a key strategic development agenda, and environment as a core area for support

Common Forum on Contaminated Land in the European Union Exit The Common Forum is a network of contaminated land policy makers, regulators and technical advisors from Environment Authorities in European Union member states and European Free Trade Association countries

European Union (EU) The EU is an economic and political partnership between 28 European countries that together cover much of the continent.  Important EU environmental functions include:

  • Environmental Directorate Exit The Directorate-General for the Environment is one of more than 40 EU Directorates-General and services that make up the European Commission
  • European Environment Agency (EEA) Exit An agency of the European Union, the EEA’s function is to provide independent information on the environment for persons involved in developing, adopting, implementing, and evaluating environmental policy.  Key EEA topics include:  Chemicals; Land Use; Soil; and Waste and Material Resources

Global Alliance on Health and Pollution (GAHP) Exit GAHP is a collaborative body of member countries and organizations that facilitates the provision of technical and financial resources to address the impacts of pollution, particularly impacts associated with contaminated media, on health in low- and middle-income countries

Global Environment Facility (GEF) Exit The GEF is a partnership for international cooperation through which over 180 countries work together with international institutions, civil society organizations, and the private sector to address issues, including global environmental issues, through grants and co-financing mechanisms.  Focus areas for GEF include Chemicals & Waste and Land Degradation.

Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) - Environment Exit The IDB helps member countries reconcile the demands of growth with the need to protect and manage its habitats and resources in order to achieve sustainable development

Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development Exit The overarching objective of this effort, announced at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg and co-sponsored by South Africa, Canada, and others, is to enhance the capacity for governance in the mining, minerals and metals sector

International Committee on Contaminated land (ICCL) Exit ICCL is a forum, open to any country, for international exchange on issues and problems of contaminated land and groundwater

International Network for Environmental Compliance and Enforcement (INECE) Exit INECE is a partnership of government and non-government enforcement and compliance practitioners from more than 150 countries.  INECE’s goals are: raising awareness to compliance and enforcement; developing networks for enforcement cooperation; and strengthening capacity to implement and enforce environmental requirements.

North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) Exit Comprised of Canada, Mexico and the United States the CEC addresses regional environmental concerns, help prevent potential trade and environmental conflicts, and promotes the effective enforcement of environmental law

Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) – Environmental Directorate Exit The OECD is comprised of governments from 34 countries around the world.  The Environmental Directorate of the OECD, through country performance reviews, data collection, policy analysis, projections and modelling, provides governments with the analytical basis to develop common policies that are both effective and economically efficient.  EPA is active on several OECD working groups. OECD focal areas include accidents and resource productivity and waste

Organization of American States (OAS) – Division for Sustainable Development Exit The OAS brings together all 35 independent states of the Americas and constitutes the main political, juridical, and social governmental forum in the Hemisphere. DSD supports the OAS member states in matters related to environmental issues, with a particular emphasis in linking environmental policies to core economic, rural development, poverty alleviation and economic integration goals

United Nations (UN)  The UN, founded after the Second World War, is an international organization  committed to maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations and promoting social progress, better living standards, and human rights. Its environmental and public health functions include:

World Bank Group - Environment Exit Made up of 188 member nations, the World Bank provides financial and technical assistance to developing countries around the world to reduce poverty and support development.  The Bank considers sustainable management of the environment and natural resources as vital for economic growth and human wellbeing.

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