UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner, UNEP Regional Director for Asia Pacific Surendra Shrestha and eminent scientists highlight ABC impacts.

Environment ministers from around the world gathered in Monaco for the Special Session of the UNEP Governing Council (GC) and Global Ministerial Environment Forum (GMEF) last February 20 to 22 2008. The governance framework enabled nearly 140 governments to decide on key issues related to UNEP’s strategic program-of-work and opportunities to finance climate change efforts. The host country was represented with hospitality by His Royal Highness Prince Albert of Monaco.

During the GC/GMEF, UNEP ROAP and RRC.AP hosted the Atmospheric Brown Cloud (ABC) side event on 20 February 2008. The event aimed to share findings of Project ABC in Asia to date and to initiate policy-level discussions. The ABC Science Team led by Chair Prof. V. Ramanathan and Vice-Chair Prof. H. Rodhe presented the key findings on ABC and Climate Change; and the ABC impact study on human health, agriculture and water budget. UNEP initiated Project ABC in collaboration with scientists to address the emerging issue of ABC since 2002. Over the last 5 years, scientists have achieved significant progress in understanding the issue of ABC and its impacts, including effect on the health of over 2 million Asians.

Meeting outcomes and proceedings are available at UNEP’s web site.

GMS Environment Ministers meet in Lao PDR

The Second GMS Environment Ministers Meeting (EMM-2) was held in Vientiane, Lao PDR on 29 January 2008. Organized under the theme “Sustainable Natural Resource Use for Economic Competitiveness,” the meeting brought together delegates from six GMS countries, program donors, implementing partners, multilateral and bilateral agencies, NGO’s and representatives of the private sector as observers. The Meeting reviewed the progress of the GMS programmes and agreed on a Declaration, as input to the Heads of Governments meeting to be conducted later this year.

UNEP Regional Director, Mr. Surendra Shrestha provided the keynote address at the Ministerial Meeting. Mr. Shrestha highlighted emerging issues in environment and opportunities to be on top of the governments’ economic growth agenda in national and international settings.

A Joint Ministerial Statement was agreed at the conclusion of the second GMS Environment Ministers Meeting. The joint statement highlighted issues including: the critical need for sustainable and efficient use of natural resources to improve environmental management and economic competitiveness in the GMS; the need for mainstreaming environmental dimensions in the development planning process for promoting sustainable development; and the success of the GMS program and appreciation of development partners’ collaboration efforts, including UNEP. The Joint Ministerial Statement will be proposed to the GMS Summit which is scheduled to take place in March 2008 in Lao PDR.

UNEP’s Regional Director held bilateral discussions with partners, ministries and other international organizations on areas of future collaboration. UNEP and Asian Development Bank (ADB) agreed to further enhance the partnership in GMS, within UNEP's role as the co-chair of the Working Group on Environment for GMS. World Bank Country Director for Lao PDR suggested collaboration with UNEP on climate change, with UNEP leading the scientific assessment. UNEP also had meetings with representatives of Denmark, European Commission, Finland, Netherlands and Sweden on potential support for national initiatives.

UNEP delegation met with Ministers and Senior Officials from Lao PDR and Vietnam. Discussions included UNEP assistance on Climate Change and Carbon Neutrality. UNEP participated in the launch of the Human Development Report (HDR) led by the UN Resident Coordinator of Lao PDR. UNEP provided the keynote address on climate change during the HDR launch. Discussion with the UN resident Coordinator included areas of possible collaboration i.e. climate change, poverty and environment initiatives and supporting the environment master plan development.

UNEP Regional Director delivers message at the launch of Vietnam’s Sustainable Development Strategy Tool Kit

Vietnam’s Office of Agenda 21 of the Ministry of Planning and Investment and UNEP RRC.AP launched the Sustainable Development Tool Kit last 31 January 2008 in Hanoi, Vietnam. The SD Tool Kit is the result of a year-long collaboration between the Vietnam and UNEP RRC.AP aimed at raising public awareness on sustainable development by compiling SD best practices throughout the country. At the event, the draft Operational and Organizational Charter of National Council on Sustainable Development of Vietnam was also introduced to the various stakeholders who attended. UNEP Regional Director, Mr. Surendra Shrestha, highlighted the importance of national sustainable development strategy which harmonizes the short and long-term development planning cycles.

The Pakistan National Sustainable Development Strategy Consultation Workshop was organized by Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development Policy Institute on 27 February 2008 in Islamabad. The objectives of the workshop were to review the draft NSDS report and finalize consultation process timeline for project implementation. The Secretary of Minister of Environment opened the meeting together with UNDP and UNEP. Representatives from key line Ministries, provincial departments, civil society organizations, business sector, donors and UN organizations attended the workshop. Dr. Subrato Sinha from UNEP attended the meeting and shared regional experience on NSDS. The meeting appreciated UNEP assistance to Pakistan NSDS as an input to One UN Pilot in 2008 and UNDAF process in 2009.

Bangladesh national consultation on sustainable development strategy

The Bangladesh National Sustainable Development Strategy Consultation Workshop was organized by Ministry of Environment and Forest on 17 to 18 February 2008 in Dhaka. The objectives of the workshop were to review the draft NSDS report, and finalize consultation process timelines. H.E. Barrister Raja Devasish Roy, Honorable Minister of Environment and Forest opened the meeting together with UNDP and UNEP. Representatives from key line Ministries, civil society organizations, business sector, donors and UN organizations attended the workshop. Dr. Subrato Sinha from UNEP attended the meeting as a resource person.

Samples of air pollution corrosion sites are discussed by delegates from Asia and Africa at Malé Declaration workshop

The network of Malé Declaration, Air Pollution Information Network for Africa (APINA) and Corrosion Network program (CORNET) jointly organized a training workshop on “Development of dose-response functions; stock of materials at risk; and evaluation of corrosion trends” on 11 to 13 February 2008 at Livingstone, Lusaka. The first sample results from four air pollution corrosion sites being observed under the Malé Declaration were presented during the workshop.

Participants included 7 representatives from Malé Declaration participating countries (Bhutan, India, Iran, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka), 3 from CORNET network countries (Vietnam, China and India), 6 from African APINA network countries (Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia) and others from collaborating institutions. Ms. Naw Wah Wah Htoo of UNEP RRC.AP participated in the training workshop. The workshop is a follow-up on the “Evaluation of Corrosion Attack on Materials” workshop in 2006.

Participants from South Asia gain technical skills in air pollution emission inventory

The third training workshop on emission inventory preparation, scenarios generation, atmospheric transport modeling, and integrated information and assessment modeling (IIAM) under the cooperative framework of Malé Declaration to combat air pollution in South Asia was conducted during 28 January to 1 February 2008 in Thailand.

The workshop aimed to build capacities of the eight participating countries of the “Malé Declaration on Control and Prevention of Air Pollution and Its Likely Transboundary Effects for South Asia.” Specific areas of training included: trans-boundary transport of air pollutants, its potential impacts, and consequently the design of science-based, integrated policy options to mitigate the adverse effects of air pollution.

Resource persons from collaborating institutions such as the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), the International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics (IIIEE), Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI), and the European Commission as well as UNEP RRC.AP were present. The workshop was a follow up of the first and second workshops, which were held in July 2006 and March 2007 respectively. Mr. Mylvakanam Iyngararasan, Ms. Naw Wah Wah Htoo, Mr. Jacob Kurian and Ms. Pwint Phyu Aung from UNEP RRC.AP attended the training workshop.

Lao PDR begins National Sustainable Development Strategy Policy-making Process

Lao PDR conducted the Inception Meeting of its national sustainable development strategy process (NSDS) last 30 to 31 January 2008. The meeting aimed to take stock of development aspects in Lao PDR, prepare the draft NSDS outline, and to initiate the long term strategic planning framework for the country.

More than 70 participants-stakeholder organizations from the whole country attended the workshop, including national and provincial representatives from water, environment resources, planning and finance government agencies, and international organizations: UNEP, UNDP, IGES, Korean NGO, etc. Dr. Subrato Sinha and Dr. Aida Karazhanova attended the meeting representing UNEP.

Vietnam, Thailand, Lao PDR conduct EPA Inception Workshops

Environmental ministries of Vietnam, Thailand, and Lao PDR conducted Environmental Performance Assessment (EPA) national inception workshops last 21 January, 4 February and 6 to 8 February 2008 respectively. The main objectives of the inception workshops were: to confirm priority concerns on national level regarding EPA; to obtain feedback on EPA institutionalization; and to revisit the work plan. This initiative is a component of the Greater Mekong Sub-region Core Environment Programme (CEP) funded by the Asian Development Bank and implemented by UNEP RRC.AP.

Water Resources and Environment Administration (WREA), Prime Minister’s Office of Lao PDR held the EPA inception-orientation workshop in Vientiane Province, Lao PDR, led by Dr. Viengsavanh Douangsavanh, Director-General of Department of Environment, WREA. In Thailand, the Office of Natural and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) of Thailand organized the EPA inception workshop. Dr. Kasemsan Chinnavaso, Secretary-General of ONEP, and Mr. Chatree Chueyprasit, Deputy Permanent Secretary of MONRE jointly delivered the opening remarks to participants including representatives from government agencies, non-governmental organization, academics attended the meeting. Vietnam’s Department of Environment, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) hosted the EPA inception workshop in Dai Lai with Dr. Nguyen Van Tai, Deputy General Director of MONRE, present. Mr Tin Aung Moe, Ms. Sansana Malaiarisoon, and Ms. Liang Li from UNEP RRC.AP participated in the inception workshops.

Ms. Nilapha Ratanavong, taking her Masters in Spatial Information (GIS specialisation) at University of New South Wales (Sydney, Australia) supported the Assessment component with research on water quality issues surrounding the Greater Mekong Sub-region River Basin.

Ms. Kim Bo Mi, studying at Sungkyunkwan University (Republic of Korea) Graduate School of Governance assisted the Assessment Component with research on Waste Issues in Asia Pacific.

Ms. Jung Hye Jin, a student of the Sungkyunkwan University of Graduate School of Governance (Republic of Korea) assisted the NSDS Project by conducting research and monitoring of governance aspects in NSDS in Asia.

Ms. Lee Hye Mi, a student of the Sungkyunkwan University of Graduate School of Governance (Republic of Korea) assisted NSDS project by conducting research and data collection for NSDS in Asia.

Mr. Ho Jin Kim, a student of the Sungkyunkwan University of Graduate School of Governance (Republic of Korea), conducted research on ROK policy towards DPRK environmental cooperation and synthesis of relevant Asia Pacific issues in GEO-4 to support Assessment Component.