Nairobi - More than 1 000 environment ministers from across the world are set to meet in Kenya next month for the UN Environment Program (UNEP)'s Governing Council meeting.
According to the Nairobi-based UN environment agency the meeting, which will take place from 16-20 February, will also discuss climate change and the ongoing talks towards a new international agreement in Copenhagen in December 2009.
Issues on the table include the green economy and green growth and mercury.
The ministers will discuss policy options for an international response to global mercury pollution and the food crisis.
The ministers will also discuss Olympic Games and the environment, and an overview of the key environmental issues of the day including ecosystem management, resource efficiency and environmental governance.
"An overview of the key environmental issues of the day including ecosystem management, resource efficiency and environmental governance will be on the table," the agency said.
The high-level meeting comes on the heels of an eventful year which saw further evidence of global warming, food shortages and the worst financial crisis in years.
The ministers meet amid growing calls for a Global Green New Deal, a new approach to the economy that focuses on green growth and investments in natural and nature-based resources.
