Apes: Refocussing Resources

The 2nd Council Meeting of the Great Apes Survival Partnership (GRASP) is convening at UNESCO Headquarters from 6-8 November. Participants are expected to develop a long-term strategy to meet the demands of conserving great apes and their habitat in a rapidly changing world. Discussions will focus on three advanced themes: great apes and green economy; great apes and illegal trade; and great apes and technology. Proposals from the recent GRASP Strategic Review will be considered in order to make the Partnership more effective, while considering reaching out to areas of government, industry, science and research that could increase the scope and scale of work.

Documents

Water and Sanitation Virtual Library

The UN Office to suport the International Decade 'Water for Life' 2005-2015 has launched the online UN Documentation Centre on Water and Sanitation (UN/DCWS).

Instrument on Mercury: 5th session

The 5th session of the “Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to prepare a global legally binding instrument on mercury” (INC-5) will take place in Geneva (Switzerland) from 13-18 January 2013. A note by the Chair (UNEP(DTIE)/Hg/INC.5/2) prepared in consultation with the Bureau, sets out plans and general expectations for the session and serves to assist preparations for the session and "reach a successful conclusion, with the finalization of an ambitious text that best reflects the compromise and positive spirit that has prevailed throughout our negotiations."

In related news, the 43rd GEF Council will be discussing a "Proposed Framework for a Financial Mechanism for the Future Mercury Convention and Draft Operational Program for Mercury" at its meeting from 13-15 November.

 

Savanna Wildlife

“Illegal Hunting and the Bush-Meat Trade in Savanna Africa: Drivers, Impacts and Solutions to Address the Problem" confirms a greater frequency and impact on wildlife populations in the Southern and Eastern savannas of Africa than previously thought. The report also adds to elements  of related agenda points considered during CBD/COP-11 with new data from experts.

BASIC and Climate Change

Ministers from Brazil, China, India and South Africa (BASIC) concluded their 11th Meeting on Climate Change with the adoption of a joint statement. Therein, leaders reiterate their commitment to a successful outcome of UNFCCC/COP-18, reaffirm the UNCSD (Rio+20) outcome document, as well as the outcome from UNFCCC/COP-17. Furthermore, the statement expresses concerns over the inclusion of international aviation in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU-ETS), and the planned unilateral inclusion of other sectors, noting that this apporach "undermines confidence and weakens efforts to tackle climate change on a multilateral basis."
 
BASIC Joint Statement

New Sustainable Development Website

The UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN/DESA) has launched a new knowledge platform for sustainable development. The website includes resources describing inter-governmental processes, the UN system and major groups, as well as links to nearly 6,000 related documents.

UN/GA and Post-Rio+20

During the first weeks of the 67th session of the General Assembly, many speakers emphasized the need to first look to implementng the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015 before focussing on what is to take their place. At the same time, there is a necessity to quickly create, immediatly embrace and begin implementation of the new goals.
 
During a briefing for civil society with members of the High-Level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post-2015 Development Agenda, representatives were encouraged to engage in three parallel processes for setting the post-2015 development agenda: the High-Level Panel of Eminent Persons; country-level consultation and thematic consultations; and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
 
The country-level consultations and thematic consultations are to be facilitated by the UN Development Group with each of the eleven thematic consultations to be co-convened by two or more UN agencies. The themes to be addressed in the global consultations are:
- governance;
- growth and employment;
- health;
- inequality;
- education;
- environmental sustainability;
-  food security and nutrition;
- conflict and fragility;
- population dynamics;
- water; and
- energy.

On October 16, a Special Event of the UN/GA's Second Committee will provide the first opportunity since Rio+20 for Member States and other participants to engage in discussions on how to develop the SDGs.
 
The Secretary-General has also developed a follow-up framework to Rio+20 by the UN System identifying follow-up actions called for in outcome document, along with the UN entity tasked with the responsibility to lead and the timeframe for delivering the outcome.

HRC: Human rights and Environment

After its decision in March 2012, the Human Rights Council has appointed an Independent Expert on the issue of human rights obligations relating to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment (Resolution 19/10). John Knox began his mandate in August 2012 and will submit his first report to the 22^nd session of the Human Rights Council in March 2013. 

Building on several other resolutions related to human rights and the environment and human rights and climate change, resolution 19/10 requests the Independent Expert to, among other things:
· Study the human rights obligations relating to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment, in consultation with relevant stakeholders;
· Identify and promote best practices on the use of human rights obligations and commitments to inform, support and strengthen environmental policy making and prepare a compendium of best practices; and
· Make recommendations that could help the realization of the Millennium Development Goals, in particular Goal 7, and contribute a human rights perspective to the Rio +20 follow-up process.

UN-Water: Annual Report

The 2011 Annual Report highlights the year's achievements, including launching the UN Documentation Centre on Water and Sanitation (UN-DCWS), undertaking a survey of 130 countries on approaches to water management, and responding to urban water challenges.

Objectives of 67th UN/GA President

Vuk Jeremic recently detailed his priorities, with the post-2015 development agenda as first on his list. He noted the mandate from Rio+20, to be in charge of follow-up, including the formation of the Open Working Group (OWG) on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Jeremic said he will take responsibility for determining the members of the 30-member group, in a joint effort alongside Brazil’s Permanent Representative. In that capacity, he will seek to ensure that the process is fully complementary and combined with the process around the post-2015 development agenda, especially the work of the OWG and the High-Level Panel (HLP) on the Post-2015 Development Agenda. The HLP is expected to put its list of goals forward next May. 
 
UN Press Release
Summary of Press Conference

CITES: COP-16 Preparation

In response to a call for input, the CITES Secretariat has received 67 proposals from over 50 Parties to the Convention to amend the rules governing international trade in wildlife species. Upon final posting, Parties have 60 days to provide their comments and provisional assessments will be published by the Secretariat by the end of the year. Governments will decide on the proposals at COP-16 in Bangkok (Thailand), from 3-14 March 2013. coinciding  with the 40th anniversary of CITES.

First provisional list of proposals for amendment of Appendices I and II

Outcomes: Biosafety COP/MOP-6

Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (COP/MOP 6) adopted 16 decisions, including a decision initiating activities to provide a basis for future substantive work in regard to socio-economic impacts of living modified organisms.

CBD Press Release

FAO and EU Forests

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has called for proposals for the EU-supported programme on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT). Proposals must address at least one of seven thematic priorities:
- support for Voluntary Partnership Agreements;
- improved transparency;
- monitoring and national control systems;
- the enhancement of community forestry;
- support for legal and regulatory frameworks;
- support for relevant private sector efforts; and
- the improvement of timber markets.

Deadline for proposals is 12 December.

EU FAO FLEGT Programme Guidelines

Declaration: Global Framework on Climate Services

The African Union Commission (AUC), African regional economic communities and Secretariat of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) have declared their support for the Global Framework on Climate Services (GFCS), a UN initiative spearheaded by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) which aims to strengthen and expand the provision of climate services.

The Addis Ababa Declaration of Support for the Global Framework on Climate (GFCS) recognizes that the GFCS will, among other things:
- enable better management of the risks of climate variability and change;
- help African institutions gain better access to knowledge and technologies for climate monitoring, prediction and projection; and
- facilitate synergies and harmonization between existing and upcoming climate-related projects in Africa.

Pacific and REDD+

The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) has announced that the 3rd Regional Meeting of Ministers of Agriculture and Forestry endorsed the Pacific Islands Regional Policy Framework for REDD+. As reported, the framework aims to support Pacific Island countries (PICs) to address and participate in international regimes on greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction in the forest and trees sector.

Press Release

New UNCLOS Accession

The Republic of Peru deposited its instrument of accession to UNCLOS on 24 September. This brings the total parties to 163 states plus the European Union. The number of non-parties is now down to 34, 19 of which are landlocked. There remain 15 coastal states, including the United States, outside the Convention.

ECOSOC: Special Ministerial Meeting

A formal meeting of the Council took place on 24 September to address reinvigorating the multilateral system with ECOSOC as a central plank. A Ministerial Statement prepared by the Bureau commits members "to strengthen the Council within its Charter mandate."

Meeting summary: http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/ecosoc6546.doc.htm
 

 

 

 

 

UN/GA: Wildlife comes to the plenary

Poaching and the illicit trafficking of wildlife products were raised for the first time at the General Assembly during discussions on strengthening national and international governance.

In a written statement, the United States highlighted “the harm caused by wildlife poaching and trafficking to conservation efforts, rule of law, governance and economic development.”

“Such organized crime is increasingly affecting the environment and biodiversity through poaching and illegal fishing,” Gabon’s President Ali Bongo said during the High-level Meeting on the Rule of Law. “Gabon intends to strengthen its criminal justice system to combat this phenomenon. But such efforts will require a greater international legal cooperation.” President Bongo took the occasion to reaffirm his country’s commitment to “combating violations of the Convention on International Trade [in] Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora as well as other conventions to protect the environment and biodiversity.”

France also emphasized the severity and negative impacts of wildlife crime. “There are still entire sectors of activity without any legal safety,” French Minister Delegate for Development Pascal Canfin said. “International law is lacking when it comes to the plundering of natural resources, for example, or the trafficking of fauna.”

Nigeria: Oil spill legislation

 

According to GLOBE International, Senator A. Bukola Saraki, Chair of the Committee on Environment and Ecology of the National Assembly, has introduced a bill to amend the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency Act (NOSDRA) 2006. The amendment seeks to:

• Strengthen the institutional and regulatory capacity of NOSDRA to proactively manage oil spills in a much more robust and effective manner,
• creating a clear and specific regime of penalties and responsibilities for oil spills
• providing a consistent guide and procedure for assessing and accessing compensation for oil spill and other civil liabilities.

With an estimated 13 million -16 million barrels of oil spilled in the Niger Delta over the past 50 years, this legislation would strengthen the governance and penalty system.
Full text

 

IPBES Members

The Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services has announced the current list of  92 members as of 1 September 2012.

Africa
Algeria, Botswana, Central African Republic (CAR), Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Libya, Malawi, Morocco, Niger, Senegal, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania and Zimbabwe.

Asia and the Pacific
Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Pakistan, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Yemen.

Eastern Europe
Albania, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Montenegro, Republic of Moldova, Russian Federation and Slovakia.

Latin America and the Caribbean
Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Saint Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Uruguay.

Western Europe and Others
Andorra, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and United States of America.

Environment at 66th UN/GA

The 66th session of the UN General Assembly adopted the following environment-related resolutions: 

2 December, 2011:
Res. 66/27: Prevention of an arms race in outer space
Res. 66/29: Implementation of the convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-personnel Mines and on Their Destruction
Res. 66/30: Relationship between disarmament and development
Res. 66/31: Observance of environmental norms in the drafting and implementation of agreements on disarmament and arms control
Res. 66/35: Implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction
Res. 66/42: Problems arising from the accumulation of conventional ammunition stockpiles in surplus
Res. 66/47: The illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects
Res. 66/48: Reducing nuclear danger
Res. 66/52: Prohibition of the dumping of radioactive wastes
Res. 66/57: Convention on the Prohibition of the Use of Nuclear Weapons
Res. 66/62: Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May Be Deemed to Be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects
Res. 66/64: Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty
Res. 66/65: Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction

6 December, 2011:
Res. 66/68: Sustainable fisheries, including through the 1995 Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, and related instruments

9 December, 2011:
Res. 66/69: Assistance in mine action
Res. 66/70: Effects of atomic radiation
Res. 66/71: International cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space
Res. 66/98: Report of the International Law Commission on the work of its sixty-third session
Res. 66/99: Effects of armed conflicts on treaties
Res. 66/100: Responsibility of international organizations
Res. 66/102: The rule of law at the national and international levels
Res. 66/103: The scope and application of the principle of universal jurisdiction
Res. 66/104: The law of transboundary aquifers
Res. 66/110: Observer status for the International Renewable Energy Agency in the General Assembly

19 December, 2011:
Res. 66/142: Rights of indigenous peoples
Res. 66/154: Human rights and cultural diversity
Res. 66/155: The right to development
Res. 66/158: The right to food

22 December, 2011
Res. 66/190: Commodities
Res. 66/192: Oil slick on Lebanese shores
Res. 66/193: International cooperation and coordination for the human and ecological rehabilitation and economic development of the Semipalatinsk region of Kazakhstan
Res. 66/194: Protection of coral reefs for sustainable livelihoods and development
Res. 66/196: Sustainable tourism and sustainable development in Central America
Res. 66/197: Implementation of Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21 and the outcomes of the World Summit on Sustainable Development
Res. 66/198: Follow-up to and implementation of the Mauritius Strategy for the Further Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States
Res. 66/199: International Strategy for Disaster Reduction
Res. 66/200: Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind
Res. 66/201: Implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa
Res. 66/202: Convention on Biological Diversity
Res. 66/203: Report of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme on its twenty-sixth session
Res. 66/204: Harmony with Nature
Res. 66/205: Sustainable mountain development
Res. 66/206: Promotion of new and renewable sources of energy
Res. 66/210: Role of the United Nations in promoting development in the context of globalization and interdependence
Res. 66/220: Agriculture development and food security

23 December, 2011:
Res. 66/227: International cooperation on humanitarian assistance in the field of natural disasters, from relief to development

24 December, 2011:
Res. 66/231: Oceans and the law of the sea

16 February, 2012
Res. 66/254: United Nations reform: measures and proposals

16 March, 2012
Res. 66/256: The United Nations in global governance

27 July, 2012
Res. 66/288: The future we want

The full text of Resolutions can be accessed at the United Nations General Assembly website:

http://www.un.org/en/ga/66/resolutions.shtml

 

 

Post-2015 and SDGs

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has announced the members of the High-level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post-2015 Development. The Panel is co-chaired by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of Indonesia, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia and Prime Minister David Cameron of the UK, with 23 additional members representing governments, the private sector, academia, civil society and youth, while serving in their personal capacity.

Terms of Reference (TOR) are now available noting that the Panel and the intergovernmental Working Group on the SDGs should keep each other informed and be mutually reinforcing, and that the Panel should advise the Secretary-General on how the SDGs relate to the broader post-2015 development agenda.

The Panel will be supported by an independent secretariat and headed by a senior official who also will serve as lead author of the Panel’s final report to comprise:
- recommendations on the “vision and shape” of a Post-2015 development agenda, building on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and with a view to ending poverty;
- key principles for reshaping the global partnership for development and strengthened accountability mechanisms; and
- recommendations on creating political consensus on the post-2015 agenda, around the three dimensions of economic growth, social equality and environmental sustainability.

According to the TOR, the report will be presented to the Secretary-General in the second quarter of 2013as a "key input" to the subsequent report, on the occasion of a special event to be organized by the President of the 68th session of the UN/GA in September 2013.

Governance of Tenure

The Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security were endorsed by the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) and the FAO Council in June 2012. They are to:

- serve as a reference and set out principles and internationally accepted standards for practices for the responsible governance of tenure;

- provide a framework that States can use when developing their own strategies, policies, legislation, programmes and activities;

- allow governments, civil society, the private sector and citizens to judge whether their proposed actions and the actions of others constitute acceptable practices.

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COMIFAC: Wildlife Law

The Central Africa Forest Commission (COMIFAC) has agreed on a Regional Action Plan for Strengthening National Wildlife Law Implementation for 2012-2016. The plan consists of four elements:
- cooperation and collaboration among relevant wildlife law enforcement and prosecution authorities;
- investigations at key border and transit points, domestic markets and transboundary areas;
- effective deterrents and prosecutions; and
- awareness of illegal wildlife trade issues.

The Action Plan will form the basis of a wildlife enforcement network in Central Africa, like those already in place in Central America, Europe, South and Southeast Asia. Participants also agreed to a roadmap for the implementation of the Action Plan, which includes the submission of the Action Plan for formal endorsement at the next meeting of the Council of Ministers of COMIFAC.

Press Release

Compliance and Enforcement Summit

The 1st International Chiefs of Environmental Compliance and Enforcement (ICECE) Summit brought together national leaders of environment, biodiversity and natural resource agencies and departments with law enforcement responsibilities to develop a global strategy for addressing environmental concerns. Over three days, the 230 delegates from nearly 70 States attended thematic sessions on Investigative Assistance and Operational Support, Information Management, Capacity Building Standards, and Effective Networks, as well as commodity specific side-meetings covering fisheries, forestry, pollution, and wildlife. Particular concern was expressed from many delegates on the scale of environmental crime and the connection with organized transnational crime, including issues of smuggling, corruption, fraud, tax evasion, money laundering, and murder.

Report

Further information

Dialogue on "Harmony with Nature"

Further to the UN/GA's adoption of Resolution 65/164 "Harmony with Nature" on 20 December 2010, an interactive dialogue took place on 18 April at UN HQ to discuss "Scientific findings on the impacts of human activities on the functioning of the Earth System".

Mercury Treaty: WHO Consultation on Vaccines

Prior to the 4th meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) to prepare a global legally binding instrument, states have requested additional information on alternative preservatives e.g. 2-phenoxyethanol for vaccines (instead of small quantities of mercury in thiomersal containing vaccines), and on the economic, programmatic and manufacturing implications of moving (globally) to single dose, preservative free vaccines. WHO held an information consultation from 3-4 April in Geneva for the purposes of scinentific exchange.
WHO Vaccines Website

Rio+20 Website in Portugese

The Portugese version of the UNCSD (Rio+20) Secretariat's website can be accessed at: http://www.rio20.info/2012/.

World Water Forum Declaration

The 6th World Water Forum concluded with adoption of the Marseille Ministerial Declaration. Among reiterating commitment to the UN/MDGs and recognizing the need to build resilience to climate change and variability through integrated land and water resources management, the Declaration calls for the following priorities to be addressed, in particular at UNCSD,(Rio+20): - accelerating the implementation of "human right obligations" relating to access to safe drinking water and sanitation;
- interlinking water, energy, and food security to ensure policy coherence to avoid adverse consequences; and
- incorporating water in all its economic, social and environmental dimensions in a framework of governance, financing and cooperation.

Moving toward next round of Rio+20 meetings

In his briefings this week, Nikhil Seth, Director of DSD/DESA and Head of the Office of the UNCSD Secretariat reported that  the compilation of the zero draft for Rio+20 had received amendments from the G‐77 and China, EU, Australia, Bangladesh, Belarus, Canada, Cuba, Georgia, Holy See, Iceland, Japan, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, Norway, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Serbia, Turkey, Switzerland and US.

It was also announced that the resulting compilation text now consists of 157 pages with over 75,000 words! It will be available to Member States through a password-protected e‐room along with original submissions from the above Member States.  

Tuesday's briefing
Wednesday's briefing

UN/SG's Recent Appointments

Ban Ki-moon made a number of high-level appointments as he entered his 2nd term:- Jan Eliasson, former Swedish Foreign Minister, is Deputy Secretary General;
- Maged Abdelaziz, Egypt's UN Ambassdor since 2005, as Special Adviser on Africa;
- Angela Kane, of Germany, as High Representative for Disarmament Affiars; and
- Sven Alkalaj, former Foreign Minister of Bosnia-Herzegovina, as Executive Secretary of UNECE.

Environmental Laureates and Rio+20

The European Environment Foundation sponsored the 1st International Covention of Environmental Laureates from 8-11 March 2012 with 63 participants from 37 States convening in Freiburg (Germany. The meeting concluded with the adoption of the "Freiburg Call for Action" in relation to UNCSD (Rio+20) calling upon the Conference to come up with actionable means to achieve sustainable development in the following critical areas:

• We urge governing bodies on all levels, as well as business and civil society, to become pioneers of change and successful social innovators;
• We have to move towards equitable budgets per capita for energy, emissions, land use, water and resources;
• To be sustainable, economic development must reduce overconsumption, be based on an ethical and fair financial system, eradicate poverty, and be in harmony with nature;
• Sustainable Development is a key security issue for all nations and has to be treated and funded as such.

UN Personnel Update

The UN World Food Program has named Ertharin Cousin (USA) to assume the post of Executive Director when Josette Sheeran’s five-year term ends in April.

Margaret Chan (China), Director General of the WHO has been nominated for a second five-year term by the agency’s Executive Board. 

The UN Population Fund announced that Anne-Birgitte Albrectsen (Denmark), will be working at the Assistant Secretary-General level as the new Deputy Executive Director.

It is reported that by mid-2012, at least eight under secretaries-general will be replaced, including Kiyotaka Akasaka (Japan), Head of Communications and Public Information; B. Lynn Pascoe (USA) running the Department of Political Affairs; Sha Zukang (China), Chief of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs; and Sergio Duarte (Brazil), High Representative for Disarmament Affairs.

ICCWC and Tigers

The International Consortium to Combat Wildlife Crime recently convened the Heads of Police and Customs Seminar on Tiger Crime.

Further Information

GPA/IGR-3: Declaration

The 3rd Intergovernmental Review on the Implementation of the Global Programme for Action (IGR-3) provided an opportunity for national governments and regional organizations to renew commitments to the protection of the marine environment from land-based activities. Participants adopted the Manila Declaration and their report.

Geo-engineering and Biodiversity

A draft study prepared by the CBD Secretariat, in response to Decision X/33, para 9(l), compiles and synthesizes available scientific information on the possible impacts of geo-engineering techniques on biodiversity, including preliminary information on associated social, economic and cultural considerations. The study is now in its second round of the peer-review process by Parties. The final report will be used to prepare a pre-session document for the 16th meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA-16).

Comments and views are due to the CBD Secretariat no later than 22 February.

Documents

Project Predator

INTERPOL's Environmental Crime Programme along with the World Bank and partners launched Project Predator during the 80th General Assembly. The project seeks to work with the 13 tiger-range countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar/Burma, Nepal, Thailand, Viet Nam and the Russian Federation to organize collaborative, high-level international efforts to improve political will, transform this will into departmental support, and train officers in the necessary skills. The Project also calls for countries to establish National Tiger Crime Task Forces, which it hopes will encourage the use of modern, intelligence-led enforcement practices for tiger conservation.

While not limited to the protection of tigers, it will also undertake initiatives and advocacy for all Asian “big cats,” including leopards, snow leopards, clouded leopards and Asiatic lions, which are are traded in the same manner as tiger parts.

  

Transboundary Aquifers

The UN/GA recently adopted Resolution 66/104 “Law of Transboundary Aquifers,” calling on the UNESCO's International Hydrological Programme (IHP) to support countries in the sustainable and equitable management of their transboundary aquifers. Furthermore, the resolution encourages UNESCO-IHP to continue its scientific and technical work on the assessment of the transboundary aquifers of the world, noting that this action is key to the peaceful sharing of groundwater resources, the strengthening of regional cooperation and the prevention of conflicts. The UN/GA also recommends that the set of 19 draft articles already annexed to the first Resolution on the topic (R. 63/124 approved in 2008) be considered by member States when negotiating future agreements or arrangements for the management of their transboundary aquifers, where appropriate.

Corruption and access to land

FAO and Transparency International have produced a working paper highlighting the link between weak governance and the likelihood of corruption in land occupancy and administration in more than 60 countries.  In particular, the paper notes that the rapid expansion of the biofuel industry has provided the opportunity for corruption in the land use sector in a number of countries.

Rio+20 Compilation Document

All submissions to the UNCSD Compilation Document are now searchable on the webpage.

Biodiversity Across Sectors

"Review of the biodiversity requirements of standards and certification schemes: a snapshot of current practice" considers 36 environmental standards, sampled from eight business sectors and aims to provide an understanding of the treatment of biodiversity across sectors, highlight commonalities and differences, and help businesses and funding agencies to improve their internal processes.

UNIDO: 14th General Conference

The UN Industrial Development Organization's (UNIDO) General Conference concluded with the adoption of decisions and resolutions on, inter alia:
- Strengthening UNIDO Activities in Energy and Environment;
- Youth Employment; Knowledge Networking and Knowledge Sharing for Achieving Development Goals; and
- UNIDO Activities in the Field of Industrial Policy with a View to Promoting Social Inclusion.

French language information regarding Rio+20

For French language announcements, the Médiaterre portal on Rio+20 is a useful reference to UNCSD (Rio+20)-related events, policy developments, publications and new initiatives. This site, sponsored by La Francophonie (OIF), has been publishing news on sustainable development issues for the Francophone world since 2002.

EU/Fisheries Ministers

EU Ministers for Fisheries have reached an agreement to regulate fishing opportunities and promote sustainable management in the Black Sea through inspection schemes and benchmarks to address the misreporting and illegal fishing for turbot. The Commission also briefed Ministers on its proposal for a regulation regarding countries allowing non-sustainable fishing setting out a mechanism that will:
- ensure that the measures will be proportionate;
- guarantee respect of international law;
- allow third countries concerned to be heard and to have an opportunity to rectify their action;
- empower the Commission to adopt measures; and
- allow a rapid termination of the measures whenever appropriate corrective actions have been adopted.

Council Conclusions

Global Forest Loss

FAO and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation have published a report titled "Mountain Forests in a Changing World" bringing attention to the threats to mountain forests including increasing temperatures and wildfires, population growth and food and fuel insecurity. It also calls on national policymakers to take the protection of mountain forests into account and integrate these concerns into climate change mitigation and adaptation policies.