The mission of the United Nations Environment Programme [http://www.unep.org] is to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.

UNEP works closely with stakeholders to provide a common information and knowledge base which assists government and industry in making environmentally sound decisions.

More recently, UNEP has extended its catalytic role to develop and operate sector and issue specific fora that provide information on environmental issues for an international audience.

UNEP currently operates various information exchange fora such as:

• International Cleaner Production Information Clearinghouse (ICPIC) [http://www.uneptie.org/pc//cp/library/icpic.htm]
• OzonAction Strategic Information System (OASIS) [http://194.51.235.137/ozat/pub/main.html]
• Global Information Network on Chemicals (GINC) [http://www.nihs.go.jp/GINC/index.html]
• Interactive Forum on Agrobiodiversity [http://gef-forum.unep.org]
• Mineral Resource Forum (MRF) [http://www.mineralresourcesforum.org]
• Offshore Oil & Gas Environment Forum [http://www.oilandgasforum.net]

The Sustainable Agri-Food Production and Consumption Forum is operated by the UNEP Division of Technology, Industry and Economics (DTIE) [http://www.uneptie.org]

The mission of UNEP DTIE is to help decision-makers in government, local authorities, and industry develop and adopt policies and practices that:

• Are cleaner and safer;
• Make efficient use of natural resources;
• Ensure adequate management of chemicals;
• Incorporate environmental costs; and
• Reduce pollution and risks for human and the environment.