The EMG is governed by a senior-level decision-making body, the EMG Senior Officials, comprised of Heads of Agencies or their designated senior staff responsible for environmental programmes. The EMG Senior Officials are chaired by the Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme. 

The EMG reports on its activities through the following mechanisms: 

• The EMG Secretariat reports on progress made and results achieved within its work streams to the EMG Senior Officials. 
• The EMG reports to the UN Environment Assembly as a standard reporting requirement on its Resolution 1/11 and provides regular updates to the Committee of Permanent Representatives to UNEP. 
• The EMG Secretariat prepares ad-hoc reports, briefs or updates to other intergovernmental processes if required.

Senior Officials Meeting (SOM)
The EMG Senior Officials convene at least once a year during the Senior Officials Meeting (SOM), typically held in the final quarter. During this meeting, the Senior Officials approve the EMG's annual workplan and engage in discussions on pressing international environmental issues that require collaborative action. Prior to the SOM, a meeting of the Technical Segment is held to prepare the agenda and outline key action points for the EMG's workstreams.

Mid-term Meeting of the Technical Segment
At the midpoint of the year, EMG members gather at the technical level to receive updates on the progress of various EMG workstreams and to lay the groundwork for the upcoming SOM.

See more: SOM Archive