The United Nations (U.N.), with its many component bodies, is foremost among the multilateral, intergovernmental organizations with which EPA engages on environmental and sustainable economic development issues. Cooperation to manage natural resources and reduce transboundary pollution is fundamental to building safe, stable and prosperous societies. This helps to ensure that U.S. stakeholders are operating on an equal footing with international counterparts. 

 

The U.N. system includes subsidiary bodies which support its environmental efforts. EPA works with several of these, which are described below.

 

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), established in 1972, is the designated entity addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level for the United Nations. EPA has had a long and successful relationship with UNEP, including concrete partnerships and programs, which have had resulted in measureable improvements to human health and the environment. This cooperation with UNEP includes work on pollution reduction, improving environmental assessments, capacity building, knowledge management, technology for sustainable development, and the green economy.

 

 

The World Health Organization

EPA has a longstanding program of cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO) to address the direct link between protecting public health and supporting a clean environment.  We cooperate on a wide range of environmental and children’s health issues, including those associated with air quality and climate, toxic chemicals and pesticides, and water and sanitation.  We also work with WHO to assess risk, to understand how environmental factors contribute to disease, and to develop WHO guidelines for environmental standards (e.g. for air and drinking water quality).

• Our activities with WHO are guided by a Memorandum of Understanding and a Cooperative Agreement. 
• Learn more about EPA Collaboration with the World Health Organization.

A founding charter body of the United Nations, ECOSOC is the place where the world’s economic, social and environmental challenges are discussed. ECOSOC is composed of subsidiary bodies, and convenes various high level gatherings related to UN efforts on sustainable development. ECOSOC's efforts have included consultations which led to the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its associated Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  ECOSOC also supports the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development that was called for at Rio+20, to replace the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD). EPA has engaged in the CSD and related ECOSOC efforts since their inception and continues to follow the work of related to the 2030 Agenda and SDGs, providing key technical input to the U.S. Department of State.

 

 

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) was created in 1948 to promote cooperation between governments and industry in the regulation of shipping engaged in international trade and to encourage the adoption of the highest practicable standards concerning maritime safety, efficiency of navigation, and prevention and control of marine pollution from ships. EPA’s work has contributed to the adoption of more cost effective, higher energy efficiency standards for new ships; stricter emission limits on criteria air pollutants such as NOx, SOx and particulate matter (PM); the implementation of an Emissions Control Area (ECA) for most of North America and the U.S. Caribbean; controls on marine pollution; and the development of environmental provisions in the IMO’s Code for Shipping in Polar Waters (IMO Polar Code).

 

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Arctic Council

The Arctic Council, established in 1996, promotes cooperation among Arctic nations, their indigenous inhabitants, and interested non-Arctic nations on sustainable economic development and environmental protection in the Arctic. As the Arctic environment changes, leading to increased shipping, economic, and other activities, it becomes increasingly important that the U.S. work closely with our Arctic allies.  In support of larger foreign policy objectives articulated by the White House and the State Department, EPA leads U.S. government participation in the Arctic Contaminants Action Programme (ACAP) Working Group, which seeks to reduce contamination from hazardous chemicals and waste, such as mercury and PCBs, as well as reducing short lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) and improving air quality. EPA also represents the U.S. government on the Arctic Council’s Project Support Instrument (PSI) which is the financial mechanism that supports implementation of ACAP projects.  In addition, EPA is involved in the Arctic Council’s work to prevent, prepare for and respond to oil spills in the Arctic, as well as follow-up to the Arctic Marine Shipping Assessment.

 

 

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Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is a forum for governments committed to democracy and the market economy to support sustainable economic growth, boost employment, raise living standards, maintain financial stability, assist other countries' economic development, and contribute to growth in world trade. EPA leads U.S. engagement with the OECD’s Environment Policy Committee (EPOC) and related subsidiary bodies.

 

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Contacts

Hodayah Finman

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Office of International and Tribal Affairs (2670R)

1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW

Washington, DC 20460

E-mail: finman.hodayah@epa.gov

(202) 564-6600