UNEP promotes international cooperation in environmental issues, provides guidance to UN organizations, and, through its scientific advisory groups, encourages the international scientific community to participate in formulating policy for many of the UN’s environmental projects.

UNEP, furthermore, assists developing countries in implementing environmentally sound policies and practices and encourages participation by private sector to promote sustainable use of the world’s natural resources. It was founded as a result of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in June 1972 and has its headquarters in Nairobi.