2 and 3 December 1999, Geneva

Transcription

1 Report of UNEP National Committees Meeting 2 and 3 December 1999, Geneva BACKGROUND UNEP Regional Office for Europe has been organising and hosting UNEP National Committees meetings for the past three years. These meetings have mainly focussed on European Committees with the exception of the 1998 meeting, which brought together committees from Asia, Europe, North America and South America. This year the meeting was attended by representatives of 14 European National Committees and the Canadian National Committee. The participating committees were: Belarus, Canada, Czech Republic, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Malta, Moldova, Norway, Romania, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, and United Kingdom. The participants list is attached. The participating UNEP Units included GRID-Geneva, GRID-Arendal, Basel Convention, CITES, Chemicals, Balkans Task Force (BTF), Economics and Trade, ROE (Biodiversity, Outreach, Industry, Geneva Environment Network), INFOTERRA, DRCR and Resource Mobilization. UNICEF Geneva (Private Sector Division), and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) were also invited to give a presentation at the meeting. OBJECTIVE OF THE MEETING The objectives of the meeting were threefold: To provide an opportunity for National Committees and participating organizations and units to exchange information, network, establish and develop mutually beneficial relationships and contacts. To assess the implementation of the 1999 Rolling Work Programme agreed upon during the last Global NC meeting 30 November - 1 December To develop a new Rolling Work Programme for the year 2000 and a joint declaration to be presented at the next UNEP Governing Council session. In light of the international environmental agenda and the trend within the United Nations system for increase private sector funding, three priority areas were identified for discussion: Preparation for Rio +10 process (Earth Summit III), the Aarhus Convention and the potential role of the National Committees in informing the public and lobbying their governments for signature of the Convention, and resource mobilization. Day One Agenda Item 1 Opening of the meeting In the absence of the Regional Director, the meeting was opened by the Deputy Director, Ms. Françoise Belmont. Each National Committee were invited to present themselves and give a short account of their work in the last year. Ms. Françoise Belmont specifically welcomed the six new European National Committee (Czech Republic, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Malta and Moldova) and the representative from the Canadian National Committee. Agenda Item 2 Adoption of the agenda The agenda was adopted without any amendments (attached). Agenda Item 3 Presentations of National Committees Page 1 of 1

2 UNEP National Committee for Belarus The Belarus National Committee has mainly focussed its efforts on cleaner production and the follow-up to the London Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health held in June The Committee will continue its advocacy work in cleaner production, the implementation of ISO 1400, organize a round table on environment and health, a workshop on ecotourism and conservation of biodiversity, and set up a press centre. UNEP National Committee for Canada United Nations Association in Canada The Committee is presently exploring the potential structures for revitalizing the National Committee. Among the initiatives undertaken in the last year was the placement of a UNA- Canada staff at UNEP Headquarters in Nairobi within the Civil Society/NGO Unit. The United Nations Association in Canada will discuss alternative structures for a UNEP National Committee with the intention of revitalizing the committee and contribute to the Rolling Work Programme as appropriate to the Canadian context. UNEP National Committee for Czech Republic Environmental Partnership for Central Europe (EPCE) As a result of the cooperation between the Environmental Partnership Foundation, the Society for Sustainable Living, Green Circle and Brontosaurus Green Club, the Czech Republic National Committee was established in September The National Committee is officially represented by the Environmental Partnership Foundation. The Environment Partnership Foundation is deeply involved in public-right-to-know issues. The Foundation acts as the Secretariat for the Pollutant Release and Transfer Register - PRTR Task Force, under the Aarhus Convention. The Czech National Committee plans to exchange information with GRID network, publish a summary of GEO 2000 in Czech, inform the stakeholders in the country about UNEP and its activities and organize a national seminar on the Millennium Report. UNEP National Committee for Georgia GRID-Tbilisi The Committee was established on 4 November 1999 under the auspices of GRID-Tbilisi. GRID-Tbilisi will take all necessary legal and administrative steps to make the Committee fully operational nationwide. The Georgian Committee plans to organize a seminar in January 2000 with participation of the Ministry of Environment, Environmental NGOs, scientific institutions, industry sector, youth groups, parliamentary committee on environment, international donor organizations (WB, TACIS, UNDP, USAID, etc), and TV-media, with the objective to inform these various groups of the existence of the National Committee and some key environmental issues. Other activities planned include: a bi-weekly electronic newsletter and monthly bulletin on UNEPCOM activities and UNEP strategies in general (Jan-Dec 2000);city campaigns on environmental issues such as sound waste management, which will include the production of visual materials (leaflets, maps and graphics) seminars and regional exhibitions (South Caucasus) on UNEP/ENRIN activities and the World Environment Day 5 June UNEP National Committee for Greece Elliniki Etairia (The Hellenic Society for the Protection of the Environment and the Cultural Heritage) The Committee briefly presented the structure and objectives of the organization. The Committee is among the youngest in Europe and time and effort will be devoted during 2000 for its proper organization and broad based structuring and representation. Acknowledging the financial constraints UNEP faces, the representative of the Greece Committee felt that even under such circumstances, UNEP/ROE should continue trying to secure annual seed funds for National Committees in order to facilitate their efforts in stimulating donor contributions at the national level. The Committee supports the proposed focus on the Aarhus convention as a priority issue of the RWP 2000, and will initiate a national campaign on the implications of the Aarhus convention for Greece and the implementation process of the EU Page 2 of 2

3 directive on Access to information. A workshop will be organized in March 2000 to facilitate the discussion among stakeholders. In light of the 1996 National Rio +5 roundtable on the implementation of Agenda 21 in Greece, the Committee expressed the importance of a consorted effort to tackle the Rio +10 process, and expressed its interest to be involved in the process. UNEP National Committee for Hungary Environmental Management and Law Association (EMLA) EMLA=s activities are focussed on three basic themes: law, management and education. The legal branch is active in scientific research, law drafting, and consultancy for academic and governmental organizations. It gives a professional legal service for NGOs and citizens groups. The management branch is dealing with the dissemination of environmental information, pollution registers (PR), utilizes GIS tools for PR. EMLA is presently running small regional projects for the assessment of the state of the environment. EMLA also manages multi-disciplinary higher education projects for students from 12 Hungarian universities. Following from their active participation in the Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) process related to the Aarhus Convention, the Committee will provide information on the PRTR process and other related issues to National Committees. UNEP National Committee for Malta The Mediterranean Academy for Diplomatic Studies Due to a series of specific circumstances, ( e.g. NGO as a Anew@ force participating in the public life) the preparation of the Aterrain - the ground work@ is still going on. In the context of the 10 th anniversary of the Academy and the activities linked to this event (workshop on different Mediterranean issues (e.g. environmental), the national committee for Malta should be inaugurated formally. The Committee acknowledges the need within the country for basic environmental awareness raising. In this context the Committee proposes to address this issues as a priority area of focus with particular emphasis on the environmental hot spots in the Mediterranean. UNEP National Committee for Moldova Association for Ecological Education and Information (Terra Nostra) and Environmental Movement of Moldova The new National Committee which represents a combination of the Association for Ecological Education and Information and the Environmental Movement of Moldova, stressed the importance of the Aarhus Convention as one of the key challenges on the international environmental agenda. The country hosted the first meeting of the Signatories to the Aarhus Convention in April The Committee in Moldova proposes to initiate the development of compliance mechanisms for the Aarhus Convention and to seek appropriate public involvement in the process. UNEP National Committee for Norway The Norwegian Forum for Environment and Development The Norwegian National Committee has been working closely with the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) and the European Sustainable Development Network (ESDN). The Committee emphasized the important role to be played by UNEP National Committees in lobbying their respective governments for specific environmental causes. The Norwegian National Committee has itself played a key role in influencing the government=s position on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). Through the ESDN, promote transparency and accountability of civil society and community-based organizations. In light of the Committees appointment as the GEF-Western European Focal point, the Committee will provide other National Committees information pertaining to GEF related projects. The Committee proposes to coordinate the simultaneous launch of the Millennium Report (A World Resources Institute Report, jointly published by UNEP, the World Bank and UNDP) in September 2000 with a day long seminar and media events with the objective to alert people to the environmental agenda and also to broaden UNEP=s outreach programme worldwide. In order to prepare youth for their active participation at Earth Summit III and ensure that their voice and concerns are heard worldwide, the National Committee is presently developing a framework to engage schools in some 15 countries on Page 3 of 3

4 environment and development discussions. The Committee also expressed interest to join hands with the regional office, with particular interest in the project to involve youth in the Aarhus Convention and the preparation for the UNEP Global Youth Forum in 2001, and the World programme of Action for Youth to the Year 2000 and beyond. UNEP National Committee for Romania National Center for Sustainable Development The Committee assisted in the development and implementation of the National Sustainable Development Strategy for Romania with the aim of doing more with less. The Committee has also been involved in sustainable urban technology issues. In light of the World Environment Day Celebration, the Committee organized the event in Romania accompanied by clean up activities, and official opening of a playground for children. The committee will organize an international fair on sustainable cities, assist in the elaboration of a set of environmental indicators within the national sustainable development framework, and a working session for children on environment and sustainable development issues. UNEP National Committee for Russia The Russian UNEP National Committee elected its new President in September 99. The Committee has been active in public awareness raising, media work, environmental education and sustainable tourism projects. It organized a conference on sustainable tourism in June 99 that led to the establishment of a UNEPCOM Council on Sustainable Tourism Development in Russia. The Committee will particularly pursue its work on tourism-related issues and Children and the Environment and will seek close cooperation with the new UNEP office in Moscow. UNEP National Committee for Turkey Environmental Foundation of Turkey The Committee has been involved in environmental policy research and general public awareness raising activities. The Committee noted the importance of the Aarhus Convention and will promote the issue. UNEP National Committee for Ukraine The Committee has recently established seven new branches in Ukraine. They have been involved in increasing public awareness of biodiversity issues, protected area management and outreach to children and school groups. The Committee will continue with its environmental awareness activities. UNEP National Committee for the United Kingdom UN Environment and Development - UK Committee (UNED-UK) UNED-UK was active in a number of activities throughout This included participation at UNEP s 20 th GC in February, where they co-ordinated a number of successful side events as well as following up the decisions of the 1998 meeting of the Global UNEP National Committees. In April UNED-UK attended the UN CSD 7 th Session and facilitated greater multi-stakeholder access to the Sustainable Development process. Supporting the WHO/UNECE Environment for Europe London Conference, UNED-UK co-ordinated a four day parallel, major groups event at the Healthy Planet Forum. The event produced an NGO declaration supporting the Ministerial Declaration. At the 2 nd meeting of the European Sustainable Development Network, an informal Pan-European group of NGOs, UNED- UK worked in partnership with the NGO community on the preparation for CSD 8. The Committee also initiated discussions on Earth Summit 2002 and explored possible regional preparatory process. Agenda Item 8.a-c Presentations by UNEP, UNECE and UNICEF Aarhus Convention Page 4 of 4

5 The meeting was extensively briefed on the Aarhus Convention by Mr. Jeremy Wates who is responsible for spearheading the Aarhus Convention process at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. Mr. Wates emphasized the interlinkages amongst the three basic pillars of the convention, namely information, participation and justice. He also made reference to the first meeting of the signatories to the Convention held in April 99 in the Republic of Moldova. At that meeting, three Task Forces had been established to address: compliance mechanisms (lead country: United Kingdom), pollutant release and transfer registers (lead country: Czech Republic), and public participation in decision-making procedures relating to deliberate releases of genetically modified organisms (lead country: Austria). The output of these Task Forces will be presented at the second meeting of the Signatories to the Convention, provisionally scheduled to be held 3-5 July 2000 in DUBROVNIK, Croatia. The participants were informed that the UNECE Committee on Environmental Policy had set the goal of entry to force of the Aarhus Convention by the end of 2000 B an ambitious but feasible target which would require 16 Countries to RATIFY or ACCEDE to the Convention by that date. Once in force, the Convention will be open to ACCESSION by both ECE and Non-ECE Countries, and therefore has the potential for providing a Global Framework for Strengthening Citizen s Environmental Rights. Mr. Wates referred to a number of activities aimed at supporting the early and effective implementation of the Convention. These included an Implementation Guide on the Convention, an international workshop hosted by the United Kingdom on the theme of Public Participation at local level (Newcastle, 6-7 December 99) and a proposed UNEP/ECE organized training workshop on the Convention for Central Asian Countries, provisionally scheduled for May This last proposal, which would involve both Governmental Officials and NGOs in a detailed examination of the Convention provisions, was seen as a possible model for other similar sub-regional workshops. Potential role for national Committees in the implementation of the Aarhus Convention Lobby governments to RATIFY or ACCEDE to the convention Establish a network of organizations to complement and liaise with the proposed focal points for the convention Promote awareness of the Convention among NGOs and the Public, and in particular among the Youth and Youth Groups, through: seminars or workshops with the intention of simplifying the convention for public understanding, making use of the UNECE's forthcoming Implementation Guide on the Convention as necessary; Appropriate publications providing plain-language versions of the legal provisions of the Convention. Analyse the practical implications of the convention within national contexts and carry out exercises to identify the pros and cons of the articles within the three main pillars of the convention. Monitor the activities under the Convention (e.g. the Task Forces) in preparation for the Second meeting of Signatories. Compliance and Enforcement of Environmental Conventions The participants were briefed about the establishment and work of the UNEP Compliance and Enforcement of Environmental Conventions Unit. The committees were informed about the development of Guidelines on Cooperation at regional and global level related to enforcement and compliance within Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), and the preparation for the meeting of Working Group of Experts on the Enforcement and Implementation of Environmental Conventions to be held from 13 to 15 December Basel Convention The participants were briefed on the ongoing activities related to the Basel Convention, in particular the preparation for COP5 and the 10 th Anniversary of the Convention. The representative expressed the interest of the Secretariat to encourage the participation of Civil Society in their work, and the important role that can be played by National Committees and NGOs to help implement the Convention. Resource Moblization UNEP s Chief of Resource Mobilization touched on three of the areas where funding could be secured and used to complement the environment fund: banks, foundations and corporations. He presented UNEP s Trade Mark for resource mobilization the Green Heart logo. Page 5 of 5

6 Balkans Task Force (BTF) The senior advisor of the BTF presented the fact-finding work undertaken by the joint UNEP/UNCHS Team with regard to the environmental damage assessment as a result of the Balkans Conflict. GRID-Arendal The Manager of GRID-Arendal made a presentation on the work of GRID and encouraged the committees to make use of GRID=s services including access to user-friendly environmental information, in particular electronic State of the Environment (SoE) reports for regions, countries and cities, which can be obtained at Committees were also invited to place popular publications for sale in the EarthPrint Book Shop for free and potentially recover some costs. The committees could play an important role in critical 'peer' review of SoE information in their country and also spread UNEP electronic information to their constituencies. UNICEF National Committees In relation to the discussion held on Resource Mobilization, the National Committees had the opportunity to listen to the UNICEF experience regarding the work and structure of UNICEF National Committees in Europe, by Ms. Janet Nelson, Senior Programme Officer from the UNICEF Private Sector Division. Ms. Nelson stressed the need for solidarity for the protection of the environment, and National Committees should be in the cutting edge of advocacy. (Biodiversity Service) Service for Implementing National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans The representatives were briefed on a new initiative Service for Implementing National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans has been developed by four organizations playing a central role in the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity in Europe, namely UNEP, IUCN, ECNC and REC. The overall objective of the Service is to improve the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity in countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the Newly Independent States through demand-driven and tailor-made assistance in implementing their national biodiversity strategies and action plans. On request, this Service will provide expert and advisory assistance, policy recommendations and guidelines, best available information, experience exchange, and training. The initiative was welcomed and supported by the Secretariat of the CBD, the Council of the PEBLDS and WCMC, as well as representatives of potential beneficiary countries. The launch of the Service is scheduled for January The operation of the Service will be financially supported by several donor Governments and the European Commission. UNEP can offer to respond to requests for assistance in the implementation of National biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans by providing Central and Eastern European countries with expert and advisory assistance, policy recommendations and guidelines, best available information, experience exchange, and training. The Committees could inform their respective governments, NGO's and private sector on the availability of the Biodiversity Service. They could also help UNEP in getting contacts with all biodiversity stakeholders in their countries. Other briefings Other briefings and presentations included GRID-Geneva, Youth and Environment, CITIES, Economics, Trade an Industry, UNEP/INFOTERRA and a visit to the Geneva Environment Network. Day two Executive Director s Briefing The committees had the opportunity to meet with the Executive Director on the second day of the meeting. The ED Page 6 of 6

7 expressed UNEP s continued commitment to work with National Committees and NGOs in tackling and addressing the global environmental agenda. He affirmed the need for UNEP to ensure a greater impact at the national level; National Committees should continue to assist and facilitate this. Committee representatives asked about the next session of the Governing Council and the Executive Director confirmed the dates and venue of the Sixth Special Session of the Governing Council, which will be convened from May 2000, in Malmö, Sweden. With regard to the RIO +10 process and the ED stressed the need to concentrate on the inter-linkages between poverty and the environment. In reply to another question, the Executive Director acknowledged the geo-political, economic and social implications of oil excavation in the Caspian region and stressed the need to promote the development and implementation of an environmental convention. Agenda Item 4 Rio + 10 process In light of the on going preparatory process for Earth Summit 2002, UNED-UK made a presentation and led the discussion on how UNEP National Committees could make an integrated contribution in tracking the sustainable development agenda. UNED-UK encourages UNEP to integrate its preparations for 2002 into and seek partnerships with the work of other relevant global and regional agencies. In addition, that co-ordination with and the full participation of NGOs and other stakeholder groups should be promoted. UNEP should strengthen the role of its Regional Offices, focusing particularly on developing and transition countries. This will foster more joined up thinking between groups and help to develop political will around the issues to be addressed at the Summit. Finally UNEP s work on Environment issues, drawing from the work of GEO 2000, should be central in setting the environmental agenda for 2002 and beyond. UNED-UK will work as the UK National Committee to UNEP by: Disseminating information and providing access to the UN Commission on Sustainable Development process. Conducting Outreach to UNEP and the National Committee s via the work of the UN CSD NGO Steering Committee. Drawing attention to the Steering Committee s web-site and make available its listservers to facilitate this process. Engaging, at the European Regional Level, both UNEP and the National Committees into the preparations for Earth Summit Sharing experience and expertise and providing capacity building particularly in the Eastern European Region and for new National Committees as they are established. Engaging other regions into this process, particularly developing countries and those with economies in transition. Working in partnership with UNEP to develop and integrate the recommendations of the National Committees Declaration into the shared work programmes of UNEP and the NC s. Reflecting on the experiences of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development at its last two sessions, the committee would want to see Dialogue sessions on key environmental issues being included in the sessions of the UNEP GC. These sessions would involve Local Government, Trade Unions, Industry & NGOs and would have the purpose of developing clearer shared positions on key environmental issues. In the build up to Earth Summit 2002, the Committee would look to UNEP to use this process to develop the Environment Agenda for the next millennium. Initially this might include discussions on Energy at GC 21, as a direct precursor to the negotiations to take place at the 9 th Session of the UNCSD in Agenda Item 5 Contribution of NatComs to Special Session of the GC The Executive Director=s briefing and the extensive discussion held on the Rio +10, provided ample information on the possible highlights of the forthcoming special session of the GC. The National Committees discussed and adopted a joint Declaration for submission to and consideration by the GC. (Copy of the joint Declaration is attached as Annex 2) Agenda Item 6 Review of the RWP 98/99 and proposals for RWP-2000 Page 7 of 7

8 The Regional Director stressed the importance of embarking in a real operational rolling work programme after an initial experimental year, including using the inbuilt format as a check and balance mechanism to evaluate the extent to which the commitments made by both UNEP and the National Committees are fulfilled. With the proactive participation of all committees a list of environmental issues and activities were identified as major areas of concentration for 2000 and the Secretariat was asked to finalize the rolling work programme for 2000 (RWP-2000) in line with the suggestions made. It was also agreed that every effort would be made on the part of both UNEP and the National Committees to adhere to the commitments made. (The RWP-2000 is attached in the annex 3) Agenda Item 7 Next meeting In light of the next session of the Governing Council, which is scheduled to be convened in the European Region (in Malmöö, Sweden), the Committees requested UNEP to explore the possibility of organizing the next meeting in conjunction with the GC session. If the proposal is not feasible, the Committees agreed to have their next meeting the same time next year. Agenda Item 8 Other businesses The committees stressed the usefulness of the meeting to exchange information with UNEP and amongst each other, prepare a joint statement and discuss a join action and work programme. The committees also emphasized the need to have more briefing on the work of the Conventions and the importance of having the Heads of the Convention present at future meetings of national committees. They also shared their appreciation towards UNEP for hosting the meeting closer to the weekend, which allowed some of the participants to save a considerable amount of money on travel. They also suggested leaving half a day open to allow more time to lobby and meet with each other (to synthesize reactions and to influence a sub-regional policy). They would also need to know explicitly the issues UNEP wants them to lobby with their respective governments or push as they return home. Some Committees expressed the need at the next meeting to be responsible for the drafting of the rolling work programme, a task in the previous years taken on by the Regional Office. * * * * * Annex 1 Agenda Items 1. Opening, organization of work and introductory statement by the Regional Director with background materials. 2. Adoption of the agenda. 3. Presentations of the new National Committees/ introduction of NatComs, their work and highlights in the country with background material. 4. RIO + 10 process (UNEPCOM-UK) 5. Contribution of NatComs to Special Session of the GC 6. Review of the RWP-98/99 and proposals for RWP Next meeting (s) Page 8 of 8

9 8. Any other matters; and a. Presentations and discussions on the work programme of UNEP/ROE. b. Visits and briefings/ UNEP Geneva c. Brief presentation by UNICEF-Geneva/Private Sector Division d. Closing session. Annex 2 Annex 3 Declaration Rolling Work Programme Wondwosen K. Asnake- December 1999 Page 9 of 9