The Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities (GPA) was adopted by 108 Governments and the European Commission at an intergovernmental conference convened for this purpose in Washington, D.C., United States of America, from 23 October to 3 November 1995.

Washington Declaration English

The implementation of the GPA is primarily the task of Governments, in close partnership with all stakeholders including local communities, public organizations, non-governmental organizations and the private sector. Formulation of national and regional programmes of action is a necessity for successful implementation. UNEP, as the Secretariat of the GPA, and its partners will facilitate and assist Governments in their tasks.

The Intergovernmental Review Meetings are a forum where Governments and other stakeholders meet to review the status of the implementation of the GPA and decide on action to be taken to strengthen the implementation of the GPA.

Two intergovernmental meetings have been held so far:

1. The first IGR meeting was held in Montreal, Canada in 2001.

2. The second IGR meeting was held in Beijing, China from 16 - 20 October 2006.

The Third Intergovernmental Review on the Implementation of the GPA (IGR-3) will be held in Manila, The Philippines 25-27 January 2012.

2nd IGR-3 Announcement
Documentation for the meeting will be uploaded over the next few weeks here.

The Meeting will be preceded by a Global Conference on Land-Ocean Connections 23-24 January, 2012.