UNITED
NATIONS
Thirteenth Meeting of the Monitoring CommitteeFirst Meeting of the Interim Scientific, Technical
On the Action Plan for the Caribbean Environment
Programme and Special Meeting of the Bureau of
Contracting Parties to the Convention for the
Protection and Developmentand Advisory Committee (ISTAC) to the Protocol of the Marine
Environment of the Wider Caribbean RegionConcerning Pollution from Land-Based Sources
and Activities in the Wider Caribbean Region(LBS)
Ocho Rios, Jamaica, 19-23 February 2001
San José, Costa Rica, 9 - 13 July 2001
REPORT OF THE MEETING
MOCK REPORTR
Contents
Page
I.Introduction...... 1
II.Report of the Meeting...... 1
- Opening of the Meeting (agenda item 1)...... 1
- Organization of the Meeting (agenda item 2)...... 3
- Adoption of the agenda (agenda item 3) ...... 3
- Report of the Chairperson of the Monitoring Committee and President
of the Bureau of Contracting Parties (agenda item 4)...... 3 - Status report on the implementation of the Caribbean Environment
Programme (agenda item 5)...... 4 - Rules of Procedure for the Caribbean Environment Programme
(agenda item 6)...... 10 - Financial Rules of the Caribbean Environment Programme
(agenda item 7)...... 10 - Strategy for the Development of the Caribbean Environment
Programme (agenda item 8)...... 12 - Draft workplan and budget for the Caribbean Environment Programme
for the biennium 2002-2001. (agenda item 9)...... 14 - Regional activity centres of the Caribbean Environment Programme
(agenda item 10)...... 20 - Other business (agenda item 11)...... 25
- Adoption of the report of the Meeting (agenda item 12)...... 26
- Closure of the Meeting (agenda item 13)...... 26
Annexes
I.Agenda
II.Recommendations of the Meeting
III.Report of the working group on rules of procedure
IV.Report of the working group on financial rules
V.List of documents
VI.List of participants
UNEP (DEC) CAR WG.18/-----CRP. 6
Page 1
I.IntroductionNTRODUCTION
- In its Decision No. 17, of the Ninth Intergovernmental Meeting on the Action Plan for the Caribbean Environment Programme (CEP) and Sixth Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region, held in (Ninth IGM, Kingston, Jamaica, from 14 to 1-188 February 2000) (see UNEP(DEC)/CAR IG. 17/5, Annex IV), agreed to endorse the general approach of the revised Wworkplan and to adopt the Bbudget for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Caribbean Environment Programme (CEP) for the biennium 2000-2001 biennium.. This workplan included the convening of the Thirteenth Meeting of the Monitoring Committee on the Action Plan of the Caribbean Environment Programme and Special Meeting of the Contracting Parties.
- In light of the above, this Meeting was convened by the Secretariat of the UNEP’s Caribbean Environment Programme in San José, Costa Rica, from 9 -to 13 July 2001.
- The Meeting had was convened by the Secretariat with the following objectives:
(a)tTo review the current status and activities of the CEP, including the status of the
Caribbean Trust Fund and progress made on the fund-raising strategy;
(b)tTo review the draft Rules of Procedure and Financial Rules for the Caribbean Environment Programme and in the implementation of the Cartagena Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region;;
(c)To review the Strategy for the Development of Caribbean Environment Programme 2002-2006;
(d) Tto review all proposals received by the Ssecretariat for the establishment of a Rregional Aactivity Ccentre for the Protocol Concerning Pollution from Land-Bbased Sources and Activities (LBS Protocol) to the Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region; Cartagena Convention:and
t(e)Too review the draft 2002-2003 Wworkplan and Bbudget for Caribbean EnvironmentProgramme.
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(b)
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2.Decision No. 29 (b) of the Ninth Intergovernmental Meeting on the Action Plan for the Caribbean Environment Programme (CEP) and the Sixth Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region (Kingston, Jamaica, 14-18 February 2000) agreed to bring into existence an Ad Hoc Group of Government-designated Experts to begin to function as an Interim Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (ISTAC) on Land-based Sources and Activities and Assessment and Management of Environmental Pollution (AMEP) activities as they relate to the Protocol, until the Protocol enters into force.
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UNEP (DEC) )/CAR WIG.189/6-----
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17.In light of the above, this Meeting was convened by UNEP’s Caribbean Environment Programme in Ocho Rios, Jamaica from 19-23 February 2001.
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21.3. The Meeting was convened by the Secretariat with the following objectives:
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23.- to review the current status and activities of the LBS Protocol;
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25.to review the draft Terms of Reference for Creation of a Regional Activity Centre (RAC) for Marine Pollution from Land-based Sources and draft Agreement between the Government of Cuba and UNEP-CAR/RCU;
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27.to review relevant activities of the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities (GPA), the Global International Waters Assessment (GIWA) and other relevant initiatives; and
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29.to develop the 2002-2003 Workplan and Budget of the LBS Protocol for subsequent approval by the Tenth Intergovernmental Meeting.
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- 4. The experts invited to the Meeting were nominated by the nNational Ffocal Ppoints of the Governments that constitute the Monitoring Committee of the Caribbean Environment Programme and Special Meeting of the Bureau of Contracting Parties. Other CEP Mmember Governments of the Caribbean Environment Programme,, United Nations Aagencies and non-governmental and intergovernmental organizations were invited to participate as Oobservers. aribbean Environment Programme, these included representatives from the Ministries of Environment and of Planning and Finance, as well as relevant national agencies. Additionally, representatives of international, regional, intergovernmental, and non-governmental organizations were invited to attend the Meeting as Observers, as well as the speakers and presenters of the GPA Regional Working Group on Municipal Wastewater representing in their expert capacity relevant institutions from the region.
II.Report of the Meeting
A.genda item 1: Opening of the Meeting (agenda item 1)
- The Meeting was opened on Monday, 9 July 2001, by the Vice-Minister of Environment and Energy of the Government of Costa Rica, Ivan Vincent. In his opening remarks, the Vice-Minister welcomed all participants to his country and highlighted the importance that his Government placed on the Caribbean Environment Programme. He noted that, despite the fact that the marine territory of Costa Rica was ten times bigger than its land mass, coastal and marine issues were not being fully addressed with the integrated vision and holistic approach necessary for effective policies for human sustainable development. He also noted that his Government perceived the Caribbean Environment Programme as an opportunity and a mechanism for regional integration, as well as for advancing technical discussions on matters of regional and global concern. Such issues include climate change and biodiversity conservation, which should bring concrete results as well as benefits for the population in general. In this context, the Vice-Minister emphasized the need to integrate environmental discussions with social issues to achieve sustainable human development for all the peoples of the Caribbean Basin. In closing, the Vice-Minister reiterated his Government’s commitment to its financial obligations to the Caribbean Environment Programme, as well as to becoming a Contracting Party to the protocols of the Cartagena Convention.
- The Chief Executive Director of the National Environment and Planning Agency of the Government of Jamaica, and Chairman of the Monitoring Committee of the Caribbean Environment Programme, Franklin McDonald, also welcomed the participants to the Meeting.
In his welcoming remarks, the Coordinator of the Caribbean Environment Programme, Nelson Andrade Colmenares, made reference to the main objectives of the Meeting and thanked the Government of Costa Rica for its invaluable support, which had made the meeting possible, and for its warm welcome to its beautiful country. He expressed the secretariat’s appreciation for the opportunity to review the achievements of the Programme during the past year, but also to revisit the challengeswhich were encountered by the secretariat. He expressed confidence in the renewed interest demonstrated by many Governments through the payment of arrears to the Caribbean Trust Fund, which was probably a result of the “cost-benefit” analysis that countries had undertaken with respect to the Programme. He highlighted important issues, such as the entry into force of the Protocol Concerning Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife (SPAW Protocol) in June 2000 and the signing of agreements with the Government of France for the establishment of a regional activity centre (RAC) for the SPAW Protocol and with the Ramsar Convention secretariat regarding cooperation within the framework of the SPAW Protocol. The Coordinator of UNEP Secretariat on Monday, 19 FebruaryJuly 2001 at 9:30 a.m. in the Salón Corcovado of the Meliá Confort Corobicí Hotel in San José.Portland Suite Renaissance Jamaica Grande Hotel in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.
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9.In his welcoming remarks Mr. Andrade made reference to the adoption of the Protocol Concerning Pollution from Land-Based Sources and Activities in Aruba in October 1999 which set a unique precedent with the adoption of definitive regional measures for the control of pollution from sewage. He reminded the Meeting, however, that although the Protocol in itself is a great achievement for the region, if it is not implemented, it will only be good intentions on paper. Therefore, he urged the governments commitment at the political, economic and social level in order to make the Protocol implementation a reality. He highlighted the role that the LBS Protocol needs to play in the implementation of the Global Programme of Action (GPA), demonstrated by this first initiative of the GPA Coordination Office and the Secretariat of the LBS Protocol to hold jointly this LBS ISTAC meeting with the GPA Regional Working Group on Municipal Wastewater.
10.In this context he outlined a few of the activities in support of the LBS Protocol which are currently being planned and coordinated with the GPA. These included the selection by GPA of the Wider Caribbean and the LBS Protocol as one of the examples of progress in the area of pollution control from land-based sources and activities to be presented to the intergovernmental review process of the GPA to be held in late 2001 in Montreal. Additionally, the Wider Caribbean is also part of two GPA projects being developed on coastal habitat modification, and sewage pollution control respectively which in total will have a budget of approximately US$3.2 million.
Mr.also Andrade noted that with the active participation of Governments at all levels and the… joint cooperation of the donor agencies,
- called the attention of the Meeting to two issues that required careful review and resolution during the deliberations, namely the Rules of Procedure for the Programme and the Financial Rules, both of which were vital for the effective operation of CEP.
12.In his capacity as Chairman of the Monitoring Committee, Mr. McDonald reiterated the objectives of the Meeting and invited all participants to move to the next agenda item.
the financial institutions and international banks, the implementation of the Protocol would become a reality for the Wider Caribbean Region. In this regard, he invited all participants gathered on this occasion and representing the various stakeholders groups relevant to LBS and activities of marine pollution to participate actively and decisively in the critical review of the needs of the Protocol and in the identification of the necessary tools to put in place its provisions in order to achieve its entry into force as soon as possible. He also urged participants to be creative with their fundraising efforts and ideas and to produce a workplan and budget in support of the LBS Protocol for 2000-2003 which is concrete and realistic.
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B.Agenda item 2:Election of OfficersOrganization of the Meeting. (agenda item 2)
1. (a)Rules of procedure
The Meeting agreed to apply mutatis mutandis the Rules of Procedure of theGoverning Council of UNEP, as contained in document (UNEP/GC/3/Rev.3).
2. (b)Election of officers
- The Meeting was invited to install Jamaica as the Chairperson (as elected by theNinth Intergovernmental Meeting on the Action Plan for the Caribbean Environment Programme and Sixth Meeting of the Contracting Parties)GM)and to elect three Vice-Chairpersons and a Rapporteur of the Meeting.
- The Meeting elected from among the experts the following officers of the Meeting:
Chairperson:Mr. Franklin McDonald ------(Jamaica)
1st First Vice-chairperson: - Mr. Edwin Cyrus Cyrus------(------Costa Rica)
2nd Second Vice-Chairperson: Mr. Dennis Francis------(Trinidad and Tobago------)
Third V3rd vice-Chairperson: Mr. Modesto ------Fernandez------(Cuba------)
Rapporteur: -Mr. Richard Wilbur------(------United States of America)
3. Organization of work
- English, French and Spanish were the working languages of the Meeting. The working documents of the Meeting were available in all the working languages.
- The secretariat convened the Meeting in plenary sessions, with the assistance of working groups established by the Chairperson. Simultaneous interpretation in the working languages was available for the plenary meetings as well as those of the working groups.
C.The Meeting elected from among the experts the following officers of the Meeting:
Chairperson: Maria Cristina Cardenas (Colombia)
1st Vice-chairperson: Edwin Cyrus (Costa Rica)
2nd Vice-Chairperson: ………………………………(Netherlands Antilles)
3rd vice-Chairperson: ………………………………. (Cuba)
Rapporteur: Merle Barrett (Jamaica)
Organization of the MeetingAdoption of the agenda (agenda item 3)
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(a)Rules of procedure
The Meeting agreed to apply mutatis mutandis the rules of procedure of the
(b)Organization of the work
English, French and Spanish were the working languages of the Meeting. Simultaneous interpretation in these languages was provided by the Secretariat for the plenary sessions of the Meeting. The working documents of the Meeting were available in all the working languages.
The Secretariat convened the Meeting in plenary sessions, with the assistance of working groups be established by the Chairperson. Simultaneous interpretation was not available for the working groups.
As previously agreed with the Governments, the Global Programme of Action (GPA) held the Regional Working Group on Municipal Wastewater within the context of this First ISTAC Meeting as noted in Agenda item 6 of this Report.
- The Meeting was invited to adopt the agenda of the Meeting as contained in document UNEP(DEC)/CAR IG.19/1. There were no comments on the proposed agenda, which was adopted as reflected in annex I to the Report.
During the adoption of the agenda, the Meeting requested
The Delegation of…………
D.Report of the Chairperson of the Monitoring Committee and President of the Bureau of Contracting Parties (agenda item 4)Adoption of the Agenda
- A report on the activities during the biennium2000-2001 was presented by theChairperson of the Monitoring Committee and President of the Bureau of Contracting Parties. (UNEP(DEC)/CAR IG.19/INF.3)..
12.The Secretariat presented the Provisional Agenda for approval of the Meeting as contained in document UNEP(DEC)/CAR WG.18/1.
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14.Any changes to the agenda….??
- In his report the Chairperson outlined the status of the Cartagena Convention The Delegation of …….and its Protocols, the financial situation, the status of projects and activities, including the major meetings of the Programme during the biennium, and the progress made in issues related to cooperation and coordination with other organizations and in addition on the issue of the hiring and training of personnel. He highlighted the progress made by the secretariat in a number of areas, including promotion of the Protocols, securing additional ratifications to the SPAW Protocol and improved financial situation of both the Caribbean Trust Fund and the Programme in general, which required both sensitivity and persistence on the part of the secretariat. The Chairperson concluded by outlining the key issues that are important for fulfilling the objectives of the Meeting. These included the need for the secretariat and CEP to continue focusing on activities specifically related to the Cartagena Convention and its Protocols; the need for Governments to be active partners in the development and implementation of the Programme on a continuing basis and not just at meetings; and the need to have full political, programmatic and financial support from Governments as the only way to ensure a totally operational Programme.
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.Status report on the Implementation of the Caribbean Environment Programme (2000-2001) (agenda item 5)
- The Chairman asked the secretariat to present the status of CEP referring to document UNEP(DEC)/CARIG.19/5 entitled, “Status report on the implementation of the Caribbean Environment Programme for the biennium 2000-2001”.
16.18.The Coordinator of the Programme, Mr. Nelson Andrade, presented the accomplishments and major activities undertaken during the period under review as well as the challenges faced. During his presentation the Coordinator highlighted the most important structural changes in management and administration that had occurred in the areas of personnel, as well as delivery of products and services. He reported the recruitment of a new Programme Officer for the Information Systems for the Management of Marine and Coastal Resources subprogramme (CEPNET) and a new Fund Management Officer. The position of Programme Officer for the Education, Training and Awareness (ETA) subprogramme remained vacant, owing to a lack of funds. Nonetheless, the secretariat was considering hiring an ETA Programme Officer locally. It was noted that new computer and software equipment recently acquired would improve Programme delivery and communications, including the ability to continue to update the CEP web page.
- The secretariat further noted changes to its support services through the acquisition of new motor vehicles, and the provision of French language training for all staff.