Growing Commitments AIMS: Support to the Acceptance and Implementation of Multilateral Environmental Agreements in South Eastern Europe

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1 Growing Commitments AIMS: Support to the Acceptance and Implementation of Multilateral Environmental Agreements in South Eastern Europe This project was funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and Environment of the Netherlands

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3 The countries of South Eastern Europe (SEE) acknowledge the importance of adhering to multilateral agreements for the joint and coordinated protection of the environment. Multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) are vital for transforming international environmental norms into binding rules. Since MEAs form the basis for significant parts of the European Union s environmental acquis, the process of acceptance and implementation of MEAs is closely linked to the EU approximation process, to which all SEE countries are committed. About the project The project Since 2001, the AIMS project has supported the countries of South Eastern Europe in the adoption and implementation of international environmental norms and in enhancing interstate dialogue. The project has improved the awareness of problems and has promoted practical solutions for the implementation of MEAs within the region. The project s beneficiary countries include Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, and Serbia. The main project donors include the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and Environment of the Netherlands. Project partners include the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the World Conservation Union (IUCN) and numerous MEA secretariats. Main objectives To promote the acceptance of MEAs in South Eastern Europe in order to assist in the solution of prioritised environmental problems both regionally and nationally; To share experience within the SEE region in order to build awareness of problems and solutions for the implementation of MEAs.

4 Methods Assessments In-depth national and regional assessments of accomplishments, challenges, progress and priorities; Networking and exchange Sharing of outputs and experience through an active AIMS network of senior officials and legal experts; Regional workshops MEA-related meetings typically involving one or more MEA secretariats and national experts to boost implementation and build capacity; Targeted assistance National workshops on priority MEA topics in cooperation with relevant secretariats and national experts. Highlights: main achievements and outputs Assessments and reports Seven Country Assessments on Acceptance and Implementation of MEAs (2004): Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Romania, and Serbia and Montenegro. The reports for Albania, Romania, and Serbia and Montenegro were separately published in hard copy in local languages; Regional Assessment on the Acceptance and Implementation of MEAs in SEE (2004); SEE Commentary on the UNEP and UNECE Guidelines on Compliance with and Enforcement of MEAs (2007); Use of National Implementation Plans in South Eastern Europe (2007). AIMs Network The AIMS Network, a joint network of senior officials and legal experts, was established in It has ensured cooperation and the coordination of MEA activities both within and outside the project among officials and legal experts from the region. The AIMS Network includes 46 members in eight countries as of It is the focal point for international cooperation on the preparation of the category 2 document Acceptance and Implementation of UNECE Multilateral Environmental Agreements in South Eastern Europe for the 2007 Environment for Europe Ministerial Conference.

5 Capacity-building workshops and other meetings Conference on Assessment of Acceptance and Implementation of MEAs in SEE (first AIMS network meeting of legal experts); October 19-20, 2001 in Busteni, Romania Seminar on Three UNECE Conventions; November 19-21, 2003 in Tsarsko Selo, Bulgaria National Training on CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora; October 20-22, 2003 in Ohrid, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Workshop on UNEP and UNECE Environmental Conventions in the Republic of Albania. December 3-5, 2003 in Tirana, Albania National Workshop on the Implementation of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade; March 8-9, 2004 in Palic, Republic of Serbia, Serbia and Montenegro Workshop on Implementation of the Protocol Concerning Cooperation in Preventing Pollution from Ships and, in Cases of Emergency, Combating Pollution of the Mediterranean Sea; March 26-27, 2004 in Pula, Croatia Basel Convention (see box) Regional activities and outputs Regional and national workshops on the Basel Convention Several countries identified the Basel Convention as a priority among conventions in force. The AIMS project organised regional and national capacity-building workshops with a total of more than 230 participants. Regional Capacity-Building Workshop on the Basel Convention; June 19-21, 2003 in Tulcea, Romania Training on the Monitoring and Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes in the Context of the Basel Convention; September 29-30, 2003 in Busteni, Romania Training Workshop on the Monitoring and Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes in the Context of the Basel Convention and EU Regulations; October 30-31, 2003 in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina Training Workshop on the Monitoring and Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes in the Context of the Basel Convention and EU Regulations; December 11-12, 2003 in Bansko, Bulgaria Training Workshop on the Monitoring and Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes in the Context of the Basel Convention; March 26-27, 2004 in Prcanj, Republic of Montenegro, Serbia and Montenegro

6 Strategic tools for MEA implementation and enforcement One of the objectives of the AIMS project is to promote the use of strategic tools for MEA implementation. The second phase of the AIMS project focused on national implementation plans (NIPs), which are a useful and effective means of mainstreaming efforts to implement national measures which will ensure compliance with MEAs. National implementation plans: provide a framework for a country to design and implement the various measures necessary to meet the obligations of a convention through the preparation of assessments/surveys and an improved information system (e.g. ecological, economic and sociological surveys; assessment of national technological capacity; data collection for risk assessment and risk management; clearinghouse mechanisms; etc.); identify legal, policy, and institutional strengths and weaknesses; identify and evaluate the costs of implementation; identify the need for and availability of resources for implementing measures, and set up monitoring mechanisms to register progress in implementation; provide a framework to enhance the capacity of institutions and stakeholders involved in the process through trainings, conferences, technical guidelines, and other means; and increase coordination among authorities, the community and stakeholders. Main findings of the study Use of National Implementation Plans in South Eastern Europe SEE countries are committed to the use of NIPs as tools for the implementation of MEAs where appropriate. From the experience of the SEE countries that have adopted or are in the process of preparing NIPs, the main benefits of the planning process are: gaining an overview of the current situation in the country, developing an accurate information system necessary for a good planning process; a strategic planning process leading to the identification of priorities and actions needed to address them; defining a detailed implementation strategy, including specific actions, time frame and financial resources allocation; the commitment of all stakeholders involved in the process to the implementation of the NIP; greater awareness among all stakeholders; enhanced multi-stakeholder coordination through the national coordination committees; and enhanced regional cooperation through the exchange of experience, joint activities, etc.

7 Commentary on the UNEP and UNECE Guidelines on Compliance with and Enforcement of MEAs Legal experts in the AIMS network commented independently on the applicability of the UNEP Guidelines on Compliance with and Enforcement of Multilateral Environmental Agreements, and the Guidelines for Strengthening Compliance with and Implementation of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) in the ECE Region, and made specific recommendations on how to achieve better implementation of MEAs in the region. Impact of the project Impact of the project Additional ratifications/acceptance of MEAs in SEE countries Improved implementation of MEAs in force through, inter alia, the creation of implementing legislation and progressive policy tools A working regional network as a focal point for international assistance efforts Major reference works assessing MEAs in SEE Setting of MEA priorities by governments Functioning national and local committees, with participation of domestic experts and stakeholders Funds raised by the Basel Convention secretariat for a new, concrete programme of assistance for SEE Increased assistance efforts in the region due to the secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) following the successful country workshop in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia AIMS is acknowledged globally: AIMS is featured in UNEP s Manual on Compliance with and Enforcement of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (2006) as a positive example of coordinated technical and financial assistance on the regional level. The AIMS Network serves as the regional hub for global efforts to build capacity for the implementation of MEAs, such as UNEP s Bridging the Gaps initiative. AIMS is acknowledged by the Basel and CITES secretariats and the UNECE as a major force in overcoming obstacles that impede MEA implementation in SEE.

8 THE REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER FOR CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE (REC) is a non-partisan, non-advocacy, not-for-profit international organisation with a mission to assist in solving environmental problems in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). The center fulfils this mission by promoting cooperation among non-governmental organisations, governments, businesses and other environmental stakeholders, and by supporting the free exchange of information and public participation in environmental decision making. Visit for more information. The Environmental Law Programme of the REC is dedicated to the progressive development of environmental law and governance, both internationally and within each country of Central and Eastern Europe, through support to the development of multilateral environmental agreements, state-of-the-art legislation, conflict-reduction tools, citizens environmental rights and legal professionalism. For further information on the AIMS project, please visit THE REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER FOR CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE Ady Endre ut Szentendre Hungary Tel: (36-26) Fax: (36-26) Website: Contact Person: Tsvetelina Borissova Filipova Tel: (36-26) filipova@rec.org February 2007