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RUSSIA ALARMS, AMUSES, CONFUSES OVER KYOTO
Russian officials
continue to send mixed signals about the Kyoto Protocol, according to
several recent reports.
More.
U.S. DEFENDS CLIMATE POLICIES
Officials from the United
States have gone on the defensive over their country’s climate change
policies, maintaining their decision to opt out of the Kyoto Protocol and
promoting a variety of alternative policies to deal with the problem.
More.
WEATHER DISASTERS BRING RECORD LOSSES
Natural disasters cost
the world a record $60 billion in 2003, with most of the losses coming
from weather-related catastrophes, according to new research. Losses for
the previous year totaled $55 billion.
More.
WARMING’S “PROFOUND” HEALTH RISKS RAISED
Climate change could
threaten the health of hundreds of millions of people, according to a new
study from the World Health Organization.
More.
WARMING THREATENS SKI, SNOWBOARD INDUSTRY
Many low altitude ski
resorts will struggle to survive as a result of climate change, according
to experts.
More.
REGIONAL HAZE POLLUTION PACT BECOMES LAW
The world’s first
regional agreement to combat transboundary haze pollution has become law.
The Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution of the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) entered into force in late November.
More.
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INDEPENDENT REVIEW MULLS OVER COMPATIBILITY OF EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES WITH
WORLD BANK’S SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
Launched by
the World Bank to discuss its future role in the extractive industries
with concerned stakeholders, the Extractive Industries Review (EIR) aims
to produce a set of recommendations that will guide involvement of the
World Bank Group in the oil, gas and mining sectors.
More.
INITIATIVE CHAMPIONS NOBEL PRIZE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Over one million people
and organizations from 106 countries have signed onto the call for a Nobel
Prize on sustainable development.
More.
FRANCO-AUSTRALIAN MARITIME PACT
France and Australia have
signed a maritime cooperation agreement to help reduce illegal fishing in
the Southern Ocean.
More.
IWMI OPENS NEW DELHI OFFICE
The International Water
Management Institute (IWMI), a non-profit scientific research
organization, opened a new office in New Delhi to address vital issues of
water scarcity in India.
More.
INTERNATIONAL HYDROPOWER AWARDS
The Palmiet Pumped
Storage Scheme in South Africa and the Salto Caxias Hydropower Plant in
Brazil are the recipients of this year’s Blue Planet Prize.
More.
IMO CHIEF AWARDED IVORIAN MARITIME MEDAL
William O’Neil, the
Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization - the UN
specialized agency responsible for shipping safety and prevention of
marine pollution – was awarded the “Commandeur de l’Ordre du Mérite
Maritime Ivoirien” from the Government of Côte d’Ivoire.
More.
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COALITION AGREES TO BAN INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES IN CANADIAN FOREST
An agreement announced on
1 December 2003 would exempt more than half of Canada’s vast northern
forest, about 1 million square miles in all, from industrial activities,
including logging and oil and gas exploration.
More.
MEXICO’S FORESTS IN THE NEWS
Two recent developments
promise to boost protection for Mexican forests. First, USAID pledged
US$25 million over the next five years to better protect Mexico’s forests.
More.
UPPER HOUSE IN RUSSIAN PARLIAMENT BLOCKS LOGGING AMENDMENTS
On 26 November 2003, the
Federation Council, Russia’s upper house of parliament, failed to pass
amendments to the Russian Forest Code that would have lead to widespread
logging by private companies throughout the country.
More.
ECUADOR TO WORK WITH PRIVATE SECTOR TO SLOW DEFORESTATION
An $800 million programme
to reduce the pace of deforestation in Ecuador is expected to be approved
by its president this year.
More.
GLOBAL COMMISSION ON MIGRATION FORMED
The Global Commission on
International Migration has been established to provide a comprehensive
response to migration issues.
More.
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Sustainable development
THE STATE OF FOOD INSECURITY IN THE WORLD 2003
(FAO, 2003) This Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO) publication monitors progress towards the World Food
Summit and Millennium Development Goal to reduce the number of
undernourished people. It provides estimates of worldwide hunger and
examines trends in developing countries and countries in transition, and
considers the relationships between food insecurity and HIV/AIDS and
between water and food security. A special feature examines the
relationship between international trade and food security. It concludes
with a look at the multiple uses of water for improving diets and incomes,
an identification of the keys to sustainable nutrition programmes, and an
examination of what is needed to mobilize commitment and combat hunger.
The
report.
UN-NGLS LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE
The United Nations Non-Governmental
Liaison Service (NGLS) has launched its new website. The new website seeks
to provide civil society organizations with the latest information on the
work of the UN System, its agencies and relevant intergovernmental
processes. In addition to accessing NGLS publications, visitors can also
obtain a number of featured UN publications and civil society reports,
including official reports on the status of the implementation of major
commitments undertaken at UN conferences over the last decade. The
website.
VIRTUAL JOURNAL ON ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
(Elsevier, 2003) The Virtual Journal of
Environmental Sustainability lists articles published in Elsevier journals
that contain an environmental sustainability component. Listed on a
monthly basis, the articles are selected on the basis of their potential
to highlight interesting and important developments in the area of
environmental sustainability. The
journal.
SELF-REGULATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT - GUIDELINES SET BY WORLD
INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS FOR THEIR MEMBERS’ FIRMS: AN UPDATE 1996–2003
(UNCTAD, December 2003) This report
updates a 1996 effort to appraise the environmental guidelines of world
industry associations. In examining the current guidelines of world
industry associations, the monograph looks at global environmental
management, environmentally sound production and consumption patterns,
risks and hazards minimization, and full cost accounting. The review
states that the commitments to self-regulation that were made at the Earth
Summit in Rio in 1992 have been strengthened by major industry
associations in some but not all areas. Increased interest in
environmental reporting and in broadening stakeholder communication has
been seen in the extractive industry sectors. In contrast, other areas,
such as those relating to phase-out of hazardous waste and full cost
accounting, have received few policy commitments. The
report.
STATE OF THE WORLD’S CHILDREN 2004
(UNICEF, December 2003) Highlighting the Millennium Development Goal of
eliminating gender disparity in primary and secondary education by 2005,
UNICEF’s State of the World’s Children 2004 underscores how educating
girls is critical to achieving international development goals. Officially
launched at the recent World Summit on Information Society in Geneva, the
report shows that enabling girls to receive a good quality basic education
improves other indicators of human well-being, and that girls denied an
education are more vulnerable to poverty, hunger, violence, abuse,
exploitation, trafficking and diseases, and more likely to die in
childbirth. It also shows the positive impact of educating girls, and
details how breaking barriers that keep girls out of schools render going
to school more welcoming for both boys and girls. The report makes a case
that education must be approached as a human right rather than a privilege
or an expected outcome of economic progress, in order to ensure that
governments mobilize the necessary resources to allow children to complete
a quality education. The report further calls for a change in how
development is approached, including: regarding education as an essential
component in development plans, eliminating school fees, integrating
education into national poverty reduction plans and increasing
international funding for education. The
report.
WORLD POPULATION IN 2300
(DESA, December
2003) The world’s population is projected to be about nine billion in
2300, according to a report circulated by the Population Division of the
UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs at an Expert Meeting on World
Population held on 9 December in New York. This figure is based on the
assumption that mortality will steadily decline after 2050, which results
in increase in life expectancy. The report has prepared for the first time
a set of population projections to the year 2300 for each country of the
world. The report outlines findings of different scenarios and highlights
in its medium scenario, how Africa’s portion of the global population will
increase from 13 to 24 percent from 2000-2300, while Asia’s will decrease
from 61 to 55 percent and Europe’s from 21 to 7 percent. The report also
finds that the world’s median age will rise from 26 years today to almost
50 years by 2300, due to the trend of continuously increasing longevity.
The
report.
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ECOLEX
(December 2003) The world’s most
comprehensive environmental law database has been launched online. ECOLEX
combines the legal libraries of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO),
IUCN-the World Conservation Union, and the UN Environment Programme
(UNEP), providing online access to over 100,000 legal references. The
information in the system covers treaties, national legislation, soft law
and other non-binding policy and technical guidance documents, judicial
decisions, and law and policy literature. ECOLEX also includes a
significant number of legal references from developing countries, with
over 120 developing countries having provided input to the system.
ECOLEX.
Forests and
Biodiversity
CHINA’S FOREST POLICY: GLOBAL LESSONS FROM MARKET REFORMS
(RFF and CIFOR, September 2003) This co-publication of Resources for the
Future (RFF) and the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR)
evaluates the effects of China’s forest policy as it has followed or
extended from agricultural, trade and other reforms that began in 1978.
Edited by William F. Hyde, Brian Belcher and Jintao Xu, the book addresses
the pressures exerted by the growing economy on the forest environment,
the environmental effects of extractive activities, the property rights
arrangements that have fostered the most sustainable management practices
and the contribution that forestry can make as an agent of development. It
pays particular attention to China’s successful use of economic
incentives.
More.
CONSERVATION FINANCE GUIDE CD-ROM
The Conservation Finance Alliance has released a CD-ROM version of its
Conservation Finance Guide, a replica of their website at
http://www.conservationfinance.org. The Conservation Finance Alliance
is made up of a number of intergovernmental and governmental agencies and
NGOs dedicated to increasing awareness of the range of finance mechanisms
available. It includes the Ramsar Convention, UNDP, IUCN, WWF, The Nature
Conservancy, the Wildlife Conservation Society, Conservation
International, USAID and Germany’s GTZ, among others. Copies of the CD-ROM
can be obtained free of charge by contacting Ramsar’s Senior Trade and
Development Advisor
Alain Lambert.
Water,
wetlands, oceans, oceans
WATER AND WETLAND INDEX-CRITICAL ISSUES IN WATER POLICY ACROSS EUROPE
(WWF, 2003) The
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has recently published a report revealing
that nearly two-thirds of 23 European countries surveyed are failing to
manage water resources effectively and are taking ineffective measures to
tackle such regional water problems as pollution and over-consumption.
Finland, France, Switzerland, Sweden and Belgium earned high marks for
preserving wetlands and managing floods and pollution through legislation,
while Italy, Greece, and Spain were ranked the lowest across a range of
water issues. The
report.
AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND WATER
(FAO, 2003) Prepared as part of the UN’s World Water Development
Report, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has
published independently a report on the role of water in food production,
the contributions from rainfed and irrigated agriculture, and food
security and the right to adequate food in the world.
Report.
WATER PRODUCTIVITY IN AGRICULTURE: LIMITS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR
IMPROVEMENT
(CABI Publishing, 2003) This publication is the first in a series by
the Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture (CA), a
global research programme that began in 2001 to address the issue of
global water scarcity by taking stock of the investments made in water
management in agriculture over the past 50 years. The text, edited by J.W.
Kijne, R. Barker and D. Molden, is aimed at water managers, technical
advisors and researchers and focuses on both irrigated and rain-fed
agriculture. It outlines recommendations that will contribute to greater
water productivity in food production and highlights improvements that
need to be made in the management of irrigation systems, including policy
and institutional reform needed within and outside the water sector at
national and regional levels.
More.
NEW SPANISH WATER WEBSITE LAUNCHED
Boletín de Noticias – Agua y saneamiento is now available online.
Jointly published by the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council
(WSSCC) and the IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre in the
Netherlands, the website provides up-to-date information on water and
sanitation related issues, particularly in Latin America. The
website. |
Energy,
Climate and Atmosphere
THE INTERNATIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE REGIME: A GUIDE TO RULES, INSTITUTIONS
AND PROCEDURES
(Institute of
Development Studies/Cambridge University Press, 2003/04) This new book by
Farhana Yamin and Joanna Depledge explains the rules, institutions and
procedures of the climate change regime, covering the UNFCCC, the Kyoto
Protocol, and all decisions by the Conference of the Parties. While the
final version of the book will not be published until 2004,
copies of the advance draft are now available.
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS FROM ANNEX I COUNTRIES
(GRID-Arendal, December 2003) Norway’s GRID-Arendal has produced two
new sets of graphs charting the historical and projected emissions of
greenhouse gases of developed countries. The graphs use the Kyoto target
as a point of reference, and employ data from the Third National
Communications collected by the UNFCCC Secretariat. Prepared in time for
the ninth Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC held in December 2003 in
Milan, Italy, the graphs suggest that, while Sweden and the UK are likely
to meet their Kyoto targets, many other countries are likely to
over-pollute, therefore exceeding their goals. Country-by-country
graphs.
STATE AND TRENDS OF THE CARBON MARKET
(World Bank, December 2003) This report provides an overview of the
emerging carbon market, particularly in relation to the Kyoto Protocol’s
Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and joint implementation (JI)
initiative. The new study suggests that the Kyoto Protocol is having a
significant impact on the carbon market, even though the treaty has yet to
enter into force. Based on material provided by various organizations and
agencies active in the field, the report finds that the volume exchanged
on the carbon market doubled over 12 months, exceeding 70 million tons of
carbon dioxide equivalent in 2003. Two years ago, only 13 million tons was
traded. The report outlines the growing private sector participation in
the market. It also details where emission reduction projects are located,
noting that much of Africa, and many smaller developing countries, are not
yet benefiting from the growing trade. The
report.
THE CLEAN DEVELOPMENT MECHANISM (CDM) TOOLKIT: A RESOURCE FOR
STAKEHOLDERS, ACTIVISTS AND NGOS
(CDM Watch, November 2003). This CDM Toolkit is designed for
stakeholders, community groups, civil society organizations and
non-governmental organizations that have little or no prior experience
with the CDM. Produced by CDM Watch, a non-profit organization based in
Indonesia, the Toolkit provides an explanation of how the CDM works, what
rights it gives stakeholders, and how to assess projects. The
Toolkit is now available in English, French, Indonesian, Portuguese,
and Spanish, and will soon be published in Hindi.
SEEING THE LIGHT: ADAPTING TO CLIMATE CHANGE WITH DECENTRALIZED RENEWABLE
ENERGY IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
(Climate Change Knowledge Network, December 2003). This latest
publication from CCKN highlights the positive contribution of
decentralized renewable energy to integrated climate policy. Using case
studies, the report examines how such energy projects can help build
adaptive capacity. The report also contains specific recommendations for
supporting such projects through the Kyoto Protocol’s Clean Development
Mechanism (CDM).
More information.
INTEGRATING MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION INTO CLIMATE AND DEVELOPMENT POLICY:
THREE RESEARCH QUESTIONS
(Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, November 2003). This
research paper is one of several released in recent weeks by the Tyndall
Centre in the UK. In this paper, Richard J.T. Klein, Emma Lisa Schipper
and Suraje Dessai argue that, rather than actually developing and
implementing specific mitigation and adaptation options, climate policy
should instead aim to facilitate such development and implementation as
part of sectoral policies. The
latest Tyndall Centre working papers are available online.
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Click here for a complete listing of upcoming meetings
Upcoming meetings recently added to Linkages
website:
EU INTERNAL MARKET AND THE
WTO MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM: CONSTRAINTS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL PRODUCT REGULATION: 18
December 2003. Brussels, Belgium. During the first part of this event,
researchers will present the results of a two-year project on “The
feasibility of an environmentally-sound integrated product policy in
Belgium,” examining the possibilities for implementation of the Belgian
federal law on product standards against the background of relevant
provisions of EC law and WTO law. The second part of the programme will
focus on the developments in EC and WTO law affecting national
environmental and health regulation. For more information contact:
Institute for European Studies; tel: +32-2-629-1222; fax: +32-2-629-1809;
e-mail:
ies@vub.ac.be; Internet:
http://www.ies.be
INTERGOVERNMENTAL CONSULTATION ON STRENGTHENING THE SCIENTIFIC BASE OF
UNEP: 14
January 2004 - 15 January 2004. Nairobi, Kenya. As part of the
implementation of Governing Council decision 22/1/IA on strengthening the
scientific base of UNEP, the Executive Director was requested "to
facilitate an intergovernmental consultation taking into account available
funding, transparency, regional balance and adequate developing country
participation, in preparation for the Governing Council/Global Ministerial
Environment Forum at its eighth special session." This meeting responds to
that request. For more information contact: Anna Stabrawa; tel:
+254-20-624-152; e-mail:
Anna.Stabrawa@unep.org; Internet:
http://science.unep.org/upcomingmeetings.asp
PREPARATORY COMMITTEE FOR UNCTAD XI: 16 January 2004 - 23 January
2004. Geneva, Switzerland. The Preparatory Committee for UNCTAD XI will
meet on 16 January and from 19-23 January 2004 at the Palais des Nations
in Geneva. For more information contact: Amel Haffouz; tel:
+41-22-907-1234; fax: +41-22-907-0043; e-mail:
amel.haffouz@unctad.org; Internet:
http://www.unctad.org/Templates/Startpage.asp?intItemID=1942&lang=1
EUROPEAN CONFERENCE FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY – INTELLIGENT POLICY OPTIONS:
19 January
2004 - 21 January 2004. Berlin, Germany. This conference will analyze the
development of renewable energy, providing a forum for discussion on
market prospects, appropriate policies and new targets for 2020 (the
European Community currently has targets for 2010). This Conference
precedes the International Conference for Renewable Energies, scheduled to
take place in June 2004. For more information contact: EREC – European
Renewable Energy Council; tel: +32-2-546-1933; fax: +32-2-546-1934;
e-mail:
berlin2004@erec-renewables.org; Internet:
http://www.erec-renewables.org/Berlin2004.htm
INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON RENEWABLE ENERGY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT:
21 January 2004 - 23 January 2004. Bangalore, India. Organized by the
Solar Energy Society of India (SECI), this event will cover a range of
issues ranging from renewable energy technologies to the economic
implications of achieving sustainable energy use. For more information
contact: ELPRO Energy Centre; tel: +91-80-312-2676; fax: +91-80-348-7396;
e-mail:
support@ecoenergycentre.com; Internet:
http://www.icore2004.com/
AFRICAN REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF UNFCCC ARTICLE 6:
28 January 2004 - 30 January 2004. Banjul, The Gambia. This regional
meeting will consider how to implement Article 6 (education, training, and
public awareness) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. The
workshop is being organized by UNEP in cooperation with the UNFCCC
Secretariat. For more information contact: Danielle Dubois-Marie, UNEP;
tel: +41-22-917-8196; fax: +41-22-797-3464; e-mail:
danielle.dubois@unep.ch; Internet:
http://www.unep.ch/Article6Workshop/
PACIFIC ISLANDS
REGIONAL OCEAN FORUM:
2 February 2004 - 6 February 2004. Suva, Fiji. This forum will bring
multi-stakeholders from ocean related sectors in the region to discuss and
develop a Pacific Islands
regional ocean framework for integrated strategic action. For more
information contact: Pacific Islands Regional Ocean Forum; tel:
+679-337-9278; fax: +679-337-0146; e-mail:
oceanforum@spc.int; Internet:
http://www.spc.int/piocean/forum/oceanforum.htm
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN THE WTO - TRADE, INVESTMENT AND ENVIRONMENT
AFTER
CANCUN:
23 February 2004 - 24
February 2004. Chatham House, London, United Kingdom. This conference aims
to examine questions such as: Can the USA and EU respond imaginatively to
developing country concerns over agricultural subsidies and market access?
Will the negotiating dynamic that emerged at Cancún, with the new G21
grouping of the larger exporting developing countries, make the Doha Round
talks easier or harder to resolve? Will the USA and EU abandon the WTO
approach to trade talks, and pursue their own agenda through bilateral and
regional agreements? Will the potential conflicts between trade and
environment rules, largely sidelined at Cancún, be resolved politically,
or will we see them continue to be fought out through trade disputes? The
event is the fifth in Chatham House’s trade, investment and sustainable
development series. For more information contact: Conference Unit; tel:
+44-20-7957-5700; fax: +44-20-7321-2045; e-mail:
conferences@riia.org; Internet:
http://www.riia.org/index.php?id=5&cid=38
14TH MEETING OF THE
CITES PLANT COMMITTEE:
23 February 2004 - 27 February 2004. Windhoek, Namibia. This meeting is
organized by the CITES Secretariat. For more information contact: CITES
Secretariat; tel: +41-22-917-8139; fax: +41-22-797-3417; e-mail:
cites@unep.ch; Internet:
http://www.cites.org
POWER-GEN RENEWABLE ENERGY CONFERENCE: 1 March 2004 - 3 March 2004.
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. This conference will bring together
members of the renewable energy industry to discuss the key technical,
regulatory, structural, economic and market issues impacting their
commercial future. For more information contact: John L. Anderson,
Manager, Sponsorship Sales, POWER-GEN; tel: +1-651-480-2224; fax:
+1-651-480-1503; e-mail:
johna@pennwell.com; Internet:
http://pgre04.events.pennnet.com/
FIFTH SESSION OF THE INTERIM CHEMICAL REVIEW COMMITTEE OF THE
ROTTERDAM CONVENTION:
2 March 2004 - 6 March 2004.
Geneva,
Switzerland. For more information contact: Jim Willis, UNEP Chemicals; tel:
+41-22-917-8111; fax: +41-22-797-3460; e-mail:
chemicals@unep.ch; Internet:
http://www.pic.int
WORLD SUSTAINABLE ENERGY DAYS 2004 CONFERENCE: 3 March 2004 - 5 March
2004. Wels, Austria. This conference will provide a forum for learning
about major European trends in energy policies and technologies, including
trends in the fields of green electricity, pellets technologies and
innovative buildings. For more information contact: O.Ö.
Energiesparverband Energy Agency; tel: +43-732-7720-14380; fax:
+43-732-7720-14383; e-mail:
office@esv.or.at; Internet:
http://www.esv.or.at/aktuelles/WEST/index_e.htm
METHYL BROMIDE TECHNICAL OPTIONS COMMITTEE MEETING: 15 March 2004 - 19
March 2004. Lisbon, Portugal. The Montreal Protocol’s Technical Options
Committee dealing with methyl bromide will discuss exemptions for the use
of this ozone-depleting substance. A resolution on this matter proved
elusive during the recent 15th Meeting of Parties to the Montreal Protocol
(MOP-15), with delegates unable to reach a final agreement. The Technical
Options Committee will be followed by an Extraordinary Meeting of the
Parties to the Montreal Protocol. For more information contact: Ozone
Secretariat, UNEP; tel: +254-2-62-3850; fax: +254-2-62-3601; e-mail:
ozoneinfo@unep.org; Internet:
http://www.unep.org/ozone/
THIRD EUROPEAN CONFERENCE ON GREEN POWER MARKETING: 18 March 2004 - 19
March 2004. Lausanne, Switzerland. This conference will focus on the
opportunities arising from international green power trading on the
European market. It will include sessions on international policy and
market trends, green power trading, products and pricing policy, customer
requirements, and a panel discussion on “interaction of labeling and
certification.” For more information contact: Conference Management; tel:
+41-1-296-8709; fax: +41-1-296-8702; e-mail:
info@greenpowermarketing.org; Internet:
http://www.greenpowermarketing.org/english/index2.html
EXTRAORDINARY MEETING OF THE PARTIES TO THE
MONTREAL PROTOCOL:
24 March 2004 - 25 March 2004.
Montreal, Canada. This meeting is expected to attempt to conclude
negotiations on the issue of methyl bromide exemptions. It follows a
meeting of the relevant technical committee. For more information contact:
Ozone Secretariat, UNEP; tel: +254-2-62-3850; fax: +254-2-62-3601; e-mail:
ozoneinfo@unep.org; Internet:
http://www.unep.org/ozone/
2004 CERTIFICATION WATCH CONFERENCE: THE FRONTIERS OF
FOREST CERTIFICATION:
28 March 2004 - 2 April 2004. Vancouver, BC, Canada. This conference,
which is sponsored by Forest Certification Watch, will include an exhibit
area and field tour. Participants will address issues such as: the
linkages between State or Provincial-level forest policy and
certification; certification of non-industrial private forests in the US
and Canada; sustainable management and certification of the boreal forest;
and responsible procurement policy and implementation. The field tour will
take place on 28-30 March in the Kamloops region of the BC Interior. For
more information contact: Conference Coordinator; tel: +1-514-273-5777;
e-mail:
info@CertificationWatchConference.org; Internet:
http://www.CertificationWatchConference.org
20TH
MEETING OF THE CITES ANIMALS COMMITTEE:
29 March 2004 - 2 April 2004. South Africa. This meeting is organized by
the CITES Secretariat. For more information contact: CITES Secretariat;
tel: +41-22-917-8139; fax: +41-22-797-3417; e-mail:
cites@unep.ch; Internet:
http://www.cites.org
ASSURING FOOD AND NUTRITION SECURITY IN AFRICA BY 2020:
1 April 2004 - 3 April 2004. Kampala, Uganda. This all-Africa conference
will bring together the traditional and new actors and stakeholders to
deliberate on how to bring about change and action to assure food and
nutrition security. For more information contact: Internet:
http://www.ifpri.org/2020africaconference/index.htm
GLOBAL FLYWAYS CONFERENCE 2004 - WATERBIRDS AROUND THE WORLD: 3 April
2004 - 8 April 2004. Edinburgh, United Kingdom. Organized by Wetlands
International, the conference will focus on major themes and developments
related to the global conservation of waterbird flyways during their full
annual cycle. For more information contact: Gerard C. Boere, Wetlands
International; tel: +31-317-47-88-87; fax: +31-317-47-88-50; e-mail:
gerard.boere@wetlands.org; Internet:
http://www.wetlands.org/GFC/Default.htm
FOURTH WORLD FISHERIES CONGRESS: 2 May 2004 - 6 May 2004. Vancouver,
BC, Canada. Under the theme of - Reconciling Fisheries with Conservation:
The Challenge of Managing Aquatic Ecosystems - the 4th World Fisheries
Congress will explore the issues that underpin the reconciliation of
fisheries with conservation through the promotion of scientific advice,
cooperation and partnership among the world’s fisheries scientists,
managers, the fishing industry, and conservationists. For more information
contact: Congress Secretariat; tel: +1-604-688-9655; fax: +1-604-685-3521;
e-mail:
fish2004@advance-group.com; Internet:
http://www.worldfisheries2004.org/program/congress_theme.htm
WORLD
CONFERENCE ON DISASTER REDUCTION AT KOBE-HYOGO PREPCOM I:
6 May 2004 - 7 May 2004. Geneva, Switzerland. The World Conference is
scheduled for 2005. For more information contact: UN/ISDR; tel:
+41-22-917-2103; fax: +41-22-917-0563; e-mail:
isdr@un.org; Internet:
http://www.unisdr.org/
FORUM BARCELONA 2004: 9 May 2004 - 26 September 2004. Barcelona,
Spain. Embracing the core themes of sustainable development, cultural
diversity and conditions for peace, the Forum will run for 141 days,
allowing visitors to experience cultures and entertainment from around the
world through a variety of exhibitions, markets, games and performances.
For more information contact: Universal Forum of Cultures – Barcelona
2004; tel: +34-93-320-9010; fax: +34-93-320-9020; e-mail:
forum@barcelona2004.org; Internet:
http://www.barcelona2004.org/eng/
COASTAL SOCIETY 2004 CONFERENCE: 23 May 2004 - 26 May 2004. Newport,
Rhode Island, United States. The Coastal Society’s 19th biennial
conference will focus on how coastal managers, resource users, law and
policymakers, educators and students, and other coastal community members
measure and assess coastal resources, functions and human impacts. For
more information contact: Judy Tucker, Coastal Society; tel:
+1-703-768-1599; fax: +1-703-768-1598; e-mail:
coastalsoc@aol.com; Internet:
http://www.thecoastalsociety.org/conference/tcs19/index.html
WILDLIFE AS A NATURAL RESOURCE - 6TH INTERNATIONAL WILDLIFE RANCHING
SYMPOSIUM: 6 July 2004 - 9 July 2004. Paris, France. The 6th
International Wildlife Ranching Symposium will provide a forum to
interact, and exchange information and ideas on all aspects of wildlife
conservation as a tool for sustainable development. Participants wishing
to present a paper/presentation are invited to submit their proposal in
French or English by 31 January 2004. For more information contact: The
Symposium Coordinator; fax: +33-1-56-59-77-56; e-mail:
igf@fondation-igf.fr; Internet:
http://www.mekonginfo.org/mrc_en/announce.nsf/0/ff06fae64ae1977a47256db00031556b?OpenDocument
24TH SESSION OF THE OPEN-ENDED WORKING GROUP TO THE
MONTREAL PROTOCOL:
12 July 2004 - 16 July 2004. Geneva, Switzerland. The Open-Ended Working
Group to the Montreal Protocol, convening for its annual mid-year meeting,
is expected to review progress in the various committees and prepare for
MOP-16 in November 2004. For more information contact: Ozone Secretariat,
UNEP; tel: +254-2-62-3850; fax: +254-2-62-3601; e-mail:
ozoneinfo@unep.org; Internet:
http://www.unep.org/ozone/
2004 STOCKHOLM
WORLD WATER WEEK:
16 August 2004 - 20 August 2004. Stockholm, Sweden. The 2004 World Water
Week is themed �Drainage Basin Management - Regional Approaches for Food
and Urban Security.� The First Announcement/Call for Abstracts is now
available and includes information about the Stockholm Water Symposium
workshop topics, seminars to be organized by the European Union, World
Water Council, and International Water Management Institute, among others.
For more information contact: David Trouba; tel: +46-8-522-139-60; fax:
+46-8-522-139-61; e-mail:
dave.trouba@siwi.org; Internet:
http://www.siwi.org
11TH MEETING OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE ON THE PRIOR
INFORMED CONSENT PROCEDURE (INC-11): 18 September 2004. Geneva,
Switzerland. INC-11, which will convene as a Conference of
Plenipotentiaries, will be held on 18 September 2004, in Geneva,
Switzerland. For more information contact: Jim Willis, UNEP Chemicals; tel:
+41-22-917-8111; fax: +41-22-797-3460; e-mail:
chemicals@unep.ch; Internet:
http://www.pic.int
FIRST CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES TO THE
ROTTERDAM CONVENTION
(COP-1): 20
September 2004 - 24 September 2004. Geneva, Switzerland. COP-1 is
tentatively scheduled for 20-24 November 2004, in
Geneva,
Switzerland.
For more information contact: Jim Willis, UNEP Chemicals; tel:
+41-22-917-8111; fax: +41-22-797-3460; e-mail:
chemicals@unep.ch; Internet:
http://www.pic.int
SECOND ISRAEL-PALESTINIAN-INTERNATIONAL WATER CONFERENCE: 9 October
2004 - 12 October 2004. Rome, Italy. The conference, sponsored by the
Israel /Palestine Center for Research and Information (IPCRI) together
with the International Water Resources Association (IWRA), aims to bring
together water specialists to provide a basis for improved cooperation
between the peoples of the region and the international community in
developing, managing and protecting their scarce shared water resources.
For more information contact: Robin Twite, Conference Coordinator; tel:
+972-2-676-9460; fax: +972-2-676-8011; e-mail:
robin@ipcri.org; Internet:
http://www.ipcri.org/water-conference.html
16TH MEETING OF THE PARTIES TO THE
MONTREAL PROTOCOL:
22 November 2004 - 26 November 2004. Prague, Czech Republic. Delegates
attending MOP-16 will continue their negotiations to phase-out the use of
various ozone-depleting substances such as hydrochlorofluorocarbons
(production of which must be stabilized by 2004) and methyl bromide (which
developed countries were originally to have phased out by 2005). For more
information contact: Ozone Secretariat, UNEP; tel: +254-2-62-3850; fax:
+254-2-62-3601; e-mail:
ozoneinfo@unep.org; Internet:
http://www.unep.org/ozone/
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