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Representatives from six different FoE groups and the International Secretariat participated in the 23rd session of the UNEP Governing Council/ Global Ministerial Environment Forum. The meeting, which took place from 21 to 25 February in Nairobi, Kenya, approved amongst others an ambitious plan to build the capacity of environmental ministries in developing countries, and a decision to integrate gender into UNEP's policies, programs and governance structures.

Ministers also discussed the contribution of environmental protection to the achievement of the Millenium Development Goals to halve poverty by 2015. Some modest progress was achieved as far as strengthening the UN Environment Program itself was concerned. FoE-campaigners present highlighted, amongst others, the need to build the capacity of countries to assess the impacts of trade agreements, the need to monitor the implementation of sustainability agreements, the need for a mercury convention, the role of forests in poverty reduction, gender equality, and the results of the Nature for Sale conference.

FoE Europe and Greenpeace have teamed up to write to European environment ministers asking them to ensure that global environmental treaties take precedence over WTO rules.