Ministers and top government representatives from over 100 countries assembled at the 19th session of the governing council of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Nairobi, Kenya, which began on January 20, to commemorate its 25th anniversary. The ministers will also determine the changes required in the governing structures of UNEP as it enters the 21st century .

This will be followed by a high-level meeting from February 5-7 where delegates will define the nature and significance of UNEP's participation at a special session of the UN general assembly to be held in June in New York. The session will review the progress of implementation of Agenda 21