|
EU RATIFIES FISH STOCKS AGREEMENT
The European
Union and its 15 member states have ratified the UN treaty on straddling
fish stocks. In addition to agreeing to ratify this treaty, EU member
states also decided on the establishment of recovery plans for cod and
Northern hake stocks, and on 2004 quotas for all fish species.
More.
IUU HIGH ON INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENT AGENDA
Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing is a
major impediment to the achievement of long-term sustainable fisheries,
according to the findings of a report delivered at the recent 32nd
session of the UN Food and Agriculture (FAO) Governing conference. In
related news, the creation of a five-nation Ministerial Task Force to
combat the poaching of fish stocks by pirate fishers was announced at a
Deep Sea conference in New Zealand.
More.
UNU OFFERS VIRTUAL WATER MANAGEMENT COURSE
The United Nations University (UNU) is offering a new
‘virtual’ water management course over the Internet.
More.
|
SAILING SHIPS’ LOGS UNCOVER CLIMATE CLUES
Experts are
tapping into old ships’ logbooks as a new source of information on
climate change. The logbooks, which are up to 250 years old, come from
the fleets of British, Dutch, French, and Spanish sailing ships that
roamed the globe during the 18th and 19th centuries. Meanwhile, another
team of scientists studying the world’s oceans has uncovered evidence
that climate change is altering the global water system.
More.
AMERICAN SCIENTISTS SOUND CLIMATE ALARM
A leading U.S. science organization has weighed in on
the global warming debate with a new policy statement emphasizing the
growing impact human activities are having on the Earth’s climate. The
Council of the American Geophysical Union recently adopted a position
statement on climate change warning that atmospheric levels of carbon
dioxide may be rising faster than at any time in the Earth’s history.
More.
EUROPE PONDERS FURTHER EMISSIONS CUTS
The European Union is considering calls for further
cuts to greenhouse gas emissions from cars. The suggestion came at a
meeting of EU environment ministers held late December. EU Environment
Ministers also discussed the draft EU directive linking the European
emissions trading scheme to the “flexible mechanisms” adopted under the
Kyoto Protocol.
More.
|
FAO WARNS OF SHRINKING AGRICULTURAL BIODIVERSITY AND OVERFISHING
The UN Food and
Agriculture Organization is warning that agricultural biodiversity,
considered crucial to the survival of humanity, is in great danger. At
the 32nd session of its governing conference, the agency stressed that
only 150 species, out of the estimated 7,000 to 8,000 that have been
used in 10,000 years of agriculture, are cultivated today.
More.
TREATY ON GIANT BIRDS AND FISHING PRACTICES ENTERS INTO FORCE
The Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and
Petrels (ACAP) is to become law on 1 February 2004 following South
Africa’s ratification, which gave the agreement the five ratifications
required for entry into force.
More.
GEF APPROVES $224 MILLION FOR 19 DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
The Global Environment Facility Council has
approved $224 million in grants for 19 developing-country projects that
focus on biological diversity, biosafety, climate change and
international waters.
More.
|
|
Biodiversity and wildlife
ACCESS AND BENEFIT-SHARING (ABS): AN INSTRUMENT FOR POVERTY ALLEVIATION.
PROPOSALS FOR AN INTERNATIONAL ABS REGIME
(German Development Institute, November 2003) Prepared by Gudrun Henne,
Klaus Liebig, Andreas Drews and Thomas Plän, this study has been
distributed to the Second Meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group
on ABS of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The authors
argue that ABS can contribute to poverty alleviation if the
international community develops an ABS regime that supports the goals
of the CBD.
More.
DIALOGUE ON COHERENCE BETWEEN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROCESSES AND A
PRO-DEVELOPMENT AGENDA ON IPRS
The papers and a report from the “Strategic Dialogue on Coherence
between Multilateral, Regional and Bilateral Processes on Intellectual
Property and a Pro-Development Agenda on IPRs” are available online. The
Dialogue was organized by the UNCTAD-ICTSD Project on IPRs and
Sustainable Development and took place at the University of Miami on 20
November 2003. The
proceedings.
AFRICAN ELEPHANT STATUS REPORT
(IUCN, 2003) The new African Elephant Status Report (AESR) has
recently been published by experts from the IUCN Species Survival
Commission’s African Elephant Specialist Group (AfESG). According to the
report, between 400,000 and 660,000 elephants are currently thought to
roam in African forests and savannas. Overall, the population figures in
the AESR are higher than those reported in 1999, when the previous AESR
was published. This is partly due to reported increases in elephant
populations in countries such as Botswana, Tanzania and Zimbabwe, which
have high concentration of elephants in protected areas. The report’s
authors also point out that the estimates cover a much larger area than
five years ago, which can explain differences in numbers. Despite the
current limitations of data quality and availability, the AESR provides
a comprehensive and up-to-date review of the current status of African
elephants throughout their range, and will be valuable for wildlife
managers and policy makers to develop long-term strategies for the
conservation of elephants and their habitats. The
AESR.
IMPACTS OF GENETICALLY ENGINEERED CROPS ON PESTICIDE USE IN THE UNITED
STATES: THE FIRST EIGHT YEARS
(Northwest Science and Environmental Policy Center, November 2003)
Authored by Charles Benbrook, this report is the first comprehensive
study of the impacts of all major commercial GE crops on pesticide use
in the United States over the first eight years of the commercial use of
the GE crops (1996-2003). Being the sixth in a series of technical
papers prepared for AgBioTech Info Net, the report draws on official
data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture on pesticide use by crop
and state. Its conclusions include a reduction of insecticide use by
2-2.5 million pounds annually for GM crops engineered to produce the
natural insecticide Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), and an increase in
herbicide use on HT crop acres, which far exceeds the reductions in
insecticide use. The
report.
|
Sustainable development
INTERGOVERNMENTAL NEGOTIATIONS AND DECISION MAKING AT THE UNITED
NATIONS: A GUIDE
(United
Nations, November 2003) This guide, prepared by the UN Non-Governmental
Liaison Service (NGLS) with Gretchen Sidhu, seeks to provide practical
information to individuals and organizations that are interested in
understanding the nature and dynamics of intergovernmental decision
making at the United Nations. It presents information on key UN bodies
and processes, details the life-cycle of a decision, different types of
meetings, the system that supports negotiations and how new processes
begin, chronicles the government blocs that form the negotiating system
at the UN, explains how different kinds of UN documents are numbered and
where to find them, and offers definitions of different UN decisions,
including how they are commonly used and the level of their political
significance. It also examines the basics for accreditation to attend UN
meetings and strategies for participation and follow-up during and after
a meeting. The
guide.
ONLINE LIBRARY OF WSSD DOCUMENTS LAUNCHED
An
extensive online library of civil society documents produced in relation
to the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) has been launched.
Developed by the International Institute for Environment and Development
(IIED) and the Northern Alliance for Sustainability (ANPED), this
library contains approximately 700 MB worth of documents, searchable by
title or by the organization that produced it. The
library.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF ECOTOURISM - A COMPILATION OF GOOD PRACTICES
IN SMES
(World Tourism Organization, 2003) This World Tourism Organization
publication compiles 65 case studies received from 47 countries about
exemplary practices in small ecotourism businesses. It is the third of a
series of good practice compilations and was prepared in the follow up
to the International Year of Ecotourism 2002. The
publication is available in English, Spanish and French.
Energy,
Climate and Atmosphere
SINKS IN THE CDM: AFTER THE CLIMATE, BIODIVERSITY GOES DOWN THE DRAIN
(Greenpeace, December 2003) This new report from Greenpeace presents the
environmental group’s perspective on the recent deal on the use of
carbon “sinks” in the Clean Development Mechanism. The Clean
Development, or CDM, allows industrialized countries to help meet their
emissions targets under the Kyoto Protocol by assisting developing
countries in reducing their emissions. At the recent climate talks held
in Milan, negotiators agreed on rules for including carbon sinks, such
as various forestry projects, under the CDM. However, Greenpeace’s
analysis of the deal struck in Milan heavily criticizes the inclusion of
carbon sinks projects in the CDM, asserting that “the door is now wide
open for projects with disastrous effects for biodiversity and local
livelihoods.” The
report.
BEYOND KYOTO: ADVANCING THE INTERNATIONAL EFFORT AGAINST GLOBAL CLIMATE
CHANGE
(Pew Center on Global Climate Change, December 2003) The Pew Center
has released a new report examining key issues facing negotiators
seeking to secure a long-term agreement on the problem. The report
starts with the premise that, whether or not the Kyoto Protocol
eventually enters into force, a long-term approach must be agreed that
engages all the world’s major greenhouse gas emitters, including the
United States and major developing countries. The 170-page report, which
consists of six “think pieces,” was prepared by a dozen authors and
discussed at several workshops held in 2003. The authors explore
critical issues in the climate negotiations and a range of options for
addressing them. However, rather than offering definitive conclusions or
recommendations, the report identifies common themes that could be
considered in moving towards the “next stage” of climate diplomacy. The
need for flexibility in countries’ responses to the problem is a key
point made by the authors. The
report.
|
Water,
wetlands, oceans, oceans
EJF CONSUMER GUIDE TO PRAWNS
(EJF,
2003) The Environmental Justice Foundation, together with TV chef Ken
Hom, has published a consumer guide to shrimps, highlighting abuses
associated with the prawn farming industry. This includes hazardous
forms of child labor, illegal land seizures, large-scale destruction of
mangrove forests, and pollution of water and agricultural land. The
guide is intended to improve consumer awareness of the consequences of
the shrimp they purchase. The
guide.
MANAGING RISK AND UNCERTAINTY IN DEEP-SEA FISHERIES: LESSONS FROM ORANGE
ROUGHY
(WWF and TRAFFIC, 2003) This report highlights the adverse effects
of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, particularly on
deep-sea species. With case studies from New Zealand, Australia, and the
Southern Indian Ocean and Northeast Atlantic Oceans, the report shows
that the management of Orange Roughy fisheries has failed due to: lack
of understanding of the biological characteristics of the species;
inadequate stock assessment models; failure to reduce capacity of
fishing fleets; lack of political will to impose rigorous management
decisions; and ineffective monitoring, control and surveillance
measures. The
report.
NEW WEB RESOURCE ON LARGE MARINE ECOSYSTEM
The Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem Programme (BOBLME), one of
the largest LMEs managed jointly by Bangladesh, India, Indonesia,
Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand, has launched a
website to provide information regarding the LME and contact details of
national coordinators and members of the programme’s steering committee.
The
website.
FRESHWATER LIFE PORTAL
An international collaborative web-based project bringing together
information on freshwater habitats, research methods, and policies and
regulation has been launched. Freshwater Life also organizes freshwater
information based on geographic area, allowing users to navigate by
continent, country or river basin. The
website.
RIGHT TO WATER WEBSITE
WaterAid, an international NGO dedicated to providing safe domestic
water, sanitation and hygiene education has launched a new website on
water as a human right. The website explains the development of
international water policies together with international human rights
law, and promotes the use of the right to water as a tool for community
empowerment and advocacy. The
site.
|
|
Click here for a complete listing of upcoming meetings
Upcoming meetings recently added to Linkages
website:
INTERNATIONAL
CONFERENCE ON THE GREAT HIMALAYAS: CLIMATE, HEALTH, ECOLOGY, MANAGEMENT
AND CONSERVATION:
12 January 2004 - 16 January 2004. Dhulikhel, Nepal. This conference is
organized by the Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management Society, the
Kathmandu University and the Himalayan Resources Institute. For more
information contact: Ram Bhandari, Himalayan Resources Institute; tel:
+977-1-449-1646; fax: +977-1-441-6144; e-mail:
hirinepal@mail.com.np; Internet:
http://www.aehms.org/hima01.html
THIRD INTERGOVERNMENTAL CONFERENCE “BIODIVERSITY IN EUROPE” AND
EIGHTH MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE PAN-EUROPEAN BIOLOGICAL AND
LANDSCAPE DIVERSITY STRATEGY: 18 January 2004 - 21 January 2004.
Madrid, Spain. This meeting is organized by the Joint Secretariat (UNEP
and Council of Europe) of the Pan European Biological and Landscape
Diversity Strategy (PEBLDS). For more information contact: Ivonne
Higuero, Coordinator, UNEP/Regional Office for Europe; tel:
+41-22-917-8395; fax: +41-22-917-8024; e-mail:
Ivonne.higuero@unep.ch; Internet:
http://www.strategyguide.org/madrconf.html
WATER INDIA 4 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE: 3 February 2004 - 4
February 2004. New Delhi, India. This conference will focus on
sustainable water resources development, with a particular focus on
developing countries, and inter-state water resources development
schemes. For more information contact: Priya Kapoor; e-mail:
ipis@vsnl.net; Internet:
http://www.indiacore.com/ic-conf/10-feb2004-cpu-water-india/index.html
BORNEAN BIODIVERSITY AND ECOSYSTEM CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL
CONFERENCE 2004: 23 February 2004 - 25 February 2004. Kota Kinabalu,
Malaysia. This conference is organized by the Bornean Biodiversity and
Ecosystems Conservation Programme and has for its main theme
“Biodiversity Conservation: Now or Never.” For more information contact:
Kertijah Abd. Kadir; tel: +60-088-240430; fax: +60-088-250590; e-mail:
Kertijah.AbdKadir@sabah.gov.my; Internet:
http://www.bbec.sabah.gov.my/announcement.htm
GLOBAL WORKSHOP ON TRANSFER OF ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND TECHNOLOGIES AND
CAPACITY BUILDING FOR SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT: 24 February
2004 - 27 February 2004. Brazzaville, Republic of Congo. This
country-led initiative will seek to develop: a more precise list of key
technologies related to forests; an initial estimate identifying the
obstacles and establishing the conditions of a successful transfer of
these key technologies; and a framework that would encourage the
successful implementation of the technologies and knowledge identified
and requested. For more information contact: Jean Noël Marien, Workshop
Secretariat; tel: +242-23-25-92; fax: +242-94-47-95; e-mail:
marien.ur2pi@cg.celtelplus.com; Internet:
http://www.un.org/esa/forests/pdf/cli/brazzaville_info-e.pdf
WORLD TOURISM ORGANIZATION’S COMMITTEE ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF
TOURISM: 1 March 2004 - 3 March 2004. Chiang Mai, Thailand. This is
the first meeting for the World Tourism Organization’s new Sustainable
Development of Tourism Committee. For more information contact: e-mail:
omt@world-tourism.org; Internet:
http://www.world-tourism.org/frameset/frame_sustainable.html
UNEP-GEF SUB-REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON DEVELOPMENT OF NATIONAL BIOSAFETY
FRAMEWORKS FOR ANGLOPHONE AFRICA: 9 March 2004 - 12 March 2004. Dar-es-Salaam,
Tanzania. This workshop aims to help participants acquire a better
understanding of the different options for regulatory regimes and
administrative systems for biosafety, as well as legal and
administrative requirements of the Cartagena Protocol. For more
information contact: Christopher Briggs; tel: +41-22-917-8411; fax:
+41-22-917-8070; e-mail:
chris.briggs@unep.ch; Internet:
http://www.unep.ch/biosafety/devsubregwrkshops.htm
SYMPOSIUM ON MAIZE AND BIODIVERSITY: THE EFFECTS OF TRANSGENIC MAIZE
IN MEXICO: 11 March 2004 - 12 March 2004. Oaxaca, Mexico. This
symposium is organized by the North American Commission for
Environmental Cooperation. For more information contact: tel:
+1-514-350-4300; fax: +1-514-350-4314; e-mail:
info@ccemtl.org; Internet:
http://www.cec.org/maize/symposium/index.cfm?varlan=english
SECOND SUSTAINABLE TOURISM-ELIMINATING POVERTY (ST-EP) FORUM: 15
March 2004. Berlin, Germany. The second ST-EP Forum will present a new
World Tourism Organization study with recommendations for increasing
tourism’s contribution to poverty reduction, as well as a number of case
studies and approaches. For more information contact: e-mail:
omt@world-tourism.org; Internet:
http://www.world-tourism.org/step/menu.html
50TH MEETING OF THE CITES STANDING COMMITTEE: 15 March 2004 - 19
March 2004. Geneva, Switzerland. This meeting is organized by the
Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. 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/eng/notifs/2003/076.shtml
IOSEA MARINE TURTLE MOU - MEETING OF SIGNATORY STATES: 16 March
2004 - 19 March 2004. Bangkok, Thailand. The Second Meeting of Signatory
States to the Indian Ocean-South East Asian Marine Turtle Memorandum of
Understanding (an Agreement under the Convention on Migratory Species)
will take place from 16-19 March 2004 in Bangkok, Thailand. Open to
non-Signatory States, and interested IGOs and NGOs, this meeting will
review implementation of the MoU’s Conservation and Management Plan and
will set priorities for future work. For more information contact: IOSEA
MoU Secretariat; tel: +66-2-288-1471; fax: +66-2-280-3829; e-mail:
iosea@un.org; Internet:
http://www.ioseaturtles.org
TWELFTH SCIENTIFIC COUNCIL MEETING OF THE CONVENTION ON MIGRATORY
SPECIES: 31 March 2004 - 3 April 2004. Glasgow, United Kingdom. This
meeting is organized by the Convention on Migratory Species. For more
information contact: CMS Secretariat; tel: +49-228-815-2401; fax:
+49-228-815-2449; e-mail:
cms@unep.de; Internet:
http://www.unep-wcmc.org/cms/
WORKSHOP ON INTRODUCTION TO BIOSAFETY AND RISK ASSESSMENT FOR THE
ENVIRONMENTAL RELEASE OF GMOS: THEORETICAL APPROACH AND SCIENTIFIC
BACKGROUND: 19 April 2004 - 23 April 2004. Trieste, Italy. This
workshop is organized by the International Centre for Genetic
Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB). For more information contact: tel:
+39-040 -375-7333; fax: +39-040-226-555; e-mail:
courses@icgeb.org; Internet:
http://www.icgeb.org/~bsafesrv/bsfn0309.htm#anchor442802
UNEP-GEF SUB-REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON DEVELOPMENT OF NATIONAL BIOSAFETY
FRAMEWORKS FOR FRANCOPHONE AFRICA: 20 April 2004 - 23 April 2004.
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. This workshop aims to help participants
acquire a better understanding of the different options for regulatory
regimes and administrative systems for biosafety, as well as legal and
administrative requirements of the Cartagena Protocol. For more
information contact: Christopher Briggs; tel: +41-22-917-8411; fax:
+41-22-917-8070; e-mail:
chris.briggs@unep.ch; Internet:
http://www.unep.ch/biosafety/devsubregwrkshops.htm
24TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION ON IMPACT
ASSESSMENT: 24 April 2004 - 30 April 2004. Vancouver, Canada. This
meeting is organized by the International Association for Impact
Assessment. For more information contact: tel: +1-701-297-7908; fax:
+1-701-297-7917; e-mail:
info@iaia.org; Internet:
http://www.iaia.org/Non_Members/Conference/conference.htm
THIRTEENTH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION ON THE LIMITS OF THE CONTINENTAL
SHELF: 26 April 2004 - 30 April 2004. New York, United States. This
meeting will be followed by two weeks of meetings of a subcommission in
the event that a submission is made to the Commission. The 14th session
of the Commission will take place from 30 August to 3 September 2004,
also followed by two weeks of meetings of a subcommission in the event
that a submission is made. The meetings of the Commission, its
subcommissions and subsidiary bodies shall be held in private, unless
the Commission decides otherwise. For more information contact:
Secretary of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf.
DOALOS; tel: +1-212-963-3966; fax: +1-212-963-5847; e-mail:
doalos@un.org; Internet:
http://www.un.org/Depts/los/clcs_new/clcs_home.htm
SECOND WORLD CONFERENCE ON BIOMASS FOR ENERGY, INDUSTRY, AND CLIMATE
PROTECTION: 10 May 2004 - 14 May 2004. Rome, Italy. This
international event will consider the use of biomass as a source of
renewable energy and carbon dioxide reduction. In particular, the
conference will involve discussions on biomass research, development and
use, as well as on future actions. A Technology Exhibition schedule to
take place in parallel with the conference will seek to provide
opportunities for networking and developing business opportunities. For
more information contact: ETA Renewable Energies, Italy; tel:
+39-055-500-2174; fax: +39-055-573-425; e-mail:
biomass.conf@etaflorence.it; Internet:
http://www.conference-biomass.com/conference_Welcome.htm
SECOND WORLD RENEWABLE ENERGY FORUM: 30 May 2004 - 31 May 2004.
Bonn, Germany. This meeting will consider the use of renewable energy in
industry, rural areas, and cities. It is also expected to adopt a Global
Solar Manifesto aimed at securing a �Global Solar Habitat.� The forum
will address proposals by international NGOs for achieving renewable
energy prior to the intergovernmental International Conference for
Renewable Energy, which is taking place immediately after the forum (see
below). For more information contact: World Council for Renewable Energy
/ EUROSOLAR; tel: +49-228-362-373; fax: +49-228-361-213; e-mail:
info@wcre.org; Internet:
http://www.world-council-for-renewable-energy.org/
WATER FOR LIFE AND SECURITY: 31 May 2004 - 1 June 2004.
Barcelona, Spain. As part of the Barcelona 2004 Forum, the International
Green Cross is organizing a forum dialogue on water for life and
security. Participants will address the following issues: water and
solidarity; water, health and the environment; and water uses and
development. For more information contact: Barcelona2004 Forum; tel:
+34-93-320-9010; e-mail:
forum@barcelona2004.org; Internet:
http://www.barcelona2004.org/eng/eventos/dialogos/ficha.cfm?IdEvento=155
FIFTH MEETING OF THE OPEN-ENDED INFORMAL CONSULTATIVE PROCESS ON
OCEANS AND THE LAW OF THE SEA: 7 June 2004 - 11 June 2004. New York,
United States. This meeting will organize its discussions around new
sustainable uses of the oceans, including the conservation and
management of the biological diversity of the seabed in areas beyond
national jurisdiction, as well as issues discussed at previous meetings.
An international workshop will be held in conjunction with this meeting
to further consider and review a draft document on the establishment of
a regular process under the UN for global reporting and assessment of
the state of the marine environment. For more information contact:
Secretariat; tel: +1-212-963-3962; fax: +1-212-963-2811; e-mail:
doalos@un.org; Internet:
http://www.un.org/Depts/los/consultative_process/consultative_process.htm
FOURTEENTH MEETING OF STATES PARTIES TO UNCLOS: 14 June 2004 - 18
June 2004. New York, United States. This meeting will be held from 14-18
June 2004 at UNHQ in New York. For more information contact: DOALOS; tel:
+1-212-963-3962; fax: +1-212-963-5847; e-mail:
doalos@un.org; Internet:
http://www.un.org/depts/los/meeting_states_parties/meeting_states_parties.htm
TWENTIETH SESSIONS OF THE SUBSIDIARY BODIES TO THE UNFCCC: 14
June 2004 - 25 June 2004. Bonn, Germany. The twentieth sessions of the
subsidiary bodies to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
will resume negotiations relating to the Convention and the Kyoto
Protocol. This will be the first major negotiating session following the
ninth Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC, held in Milan in December
2003. The UNFCCC's two subsidiary bodies are the Subsidiary Body for
Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) and the Subsidiary Body for
Implementation (SBI). For more information contact: UNFCCC Secretariat;
tel: +49-228-815-1000; fax: +49-228-815-1999; e-mail:
secretariat@unfccc.int; Internet:
http://www.unfccc.int
FOURTEENTH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION ON THE LIMITS OF THE CONTINENTAL
SHELF: 30 August 2004 - 3 September 2004. New York, United States.
The 14th session of the Commission will take place from 30 August to 3
September 2004 in New York followed by two weeks of meetings of a
subcommission in the event that a submission is made. The meetings of
the Commission, its subcommissions and subsidiary bodies shall be held
in private, unless the Commission decides otherwise. For more
information contact: Secretary of the Commission on the Limits of the
Continental Shelf, DOALOS; tel: +1-212-963-3966; fax: +1-212-963-5847;
e-mail:
doalos@un.org; Internet:
http://www.un.org/Depts/los/clcs_new/clcs_home.htm
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON GLOBAL WATERS ASSESSMENT AND INTEGRATED
WATERS MANAGEMENT: 22 August 2004 - 25 August 2004. Kalmar, Sweden.
In conjunction with the Global International Waters Assessment (GIWA)
second General Assembly, this conference will discuss the interactions
between science and society in promoting the sustainable use of
transboundary river basins and seas. For more information contact: GIWA;
tel: +46-480-44-73-53; fax: +46- 480-44-73-55; e-mail:
info@giwa.net; Internet:
http://www.giwa.net/conference2004
SECOND NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON COASTAL AND ESTUARINE HABITAT
RESTORATION: 12 September 2004 - 15 September 2004. Seattle,
Washington, United States. This conference aims to advance the
knowledge, practice and success of coastal and estuarine habitat
restoration in the United States, with special focus on restoration
efforts in and around the Pacific Northwest. For more information
contact: Clare Stark, Communications Coordinator; tel: +1-703-524-0248;
fax: +1-703-524-0287; e-mail:
cstark@estuaries.org; Internet:
http://www.estuaries.org/2ndnationalconference.php
WORLD WATER CONGRESS: 19 September 2004 - 24 September 2004.
Marrakech, Morocco. The World Water Congress, sponsored by the
International Water Association (IWA), will bring together all those
interested in sustainable water resources management. Topics to be
discussed include: operating water and wastewater systems; integrated
water resource and river basin management; and water and health. For
more information contact: International Water Association; tel:
+44-20-7654-5500; fax: +44-20-7654-5555; e-mail:
water@iwahq.org.uk; Internet:
http://www.iwa2004marrakech.com/
LITTORAL 2004 CONFERENCE: 20 September 2004 - 22 September 2004.
Aberdeen, Scotland,, United Kingdom. Littoral 2004, the second joint
conference between EUROCOAST and the EUCC-The Coastal Union, will
address the following themes: data and data policy; dynamic coasts and
their management; energy resources and the coastal environment;
education and training; exploitation of living marine resources;
geospatial technologies: monitoring, mapping and modeling; maintaining
and improving coastal biodiversity; reducing conflict through coastal
planning and management; and tourism and recreation. For more
information contact: Littoral 2004 Organizing Committee; tel:
+44-1-223-333-438; fax: +44-1-223-33438; e-mail:
enquiries@littoal2004.org; Internet:
http://www.littoral2004.org/
TENTH CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES TO THE UNFCCC: 29 November
2004 - 10 December 2004. Buenos Aires, Argentina. The tenth Conference
of the Parties (COP) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC) will continue negotiations relating to the Convention and the
Kyoto Protocol. The previous COP took place in Milan in December 2003.
For more information contact: UNFCCC Secretariat; tel: +49-228-815-1000;
fax: +49-228-815-1999; e-mail:
secretariat@unfccc.int; Internet:
http://www.unfccc.int
SECOND WORLD CONFERENCE ON DISASTER REDUCTION: 18 January
2005 - 22 January 2005. Kobe-Hyogo, Japan. ISDR Secretariat, in
collaboration with several partner organizations, is currently engaged
in the ten-year review of disaster reduction activities since the first
World Conference on Natural Disaster Reduction, which took place in
Yokohama, Japan in 1994. The overall objective of the Second World
Conference on Disaster Reduction is to increase the commitment for
implementation of disaster risk reduction at all levels and in
particular its integration into development planning processes. The
review process will culminate in the Second World Conference on Disaster
Reduction to be held in Kobe, Hyogo, on 18-22 January 2005. For more
information contact: Helena Molin Valdes, Senior Officer, International
Strategy for Disaster Reduction; tel: +41-22-917-2776; fax:
+41-22-917-0563; e-mail:
molinvaldes@un.org; Internet:
http://www.unisdr.org
|
