Representatives from over 100 countries unanimously endorsed a greater role for the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) in shaping a greener future for the planet, at the 19th session of the governing council which ended in Nairobi, Kenya, on February 7. A programme budget of US $75 million was also approved for 1988-89. However, delegates were sharply divided on the issue of the governance of UNEP. The governing council failed to adopt a draft resolution aimed at restructuring the agency. Consequently, the US, the UK and Spain have decided to withhold their contributions for 1997-98 to the organisation. Delegates also made progress on the global programme of action for protection of marine environment from land-based activities.

The UN Population Fund will implement a US $31 million population programme over the next four years to provide better reproductive healthcare to selected countries in Asia. The programme is being funded by the European Commission.