| 15 April 2008 A guide for the mainstreaming of marine and coastal issues has been produced by UNEP/GPA in collaboration with the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI).
In many countries, overarching national development planning processes, such as Poverty Reduction Strategies or UN Development Assistance Frameworks (UNDAF), do not adequately address coastal and marine issues or the issues related to watersheds draining into coastal areas. However, coastal areas and marine resources usually play a crucial role in the economic development of a country and consequently have an impact on the levels of poverty.
The report is also available here.
5 November 2007 The major threats to the planet such as climate change, the rate of extinction of species, and the challenge of feeding a growing population are among the many that remain unresolved, and all of them put humanity at risk. This warning comes in UNEP's Global Environment Outlook: environment for development (GEO-4) report published 20 years after the World Commission on Environment and Development (the Brundtland Commission) produced its seminal report, Our Common Future. GEO-4, the latest in UNEP's series of flagship reports, assesses the current state of the global atmosphere, land, water and biodiversity, describes the changes since 1987, and identifies priorities for action. GEO-4 is the most comprehensive UN report on the environment, prepared by about 390 experts and reviewed by more than 1 000 others across the world.
31 October 2007 The International Year of Sanitation 2008 will be launched on November 21 at the United Nations Headquarters.
The UN General Assembly has declared 2008 as the International Year of Sanitation. The UNEP/GPA Coordination Office, as a member of the UN-Water Task Force on the International Year of Sanitation, is working with other UN agencies and international organizations to raise awareness on sanitation issues in order to accelerate progress towards the Millennium Development Goal target to reduce by half the proportion of people without access to basic sanitation by 2015. For further information on the International Year of Sanitation, please visit the dedicated website www.sanitationyear2008.org
The UNICEF/WHO report Meeting the MDG Drinking Water and Sanitation Target Assessment Report (2006) states that at least 2.6 billion people – about 41 percent of the global population - do not have access to latrines or any sort of basic sanitation facilities. In these situations, sewage can flow directly into groundwater reservoirs, lakes, streams, rivers and wetlands, as well as coastal and marine ecosystems. When domestic wastewater is improperly discharged this can lead to a number of health and environment concerns: illnesses, such as diarrhoea, can spread through affected populations and can claim thousands of lives each day, primarily young children, and can perpetuate the cycle of poverty.
The 4th UNEP Global Environment Outlook report (2007) states that improved sanitation could reduce related deaths by up to 60 per cent, and diarrhoeal episodes by up to 40 per cent. The report also states that nutrient pollution from municipal wastewater treatment plants, and from agricultural and urban non-point source run-off remains a major global problem, with many health and environmental implications. Harmful algal blooms, attributed party to nutrient loads, have increased in freshwater and costal systems over the last 20 years.
19 September 2007 Major overhaul of the National Programme of Action (NPA) section on GPA website: The NPA section of the GPA website has been revised to include the main messages contained in the NPA Guide published in 2006. The website now contains concrete and detailed information regarding the steps to develop and implement an NPA, guiding principles for NPA processes, as well as a variety of examples from countries in all parts of the world. The information can be viewed here.
12 September 2007 The 4th International Nitrogen Initiative Conference will be taking place in Costa do Sauipe, Brazil from 1 - 5 October 2007. Please visit here to find out more about this important conference.
11 September 2007 Participants to an informal brainstorming meeting on nitrogen agree to form a partnership whose overall goal is to promote the reduction of the impacts of nutrient over-enrichment, in particular from excess nitrogen, in coastal and marine ecosystems and their associated watersheds. MORE information can be found HERE.
9 February 2007
GPA promotes outcomes of the IGR 2 at the UNEP 24th Governing Council Meeting in Nairobi.
On Tuesday February 6, day two of the GC 24, the Stakeholder Forum and the GPA Coordination Office hosted an informal panel discussion to explain the major agreements and outcomes resulting from the 2nd Intergovernmental Review Meeting of the GPA that took place in Beijing in October last year.
Discussions were informal and friendly. The panel consisted of GPA Coordinator Veerle Vandeweerd, Stakeholder Forum Executive Director Felix Dodds and the Deputy Director of the Ministryof Environment And Natural Resources in Mexico, Mara Murillo Correa. The participants- mostly from civil society and representatives from Indonesia and Iceland- expressed support for the new direction of the GPA.
The special edition of GPA Outreach produced for GC 24 by the Stakeholder Forum and the GPA Coordination Office is available here.
23 January 2007 GPA Coordination Office identifies five key areas of focus for 2007-2011
In a new document produced for dissemination at the upcoming Governing Council meeting at UNEP headquarters in Nairobi next month, the GPA Coordination Office has outlined the key messages that emerged from the recent IGR 2 and outlined its plans for responding.
The document summarises some of the major outcomes of the meeting and highlights the Ministerial/High level segment of the second intergovernmental review meeting (IGR 2) that was held in Beijing, China in October 2006.
The document is available on this website at http://www.gpa.unep.org/content.html?ln=6&id=344
9 January 2007
MINISTERIAL FORUM
STATEMENTS BY PEMSEA MEMBER COUNTRIES AND PARTNERS: Chair Sun Zhihui, Administrator, State Oceanic Administration, China, welcomed participants, noting that the first Ministerial Forum in 2003 resulted in the Putrajaya Declaration of Regional Cooperation, which endorsed the SDS-SEA. He said that despite countries' efforts over the past three years, SDS-SEA implementation still has some way to go, and emphasized that the adoption of the Haikou Partnership Agreement would signify countries' renewed political commitment to work cooperatively to improve the state of the marine and coastal environment in East Asia.
Khieu Muth, Secretary of State for the Environment, Cambodia, stated that regional issues such as marine environmental degradation and resource depletion cannot be solved by any country alone, but require actions in partnership. He highlighted Cambodia's commitment to sustainable development, and said the Haikou Partnership Agreement represents goodwill and a commitment to concrete actions.
Chen Lianzheng, Deputy Administrator, State Oceanic Administration, China, emphasized the importance of consensus and cooperation in addressing marine issues in EastAsianseas. He explained that the Haikou Partnership Agreement proposes a three-year cycle for EAS congresses and ministerial meetings to ensure continuity, and said that support from the Regional Partnership Fund and the GEF is essential for effective implementation of SDS-SEA. Describing the Agreement as the most significant result of the EAS Congress 2006, he reiterated China's commitment to provide financial and other support to SDS-SEA implementation.
Hyong Jun Kim, Vice-Minister, Ministry of Land and Environmental Protection, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, said the EAS Congress 2006 and the signing of the Haikou Partnership Agreement would be a turning point in the implementation of SDS-SEA through a partnership among participating countries, international agencies and PEMSEA. He highlighted national efforts to promote sustainable coastal and ocean management, including the adoption of new laws and establishment of protected areas and capacitybuilding.
Masnellyarti Hilman, Deputy Minister for Nature Conservation, Indonesia, noted that PEMSEA has been supporting ICRM work for many years, highlighting workshops on habitat restoration, sanitation for fishing communities, safety and environmental protection in the MalaccaStraits, and integrated river basin management. She called for scaling up successful demonstration projects at the national level, and reiterated Indonesia's commitment to continue its participation in the next phase of PEMSEA.
Recalling Agenda 21 and WSSD commitments on oceans and coasts, Heizo Kito, Deputy Minister for Technical Affairs, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Japan, underscored PEMSEA's and SDS-SEA's contribution to the sustainability of the world's oceans. He said coastal and ocean management in Japan draws upon the same spirit of partnership, noting projects in Tokyo and Osakabays. On international cooperation, he highlighted Japan's assistance to SDS-SEA implementation through supporting initiatives such as the International Coral Reef Initiative, the ASEAN Oil Spill Preparedness and Response Project, and the Southeast Asia Fisheries Development Centre.
Noulinh Sinbandhit, Chairman, Water Resources Coordination Committee Secretariat, Lao People's Democratic Republic, highlighted his country's contribution to the sustainable development of the Mekong River Basin, including through the Mekong River Commission. He said his government is promoting integrated water resources management and ICRM, recognizing links between upstream, coastal and offshore development. Sinbandhit expressed his government's support for PEMSEA and SDS-SEA implementation through the adoption of the Haikou Partnership Agreement.
Noting that the Philippines is a megadiverse country with one of the world's longest coastlines, Angelo T. Reyes, Secretary, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Philippines, underscored the importance of goods and services provided by coastal and marine ecosystems and lamented their degradation. He highlighted PEMSEA as a showcase for sustainable development of coastal and marine areas and an effective tool to promote transboundary cooperation, urging continued support in its next phase as a regional partnership mechanism. He closed by stating that East Asian countries have a "fighting chance" to collectively address threats to oceans and coasts.
Eun Lee, Vice-Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, the Republic of Korea, stated that his country looks to the ocean to sustain future generations, and underscored international and regional action as a vital factor for achieving the protection of the marine environment. He announced that his country is in the process of establishing a trust fund to support the PEMSEA Secretariat, and will continue working towards the successful implementation of SDS-SEA and meeting the priorities of the Haikou Partnership Agreement.
Rosa Daniel, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Singapore, spoke of the region's crucial shipping lanes, beautiful marine species, and widerange of coastal livelihoods. She expressed Singapore's willingness to continue its contribution to capacitybuilding in areas including wastewater management, accession to international instruments, and preparedness and response to hazardous waste incidents, as part of the commitment to SDS-SEA implementation.
Estanislau Aleixo da Silva, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Timor-Leste, emphasized that sustainable management of water resources and oceans is vital for food security, and that governments, local people and NGOs all have a critical role to play. Noting that Timor-Leste is a young country in need of international expertise and assistance, he expressed the hope of learning from others and working cooperatively to benefit the region's people and environment.
Nguyen Cong Thanh, Vice-Minister, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Vietnam, said environmental management and protection have become "hot issues" in the National Assembly in recent years, highlighting the adoption of the Environment Protection Law, which contains a chapter on the marine environment. He encouraged multistakeholder participation in SDS-SEA implementation to achieve the sustainable development of marine and coastal areas in the East Asian region, and said Vietnam hopes to further develop bilateral cooperation with other PEMSEA member countries.
He Changchui, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific, said that FAO recognizes PEMSEA as one of the most important strategic partnerships in the region. Noting the broad areas of common interests between the two organizations, he suggested areas of cooperation, including: developing a code of conduct for fisheries; promoting coastal environmental management and control of pollution from land-based sources; and promoting prevention of, preparedness for and response to natural disasters.
Magda Lovei, the World Bank, said the objectives and strategy of the partnership for implementing SDS-SEA is in line with the Bank's objectives and strategy. She expressed the Bank's commitment to supporting the partnership.
PEMSEA REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SDS-SEA: Chua Thia-Eng, Regional Programme Director, PEMSEA, presented on challenges, responses, strategies and actions for the implementation of SDS-SEA. Highlighting the ecological and socioeconomic importance of the region's seas, he noted that effective coastal and ocean governance requires long-term endeavors, enormous human and financial resources, an integrated management approach, and cooperation at all levels. He emphasized that SDS-SEA is also a collaborative platform for implementing existing commitments such as WSSD targets, the MDGs, GPA and Agenda 21. Thia-Eng outlined the proposed structure and operating arrangements under the Haikou Partnership Agreement, featuring: an EAS Partnership Council including all government, stakeholder, donor and intergovernmental agency partners; a PEMSEA Resource Facility to support implementation of SDS-SEA; a Regional Partnership Fund; and partnership operating arrangements.
Thia-Eng further outlined future objectives and targets to measure progress in SDS-SEA implementation, which include:
· fostering a strategic partnership, strengthening the regional mechanism, and promoting regional cooperation and synergies through encouraging partners to make commitments to the Regional Partnership Fund and develop 10-year implementation frameworks;
· creating an "intellectual capital marketplace," intensifying capacity development, and promoting national coastal and ocean policies through: organizing triennial EAS congresses; developing integrated policies and programmes in 70% of countries by 2015; scaling up ICRM to achieve a 20% coverage of the coastline by 2015; codifying ICRM; developing core national and regional capacities; and providing training, technical support and scientific advice;
· mobilizing financial resources from the private sector through public-private partnerships, project preparation revolving funds, and replicating good practices in financing and infrastructure; and
· implementing actions on the ground to address local concerns, and measuring outcomes and impacts through: time-bound pollution reduction targets; community access to safe water and adequate sanitation; and triennial "State of the Coasts" reports.
He also outlined the programme's transformation over the next 10 years, which includes: a transitional phase (2007-2010) during which countries, partners and stakeholders will develop, agree on, and commence the implementation of a ten-year framework of partnership programmes under SDS-SEA; a transformation phase (2010-2013), in which national policies, legislation and programmes in coastal and ocean governance and ICRM will be fully implemented; and a sustainable operation phase (2013-2017), when countries and their partners will take full responsibility for SDS-SEA implementation and long-term sustainability of the regional mechanism. At the end of this phase, the Ministerial Forum will review the achievements and consider the endorsement of a second-cycle SDS-SEA as a guiding framework for the next ten years.
In closing, Thia-Eng said that the expected results include: increased coverage of coastal and marine protected areas under integrated management programmes; increased number of countries implementing national coastal and ocean policies; physical changes on the ground, such as nutrient reduction, habitat protection, and a reduction in use conflicts; and contribution to ocean security in the areas of food security, environmental sustainability and safety at sea.
In the ensuing discussion, participants welcomed the proposed strategic approach. CHINA suggested that the GEF provide greater support to the partnership. Emphasizing the need for sustained financial support to SDS-SEA implementation and growing threats to EastAsianseas, the REPUBLIC OF KOREA urged the GEF to assign a high priority to the East Asian region in its funding allocations. INDONESIA expressed hope that donor agencies will cooperate in supporting SDS-SEA implementation. The GEF briefed participants on the status of the fourth replenishment, noting that the expected allocation to the international waters focal area would be lower compared to the third replenishment. He also noted that the next GEF work programme is expected in June 2007.
JAPAN prioritized the establishment of feasible targets to promote SDS-SEA activities in the region based on partnerships. In response to a question on the harmonization of SDS-SEA targets with those contained in other international commitments, Thia-Eng said that SDS-SEA targets had been set based on the integrated ecosystem management targets and therefore are not in conflict. SINGAPORE said that SDS-SEA is an integrated vision and a collective effort to engage the industry, academia and NGOs. She emphasized the importance of capacitybuilding, and research & development, expressing support for the strategy and policies embodied in SDS-SEA.
SIGNING OF THE HAIKOU PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT: Ministers from 11 countries (Cambodia, China, DPR Korea, Indonesia, Japan, Lao PDR, the Philippines, RO Korea, Singapore, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam) affixed their signatures to the Agreement. Chair Sun Zhihui said that the ceremony symbolizes the initiation of the Haikou Partnership Agreement, which will enable PEMSEA countries to be better united and coordinated in implementing SDS-SEA. Congratulating ministers, Chen Ci, Mayor of HaikouCity, said the Agreement will promote sustainable coastal management in the city and in the East Asian region.
MULTIDISCIPLINARY EXPERT GROUP MEETING
Co-Chair Aprilani Soegiarto, Indonesian Institute of Sciences, said that the objective of the meeting is to discuss the development of an efficient, cost-effective and regular reporting system for the state of the coasts at the national and regional levels to monitor progress in the implementation of activities within the SDS-SEA framework. He said that the meeting is expected to produce recommendations for a reporting system framework that can be expanded later to monitor the implementation of the SDS-SEA.
Russell Reichelt, Reef and Rainforest Research Centre, Australia, reported on the results of the Seminar on the Common Framework for the State of the Coasts Reporting in East Asia, held during the EAS Congress 2006. Summarizing the seminar conclusions, he said that the reporting system should: identify a clear purpose and target audience; use simple messages that lead to action; and develop templates that work at different scales.
Nancy Bermas-Atrigenio, PEMSEA, outlined ongoing efforts to develop a regional coastal reporting framework and noted that the report is intended to provide information to policymakers, environment and natural resource managers and other stakeholders on: conditions of marine and coastal resources, and trends or changes that are occurring; driving forces for the changes; social, economic and environmental implications; and responses to SDS-SEA implementation. She also said that the report would be released on a triennial basis, with the first baseline report to be presented to the Ministerial Forum at the next EAS Congress in 2009.
The ensuing discussion focused on: the purpose of the report; the appropriate level and target audience; the possibility of creating a web-based interactive database; availability of baseline and monitoring data; timeframes; and simplification of scientific and technical terms contained in the report. Gunnar Kullenberg, International Ocean Institute, underscored that the report should trigger concrete action by policymakers. Some participants suggested that the report should identify and include case studies, rather than collating only statistical data. Nguyen Minh Son, Institute of Environmental Technology, Vietnam, drew attention to the needforlocalcapacitybuilding for reporting. Many cautioned against duplication of already existing reports. Co-Chair Gil Jacinto, University of the Philippines, summarized the discussion, emphasizing the importance of reporting to monitor progress towards the sustainability of the seas of East Asia.
CAPACITY BUILDING FOR COASTAL AND OCEAN GOVERNANCE
Co-Chair Gil Jacinto noted that PEMSEA and the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission have recently conducted a survey assessing East Asian countries' capacity-building needs in ocean and coastal governance, undertaken to identify and assist with developing strategies to implement SDS-SEA. He highlighted the two key issues: identifying capacity development gaps that require national and international efforts; and exploring the possibilities for a common postgraduate curriculum in ICRM and ocean affairs in the region. Co-Chair Biliana Cicin-Sain, University of Delaware, US, described the Nippon Foundation's efforts to create an international ocean governance network to link universities, and outlined the activities of the Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts and Islands to promote ICRM at the national, regional and international levels.
In the ensuing discussion, participants identified short- and long-term capacity-building needs. Regarding short-term needs, participants highlighted: developing a consortium to identify strengths and weaknesses in capacitybuilding in ocean and coastal governance; and "on-the-job" coaching and training for local governments and ICRM practitioners in order to update their skills and knowledge.
On long-term capacitybuilding, participants addressed the lack of mid-level coastal managers who can bridge local government knowledge and that of the academic institutions. Creating a demand for such skills, and garnering student interest, were also recognized as challenges. Participants further discussed formal trainingon ICRM to strengthen skills and capacity at the postgraduate level across the region, with several highlighting existing courses such as Master's degree programmes in marine affairs and environmental management and their adaptability to ICRM. Participants identified elements of training courses and competencies of graduates, including: knowledge of ICRM and broader environmental and natural resources management concepts; planning and monitoring; knowledge of key international legal instruments related to the marine environment, such as UNCLOS; familiarity with socioeconomic issues, particularly livelihoods; and communications, negotiation and leadership skills.
Participants further made a number of recommendations to PEMSEA, including: creating a web-based repository of "ICRM knowledge products"; organizing national and regional training courses, including on-site courses for local governments and practitioners, as well as "training of trainers"; scaling up efforts for degree training through a consortium; supporting training networks linking academia, NGOs and practitioners; developing guidelines on competencies needed by ICRM managers; and conducting an analysis of supply and demand for ICRM practitioners.
14 September 2006 More than 25 Ministers confirmed and 450 pre-registrations for participantion in IGR 2 , and the list is still growing.
As the October 16-20 dates draw near, the number of confirmed Ministers and high level participants for the Second Intergovernmental Review Meeting of the Global Programme of Action for Protection of the Marine Environment from land-based Activities exceeded 25, and at least nine more are expcetd to confirm in the near future.
List of Ministers and other High Level Officials Confirmed to participate in IGR-s
as of 14 September 2006
Ministers
1. Argentina: H. E Romina Picolotti
2. Australia: Hon. Senator Ian Campbell
3. Barbados: H.E. Ms. Elizabeth Thompson
4. Cambodia: H.E. Mr. Khieu Muth
5. Congo: H.E. Henri Djombo
6. Finland: H.E. J.E. Enestam
7. Gabon: H.E. Vice Premier Minister Mrs Georgette Koko
8. Ghana: H.E. Mr. Stephen Asamoah Boateng
9. Guinea: H.E. Keita Mamoudou
10. India: H.E. A. Raja
11. Jamaica: H.E. Dean Peart
12. Mauritius: H.E. Anil Kumar Bachoo
13. Mexico: H.E. Mr. Jose Luis Luege Tamargo,
14. Mozambique: H.E. L. Castro
15. Nepal: H.E. Mr. Man Bahadur Vishwakarma
16. Nigeria: H.E. Chief (Mrs) Helen U. Esuene
17. Panama: H.E. Ligia Castro
18. Palestine: H.E. Yousef Abu Safieh
19. Pakistan: H.E. Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat
20. Saint Lucia: H.E. Mr. Ferguson Theophilus John
21. Senegal: H.E. Thierno Lo
22. Seychelles: H.E. Ronny Jumeau
23. Sri Lanka: H.E. Mathripala Sirisena
24. Suriname: H.E. Joyce Amarello
25. Tanzania: H.E. Mark Mwandosya
26. Turkey: H.E. Osman Pepe
27. USA: Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Undersecretary of Commerce for Ocean and Atmposphere and NOAA Administrator
Vice Ministers:
1. Belize: H.E. Deputy Minister Mr. Ismael Fabro
2. Dominican Republic: H.E. Deputy Minister Ydalia Acevedo Monegro
3. Guatemala: H.E. Vice Minister of Natural Resources, Ms. Roxana Sobenes
4. Honduras: H.E. Vice Minister of Minister of Natural Resources and Energy, Valerio Gutiérrez López
5. Mongolia: H.E. Vice Minister Mr. Enkhmandakh Baldan
6. Peru: Vice Minister Mr. Jorge Castro Sanchez
7. Philippines: Senior Undersecretary and Chief of Staff, Francisco Bravo
8. Republic of Maldives: Deputy Minister, Mr. Abdullahi Majeed
9. South Africa: H.E. Deputy Minister, Mrs. Rejoice Mabudafhasi
21 August 2006 Aerial Surveillance of Lebanese Oil Spill Takes Off
Assurances of Safe Passage to United Nations Experts Paves Way for Action on Coastal Environmental Emergency
Nairobi, 21 August 2006--Aerial surveys of the Lebanese coast will be swiftly getting underway as a result of assurances given today to the head of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) by the Israeli authorities.
Last week the United Nations, Mediterranean environment ministers and experts met in Athens, Greece, where they agreed to a 50 million Euro Action Plan to deal with the oil pollution.
Aerial surveys, preferably by helicopter but also possibly by plane, were given top priority in order to discover the quantity of oil remaining at sea, as this will impact on the precise next steps for the clean-up operation.
Due to the situation in Lebanon, systematic and comprehensive aerial surveillance has so far not been possible.
Last Friday Achim Steiner, UNEP’s Executive Director, wrote to Gideon Ezra, Israel’s Minister of Environmental Protection, seeking assurance that the flights will be given safe passage.
Today the Minister replied giving such guarantees. The access also facilitates shipment by sea of clean-up equipment into Lebanon for containing any sea-based oil and for clean-up and restoring the Lebanese coastline.
An estimated 10,000 to 15,000 tonnes of oil has spilled from a power utility south of Beirut after it was struck by missiles between 13 and 15 July. Some 150km of the coast has been affected.
Mr Steiner said today: “I would like to acknowledge the response by the Israeli authorities giving safe and secure passage of aerial surveillance flights. It is absolutely vital that these are swiftly undertaken to establish the quantity of oil still floating on the sea and to thus tailor the appropriate clean-up response”.
Computer models estimate that some of the oil has evaporated and significant amounts are now on shore. However, experts remain uncertain as to the precise quantity still at sea which is why the surveys are a top priority.
Mr Steiner said UNEP-- which is cooperating with UN bodies like the International Maritime Organization (IMO), governments including the Lebanese authorities, the European Commission and non-governmental organizations-- would be requesting its joint unit to coordinate the flights and pin point a suitable helicopter or plane.
The joint unit, which has a team in partnership with the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre on the ground in Lebanon, is operated by UNEP and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Notes to Editors
The need for aerial surveillance was identified in The International Assistance Action Plan tabled and approved in Athens, Greece, on 17 August 2006.
It was prepared by the Experts Working Group for Lebanon and supervised by the IMO/UNEP Regional Marine Pollution Emergency response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC)
Members include the joint UNEP/Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs environment unit; the European Commission Monitoring Information Centre; the International Tanker Owner Petroleum Federation; the United Nations Development Programme; ICRAM- Istituto Centrale per la Ricerca Scientifica e Tecnologica Applicata al Mare; the Oceanography Centre-University of Cyprus and CEDRE- the Centre de Documentation, de Recherche et d'Expérimentations sur les Pollutions Accidentelles des Eaux.
For More Information Please Contact Nick Nuttall, UNEP Spokesperson, on Tel: +254 20 7623084, Mobile: +254 733 632755, E-mail: nick.nuttall@unep.org
Luisa Colasimone, Information Officer, UNEP-MAP Mediterranean Action Plan, on Tel: +30 210 7273 148, Mobile: +30 69 49 122746 or E-mail: luisa.colasimone@unepmap.gr
UNEP News Release 2006/42
7 August 2006
Informal preparatory Meeting for the 2nd Intergovernmental review meeting of the GPA held in Paris (27-28 June)
The meeting, hosted by the Ministère de l’écologie et du développement durable, was attended by some 50 representatives from 23 countries (see attached list of participants). Opening remarks were made by Ms. Veerle Vandeweerd, Coordinator, UNEP/GPA Coordination Office and Mr. Henri-Luc Thibault, Head of International Affairs, Ministère de l’écologie et du développement durable. Mr. Tom Laughlin, Deputy Director, Office of International Affairs, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) was invited to chair the meeting.
The objectives of the meeting were to advance the preparation of the draft official documents for IGR-2 and to seek guidance on some of the issues to be addressed during the Ministerial Segment of IGR-2 thereby allowing for adequate time in Beijing for delegates to focus on the concrete actions being taken to implement the GPA, on building partnerships and on sharing information and lessons learned.
a brief summary of the discussions can be found here
26 July 2006 Report of the Regional Latin American and Caribbean meeting on National Programmes of Action held in Panama City, 4-5 July 2006, now available.
Latin American and Caribbean governments agreed on the importance of elevating the GPA to higher political levels and strengthening national legislative and institutional frameworks. These were among the recommendations that have emerged from the Regional Latin American and Caribbean meeting on the Implementation of National Programmes of Action (NPAs). At the same time representatives of the three Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plan Secretariats discussed their collaboration and agreed upon a set of recommendations to be presented at the upcoming Intergovernmental Review Meeting (IGR 2) in Beijing in October. This was the first occasion that these three regional environmental actors have come together.
The meeting was a collaborative effort organized by the UNEP/GPA Coordination Office and the Water Center for the Humid Tropics of Latin America and the Caribbean (CATHALAC). It was held in Panama City, 4-5 July 2006. Among the outcomes of the meeting was the sharing of experiences and lessons learned in the process of developing and implementing NPAs in the framework of the existing Regional Seas Programmes in the Latin American and Caribbean region (the Wider Caribbean, the North-East Pacific and the South-East Pacific). Participants were informed about the plans for IGR-2 with special emphasis on the first day when NPAs will be addressed.
16 June 2006 Northern Pacific Region completes Wastewater Management Training
A training course on Improving Sanitation and Wastewater Management for Pacific Islands was conducted in Guam earlier this month. The Northern Pacific course in Guam trained managers or senior supervisors from wastewater utilities or equivalent government department levels from Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and Guam. The course built on the first UNESCO-IHE - UNEP/GPA wastewater-training course in the Pacific region conducted in Suva, Fiji in October 2005. As a result of the successful course in Fiji and requests from other Pacific Island countries, two additional workshops were planned for Guam and Papua New Guinea.
The course was made possible through the support of the Guam Environmental Protection Agency (Guam EPA), in association with the UNEP/GPA Coordination Office, the Secretariat of the Pacific Environment Programme (SPREP), the South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC), the University of Guam (UOG), and the UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education. The Office of Insular Affairs, U.S. Department of State has provided financial support for these training activities.
The University of Guam in Mangilao was chosen as the venue for the 6-day training workshop. The training included stakeholder interviews and a fieldtrip that demonstrated to participants the importance of involving all stakeholders in wastewater management. A training of trainers built capacity for future course deliveries in the Northern Pacific region.
15 June 2006
The Southeast Pacific takes stock of National Programmes of Action
The Permanent Commission of The Southeast Pacific (CPPS) convened a meeting to look at implementation of NPA-related projects in Valparaiso, Chile, 31 May – 1 June 2006. Participants examined projects supported by the GPA and agreed on a common sub-regional position for the Second Intergovernmental Review Meeting, which will take place in October 2006 in Beijing.
The meeting was attended by 20 representatives from the CPPS member countries, as well as representatives from various Chilean institutions. The outcomes of the meeting included substantives comments on the draft Guidance to the Implementation of the GPA 2007-2011. It also made input into the Proposed Elements of a Beijing Ministerial Declaration, and presentations, progress reports and discussion on the ongoing implementation of pilot projects in the 5 member countries (Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Panama) addressing land-based sources of pollution.
15 June 2006 Latin American and Caribbean hope to agree on joint recommendations for IGR-2
Latin American and Caribbean governments will be seeking to agree on recommendations to be presented at the upcoming Intergovernmental Review Meeting when they come together in Panama City next month. The government representatives will be meeting to discuss National Programmes of Action. Among the objectives of the meeting will be the sharing of experiences and lessons learned in the process of developing and implementing NPAs in the framework of the existing Regional Seas Programmes in the Latin American and Caribbean region (the Wider Caribbean, the North-East Pacific and the South-East Pacific).
At the same time participants will be informed about the IGR-2 with special emphasis on day 1, which is scheduled to address NPAs. They will also be trying to reach agreement on recommendations to be presented by the Latin American and Caribbean Regional Seas Programme. The Intergovernmental Review will be held in Beijing in October.
24 April 2006 Barbados and Venezuela final confirmations to the IGR-2 High Level Steering Committee. H.E. Ms. Elizabeth Thompson, Minister, Ministry of Housing, Lands and the Environment, Barbados; and, H.E. Mrs. Jacqueline Faria Pineda, Minister, Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources, Venezuela have confirmed their participation in this important Committee. For the complete list of IGR-2 High Level Steering Committee members please see this page.
30 March 2006 High-level officials from P.R. China, Mauritius and South Africa join the IGR-2 High Level Steering Committee. H.E. Mr. Zhou Shengxian, Minister, State Environmental Protection Administration, P.R. China; H.E. Mr. Anil Kumar Baichoo, Minister, Ministry of Environment, Mauritius; and, H.E. Ms. Rejoice Mabudafhasi, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, South Africa have confirmed their participation in this Committee.
30 March 2006 Ms. Wangari Maathia, Nobel Peach Prize Winner, 2004, from Kenya has agreed to join the IGR-2 High Level Steering Committee.
20 March 2006 Ms Lena Sommestad, Minister, Ministry of Sustainable Development from Sweden is the latest high-level official to confirm her participation in the IGR-2 High Level Steering Committee.
22 February 2006 Saudi Arabia and Brazil join IGR-2 High Level Steering Committee. His Royal Highness Prince Turki Bin Nasser Abdel Aziz Al Saud, President of the Meteorology and Environment Protection Administration of Saudi Arabia and H.E Marina Silva, Minister for the Environment from Brazil have recently confirmed their participation in the IGR-2 High-Level Steering Committee.
16 February 2006 Ministers of Environment from Mexico and Finland confirm their participation in the IGR-2 High Level Steering Committee: H.E. Jose Luis Luege Tamargo, Secretary of Environment & Natural Resources from Mexico and H.E. Jan-Erik Enestam, Minister, Ministry of Environment of Finland confirmed their role in the IGR-2 High-Level Steering Committee last week.
30 January 2006 His Excellency Mr. A Raja, Minister for Environment and Forests of the Government of India has confirmed his participation in the High-Level IGR-2 Steering Committee. For further information about IGR-2, please e-mail us at igr2@unep.nl
18 January 2006 The Honourable Senator Ian Campbell, Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Ministry of the Environment and Heritage of Australia has confirmed his participation in the High-Level IGR-2 Steering Committee. This Committee, comprised of Ministers from around the world, is being formed to provide policy guidance to UNEP/GPA during the preparatory process leading up to IGR-2. For further information about IGR-2, please e-mail us at igr2@unep.nl |