WFM believes that fundamental issues relating to the development of international democracy and global governance are inextricably tied to issues of global governance for sustainable development and the environment. Accordingly, as a counterbalance to the global institutions that regulate international finance and trade, WFM advocates for the establishment of a World Environment Organization.

At the UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in 1992 in Rio de Janeiro, WFM helped found the International NGO Task Group on Legal and Institutional Matters (INTGLIM). It was formed as a NGO caucus focusing on legal and institutional issues for the UNCED and advocated increased Sustainable Development Governance. INTGLIM served as the primary NGO caucus which developed the proposal and generated support for the establishment of a UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD). WFM co-chairs INTGLIM and has continued to convene NGOs in strategic networks on legal and institutional issues within environmental governance especially at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD). In addition, INTGLIM has been active on topics related to the CSD and general UN reform process, including the issues of NGO access to the UN.

“As a counterbalance to the global institutions that regulate international finance and trade, WFM advocates for the establishment of a World Environment Organization.”

In cooperation with INTGLIM, WFM was among the first to call for the creation of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development and we continue to advocate that greater authority be given to the Commission. In addition, WFM promotes the idea of a Global Convention on Rio Principle 10 on public participation and access to information and justice with regards to environmental issues.

In working for fair Global Environmental Governance, WFM collaborates with its Member and Associated Organizations. Some of the other organizations we collaborate with on this issue are: