On Thursday morning, delegates to the fourth session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Aarhus Convention (MOP 4) considered a draft decision on reporting requirements, heard a report on the preparation of the updated implementation guide to the Aarhus Convention, and discussed reports on capacity building. Delegates then tackled a draft decision on accession to the Aarhus Convention by states from outside the UNECE region, which clarifies procedural steps for the MOP’s approval of such accessions. Several NGOs cautioned that the draft decision creates excessive burdens on non-UNECE states willing to accede to the Aarhus Convention, and should rather send the right signals to welcome them.

Delegates then considered a draft communication strategy, focusing on target audiences and key messages; and a draft decision on the work programme for 2012-2014. They also heard reports on the implementation of the work programme for 2009-2011, and on UNEP activities on access to information, public participation and access to justice in environmental matters.

In the afternoon, delegates addressed synergies between the Aarhus Convention and other relevant multilateral environmental agreements, and heard a report from the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity making reference to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-Sharing. Then, delegates considered draft decisions on the future strategic plan and on financial arrangements, with a party and NGOs lamenting that the MOP could not agree on a more predictable financial scheme for the Aarhus Convention instead of the current voluntary contribution scheme.

At the closing, European ECO Forum attributed the “Order of Knight of the Aarhus Convention” to several individuals that contributed to the work of the Convention.