Geneva is a global hub for international environmental governance. Important and strategic environmental negotiations and preparations, including historical meetings, have taken place in the region for more than 50 years. Geneva is also the place where numerous intergovernmental organizations, permanent governmental missions, NGOs, platforms, academic institutions and other stakeholders contributing to the global environmental agenda are based. Geneva is, therefore, an ideal location to reinforce and develop synergies among all these actors.

In order to support Geneva as an international centre of competence for the environment, in support to the Nairobi hub where UNEP is located, Switzerland and the Canton of Geneva inaugurated the International Environment House in 1999.

 The Geneva Environment Network (GEN) is a cooperative partnership of more than 100 environmental and sustainable development organizations based at the International Environment House in Geneva and at other locations in the surrounding region. Established in 1999, GEN organizes events and promotes awareness on environmental issues. The Secretariat is supported by the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment and is administered by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

 The Geneva Environment Network (GEN) works on issues linking environment and health.