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Sustainable development
COMMISSION
FOR AFRICA PROPOSES COHERENT PACKAGE FOR AFRICA
A “coherent package” for lifting Africa out of poverty has been
proposed by the Commission for Africa.
IUCN, UNEP
TO REVIEW PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
UNEP and IUCN have agreed to revise their 1995 Framework Agreement.
Biodiversity and wildlife
COUNCIL
OF EUROPE ASSEMBLY ADOPTS RESOLUTION ON GMOS
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has adopted a
resolution on genetically modified organisms.
IUCN
LAUNCHES TSUNAMI TASK FORCE ON PROTECTED AREAS
The IUCN Protected Areas Programme and World Commission on Protected
Areas are launching a Tsunami Task Force in order to restore
protected areas in affected regions.
Forests, deserts, land
UNCCD
LAUNCHES LOGO CONTEST
The UN Convention to Combat Desertification has launched a
competition to create the logo for the International Year of Deserts
and Desertification.
ACTIVIST’S MURDER SPURS ACTION TO PROTECT AMAZON
The murder of a leading human rights activist in Brazil’s Para state
may have the unintended consequence of slowing the destruction of
the Amazon rainforest. |
Climate and energy
CHINA
ADOPTS RENEWABLE ENERGY LAW
China has recently passed a
renewable energy law, establishing a 10% renewable energy target for
2020.
KYOTO
MECHANISMS HEAT UP; JAPAN COOLS ON LONG TERM PROSPECTS
The use of the Kyoto mechanisms is set to rise dramatically over the
next few years. However according to reports some experts seem to
have cooled on the prospects for a Kyoto-style treaty beyond 2012.
BUSH,
SHRÖDER PURSUE TECHNOLOGY TIES
US President George Bush’s recent trip to Europe has resulted in a
joint declaration outlining shared goals on renewable energy and
greenhouse gas reduction.
Human development
DIGITAL
SOLIDARITY FUND TO BE LAUNCHED ON 14 MARCH
14 March will witness the launching of the Digital Solidarity Fund,
an initiative proposed by Senegal’s President Wade that seeks to
transform the digital divide in “digital opportunities to promote
peace, sustainable development, democracy, transparency and good
governance.”
UN MARKS
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
The United Nations family commemorated International Women’s Day on
8 March with activities around the world ranging from cancer
prevention initiatives to rights seminars and education and
leadership workshops.
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Water, wetlands,
oceans, coasts
UNEP,
BASEL CONVENTION SIGN MOU ON COASTAL POLLUTION
The UNEP Regional Seas Programme and the Secretariat of the Basel
Convention have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to fight
coastal pollution.
CONGO
RIVER TO “POWER AFRICA OUT OF POVERTY”
South Africa’s Eskom Holdings has
announced plans to harness the power of the Congo River to generate
electricity.
UN-WATER UPDATE
UN-Water is the interagency mechanism that promotes coherence in,
and coordination of, UN system actions aimed at the implementation
of water-related goals contained in the Millennium Declaration and
the JPOI.
UN-OCEANS UPDATE
UN-Oceans is an inter-agency mechanism that seeks to enhance
cooperation and coordination among Secretariats of international
organizations and UN bodies concerned with ocean-related activities.
GLOBAL
MPA DATABASE IN PROGRESS
A project to develop an enhanced database of the world’s marine
protected areas is currently in progress.
IRAQ’S
WETLANDS SERIOUSLY DAMAGED—REPORT
The first scientific study of Iraq’s Mesopotamian marshes in several
decades has revealed widespread ecological damage, while also
offering hope that they can still be restored. |
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Sustainable development
MAKING TOURISM WORK FOR SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES
(World Tourism Organization, January 2005) This report summarizes
the current status of tourism in SIDS, providing evidence of the
importance it has for the sustainable development of many islands
and for the achievement of the MDGs. The report addresses key issues
that need to be considered by small island nations as they seek to
develop and manage tourism in a sustainable manner.
OUTGROWING THE EARTH: THE FOOD SECURITY CHALLENGE IN AN AGE OF
FALLING WATER TABLES AND RISING TEMPERATURES
(Earthscan, March 2005) Authored by Lester Brown, this book
addresses food security with regards to agricultural and water
productivity, energy policies and climate stabilization, and humane
population policies that balance food and population needs. The book
concludes by examining the need to redefine food security.
THEO AND THE
GIANT PLASTIC BALL
(UNEP, December 2004) This children’s book by UNEP’s Youth and
Environment Unit tells the tale of Theo, who in his efforts to make
a soccer ball with old plastic bags, finds himself inspiring his
community to protect their environment.
ACHIEVING THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS: RURAL INVESTMENT AND
ENABLING POLICY
(IFAD, January 2005) This discussion paper by Jean-Philippe Audinet
and Sappho Haralambous argues that poverty and hunger can be halved
over the coming decade in countries committed to the MDGs, assuming
the political will exists and focused, concerted action is taken.
The authors review the rural dimension of poverty and the centrality
of pro-poor agricultural growth, and identify areas and approaches
for more pro-poor investment.
A ONE STOP PARTICIPATION GUIDE: A HANDBOOK OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
IN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT IN SOUTHERN AFRICA
(Calabash Project, February 2005) This handbook contains lessons
learned from the Calabash Project’s research into six case studies
on environmental assessment and public participation in Southern
Africa. Among other aims, the Calabash Project seeks to increase the
effectiveness and ability of civil society to participate in
environmental decision-making. The handbook examines the process of
public participation from the perspective of
regulators,
industry, practitioners and civil society
– the key stakeholders of any public participation
process.
DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES AND FOOD AND NUTRITION SECURITY IN AFRICA: AN
ASSESSMENT
(IFPRI, December 2004) Authored
by Franz Heidhues et al.,
this discussion paper examines whether the strategies,
policies and programmes conceived and implemented by international
bodies, regional and subregional groups, and national institutions
fit the goal of achieving food and nutrition security. The paper
considers how such strategies, policies and programmes were
implemented, and why the results have been so variable and, in many
cases, unsatisfactory. The authors also identify lessons learned in
terms of strategy formulation and implementation, and how these
lessons can be used to reduce hunger and malnutrition.
Biodiversity and wildlife
UPDATED WTO WEBSITE ON TRIPS AND BIODIVERSITY
The World Trade Organization’s updated website on the revision of
Article 27.3(b) of the TRIPS (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual
Property Rights) Agreement includes submissions by Member States on
the relationship between the Convention on Biological Diversity and
the TRIPS Agreement, protection of traditional knowledge, and
disclosure of origin and prior informed consent in patent
applications.
SOUTH BULLETIN ISSUE 97/98: “SOUTH BENEFITING FROM ITS BIODIVERSITY”
(South Centre, February 2005) This issue of the South Centre’s
bulletin focuses on biodiversity issues. The bulletin contains
speeches by France’s President Jacques Chirac on the need to seek a
new distribution of biodiversity benefits, and by Malaysia’s Prime
Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on how the environment is not served
by the North-South divide. The February issue also includes the text
of the New Delhi Ministerial Declaration on Access and
Benefit-sharing of the Like-minded Megadiverse Countries, and a
letter from UNEP Executive Director Klaus Töpfer denying a statement
made on his behalf on the incompatibilities of the CBD and the TRIPS
agreement. |
Climate and energy
ANALYSIS OF THE INTERNATIONAL ACTION PROGRAMME OF THE INTERNATIONAL
CONFERENCE FOR RENEWABLE ENERGIES 2004
(IAP, 2005) This new report contains an analysis of the
International Action Programme (IAP) that formed the central outcome
of the Renewables Conference held in Bonn in June 2004. The report
reflects on the almost 200 actions and commitments outlined by
governments, international organizations and other stakeholders at
the 2004 event.
EXPLORING THE
RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT FLOWS AND CDM
POTENTIAL
This soon-to-be-published article, which will appear in UNCTAD’s
journal Transnational Corporations in April 2005, considers
the use of the Kyoto Protocol’s CDM, particularly as it relates to
foreign direct investment (FDI). The article suggests that any
assumption that CDM financial flows will correlate closely with FDI
flows is “simplistic” and may be incorrect. It argues that further
research is needed to determine how developing countries can attract
CDM investment.
VOLUNTARY APPROACHES IN CLIMATE POLICY
(Edward Elgar Publishing, 2004) Edited by Andrea Baranzini and
Philippe Thalmann, this book illustrates how corporate voluntarism
can be harnessed to mitigate climatic impacts of business, and
assesses the economics of such approaches at the company level and
in the context of climate policies. The book also explores the
efficiency and effectiveness of voluntary approaches, how they
compare and combine with other instruments, how they impact
competition and why they get adopted.
TOPICS GEO – ANNUAL REVIEW: NATURAL CATASTROPHES 2004
(Munich Re, February 2005) This publication highlights 2004 as a
year marked by “dramatic events as a result of earthquakes and
tropical cyclones,” and reports record losses
sustained
by
the insurance industry. The report describes the December 2004
tsunami disaster and highlights several unusual hurricane events,
including one forming off the Brazilian coast – the first detected
since observations began. Florida was struck by four hurricanes in
just a few weeks, while Japan was hit by a record 10 tropical
cyclones.
Forests, deserts, land
CHINA’S WOOD MARKET, TRADE AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(Science Press Inc. USA and WWF, 2004) China is expected to lead the
world’s wood market in the near future. The country imports more
than half of its timber from countries such as Russia, Malaysia and
Indonesia, all of which are experiencing problems with
over-harvesting, conversion of natural forests and illegal logging.
This WWF report, written by Zhu Chunquan, Rodney Taylor and Feng
Guoqiang, reviews the diverse policies
that shape China’s forest products market. The authors analyze
China’s forest products market and the “ecological footprint” of its
industrial wood consumption, and identify policy changes and actions
that could reduce the negative impacts of China’s wood products
market on the environment.
MEETING THE CHALLENGE: SILVICULTURAL RESEARCH IN A CHANGING WORLD
(IUFRO, 2005) This resource, Volume 15 in the IUFRO World Series,
contains extended
abstracts from the 14-18 June 2004 conference of the same name. The
table of contents and programme of the meeting, as well as
information on how to order the complete publication, are available
online.
ASSESSING
CARBON STOCKS AND MODELING WIN-WIN SCENARIOS OF CARBON SEQUESTRATION
THROUGH LAND-USE CHANGES
(FAO, 2004) This text by Raul Ponce-Hernandez, with contributions
from Parviz Koohafkan and Jacques Antoine, examines options to
address poverty alleviation, food security and sustainable
management of natural resources by enhancing land productivity
through diversification of agricultural systems, soil fertility
management and carbon sequestration in poor rural areas, thereby
creating synergies between the Convention to Combat Desertification,
the Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Convention on
Biological Diversity. The publication presents the methodology,
models and software tools that were developed and tested in pilot
field studies in Cuba and Mexico. The models and tools enable the
analysis of land-use change scenarios to identify land-use options
and land management practices that would simultaneously maximize
food and biomass production, soil carbon sequestration and
biodiversity conservation, and minimize land degradation in a given
area.
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Water, wetlands,
oceans, coasts
INTERNATIONAL WATER GOVERNANCE: CONSERVATION OF FRESHWATER
ECOSYSTEMS
(IUCN Environmental Law Centre, 2004) Published under the IUCN
Environmental Policy and Law Paper series and edited by Alejandro
Iza, the first volume of this publication is a compilation and
analysis of international agreements on freshwater ecosystems. The
report will be followed by a compilation and analysis of selected
national legislation, court decisions and soft law instruments. This
volume is designed to provide a better understanding of the existing
governance arrangements for the conservation of freshwater
ecosystems and to assist in the ongoing review and evolution of such
arrangements. It focuses on selected shared river agreements from
around the world and other multilateral environmental agreements
that might impact on the conservation of freshwater ecosystems.
WATER
CONSERVATION-ORIENTED RATES: STRATEGIES TO EXTEND SUPPLY, PROMOTE
EQUITY, AND MEET MINIMUM FLOW LEVELS
(American Water Works Association, 2005) Authored by Wang Young-Doo,
William James Smith, Jr., and John Byrne, this book highlights how
water rates can serve as an effective tool for reducing water use in
areas that are faced with drought or shrinking water supplies. The
book discusses rate structures that encourage water conservation,
including through: drought demand rates, excess use rates or excess
surcharges, inclining block rates, and seasonal rates. The book
explores: implementation issues; economic issues for the utility and
the consumer, especially low-income consumers; advantages and
disadvantages; the type of rates suitable for specific customer
groups or situations; and real-world utility experiences with
conservation rates.
RIVER RESTORATION IN EAST ASIA
(Global Environment Centre, 2005) This publication contains a
compilation of proceedings from a three-day
East Asia Regional Seminar on River Restoration held in Kuala Lumpur
in January 2003. The seminar brought together representatives from
government agencies, research institutions and non-government
organizations from eight countries to provide a platform for
regional experts and river managers to share their experiences. The
proceedings contain a total of 38 papers categorized into four main
themes: planning and management of river restoration; techniques and
experiences in river restoration; research and development in river
restoration; and community participation in river restoration.
UNDERVALUED AND OVERLOOKED: SUSTAINING RURAL LIVELIHOODS THROUGH
BETTER GOVERNANCE OF WETLANDS
(WorldFish Center, 2005) The WorldFish Center has launched a new
report highlighting three challenges
facing wetlands governance: improving interagency coordination;
devolving authority to ensure that decisions are more responsive to
people’s needs and that conflicts are managed equitably; and
instituting better systems for assessing the multiple values of
wetlands so that policy decisions reflect the interests of poor
people in particular. The report draws on extensive
consultations held in Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam and Laos involving
IUCN, Wetlands International, Asian Institute of Technology, Mekong
River Commission, government agencies and research institutes.
MAINSTREAMING
GENDER IN WATER MANAGEMENT - PRACTICAL JOURNEY TO SUSTAINABILITY: A
RESOURCE GUIDE
(UNDP, 2004) As part of its ongoing efforts to support both IWRM and
gender mainstreaming strategies, as well as to contribute to more
effective IWRM initiatives, UNDP’s Environmentally Sustainable
Development Group (ESDG) has prepared this resource guide for
mainstreaming gender in IWRM. |
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Click here for a complete listing of upcoming meetings
Change of dates:
RAMSAR COP-9 AFRICA REGIONAL PREPARATORY MEETING:
4 April 2005 - 8 April 2005. Arusha, Tanzania. The Regional Meeting
of the African Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention will
examine the major issues and concerns that characterize the
expansion of the Convention and its work in the region. It will
provide an opportunity to share experience and discuss common
problems, major achievements, and the need for future actions. For
more information contact: Dwight Peck, Ramsar Communications
Officer; tel: +41-22-999-0170; fax: +41-22-999-0169; e-mail:
peck@ramsar.org; Internet:
http://www.ramsar.org/w.n.html
The following are
upcoming meetings recently added to Linkages
website:
Sustainable development
SECOND INTERNATIONAL COORDINATION MEETING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN
INDIAN OCEAN TSUNAMI WARNING SYSTEM:
14 April 2005 - 16 April 2005. Port Louis, Mauritius. The Second
International Coordination Meeting for the Development of an Indian
Ocean Tsunami Warning System will take place in Mauritius from 14-16
April 2005. For more information contact: UNESCO-IOC; tel:
+33-1-45-68-39-84; fax: +33-1-45-68-58-12; Internet:
http://ioc.unesco.org/indotsunami/
EIGHTH INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON PARTICIPATORY IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT:
8 May 2005 - 13 May 2005. Tarbes, France. This seminar will address
the theme “Emerging Trends in Public-Private Partnerships in the
Irrigation Sector.” The event is being organized jointly by the
French Government and the International Network on Participatory
Irrigation Management (INPIM), with support from the World Bank
Agricultural and Rural Development Department and the World Bank
Institute. For more information contact: J. Raymond Peter, Executive
Director, INPIM; tel: +1-202-546-7005; fax: +1-202-318-0215; e-mail:
info@inpim.org; Internet:
http://www.inpim.org
Biodiversity and
wildlife
MEETING OF THE TECHNICAL EXPERT GROUP ON THE REVIEW OF
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAMME OF WORK ON FOREST BIODIVERSITY:
14 March 2005 - 16 March 2005. Montreal, Canada. This meeting of the
Technical Expert Group on the Review of Implementation of the
Programme of Work on Forest Biodiversity is being organized by the
CBD Secretariat. For more information contact: CBD Secretariat; tel:
+1-514-288-2220; fax: +1-514-288-6588; e-mail:
secretariat@biodiv.org; Internet:
http://www.biodiv.org/doc/meeting.aspx?mtg=TEGFORIS-01
FIRST MEETING OF THE WORKING GROUP ON PROTECTED AREAS:
13 June 2005 - 17 June 2005. Montecatini, Italy. This first meeting
of the Working Group on Protected Areas is being organized by the
CBD Secretariat. For more information contact: CBD Secretariat; tel:
+1-514-288-2220; fax: +1-514-288-6588; e-mail:
secretariat@biodiv.org; Internet:
http://www.biodiv.org/doc/meeting.aspx?mtg=PAWG-01
MEETING ON “AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY: TEN YEARS AFTER”:
6 July 2005 - 10 July 2005. Ravello, Italy. This meeting is being
organized by the International Consortium on Agricultural
Biotechnology Research. The event will focus on, inter alia,
the impact of agricultural biotechnology on international trade,
public acceptance of biotechnology, the impact of science,
intellectual property rights, biotechnology and developing
countries, and regulation of biotechnology. For more information
contact: Vittorio Santaniello; fax: +39-06-72-595-721; e-mail:
icabr@economia.uniroma2.it; Internet:
http://www.economia.uniroma2.it/conferenze/icabr2005/Default.asp
MEETING OF THE WORKING GROUP ON THE REVIEW OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
CONVENTION:
5 September 2005 - 9 September 2005. Montreal, Canada. This meeting
of the Working Group on the Review of Implementation of the
Convention is being organized by the CBD Secretariat. For more
information contact: CBD Secretariat; tel: +1-514-288-2220; fax:
+1-514-288-6588; e-mail:
secretariat@biodiv.org; Internet:
http://www.biodiv.org/meetings/
SECOND MEETING OF THE WORKING GROUP ON PROTECTED AREAS:
28 November 2005 - 2 December 2005. Montreal, Canada. This meeting
is tentatively scheduled to take place from 28 November to 2
December 2005. The event is being organized by the CBD Secretariat.
For more information contact: CBD Secretariat; tel: +1-514-288-2220;
fax: +1-514-288-6588; e-mail:
secretariat@biodiv.org; Internet:
http://www.biodiv.org/meetings/
FOURTH MEETING OF THE WORKING GROUP ON ARTICLE 8(J) AND ABS-4:
6 March 2006 - 17 March 2006. to be confirmed, Spain. The fourth
meeting of the CBD Ad Hoc Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related
Provisions is scheduled to convene from 6-10 March 2006, in Spain.
It will be followed by the fourth meeting of the CBD Ad Hoc
Open-ended Working Group on Access and Benefit Sharing, which will
convene from 13-17 March. Exact venue for the two meetings is still
to be confirmed. For more information contact: CBD Secretariat; tel:
+1-514-288-2220; fax: +1-514-288-6588; e-mail:
secretariat@biodiv.org; Internet:
http://www.biodiv.org/meetings/
Climate and
energy
CERI 2005 OIL CONFERENCE:
1 May 2005 - 3 May 2005. Kananaskis Village, Alberta, Canada. The
Canadian Energy Research Institute (CERI) holds its 25th annual Oil
Conference in Alberta in early May 2005. The conference will examine
what might happen in the coming months and years in the oil market,
which has seen some dramatic changes in recent years. The first day
will focus on oil prices, global oil demand, geopolitical “hotspots”
and OPEC’s capacity and strategy. Subsequent sessions will focus on
North America, including markets for Canadian oil. For more
information contact: Julie Staple, CERI; tel: +1-403-220-2380;
e-mail:
jstaple@ceri.ca; Internet:
http://www.ceri.ca/Conferences/confeences=oil_conference.asp
WORKSHOP ON OPTIONS FOR INCLUDING LULUCF ACTIVITIES IN A POST-2012
INTERNATIONAL CLIMATE AGREEMENT:
5 May 2005 - 6 May 2005. Graz, Austria. Joanneum Research and a
number of other organizations and agencies are hosting this
international workshop on options for including land use, land-use
change and forestry (LULUCF) activities in a post-2012 international
climate agreement. For more information contact: Neil Bird, Joanneum
Research; tel: +43-316-876-1338; fax: +43-316-876-1320; e-mail:
neil.bird@joanneum.at; Internet:
http://www.joanneum.at/CarboInvent/post2012/workshop.html
Forests, deserts,
land
SECOND FESTIVAL OF THE CULTURES AND CIVILIZATIONS OF WORLD DESERTS:
16 April 2005 - 22 April 2005. Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This
event is being organized by the World Deserts Foundation, the Zayed
International Prize for the Environment, the Dubai Tourism and
Commerce Marketing Department and the Dubai Police. The meeting will
attempt to: draw the attention of desert people and governments to
the ideal model for fast and steady socio-economic development in
desert regions; assess sustainable development strategies in desert
regions and identify barriers to their implementation; develop a set
of recommendations for collaboration between the governments, IGOs,
NGOs and the UN agencies in environmental, socio-cultural and
economic aspects of sustainable development in desert regions; and
develop a Charter for Sustainable Development of Desert Regions. For
more information contact: Zayed International Prize for the
Environment; tel: +971-4-332-6666; fax: +971-4-332-6777; e-mail:
zayedprz@eim.ae; Internet:
http://www.zayedprize.org.ae/tacsoftnet/images/brochures/brochures_51.pdf
CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION BIOLOGY IN PLANTATION
FORESTS:
26 April 2005 - 29 April 2005. Bordeaux, France. This Conference is
organized by IEFC (Institut Européen de la Forêt Cultivée) and INRA
(Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique), under the auspices
of IUFRO, WWF, and the European Forest Institute. For more
information contact: Hervé Jactel, INRA; fax: +33-5-5668-0546;
e-mail:
Herve.Jactel@pierroton.inra.fr; Internet:
http://www.pierroton.inra.fr/IEFC/manifestations/IUFROD82005.html
THIRD PART OF THE UN CONFERENCE ON THE NEGOTIATION OF A SUCCESSOR
AGREEMENT TO THE INTERNATIONAL TROPICAL TIMBER AGREEMENT, 1994:
27 June 2005 - 1 July 2005. Geneva, Switzerland. The Third Part of
the UN Conference on the Negotiation of a Successor Agreement to the
International Tropical Timber Agreement, 1994, is scheduled for 27
June to 1 July 2005. For more information contact: UNCTAD
Secretariat, Intergovernmental Affairs and Outreach Service; tel:
+41-22-917-5809; fax: +41-22-917-0056; e-mail:
correspondence@unctad.org; Internet:
http://www.unctad.org/Templates/Meeting.asp?intItemID=3323&lang=1
EUROPE AND NORTH ASIA FOREST LAW ENFORCEMENT AND GOVERNANCE
MINISTERIAL MEETING:
November 2005. Russian Federation. This meeting will contribute to
the initiation of a Forest Law Enforcement and Governance (FLEG)
process for Europe and North Asia. The exact dates and location of
the meeting have yet to be determined. An International Steering
Committee for the event is expected to hold a preparatory meeting in
June 2005. For more information contact: Nalin Kishor; tel:
+1-202-473-8672; fax: +1-202-522-1142; e-mail:
nkishor@worldbank.org; Internet:
http://lnweb18.worldbank.org/ESSD/ardext.nsf/14ByDocName/ForestGovernanceProgram
Human development
38TH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION ON POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT:
4 April 2005 - 8 April 2005. UNHQ, New York. The theme for the 2005
CPD session is “Population, Development and HIV/AIDS, with
particular emphasis on poverty.” The session will also consider as
an additional topic, the contribution of the implementation of the
ICPD Programme of Action to the achievement of the internationally
agreed development goals, including those contained in the
Millennium Declaration. For more information contact: Hania Zlotnik,
Director, Population Division; tel: +1-212-963-3185; fax:
+1-212-963-2147; Internet:
http://www.un.org/esa/population/cpd/comm2005.htm
HIGH-LEVEL MEETING TO REVIEW THE PROGRESS ACHIEVED IN REALIZING THE
COMMITMENTS SET OUT IN THE DECLARATION OF COMMITMENT ON HIV/AIDS:
2 June 2005. New York, US. This GA High-level meeting will take
place on 2 June 2005 at UN headquarters in New York. For more
information contact: Office of the President of the General
Assembly; tel: +1-212-963-7555; fax: +1-212-963-3301; Internet:
http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N03/508/68/PDF/N0350868.pdf?OpenElement
WSIS TUNIS PHASE PREPCOM-3:
19 September 2005 - 30 September 2005. Geneva, Switzerland. In
accordance with the decision of PrepCom 2, the Group of Friends of
the Chair will continue to draft proposals for chapters one on
Implementation Mechanisms, and four on The Way Ahead. The final
report of the Working Group on Internet Governance will be presented
in mid-July. For more information contact: WSIS Contact for
Governments; tel: +41-22-730-5511; fax: +41-22-730-6393; e-mail:
wsis@itu.int; Internet:
http://www.itu.int/wsis/preparatory2/pc3/index.html
Intergovernmental
organizations
112TH IPU ASSEMBLY AND RELATED MEETINGS:
3 April 2005 - 8 April 2005. Manila, the Philippines. The 112th
Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union will address, inter alia,
the: global political, economic and social situation with a focus on
the impact of domestic and international policies on the situation
of women; role of parliaments in establishing innovative
international financing and trading mechanisms to address the
problem of debt and to achieve the MDGs; and role of parliaments in
advocating and enforcing observance of human rights in the
strategies for the prevention, management and treatment of the
HIV/AIDS pandemic. For more information contact: Carmen R. Arceño,
Office of International Relations and Protocol; tel: +632-551-6795;
fax: +632-551-2006; Internet:
http://www.ipu.org/conf-e/112agnd.htm
NINTH SPECIAL SESSION OF THE GOVERNING COUNCIL/SEVENTH GLOBAL
MINISTERIAL ENVIRONMENT FORUM:
7 February 2006 - 9 February 2006. Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The
major agenda items for UNEP GCSS-9/GMEF are energy and environment
and chemicals management. For more information contact: Beverly
Miller, Secretary for UNEP Governing Council; tel: +254-2-623-431;
fax: +254-2-623-929; e-mail:
beverly.miller@unep.org; Internet:
http://www.unep.org
UNEP GC-24/GMEF:
5 February 2007 - 9 February 2007. Nairobi, Kenya. The 24th session
of the UNEPGC/GMEF is scheduled to take place from 5-9 February 2007
in Nairobi. For more information contact: Beverly Miller, Secretary
for UNEP Governing Council; tel: +254-2-623-431; fax:
+254-2-623-929; e-mail:
beverly.miller@unep.org; Internet:
http://www.unep.org
Water, wetlands,
oceans, coasts
CONFERENCE ON WATER FOR LIFE – THE UK INPUT:
22 March 2005. London, UK. Marking the official start of the UN
“Water for Life” decade, this conference will include sessions on
international policy, governance, science, technology and
capacity-building. The meeting will seek to promote collaboration
and an alignment of effort across government departments, NGOs and
other UK institutions in their pursuit of the identified and agreed
Millennium Development Goals, and will assist the efforts being made
by the UK in support of the water programmes being undertaken within
the UN framework. For more information contact: Heather Binney,
Royal Geographical Society; tel: +44-20-7591-3005; e-mail:
h.binney@rgs.org; Internet:
http://www.rgs.org/category.php?Page=mainevents
RAMSAR ASIA REGIONAL MEETING:
13 May 2005 - 16 May 2005. Beijing, China. The Regional Meeting of
the Asian Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention will examine
the major issues and concerns that characterize the expansion of the
Convention and its work in the region, particularly leading up to
the ninth Ramsar COP in November 2005. For more information contact:
Dwight Peck, Communications Officer, Ramsar Secretariat; tel:
+41-22-999-0170; fax: +41-22-999-0169; e-mail:
peck@ramsar.org; Internet:
http://www.ramsar.org
INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AND
CHALLENGES OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT:
23 May 2005 - 25 May 2005. Marrakesh, Morocco. This event will allow
specialists to present and exchange information about the latest
developments in their work on IWRM. Topics will include: tools and
technologies applied to the integrated management of water
resources; impact of climatic changes, new hydraulic structures and
socio-economic development on water resources; and quantitative and
qualitative aspects of integrated and sustainable water resources
management. For more information contact: Congress Secretariat; tel:
+212-44-434-649; fax: +212-44-437-411; e-mail:
gire3d@ucam.ac.ma; Internet:
http://www.fstg-marrakech.ac.ma/gire3d/anglais/index1.htm
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON REGIONAL COOPERATION ON TRANSBOUNDARY
RIVER BASINS:
30 May 2005 - 1 June 2005. Dushanbe, Tajikistan. This conference
will seek to strengthen regional cooperation in transboundary river
basin management and to establish dialogue among Central Asian
States on these issues. Discussions will be held on experiences in
different transboundary river basins, and participants will be asked
to consider the main events expected to be conducted during the
�Water for Life� decade, with the aim of achieving the safe and
rational use of transboundary rivers, and sustainable development in
different transboundary river basin countries. For more information
contact: Rahimov Sulton; tel: +992-372-234-155; fax:
+992-372-510-220; e-mail:
transwater@tajik.net; Internet:
http://www.transwaterconference2005.org/
XII WORLD WATER CONGRESS:
22 November 2005 - 25 November 2005. New Delhi, India. Organized by
the International Water Resource Association, the theme of this
conference is �Water for sustainable development - towards
innovative solutions.� For more information contact: G.N. Mathur,
Member Secretary, Adhering Committee of International Water
Resources Associa; tel: +91-11-2611-5984; fax: +91-11-2611-6347;
e-mail:
info@worldwatercongress.org; Internet:
http://wc.worldwatercongress.org:5050/index.htm
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