IMPLICATIONS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND HUMANS OF THE SECURITY SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE

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1 IMPLICATIONS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND HUMANS OF THE SECURITY SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST

2 REGARDLESS OF THE CAUSES MILITARY CONFLICTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGES TO HUMAN LIVELIHOODS, WELFARE, CULTURAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

3 PALESTINE- ISRAEL YEMEN LEBANON GULF WARS (KUWAIT, IRAQ AND IRAN)

4 Millions of people were killed Deterioration of ecosystem services and human livelihoods Destruction of water and wastewater infrastructure Solid and hazardous wastes Air pollution, soil and water contamination Spill over effects that warrant more technical investigation and assessment.

5 IUCN commissions, UNEP and members worked together. Provision of IUCN Oil Spill expertise Assessment of key biodiversity sites Involvement of members and commission (CEESP)

6 IUCN WAME Regional Office requested councilors and members advice and comments by from our member in Palestine Received a number of clear messages for the 3 councilors in West Asia that IUCN should take a clear action to assess impact or carry out a fact finding mission with key partners.

7 IUCN WAME established contacts with IUCN members who had a leading role in this crisis like Jordan River Foundation, Arab Women Organization and Arab Group for Protection of Nature to define some possible support from IUCN and to explore some key activities after the crisis.

8 NATURE DURING WAR TIMES INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENTS

9 PROTOCOL I ADDITIONAL TO THE GENEVA CONVENTIONS (1949) Prohibits the use of methods or means of warfare which are intended, or may be expected, to cause widespread, long-term and severe damage to the natural environment, Prohibition of the use of methods or means of warfare which are intended or may be expected to cause such damage to the natural environment and thereby to prejudice the health or survival of the population. Prohibits attacks against the natural environment by way of reprisals)

10 CONVENTION ON THE PROHIBITION OF MILITARY OR ANY HOSTILE USE OF ENVIRONMENTAL MODIFICATION TECHNIQUES(1976) WORLD CHARTER FOR NATURE (1982) (Mankind is a part of nature and life depends on the uninterrupted functioning of natural systems which ensure the supply of energy and nutrients)

11 Principles 13, 23 and 24 of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development (1992) Principles 16, 16.b and 16.f of the Earth Charter Draft Covenant on Environment and Development of 1995 (updated in 2000) Draft Article 32 on 'Military and Hostile Activities' Calling on Parties to further develop and implement rules and measures to avoid harm to the environment, including natural and cultural sites of special interest.

12 Guidelines for Military Manuals and Instructions on the Protection of the Environment in Times of Armed Conflict - The International Committee of the Red Cross (1993) UNESCO Declaration concerning the international destruction of cultural heritage (2003) States should take all appropriate measures to present, avoid, stop and suppress acts of intentional destruction of cultural heritage, wherever such heritage is located

13 NATURE DURING WAR TIMES IUCN MANDATE

14 The resolutions & recommendations include, but not necessarily limited to: Resolution Armed Conflict and the Environment (IUCN General Assembly, Buenos Aires, 1994) Resolution 1.75; Armed conflict and environment (IUCN Congress, Montreal 1996), Recommendation V.15 Peace, conflict and protected areas noted by the Vth IUCN World Parks Congress (Durban, 2003);

15 Resolution ; Biodiversity in Southern Sudan (IUCN Congress, Bangkok 2004); Resolution ; Resource-based conflicts in Darfur, Sudan (IUCN Congress, Bangkok 2004); Resolution ; Conservation in regions in violent conflict of West Asia (IUCN Congress, Bangkok 2004); Resolution 3.058; Military activities and the use of weapons that are of detriment to the environment (IUCN Congress, Bangkok 2004);

16 Recommendation WCC2.098 To secure the environment of Gaza Strip, West Bank and Jerusalem Resolution WCC3.046 Conservation in regions in violent conflict of West Asia- strengthening IUCN s presence to protect the natural and human environment. Adopted Motion 119 in Barcelona 2008; liability and compensation mechanisms for environmental crimes during armed conflict

17 Resolution content 1. Call to promote respect for human life and environmental principles consistent with international law; 2. Assessment 3. Call for financial support 4.Call for exchange of opinion and taking legal measures 5. Call/coordinate for Post Conflict actions 5.1. Conservation Strategies/Programmes 5.2 Urgent action programme 5.3 Rehabilitation of infrastructure 5.4. Restoration of biodiversity 5.5. Capacity building for biodiversity conservation 5.6. Management of protected areas and special habitats Solutions to the problems of transboundary ecosystems in 5.8. call for Compensation 6. proposing negotiations on the basis of the IUCN Draft Convention INTERNATIONAL on the Prohibition UNION FOR of Hostile CONSERVATION Military Activities OF NATURE in 7. Code of conduct during time of wars Resolutions (Buenos Aires, 1994) Resolution 1.75 (Montreal, 1996) Resolution (Bangkok, 2004) Resolution (Bangkok, 2004) Resolution (Bangkok, 2004) Resolution (Bangkok, 2004) Motion 119 (Barcelona, 2008) X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Programme

18 Resolution content Details 1. Call to promote respect for human life and environmental principles consistent with international law; a. collaborating with the United Nations and other international organizations to promote respect for human life and environmental principles and to ensure the protection of livelihoods, life supporting ecosystems and biodiversity consistent with international law; b. appealing to the international community to prevent further deterioration of biodiversity and natural heritage in the region; a. assess the impacts of the war on the natural resources with an emphasis on special habitats and protected areas 2. Assessment b. establish an international organization empowered to monitor, report and prosecute any damages to the environment and natural resources during armed conflict; c. disseminating information concerning the consequences of conflicts and occupation on biodiversity, natural resources and sustainable livelihoods 3. Call for financial support CALLS UPON donors, specifically those focusing on conflict region, to provide financial support for people and environment security and safety activities as well as for other environmental restoration programmes in conflict/affected areas. PROPOSES that the IUCN Director General initiates an Summary of resolutions calls 1 of 2 exchange of opinions among the IUCN membership, as well as 4.Call for INTERNATIONAL exchange of opinion UNION and FOR taking CONSERVATION legal measures selected experts in this field, with a view to developing OF NATURE practical proposals for introducing appropriate legal IUCN West Asia/Middle East Regional Office measures; February, 2009

19 Resolution content Details 5. Call/coordinate for Post Conflict actions See 5.1 through Conservation Strategies/Programmes develop a conservation strategy 5.2 Urgent action programme develop urgent action programmes for people & environment security, & for nature conservation 5.3 Rehabilitation of infrastructure Never mentioned in reviewed IUCN Resolutions 5.4. Restoration of biodiversity conservation and sustainable development issues such as land use plan for conflict/affected regions to ensure sustainability of natural resources for all users, 5.5. Capacity building for biodiversity conservation capacity building for biodiversity conservation 5.6. Management of protected areas and special management of protected areas and special habitats. habitats Solutions to the problems of transboundary ecosystems in conflict region 5.8. call for Compensation 6. proposing negotiations on the basis of the IUCN Draft Convention on the Prohibition of Hostile Military Activities in Protected Areas convening relevant actors at local, national, regional and international levels to develop and implement solutions to the problems of transboundary ecosystems in the conflict region; create a compensation mechanism, reminiscent of the Polluter Pays Principle, for any transgressions and violations against the environment during armed conflicts; and INVITES the Executive Director of UNEP to act upon the recommendation contained within the above named study to undertake a comprehensive review of the environmental effects of warfare, to which IUCN will offer its scientific expertise; Summary of resolutions calls 2 of 2 INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CONSERVATION CALLS on OF IUCN s NATURE Commissions to develop a set of environmental best practices to 7. Code of conduct during time of wars IUCN West Asia/Middle East Regional Office serve as a code of conduct during times of war, armed conflict and occupation. February, 2009

20 People and environment security and safety Managing ecosystems for human well-being Sustainable environmental management reduces vulnerability to natural hazards and conflicts. Security of people and livelihoods enhanced through the demonstration of restoration and sustainable management of natural resources and ecosystem services, with special consideration to vulnerable groups and women in conflict and natural hazard areas.

21 Managing ecosystems for human well-being Policy guidance available to decision makers on options to improve ecosystem governance for risk reduction through the application of rights-based approaches and other tools that support and enhance community resilience A draft legal regime for governing environmental reparations and liability arising from conflict interventions developed and proposed in the UN system (CEL). Environmental impacts of conflict better understood and addressed.

22 IUCN MANDATE DURING TIMES OF MILITARY CONFLICTS PROPOSED MODEL FOR A COMPREHENSIVE INTERVENTION

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24 WHY SHOULD IUCN HAVE A -IUCN MISSION ROLE? -IUCN MANDATE (RESOLUTIONS, CONGRESS RECOMMENDATIONS, APPROVED PROGRAMME) - UN RESOLUTIONS AND DECISIONS

25 - IUCN should establish an Environmental Amnesty International - IUCN should carry out a Fact Finding mission to Gaza in collaboration with members and commissions

26 THANK YOU