Global Environment Outreach Centre (GEOC)

The Global Environment Outreach Centre (GEOC) is a joint initiative of UNU–IAS and the Ministry of the Environment of Japan (MOEJ). It was initially established in 1996 as the Global Environmental Information Centre (GEIC), founded on the recommendation of the Tokyo Conference on Global Environmental Action held in October 1994 to implement Agenda 21, a programme of action for sustainable development worldwide adopted at the UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) held in Rio de Janerio, Brazil in 1992. Tokyo Declaration 1994 called for “the establishment of an integrated database and information network of social groups at the United Nations University in Tokyo, in close cooperation with UN and the Earth Council.” On this basis, GEOC supports the involvement of major groups identified in Agenda 21 in the implementation of sustainable development. Focus is especially given to Chapter 27 of Agenda 21, “Strengthening of the role of non-governmental organizations: Partners for sustainable development.” Based on this, GEOC conducts various outreach activities in close cooperation with national and international stakeholders on global agenda including the SDGs, Paris Agreement, Aichi Biodiversity Targets, etc. In doing so, GEOC plays an important role to support the communications and outreach efforts of UNU-IAS and MOEJ as a joint project.