The event addressed issues related to the preparations for the 9th EEC Ministerial Conference “Environment for Europe” (Nicosia, October 5–7), the implementation of the agreements reached during the 5th session of the UN Environmental Assembly (Nairobi, February 28 – March 2), as well as an exchange of views on the Batumi Green Economy Initiative.

On the fourth day of the meeting, special elections were held for the CEP Bureau. As a result, by closed voting of the participating countries, the representative of Uzbekistan was elected for the first time in history to the CEP Bureau as a vice-chairman.

The activity of UNECE on environmental matters dates back to 1971, when a group of senior government advisers on environmental matters was established, leading to the establishment of the Committee on Environmental Policy (CEP) in 1994. CEP works to support countries in strengthening their environmental governance and transboundary cooperation, as well as in strengthening the implementation of UNECE regional environmental commitments and promoting sustainable development in the region.