/linkages/journal/ Volume 6 Number 5 1 May 2001 Published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) The PDF (formatted and printable with wall calendar) version is available at http://enb.iisd.org/journal/link0605e.pdf ( The following is the ASCII version of Vol. 6 No. 5 of /linkages/journal/ - a monthly snapshot of the Linkages WWW site, available at http://enb.iisd.org. /linkages/journal/ may not be reproduced, reprinted or posted to any system or service without specific permission from the International Institute for Sustainable Development info@iisd.ca. This limitation includes distribution via Usenet News, bulletin board systems, mailing lists, print media and broadcast. For more information, send a message to chris@iisd.org Linkages Journal offers the latest news, information and analysis from international environment and development negotiations. The May 2001 issue of Linkages Journal includes: * media reports and news, including the latest on the climate change negotiations; * briefings on key meetings held in April 2001, including the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Plenary meeting on the Third Assessment Report and the outcome of the Ninth Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development that ended on 28 April; * details of new journal articles, books and online reports; * a comprehensive list of upcoming meetings. ) EDITOR'S NOTE A message from Linkages Journal's Editor UNCERTAIN ATMOSPHERE IN APRIL TALKS Commission on Sustainable Development hits turbulence The end of April saw the ninth session of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD-9) struggling to complete its work on the themes set for this year's session, including draft decisions on energy, atmosphere, transport, information for decision making and participation and international cooperation for an enabling environment (see opposite article). Negotiations dragged on into Saturday morning, 28 April, with many delegates expressing frustration at the slow progress. In addition to raising further questions among some observers over the Commission's role and future, the session also highlighted growing doubts about the prospects for success at next year's World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg. The picture should continue to take shape in early May, as CSD-9 gives way to CSD-10, the first PrepCom for the World Summit (see page 10). Efforts to get Kyoto back on track During most of April climate change continued to feature at the top of the news agenda, capturing the interest of audiences well beyond the environmental community. At the start of the month the EU responded to the US rejection of the Kyoto Protocol by pledging it would ratify the Protocol regardless, and an EU delegation subsequently visited the US, Russia, China and Iran in an attempt to shore up support for the treaty. COP-6 President Jan Pronk also played an active role, releasing a new paper containing proposals for a compromise on the Kyoto Protocol, and holding informal high-level negotiations from 20-21 April in conjunction with CSD-9 in New York (see page three). These negotiations did not deliver substantial achievements. However, Jan Pronk subsequently expressed confidence that "the Protocol is recovering," and negotiators will now be turning their attention to the Diplomatic Conference for the signing of the Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants in Sweden, where further informal consultations on climate change are likely to be held from 21-23 May (see page 15). Malena Sell Editor, Linkages Journal RECENT MEETINGS Information on recent conferences, workshops and symposia in the field of environment and development negotiations SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT NINTH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: The ninth session of the Commission on Sustainable Development took place at UN Headquarters in New York from 16-28 April 2001. Over 500 participants, including government ministers and other high- level officials, as well as representatives of business and industry, local authorities, the scientific and technological community and non-governmental organizations attended. In accordance with the Commission's multi-year programme of work for the period 1998-2002, the session reviewed the sectoral themes of energy and atmosphere, the economic theme of transport, and the cross-sectoral themes of information for decision making and participation and international cooperation for an enabling environment. After consideration of the agenda and organizational matters, four Multi-stakeholder Dialogues were held from 16-18 April, during which the scientific and technological community participated for the first time. Subsequently, a High-level Segment comprised of a special panel, two interactive dialogues and a general debate took place from 18-20 April. On 19-20 April, Ministers and heads of delegations held two-hour informal exchanges with the nominated CSD-10 Bureau members to provide political guidance on the preparatory process of the World Summit on Sustainable Development scheduled to take place in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2002. CSD-9's work on developing agreed text for decisions on this year's themes was conducted in three Drafting Groups from 23-28 April. These Drafting Groups prepared draft decisions on each of the five themes. There was protracted debate during the drafting sessions on both procedural and substantive matters. The G- 77/China, the US and others objected to numerous new proposals introduced by the European Union on Monday, 23 April, that had not been agreed at the intersessionals. Substantive disagreements related to references to the use and transportation of nuclear energy, sustainable development indicators, Rio Principle 10, governance, climate change and the Kyoto Protocol. However, following extensive informal consultations held throughout Friday and into Saturday morning, delegates finally reached agreement on all disputed text, and adopted the five decisions. The Earth Negotiations Bulletin report outlining these discussions in detail can be found at: http://enb.iisd.org/csd/csd9/index.html THIRD PREPCOM FOR THE UN CONFERENCE ON LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES: The third and final Intergovernmental Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) for the Third UN Conference on Least Developed Countries (LDCs) met in New York from 2-6 April 2001. Participants considered reports from pre-conference events, and engaged in negotiation of the draft outcome document for the Conference. The Third UN Conference on LDCs, which is being held in Brussels, Belgium from 14-20 May, will focus on reviewing progress since the Second UN Conference on LDCs held in 1990, including the implementation of its programme of action, and on developing strategies and priorities for the future. While PrepCom participants made progress on sections of the draft outcome document relating to enhancement of productive capacities, the role of trade in development, reduction of vulnerability, protection of the environment, fostering of a people-centered policy framework and human and institutional capacity building, they were unable to complete work on the document. Issues remaining to be resolved include the mobilization of financial resources for LDCs and good governance. These issues are expected to be resolved at the conference in May. More information on this meeting is available online at: http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2001/dev2296.doc.htm and http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2001/dev2295.doc.htm FIRST MEETING OF THE ENVIRONMENT MINISTERS OF THE AMERICAS: The First Meeting of the Environment Ministers of the Americas convened from 29-30 March 2001 in Montreal, Canada. Sponsored by Environment Canada, the two-day meeting brought together environment ministers from 34 nations of the Americas with democratically elected governments and more than 100 other representatives from governments, international organizations and United Nations agencies. The meeting provided a forum for debate among the ministers of environment in order to develop key messages to be forwarded to the Third Summit of the Americas that took place from 20-22 April 2001 in Quebec City, Canada (see page five). The meeting resulted in the adoption of a Ministerial Communiqué, which was considered at the Third Summit of the Americas. The Communiqué contains general statements and four subsections on: international environment and sustainable development issues; the challenges of environmental management in a changing hemisphere – the need for innovation; improving the environment for better human health; and conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems. The Sustainable Developments report outlining these discussions in detail can be found at: http://enb.iisd.org/crs/ema BIODIVERSITY SIXTH INTER-SESSIONAL CONTACT GROUP MEETING ON THE REVISION OF THE INTERNATIONAL UNDERTAKING ON PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES, IN HARMONY WITH THE CBD: The Sixth Inter-sessional Contact Group Meeting on the Revision of the International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (IU), in harmony with the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), was held in Spoleto, Italy, from 22-28 April 2001. Ninety-six participants from 37 countries, one regional economic integration organization, and intergovernmental, non-governmental and industry organizations attended the meeting. Delegates discussed a range of outstanding items on the basis of a Chair's Simplified Text, including Articles 11 (Coverage of the Multilateral System), 12 (Facilitated Access), 13 (Benefit-sharing), 14 (Global Plan of Action), 15 (Ex Situ Collections of the International Agricultural Research Centres of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research and Other International Institutions), 16 (International Plant Genetic Resources Networks), 17 (Global Information System on PGRFA) and 18 (Financial Resources). Additionally, three technical groups were convened to consider definitions, legal matters and the list of crops. Substantive discussion on the most contentious issues included commercial benefit-sharing, application of intellectual property rights (IPR) on materials within the Multilateral System (MS), inclusion of the collections of the Centres under the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and coverage of the MS. The debates generally revisited those held during previous Contact Group meetings, and delegates often expressed frustration at being unable to move beyond entrenched positions. Despite the Contact Group's inability to compromise on these issues, the principles underlying the various positions and the key countries holding them were clarified, which many saw as an essential step in moving the process forward. Delegates also highlighted agreement by the list of crops technical group on 30 crop genera with 17 more pending as a major accomplishment. The Contact Group agreed to hold an Extraordinary Session of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA) to conclude the negotiations from 24-30 June 2001, at the headquarters of the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) in Rome, Italy. The Earth Negotiations Bulletin report outlining these discussions in detail can be found at: http://enb.iisd.org/biodiv/iucg6/ THIRD SESSION OF THE INTERIM COMMISSION ON PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES: The third session of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization's Interim Commission on Phytosanitary Measures was held in Rome from 2-6 April 2001. This Commission serves as the interim governing body for the future International Plant Protection Convention, until the convention enters into force. Delegates to the meeting considered issues related to collaboration with other organizations/agreements, including the Convention on Biological Diversity and the WTO Committee on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS). They adopted five new phytosanitary standards, agreed to develop standards on invasive species in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, and considered the development of supplementary standards for plant pest risks of living modified organisms, establishing a Working Group on this issue. More information on this meeting is available online at: http://www.ictsd.org/html/weekly/10-04-01/story5.htm and http://www.fao.org/WAICENT/FAOINFO/AGRICULT/AGP/AGPP/PQ/Default.htm CLIMATE AND ATMOSPHERE HIGH-LEVEL CONSULTATIONS ON CLIMATE CHANGE: COP-6 President Jan Pronk and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat convened high-level informal consultations on climate change from 20-21 April 2001 in New York in conjunction with the ninth session of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD- 9). The aim of the consultations was to explore ways of moving ahead with the Kyoto Protocol and to advance political preparations for the resumed session of COP-6 in light of the recent US position rejecting the Protocol. The consultations were attended by more than 40 Ministers of the Environment, high-level officials and observers from 40 to 50 countries, non-governmental and other organizations, and the co-chairs of the various contact groups of the COP. Participants considered a paper prepared by President Jan Pronk, which outlined some potential compromise solutions to key political questions. Many countries reaffirmed their commitment to the Kyoto Protocol during the consultations. The US stressed the UNFCCC as the framework for its voluntary efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, opposed the Protocol, and noted that the new administration is engaged in a cabinet level policy review on this matter and will present the results at the resumed session of COP- 6 in Bonn in July. The consultations did not deliver major substantive achievements, although Jan Pronk subsequently suggested that "the Protocol is recovering". Delegates and ministers delivered political statements in a conciliatory atmosphere. However, there was a sense of lack of progress in the room and the corridors when the meeting was coming to an end, and the general feeling appeared to be that the process is stalled and not moving along as it should. Further informal consultations are likely to coincide with the Diplomatic Conference for the signing of the Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, which is scheduled to take place from 21-23 May 2001, in Stockholm, Sweden. A briefing note by the International Institute for Sustainable Development's Reporting Services (which also publishes Linkages Journal) providing more detail on the consultations can be found at: http://enb.iisd.org/climate/cop6/pronkconsultsnote.html CONFERENCE ON EQUITY AND GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE: The Conference on Equity and Global Climate Change took place from 17-18 April 2001 in Washington, DC. It was organized by the Pew Center on Global Climate Change, and was attended by approximately 250 participants, including senior politicians and government officials, climate researchers and academics, and representatives of intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, business and industry. The conference explored how best to ensure fair and reasonable actions by all countries in addressing climate change in a manner that would reflect the significant differences between countries in terms of their capacity to respond to climate change, their historic and projected emissions, and their vulnerability to climate change impacts. Participants heard briefings and presentations by a number of key figures involved in the ongoing international climate change negotiations being conducted under the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). They also convened in panel discussions to address: approaches to equity; economic considerations; ethical, moral and cultural considerations; and fair and reasonable actions, including first steps such as negotiations aimed at setting rules under the Kyoto Protocol, as well as the path forward. Discussions and conclusions from the meeting are expected to contribute to an ongoing international dialogue on equity issues aimed at producing a better understanding of equity concerns and solutions acceptable to all parties. The Sustainable Developments report outlining the meeting in detail can be found at: http://enb.iisd.org/crs/equity_and_climate/index.html SEVENTEENTH SESSION OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL PANEL ON CLIMATE CHANGE (IPCC): The seventeenth session of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was held from 4-6 April 2001, at the headquarters of the United Nations Environment Programme in Nairobi, Kenya. Over 200 delegates, experts and representatives of international and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) attended the session. Participants met in plenary sessions throughout the three-day meeting. They accepted the actions of the three IPCC Working Groups with regard to adopting the three sections of the Third Assessment Report (TAR). They considered progress on the TAR Synthesis Report, and discussed the future of the IPCC in depth, focusing on key issues such as: whether the IPCC should be continued; if the IPCC should continue to prepare comprehensive assessments; whether the comprehensive reports should be supplemented by shorter, more focused special reports on specific issues that integrate science, impacts, economics and policy options, as in the Synthesis Report; whether the IPCC should continue to be responsive to the needs of the UNFCCC, or other environmental conventions (such as the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Convention to Combat Desertification) through the preparation of technical papers, special reports, or reports on methodological issues; what the appropriate working group structure should be; and what the appropriate size, structure and geographic representation of the IPCC Bureau might be. Delegates also considered: activities related to land use, land-use change and forestry; the budget; the future role of the Task Force on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories; a report by the Task Force on Climate Scenarios for Impact Assessment; and the IPCC Communication Strategy. On the final day of the meeting, participants agreed on a strategy for further review of the key decisions relating to the future of the IPCC, and accepted proposals for "scoping" activities for a technical report on the links between biological diversity and climate change, and for a report on sustainable development and climate change. The next IPCC plenary session will be held from 24-29 September 2001 in London, UK. The Earth Negotiations Bulletin report outlining these discussions in detail can be found at: http://enb.iisd.org/climate/ipcc17/index.html DESERTIFICATION RESUMED SESSION OF THE AD HOC WORKING GROUP OF THE UN CONVENTION TO COMBAT DESERTIFICATION: The Ad Hoc Working Group of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification met from 19 March – 6 April 2001 in Bonn, Germany. The session completed the review of countries' national reports submitted to the third and fourth Conferences of the Parties. Over 170 countries sent delegates to the meeting, which was also attended by representatives of UN agencies and international and non-governmental organizations. Participants reviewed over 100 national and sub-regional reports submitted by governments and regional and sub-regional organizations, focusing on experiences, problems and successes in combating desertification and dealing with drought. During the first week of the meeting, participants considered reports from Africa, during the second week, reports from Asia, and during the third week, reports from Latin America and the Caribbean. Developed countries and international organizations also presented their initiatives to support developing country Party strategies and programmes. More information on this meeting is available online at: http://www.unccd.int/cop/ahwg2001/menu.php POPULATION 34TH SESSION OF THE UN COMMISSION ON POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT: The UN Commission on Population and Development held its 34th session at UN Headquarters in New York from 2-6 April 2001, focusing on the linkages between population, environment and development. Participants considered reports by the Secretary- General on "World Population Monitoring 2001: Population, Environment and Development," on financial resources for the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), on world demographic trends, and on programme implementation and work progress in the field of population. The Commission also discussed population, environment and development linkages, reviewed follow- up to the recommendations of the 1994 ICPD, and considered projections, trends and indicators with regard to population. During the deliberations, many delegations noted that rapid cultural, economic and developmental achievements were severely affecting the environment. At the end of the session participants adopted a resolution requesting the Population Division, with other relevant UN agencies, to continue research on the linkages between population, consumption and production, the environment and natural resources, and human health, particularly with regard to levels, trends and differentials of mortality, fertility, distribution and mobility, and gender mainstreaming. However, they were unable to agree on resolutions related to a 10-year review in 2004 of the ICPD and on funding to implement the ICPD Programme of Action. More information on this meeting is available online at: http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2001/pop801.doc.htm http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2001/pop793.doc.htm http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2001/pop792.doc.htm SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AFRICAN SUMMIT ON HIV/AIDS: The African Summit on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and other related Infectious Diseases was held from 26-27 April 2001 in Abuja, Nigeria. It was preceded by a Ministerial technical meeting on 24-25 April. The summit was organized by UNAIDS in cooperation with a number of other intergovernmental organizations and agencies and the Government of Nigeria. Attended by nearly 50 heads of state, the aim of the summit was to develop: concrete policies, strategies, and structures with the view to ensure adequate control of HIV/AIDS for the improvement of the well-being of all African populations; processes and procedures that will ensure a higher degree of political commitment to controlling the impact of HIV/AIDS based on a concrete Plan of Action; and internal and external resource mobilization mechanisms and partnership for the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Plan of Action. The issue of access to inexpensive medication was also addressed. UN Secretary- General Kofi Annan, keynote speaker at the summit, called for a multi-million dollar fund to halt and reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS in Africa. More information on this meeting is available online at: http://www.oau-oua.org/afrsummit/index.htm http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2001/afr316.doc.htm http://www.unfoundation.org/unwire/unwire.cfm#4 http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/africa/newsid_1297000/12974 74.stm TRADE AND ENVIRONMENT THIRD SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS: The Third Summit of the Americas in Quebec City, Canada, from 20-22 April, gathered the heads of government of 34 countries. Talks focused on trade and integration in the hemisphere, and participants reaffirmed their political commitment to strengthening hemispheric relations by approving the finalization of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) by January 2005. They also adopted a Plan of Action that aims to "promote the strengthening of democracy, creation of prosperity and realization of human potential." In addition, they agreed on a "Declaration of Quebec City," which, inter alia, draws tentative links between free trade and social and environmental concerns. The meeting was marked by protests by an estimated 30,000 human rights, labor and environmental activists opposed to the negative impacts of free trade. For more information visit: http://www.summit-americas.org/eng/quebec-summit1.htm http://www.ictsd.org/html/weekly/24-04-01/story1.htm http://www.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/americas/04/22/summit.americas.04/in dex.html http://www.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/americas/04/20/summit.americas.03/in dex.html HEMISPHERIC TRADE AND SUSTAINABILITY SYMPOSIUM: This meeting was held from 17-19 April 2001 in Quebec City, Canada. Organized by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), IUCN (the World Conservation Union), and the UNEP Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, the symposium identified policies that are mutually beneficial to trade, environment and development in the context of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). It was attended by 200 representatives from the business, non-governmental, governmental, inter-governmental, and academic sectors. The symposium Chairs, Pierre Marc Johnson, former Premier of the Province of Quebec and Counsel at Heenan Blaikie, David Runnalls, President of IISD, and Enrique Leff from the UNEP Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, released a policy statement entitled "The FTAA and Hemispheric Integration - Building a Triple-Win Strategy for Trade and Sustainability in the Hemisphere." The paper notes a zero-sum relationship developing between a growing part of civil society and trade and economic international forums and processes since the Seattle events. The Chairs note that the Quebec Summit provides a unique occasion to break this "Seattle Syndrome" and recommend that trade, social, and environmental policy be integrated into a coherent and integrated strategy. The paper calls for an integrated strategy for trade and environment in the FTAA context, recommending that: an environmentally-sound FTAA is built through the incorporation of a series of environmental provisions in the text of the Agreement; environmental cooperation in the Americas is strengthened, especially in trade-sensitive sectors; and the dialogue with civil society is strengthened by the creation of a High Level Hemispheric Experts Group on Trade and Sustainability. For more information visit: http://www.iisd.org/trade/qc2001/ http://www.iisd.org/about/announce/010417_en.htm http://www.ictsd.org/html/weekly/24-04-01/story6.htm MEDIA REPORTS The latest news from the field of international environment and development negotiations, with links to relevant media coverage and press releases SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT UN COMMISSION HIGHLIGHTS ENVIRONMENT, HUMAN RIGHTS LINKS The UN Commission on Human Rights has ended its latest session by highlighting the linkages between the environment and human rights. Among the 82 resolutions and 16 decisions adopted during the Commission's six-week session that ended on 27 April was an invitation to the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Executive Director of UNEP to organize a joint seminar to review and assess progress achieved since UNCED on the topic of promoting and protecting human rights in relation to environmental issues. The Commission on Human Rights also condemned the dumping of toxic and dangerous products and wastes in developing countries and called for actions to prevent such dumping and for technical assistance on the environmentally sound management of toxic substances. UNEP has welcomed the call for a joint seminar, noting that this is the first time the Commission on Human Rights has addressed the links between the environment and human rights. Links to further information UNEP press release, 27 April 2001 http://www.unep.org/Documents/Default.asp?DocumentID=197&ArticleID =2819 UN press release, 27 April 2001 http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2001/hrcn986.doc.htm NEW TOOL LAUNCHED TO GAUGE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) has introduced a new tool to help policy-makers and the public visualize progress in achieving sustainable development. The launch of the "Dashboard of Sustainability" took place at UN Headquarters in New York during the ongoing ninth session of the Commission for Sustainable Development. The tool presents economic, social and environmental performance indicators of sustainable development in the form of gauges similar to control panels on a car. It has been tested on Finland, the Philippines and South Africa using a set of 57 indicators to give a quick assessment of each country's performance. The Dashboard will be further tested and modified. A manual on its use at different levels and by different audiences is also planned. Links to further information IISD press release, 24 April 2001 http://iisd.org/about/announce/010424.htm Dashboard web page http://iisd.org/cgsdi/dashboard_dsply.htm GLOBAL GREENS ADOPT CHARTER, URGE ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE Representatives of Green Parties from around the world have adopted a global Green Charter and strategy and urged strong action to address climate change. The announcements came at the first global meeting of Green Parties, which took place in mid- April in Canberra, Australia. Participants adopted a charter that embraces principles of social justice, democracy, non-violence and sustainability, and builds on statements and policies from the 1992 Earth Summit and the 2000 UN Millennium Declaration. Addressing the issue of global climate change, participants urged countries to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, and called for a boycott of US oil companies. Links to further information Global Greens 2001 website http://www.global.greens.org.au/entrance.html Earth Times, 17 April 2001 http://www.earthtimes.org/apr/environmentgreenpoliticansapr17_01.htm ENN News Service, 16 April 2001 http://www.enn.com/enn-subsciber-news- archive/2001/04/04162001/reu_kyoto_43071.asp SENEGAL ADDED TO "LEAST DEVELOPED" LIST The UN General Assembly has added Senegal to the list of Least Developed Countries (LDCs), bringing the number of countries in this group up to 49. LDCs, which are characterised by a low level of economic diversification, weak human resources and a per capita GDP of less than US$800, receive particular attention within UN development efforts. Links to further information UN press release, 12 April 2001 http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2001/ga9863.doc.htm UN Wire, 13 April 2001 http://www.unfoundation.org/unwire/unwire.cfm#14 CHEMICAL MANAGEMENT U.S. SET TO SIGN CHEMICALS TREATY US President George Bush has announced his intention to sign the international treaty on persistent organic pollutants (POPs). The US is the third country, following Sweden and Canada, to make such a public commitment. A high-level Diplomatic Conference for the signing of the POPs Convention is scheduled to take place from 21- 23 May in Stockholm. Links to further information BBC news report, 19 April 2001 http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/americas/newsid_1286000/128 6274.stm The Washington Post, 20 April 2001http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp- dyn/articles/A37967-2001Apr19.html CLIMATE AND ATMOSPHERE LESS OZONE DEPLETION OVER ARCTIC REGIONS Scientists from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) have reported higher than usual ozone values during the northern winter and spring in the middle to high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere. However, this is due to wind patterns and warmer temperatures in the stratosphere above the Arctic rather than to a drop in the occurrence of ozone depleting substances. According to the WMO's Michael Proffitt, "There is still an ongoing ozone loss in the Arctic region, but it was offset by warm temperatures." A long-term recovery of the ozone layer is expected to occur over the next few decades due to international measures to ban and reduce the use of ozone depleting substances. Links to further information ENN news report, 24 April 2001 http://www.enn.com/news/wirestories/2001/04/04242001/reu_ozone_432 08.asp?site=email Reuters news report, 24 April 2001 http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=10627 COP-6 PRESIDENT OFFERS NEW COMPROMISE DEAL Jan Pronk, President of the Sixth Conference of the Parties (COP- 6) of the Climate Change Convention, has released a new paper containing proposals for a compromise on the Kyoto Protocol. The announcement was made in the wake of the US rejection of the Protocol and intense lobbying by the EU and others in favor of the Protocol. The EU, individual EU member states, Japan, Norway, Russia and many Small Island Developing States came out in support for the Protocol after the US rejection, and the EU pledged it would ratify the Protocol regardless of the US position. The EU also said it was willing to renegotiate parts of the Protocol to accommodate US interests. Australia has stressed the need for US involvement to guarantee the effectiveness of the Protocol. Following a meeting of EU environment ministers in Sweden in early April, the European Commission sent a delegation to Washington to urge the US to reconsider its position regarding the Protocol. The delegation also visited Russia, China and Iran, which currently holds the G-77 presidency. On 6 April, the US announced it will propose an alternative plan to the Protocol, which will be presented at the resumed session of COP-6 in Bonn, Germany in July. The proposal is likely to include developing country participation. The paper prepared by Jan Pronk seeks to lay the foundation for a compromise between the various positions expressed by Parties to the Climate Change Convention, and to provide an opportunity to break the deadlock created by the US rejection of the Protocol. It was discussed at informal high-level negotiations on climate change held from 20-21 April in conjunction with the ninth session of the Commission on Sustainable Development in New York (see page four). Links to further information The new proposal by COP-6 President Jan Pronk, April 2001 http://www.unfccc.int/sessions/cop6_2/unfccc_np.html BBC news report, 11 April 2001 http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_1270000/1270389.stm CNN news report, 10 April 2001 http://europe.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/europe/04/10/eu.climate/index.html BBC news report, 6 April 2001 http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_1263000/1263888.stm GEF LAUNCHES SOLAR VENTURE FUND The Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the International Finance Corporation have announced the launch of a $30 million venture fund to support investment in solar energy. The Solar Development Capital initiative will target developing countries and countries with economies in transition, and will use a 10- year, $30 million private equity fund to support investment in solar photovoltaic (PV) and PV-related businesses by providing capital to private companies distributing PV products and services in rural areas without access to electricity. "Attracting greater private sector involvement in renewable energy projects in the developing world is a prerequisite to achieving sustainable development," said Mohamed El-Ashry, CEO and Chair of the GEF. The GEF hopes that the initiative will demonstrate that renewable energy is profitable for private firms, and that the sector does not need public subsidies to attract investment. Links to further information World Bank press release, 5 April 2001 http://wbln0018.worldbank.org/news/pressrelease.nsf/ WETLANDS WEB-BASED WETLANDS PROGRAMME LAUNCHED The Bureau of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands has launched a website intended to bring news on wetlands activities to a wider audience. The website will provide information on activities in this area, and aims to provide an open forum for the exchange of ideas and resource materials. It is intended for Focal Points of the Communication, Education and Public Awareness (CEPA) initiative, governments, NGOs, and other interested parties. Links to further information Ramsar CEPA mini-website, April 2001 http://www.ramsar.org/outreach_index.htm WOMEN NEW EVALUATION PLANNED ON WOMEN AND CONFLICT The UN Development Fund for Women has announced the appointment of two independent experts to evaluate progress for women affected by conflict. Elisabeth Rehn of Finland and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia will focus on how armed conflict affects women and girls, and outline gender dimensions of relevance to humanitarian responses and peace processes. Their findings will be included in the publication Progress for the World's Women 2002. The report will propose measures to protect women and girls from being forced into sex for safe passage and food and from other abuses during wars, and examine the intersection between conflict, HIV and AIDS and gender and find ways to bring a gender perspective into post- conflict reconstruction. Links to further information UNIFEM press release, 24 April 2001 http://www.unifem.undp.org/pr_progrep2002.html UN Foundation UNWire, 24 April 2001 http://www.unfoundation.org/unwire/unwire.cfm#7 COMINGS AND GOINGS Information on key appointments, departures and vacancies at United Nations agencies, international organizations, government departments and non-governmental organizations active in the field of international environment and development negotiations VACANCIES AFRICA COORDINATOR'S OFFICE ADVERTISES KEY ECONOMICS POST The Office of the Coordinator for Africa of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) has a vacancy for its Principal Economic Affairs Officer. This is a D-1 post based out of New York. The closing date for applications is 6 May. More information is available online at: http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/eesa1714.htm DESA SEEKS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OFFICER The Division for Sustainable Development at the UN Department of Social and Economic Affairs is seeking a Senior Sustainable Development Officer. This is a P-5 position with a focus on Small Island Developing States. It is based in New York, and the deadline for applications is 26 May. More information is available online at: http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/eesa1796.htm UNECE ANNOUNCES ECONOMIC AFFAIRS VACANCY The UN Economic Commission for Europe is seeking a Senior Economic Affairs Officer for its General Energy Section, Sustainable Energy Division. This P-5 position is based in Geneva, and the closing date for applications is 28 May. More information is available online at: http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/400613.htm DESA DIVISION ANNOUNCES SENIOR VACANCIES The Division for Social Policy and Development at the UN Department of Social and Economic Affairs (DESA) is seeking a new Director. This is a D-2 position and is based in New York. The closing date for applications is 16 June. More information is available online at: http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/eesa1817.htm The Division for Social Policy and Development at DESA is also seeking a Chief for its Socio-Economic Policy and Development Management Branch. This is a D-1 position based in New York, and the closing date for applications is 27 May. More information is available online at: http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/eesa1752.htm In addition, the Division for Social Policy and Development at DESA is advertising for a Senior Social Affairs Officer (P-5). The position is based in New York, and the application deadline 26 May 2001. More information is available online at: http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/eesa1754.htm READINGS New and recent book titles, articles and other literature on environment and development JOURNALS /Sustainable Development "Public understandings of nature: a case study of local knowledge about "natural" forest conditions." Society and Natural Resources 14 (4, 2001), pp. 325-340. This article by Bruce Hull, David Robertson and Angelina Kendra presents a local case study, which it uses as an example of the social construction of nature. The case study involved the analysis of discussions with local residents about the values and physical indicators they associated with the wild, authentic, healthy, and natural qualities of a forest, in order to gain a better understanding of how a place- based community of environmental stakeholders relates to its local natural environment. The case study was motivated by a desire for a more sophisticated language for a critical public dialogue about society's relationship with nature. /Climate Change "Effects of changes in residential end-uses and behavior on aggregate carbon intensity: comparison of 10 OECD countries for the period 1970 through 1993." Energy Economics 23 (2, 2001), pp. 153-178. Lorna Greening, Michael Ting, and Thomas Krackler examine carbon emissions from the residential sector for ten OECD countries from 1970-1993, applying an "Adaptive Weighted Divisia" rolling base year index specification. They note that aggregate carbon intensity from residential uses shows greater variability than in other sectors, and that for some countries there were significant increases, while for others there were decreases. However, for all countries decreases are offset by shifts in end- use structure toward more carbon intensive activities. These shifts are attributed to an increase in number of households and floor space, more household appliances and an increase in "other" unspecified energy consumption. "Malthus and climate change: betting on a stable population." Journal of Environmental Economics and Management 41 (2, 2001), pp. 135-161. Noting the standard assumption of integrated assessment models in climate change that population and productivity are growing at a decreasing rate, David Kelly and Charles Kolstad suggest actual historical observations do not support this assumption. They examine the significance of the assumption for greenhouse gas abatement, and conclude that continued growth rates for population and productivity greatly increase the severity of climate change, and that climate change is driven by these growth factors. They stress that rapid reduction in growth rates make climate change a small problem, while smaller growth rate reductions make the problem severe, and conclude that reductions in the growth rate of populations can be effective in controlling climate change. /Forestry "Status of the world's remaining closed forests: an assessment using satellite data and policy options." Ambio: A Journal of the Human Environment 30 (1, 2001), pp. 67-69. This article by Ashbindu Singh, Hua Shi and Timothy Foresman assesses the status of the world's remaining closed forests, noting that forest resources are increasingly under threat due to land conversion and overexploitation of forests for timber. "Impact of plantations on forest use and forest status in Orissa, India." Ambio: A Journal of the Human Environment 30 (1, 2001), pp. 37-42. This article by Gunnar Kohlin and Madelene Ostwald reports on a case study from India, in which 100,000 hectares of village forestry plantations were established to support the subsistence needs of the rural poor and to relieve pressure on natural forests. They examine the welfare and environmental effects of the plantations based on data on household use of biomass and on remote sensing data, establishing the status of the vegetation and its spatial relation to the users. They note substantial welfare improvements through increased biomass consumption, decreased collection time as well as decreased pressure on natural forests. However, they stress that consideration needs to be given to plantation location compared to natural forest location to ensure the success of interventions. "Assessment of historical land-use changes for purposes of strategic planning - a case study in Laos." Ambio: A Journal of the Human Environment 30 (1, 2001), pp. 55-61. Mats Sandewall, Bo Ohlsson, and Silavanh Sawathvong consider the possibilities for governments in developing countries to cooperate with local populations to promote sustainable forest land use. Based on a review of natural resources use in Southeast Asia over 100 years, they develop an interdisciplinary approach to strategic planning involving stakeholder interaction. They highlight the application of this approach through case studies involving interviews with local people, and verification processes/supplementation of the information obtained through field point sampling and remote sensing and a simulation tool. They note that by presenting the full set of data to the villagers and encouraging them to comment on them, a dialogue on land use strategies could be initiated. NEW PUBLICATIONS The Trade and Development Report 2001 was released by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) on 24 April. The annual report offers an assessment of recent trends and prospects in the world economy, with particular focus on the impact that developments and policies in developed countries are likely to have on developing countries. Noting concerns regarding the effect of the economic slowdown in the United States, the report calls for greater coordination and cooperation on economic issues. The report also examines ongoing discussions on reform of the multilateral financial system. Focusing on codes and standards, the contributions of private institutions in managing financial crises, and the exchange rate system, the report offers recommendations on how to move the reform process forward. For more information visit: http://www.unctad.org/en/pub/ps1tdr01.en.htm The Collapse of the Kyoto Protocol and the Struggle to Slow Global Warming (Princeton University Press, 2001). This book by David Victor, a Senior Fellow of the US Council on Foreign Relations, examines the basis for an effective international response to global climate change. Victor particularly focuses on the Kyoto Protocol, arguing that it will fail because of flaws in its architecture. He then outlines an alternative, politically more feasible strategy. For more information on the book and related issues visit: http://www.cfr.org/kyoto Diversity not Adversity: Sustaining Livelihoods with Biodiversity (IIED, 2001). This report by Izabella Koziell argues that in order to achieve poverty reduction, humans must maintain the natural resource base, of which biodiversity is an essential element. Koziell explores how biodiversity, and human interaction with biodiversity, can support or restrict poverty reduction processes. She highlights different values of biodiversity and their associated management systems and impacts on human livelihoods, and considers options for future actions. The International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) has also recently published a book on biodiversity entitled Living off Biodiversity - Exploring Livelihoods and Biodiversity Issues in Natural Resources Management (IIED, 2001). Edited by Koziell and Saunders, the book explores different natural resource sectors - forestry, agriculture, livestock, fisheries and rangelands - and identifies possibilities for mainstreaming conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity without compromising livelihoods objectives. The authors support the idea of incremental change within existing natural resource sectors through research, policy change, and development and demonstration of alternative approaches. For more information visit: http://www.iied.org/bookshop/index.html OECD Environmental Outlook (OECD, 2001). This 300-page report, recently released by the OECD, identifies the drivers of environmental change and the sectors with the greatest impact. The report identifies the unsustainable use of renewable natural resources, the degradation of ecosystems and the disruption of the environmental systems that support human life as the most critical concerns facing OECD countries. It highlights over-fishing, tropical deforestation, biodiversity loss, climate change, urban air quality, waste generation, ground water pollution and chemicals in the environment as the most urgent problems. The report suggests the removal of subsidies and the introduction of green taxes as a solution, noting that significant improvement could be achieved at negligible cost. For more information visit: http://www.oecd.org/env/outlook/outlook.htm Population and the Environment: The Global Challenge (Johns Hopkins Center for Communications Programs 2001). A new interactive CD-ROM is now available from the Johns Hopkins Center for Communications Programs. The CD-ROM represents the multimedia version of Population Reports, a quarterly journal, and includes CD enhancements such as animated charts, streaming video and audio interviews. Focusing on the relationship between population growth, industrialization and environmental degradation, the CD- ROM is aimed at policymakers, journalists, researchers, educators and planners. For more information visit: http://www.jhuccp.org/popenviro/ WHAT'S NEW ONLINE /Climate Change The World Resources Institute (WRI) has recently launched a website at which individuals and organizations can calculate their carbon dioxide use, or "footprint." The website challenges visitors to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions by using strategies outlined at the site. The address of the website is: http://www.safeclimate.net Also at WRI, Jim Mackenzie has created a Powerpoint slideshow on why addressing climate change requires a long-term approach. Entitled Thinking Long Term: Confronting Global Climate Change, the slideshow aims to make technical ideas and concepts more tangible to a variety of audiences. To access the slideshow online visit: http://www.wri.org/climate/longterm/index.html Greenhouse Gases & the Kyoto Protocol (UNEP/GRID-Arendal 2001). A new web page featuring an interactive map of greenhouse gas emissions has been launched by UNEP/GRID-Arendal as part of the UNEP.Net environmental network. The web page presents data and statistics both on current and projected greenhouse gas emissions for countries as well as on a per capita basis. To access the web page visit: http://maps.grida.no/kyoto /Oceans and Coasts Pilot Analysis of Global Ecosystems (PAGE): Coastal Ecosystems (WRI, April 2001). This report by Lauretta Burk, Yumiko Kura, Ken Kassem, Carmen Revenga, Mark Spalding and Don McAllister constitutes the fifth and final component of the WRI's Pilot Analysis of Global Ecosystems (PAGE). The previous reports have focused on agroecosystems, forest ecosystems, grassland ecosystems and freshwater ecosystems. The five PAGE reports together comprehensively evaluate the state of the Earth's ecosystems, focusing on ecosystem goods and services. The PAGE report on Coastal Ecosystems notes extensive modification and destruction of the coastal zone, and warns that its capacity to provide fish, protect human coastal development, reduce pollution and erosion, and sustain biological diversity is endangered. To access the report online visit: http://www.wri.org/wr2000/coast_page.html /Trade and Environment Private Rights, Public Problems: A Guide to NAFTA's Controversial Chapter on Investor Rights (IISD and WWF-US, April 2001). Written by Howard Mann, an Associate of IISD, this new book examines the implications of Chapter 11 of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which allows individual investors to initiate international arbitration proceedings against a NAFTA country if the investor considers that the NAFTA country has acted in a discriminatory/protectionist manner. Mann notes that a number of cases have been brought against NAFTA countries acting to prevent trade where those countries have cited environmental/public health reasons, and that rulings to date have favored the investor/company, with some cases involving significant compensation payments. This has led to concerns that the investor protection provisions undermine the ability of legislators to protect the environment, and Mann identifies a "regulatory chill" effect. He cautions against using the NAFTA Chapter 11 model in further investment agreements. To access the book online visit: http://www.iisd.org/pdf/trade_citizensguide.pdf UPCOMING MEETINGS Information on upcoming conferences, workshops and symposia in the field of international environment and development negotiations SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT CSD-10 (PREPCOM I): The Tenth Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development is convening in New York from 30 April – 2 May 2001 to serve as the First Preparatory Committee for the World Summit on Sustainable Development. The meeting will decide on the organization of work for further preparatory sessions and on the involvement of Major Groups. For more information contact: Andrey Vasilyev, Division for Sustainable Development; tel: +1-212-963- 5949; fax: +1-212-963-4260; e-mail: vasilyev@un.org; Internet: http://www.un.org/rio+10/web_pages/first_prepcom htm IMBIZO CONFERENCE OF AFRICAN LEADERS ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: This meeting will take place from 7-9 May 2001 in Spier Village, South Africa. Participants will consider a variety of themes related to business and sustainable development. For more information see: http://www.ief.co.za/imbizo/ Asia-Europe Exploratory Roundtable on Foreign Direct Investment and the Environment: This meeting will take place in Brussels from 8-9 May 2001. It will consider how growth, sustainability and credibility can be addressed through an integrated approach, and explore a common strategy to set up a joint Asian and European Foreign Direct Investment Observatory and Capacity Building Agency. For more information contact: Francisco Flores, e-mail: eupe@glo.be; Internet: http://www.epe.be/FDI/ CONFERENCE ON EUROPE AND THE WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: This meeting will be held in Brussels from 10-11 May 2001. It will focus on identifying practical contributions Europeans can make to support the 2002 World Summit in dealing with issues related to poverty. Major themes include water, agriculture, trade, finance, debt reduction, sustainable energy, peoples' empowerment and global governance. For more information contact: Francisco Flores, e-mail: eupe@glo.be; Internet: http://www.epe.be/objective2002/ CONFERENCE ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND THE NEW ECONOMY: The OECD Forum 2001 on Sustainable Development and the New Economy will be held from 14-16 May in La Villette, Paris. The Forum aims to foster a dialogue on the opportunities and risks in the increasingly global, knowledge-based economy. It will bring together Government Ministers and heads of international organizations, as well as representatives of business, labor, and non-governmental organizations. The Forum will provide input into a special session on sustainable development that is being organized at OECD ministerial summit on 17 May 2001. For more information see: http://www.oecd.org/forum2001/index1.htm ECO-INFORMA 2001: ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS & THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY - STRATEGIES FOR MEETING THE CHALLENGES: This meeting will take place from 14-18 May 2001, in Argonne, Illinois, USA. For more information contact: Alvin Young, US Department of Energy, Center for Risk Excellence, Argonne, Illinois, USA; tel: +1-630-252-2503; fax: +1-630-252-2654; Internet: http://eco-informa.ead.anl.gov/ THIRD UN CONFERENCE ON LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES: This meeting will be held from 14-20 May 2001 in Brussels, Belgium. For more information contact: Office of the Special Coordinator for Least Developed, Landlocked and Island Developing Countries, UNCTAD, Geneva, Switzerland; tel: +41-22-907-5893; fax: +41-22-907-0046; Internet: http://www.unctad.org/en/subsites/ldcs/document.htm and http://www.un.org/events/ldc3/conference/ CONFERENCE ON Europe's 21ST century policies for sustainable technological innovation: This conference will be held in Oslo, Norway from 20-21 May 2001, and will focus on the role of higher education in science, technology and society. It is the final international conference organized as part of the European POSTI project "Policies for Sustainable Technological Innovation in the 21st Century." For more information contact: Grazyna K. Normandbo, Centre for Technology, Innovation and Culture, University of Oslo; tel: +47-22-840-600; e-mail: g.k.normandbo@tik.uio.no; Internet: http://www.esst.uio.no/posti/cfp.html YOUTH CONFERENCE ON ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: This meeting will be held in Borgholm, Sweden, from 23-27 May 2001. An official part of the Swedish EU Presidency, the conference will contribute to youth preparations for the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002. For more information contact: Secretariat, Swedish Environment Ministry, tel: +46-8-440-8670; e- mail: camilla.funke@lsu.se; Internet: http://www.eu2001.se/eu2001/calendar/ CONFERENCE ON BUILDING BRIDGES WITH TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE: This conference will be held from 28 May - 3 June 2001 in Honolulu, Hawaii. It will address a range of issues involving indigenous peoples, conservation, and sustainable development, including: dialogue among groups that have or use traditional knowledge and those involved in research, conservation and development; development of new business based on traditional knowledge; and conservation priorities, intellectual property rights, education and economic development. For more information visit: http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/traditionalknowledge FIRST UNEP/GEF GLOBAL INTERNATIONAL WATERS ASSESSMENT (GIWA) GENERAL ASSEMBLY: This General Assembly of the GIWA project will take place in June 2001 in Kalmar, Sweden. For more information contact: GIWA Coordination Office, Kalmar; tel: +46-480-447350; fax: +46-480-447355; Internet: http://www.giwa.net SPECIAL SESSION OF THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON HIV/AIDS: This Special Session to review and address the problem of HIV/AIDS will be held from 25-27 June 2001 at UN Headquarters in New York. The aim of the meeting is to secure a global commitment to enhancing coordination and the intensification of efforts at all levels to combat the epidemic in a comprehensive manner. For more information contact: The Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Geneva, Switzerland; tel: +41-22-791-3666; fax: +41-22-791-4187; Internet: http://www.unaids.org/whatsnew/others/un_special/index.htm GLOBAL ROUND-TABLE ON INTER-LINKAGES: This Round-table as input to the World Summit on Sustainable Development will take place from 5-6 July 2001, in Tokyo. For more information contact: Jerry Velasquez, United Nations University; tel: +81-3-5467-1301; fax: +81-3-3407-8164; e-mail: jerry@geic.or.jp; Internet: http://www.unu.edu INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON GRASSLAND SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY: This conference will be held from 17-20 July 2001 in Inner Mongolia, China. It is being sponsored by the China Association of Agriculture Science Societies (CAASS) and the Chinese Grassland Society. For more information contact: Yan Dongquan, CAASS, Beijing, China; tel: +86-10-6419-4487; fax: +86-10-6419-4449; e- mail: gouhq@cav.net.cn REGIONAL PREPARATORY MEETINGS FOR THE WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 2002: The African Regional Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) will take place from 28-31 August 2001. The Regional PrepCom for Asia and the Pacific is being planned for Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in November 2001, while the Economic Commission for Europe Regional Meeting for the World Summit will be held in Geneva from 24-25 September. It will function as a European PrepCom and include a ministerial roundtable and multi-stakeholder dialogue. The Regional PrepCom for Latin America and the Caribbean will be held in Rio de Janeiro, from 23-24 October 2001, and the West Asian Regional PrepCom will be held in Cairo, Egypt, from 28- 30 October 2001. For more information on all regional preparatory processes visit: http://www.un.org/rio+10/web_pages/regional_preparations_for_rio.htm CONFERENCE ON SUSTAINABLE FOOD SECURITY FOR ALL BY 2020: FROM DIALOGUE TO ACTION: This meeting will take place from 4-6 September 2001 in Bonn, Germany. It is being organized by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) in collaboration with the German Government. For more information contact: Simone Hill-Lee, IFPRI, Washington DC; fax: +1-202-467- 4439; e-mail: s.hill-lee@cgiar.org; Internet: http://www.ifpri.cgiar.org/2020conference/index.htm INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON GLOBALIZATION OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT - CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: This meeting will take place in Trieste, Italy, from 11-13 September 2001. It is being co-organized by Harvard University's Center for International Development and Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, and the Third World Academy of Sciences. For more information contact Derya Honca, Program Coordinator, Center for International Development, Harvard University; tel: +1-617-495-1923; e-mail: m_derya_honca@harvard.edu; Internet: http://www.cid.harvard.edu/cidbiotech/r&dconf/description.htm CONFERENCE ON REVITALISING COMMUNITIES IN A GLOBALISING WORLD: This conference is scheduled for 20 September 2001 in Southampton, UK, and aims to explore how to develop partnerships amongst local communities, entrepreneurs, policy makers and academics in dealing with issues of poverty, improving the quality of life and safeguarding the environment. For more information contact: University of Southamption, e-mail: pk2@socsci.soton.ac.uk; Internet: http://www.ciscodev.soton.ac.uk SPECIAL SESSION OF THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON CHILDREN: This Special Session will take place from 19-21 September 2001 at UN Headquarters in New York, ten years after the World Summit for Children. For more information contact: Secretariat for the Special Session on Children, 3 UN Plaza, New York, NY 10017, USA; Internet: http://www.unicef.org/specialsession/ world Congress on conservation agriculture – a worldwide challenge: This congress will take place on 1-5 October 2001 in Madrid, Spain. It is being organized by FAO and the European Conservation Agriculture Federation. For more information contact: Armando Martinez, Institute for Sustainable Agriculture, Córdoba, Spain; tel: +34-957-760797; e-mail: conservation.agriculture@ecaf.org; Internet: http://www.ecaf.org/English/englis.htm INTELEC 2001 INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS ENERGY CONFERENCE: This conference will be held from 14-18 October 2001 at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, UK. For more information contact: Simon Edwards, tel: +44-20-2709-2000; e-mail: intelec@iee.org.uk 18TH WORLD ENERGY CONGRESS: This meeting will take place from 21- 25 October 2001 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. For more information contact: World Energy Council, United Kingdom; tel: +44-20-7734- 5996; fax: +44-20-7734-5926; Internet: http://www.mbendi.co.za/wec/contact.htm CONFERENCE ON Sustainable Services AND Systems: This meeting will be held from 29-30 October 2001 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. For more information visit: http://www.cfsd.org.uk/events/tspd6/index.html international conference on freshwater: This conference, hosted by the German Federal Environment Ministry and the German Federal Ministry for Development Cooperation, will be held from 3-7 December 2001 in Bonn, Germany. It will serve as preparation for the World Summit on Sustainable Development, and will review Chapter 18 of Agenda 21 focusing on freshwater issues. For more information contact: Angelika Wilcke, Conference Secretariat; tel: +49-228-28046-57; e-mail: info@water-2001.de; Internet: http://www.water-2001.de CSD-10 (PREPCOM II): The Tenth Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development is tentatively scheduled to convene for a meeting in New York from 28 January – 8 February 2002 to serve as the second Preparatory Committee for the World Summit on Sustainable Development. The meeting will examine the results of national and regional preparatory processes and the main policy report of the Secretary-General and is expected to produce a first draft of the review document to be negotiated during the third Preparatory Committee. For more information contact: Andrey Vasilyev, Division for Sustainable Development; tel: +1-212-963- 5949; fax: +1-212-963-4260; e-mail: vasilyev@un.org; Internet: http://www.un.org/rio+10/web_pages/first_prepcom.htm INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON FINANCING FOR DEVELOPMENT: The UN International Conference on Financing for Development will be held in February/March 2002. It will bring together high-level representatives from governments, the United Nations, and other leading international trade, finance and development-related organizations. The Preparatory Committee is expected to meet in 2001 in New York from 2-8 May, and in October/November at a date to be decided. For more information contact: Financing for Development Coordinating Secretariat, United Nations Headquarters, New York, Harris Gleckman, tel: +1-212-963-4690; e-mail: gleckman@un.org or Federica Pietracci, tel: +1-212-963-8497; e- mail: pietracci@un.org; Internet: http://www.un.org/esa/ffd CSD-10 (PREPCOM III): The Tenth Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development is tentatively scheduled to convene in New York from either 18-29 March 2002 or 1-19 April 2002 to serve as the third Preparatory Committee for the World Summit on Sustainable Development. The Committee is expected to agree on the elements of the CSD's future work programme. For more information contact: Andrey Vasilyev, Division for Sustainable Development; tel: +1-212-963-5949; e-mail: vasilyev@un.org; Internet: http://www.un.org/rio+10/web_pages/first_prepcom htm EURO-SUSTAIN CONFERENCE/BROKERAGE EVENT: This event will take place from 2-5 April 2002 on the island of Rhodos, Greece. The EURO-SUSTAIN initiative focuses on technologies and actions that lead toward sustainability. For more information contact: Nicolas Moussiopoulos, Aristotle University Thessaloniki, Greece; tel: +30-31-996011; Internet: http://aix.meng.auth.gr/lhtee/ and http://www3.eureka.be/Home CSD-10 (PREPCOM IV): The Tenth Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development is tentatively scheduled to convene in Jakarta, Indonesia from 6-17 May 2002 to serve as the fourth and last Preparatory Committee for the World Summit on Sustainable Development. The meeting is expected to result in a political document to be submitted to the World Summit. For more information contact: Andrey Vasilyev, Division for Sustainable Development; tel: +1-212-963-5949; e-mail: vasilyev@un.org; Internet: http://www.un.org/rio+10/web_pages/first_prepcom htm INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S CONFERENCE ON THE ENVIRONMENT: The fourth UNEP International Children's Conference on the Environment will take place in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, from 22-24 May 2002. The conference is expected to bring together 800 children from 10 to 12 years old from over 115 countries, who will learn about and discuss the state of the environment as well as showcase environmental initiatives by schools. The conference is also expected to produce a statement from children to the world leaders who will meet in 2002 for the World Summit on Sustainable Development. The town of Ledyard, Connecticut, USA, is expected to host the event in 2003. For more information contact: Theodore Oben, Programme Officer, Children, Youth and Sport Programmes, UNEP, Nairobi, Kenya, tel: +254-2-623262; e-mail: theodore.oben@unep.org; Internet: http://www.unep.org/children_youth/ WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: The World Summit on Sustainable Development for the ten-year review of progress in implementing the outcome of the UN Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio in 1992, will take place in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2002. The exact dates are yet to be determined. The Summit will aim to reinvigorate the global commitment to sustainable development at the highest level. More information is available online at: http://www.un.org/rio%2b10/ BIODIVERSITY FIRST MEETING OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMITTEE ON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND GENETIC RESOURCES, TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND FOLKLORE: The Committee's First Meeting within the World Intellectual Property Organization is being held from 30 April - 3 May 2001, in Geneva. For more information contact: WIPO, tel: +41- 22-338-8181; e-mail: information.center@wipo.int; Internet: http://www.wipo.org CONFERENCE ON BIOTECHNOLOGY AND GLOBALIZATION: ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS: This meeting will be held from 1-2 May 2001 in Boston, USA. Organized by Harvard University's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs and Center for International Development, the conference will review ethical theories and their application in the context of biotechnology and development, and consider the key ethical issues that influence policy discussions on biotechnology. For more information contact: Brian Torpy, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs; tel: +1-617- 496-5574; e-mail: brian_torpy@ksg.harvard.edu; Internet: http://www.cid.harvard.edu/cidbiotech/ethicsconf/description.htm INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY AND SOCIETY: This conference, organized by Columbia University and UNESCO, will be held in New York from 22-25 May 2001. For more information contact: Christine Alfsen-Norodom, tel: +1-212-854-9449; e-mail: ca320@columbia.edu; Internet: http://www.earthinstitute.columbia.edu/events/events/biodiversity. html OPEN-ENDED MEETING OF EXPERTS ON CAPACITY-BUILDING FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BIOSAFETY PROTOCOL: This meeting is tentatively scheduled to be held in Cuba from 4-6 June 2001. An international workshop on financial support for national biosafety frameworks is also tentatively scheduled for 7 June. For more information contact: CBD Secretariat, Montreal, Canada: tel: +1- 514-288-2220; fax: +1-514-288-6588; e-mail: secretariat@biodiv.org; Internet: http://www.biodiv.org WORKSHOP ON FINANCING FOR BIODIVERSITY: This workshop, organized by the CBD Secretariat and the GEF, is tentatively scheduled to be held in Cuba from 8-9 June 2001. For more information contact: CBD Secretariat, Montreal, Canada: tel: +1-514-288-2220; fax: +1-514- 288-6588; e-mail: secretariat@biodiv.org; Internet: http://www.biodiv.org EXPERT MEETING ON HANDLING, TRANSPORT, PACKAGING AND IDENTIFICATION OF LIVING MODIFIED ORGANISMS: This meeting will take place in Paris, France from 13-15 June 2001. For more information contact: CBD Secretariat, Montreal, Canada: tel: +1- 514-288-2220; fax: +1-514-288-6588; e-mail: secretariat@biodiv.org; Internet: http://www.biodiv.org WORKSHOP ON LIABILITY AND REDRESS UNDER THE CBD: This meeting will take place in Paris, France from 18-20 June 2001. For more information contact: CBD Secretariat, Montreal, Canada: tel: +1- 514-288-2220; fax: +1-514-288-6588; e-mail: secretariat@biodiv.org; Internet: http://www.biodiv.org NINTH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION ON GENETIC RESOURCES FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE: CGRFA-9 will meet later in 2001 in Rome at a date yet to be determined. For more information contact: FAO; tel: +39-6- 5705-2287; Internet: http://www.fao.org/WAICENT/FAOINFO/AGRICULT/cgrfa/meetings.htm FIRST INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON BIODIVERSITY AS A SOURCE OF NEW MEDICINES: This symposium will convene from 16-19 August 2001 in Cali, Colombia. For more information contact: Ligia Pabon; tel: +57-2-330-2461; e-mail: ligpabon@univalle.edu.co; Internet: http://www.biofarmacongress.com/congresx.htm SECOND MEETING OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMITTEE FOR THE CARTAGENA PROTOCOL: This meeting will be held in Nairobi from 1-5 October 2001. For more information contact: CBD Secretariat, tel: +1-514-288-2220; e-mail: secretariat@biodiv.org; Internet: http://www.biodiv.org INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIOTECHNOLOGY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: This conference will be held from 15-17 October 2001 in Alexandria, Egypt. It will focus on scientific, ethical, and safety issues as well as the regulatory, Intellectual Property Right and trade and economic issues in the biotechnology debate. For more information contact: Ismail Serageldin, International Center for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas; tel: +20-2-572- 4358; e-mail: icarda-cairo@cgiar.org; Internet: http://www.egyptbiotech2001.com FIRST SESSION OF THE AD HOC OPEN-ENDED WORKING GROUP ON ACCESS AND BENEFIT-SHARING: This meeting will be held in Bonn from 22-26 October 2001. For more information contact: CBD Secretariat, Montreal, Canada: tel: +1-514-288-2220; fax: +1-514-288-6588; e- mail: secretariat@biodiv.org; Internet: http://www.biodiv.org SEVENTH MEETING OF THE CBD'S SUBSIDIARY BODY FOR SCIENTIFIC, TECHNICAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL ADVICE: SBSTTA-7 will meet from 12-16 November 2001 in Montreal, Canada. 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 WORKSHOP ON RISK MONITORING AND PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF BIOTECHNOLOGY: This workshop will be held from 12-16 November 2001 in Caracas, Venezuela. It will focus on biosafety and risk assessment, risk monitoring of GMOs and public perception of biotechnology. For more information contact: Efrain Salazar Yamarte, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias, Venezuela; tel: +58-43-471066; e-mail: efra63@hotmail.com; Internet: http://www.icgeb.trieste.it/ MEETING OF THE AD HOC INTERSESSIONAL WORKING GROUP ON ARTICLE 8(J) OF THE CONVENTION ON BIODIVERSITY: This meeting is scheduled to take place from 4-8 February 2002 in Montreal, Canada. CBD Secretariat, Montreal, Canada: tel: +1-514-288-2220; fax: +1-514- 288-6588; e-mail: secretariat@biodiv.org; Internet: http://www.biodiv.org SIXTH CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES TO THE CONVENTION ON BIODIVERSITY/CARTAGENA PROTOCOL MOP-1: CBD COP-6 will take place in The Hague, the Netherlands, from 8-26 April 2002. This gathering is also expected to serve as the First Meeting of the Parties (MOP-1) to the Cartagena Protocol. CBD Secretariat, tel: +1-514-288-2220; e-mail: secretariat@biodiv.org; Internet: http://www.biodiv.org CHEMICAL MANAGEMENT DIPLOMATIC CONFERENCE ON PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS (DIPCON): The diplomatic conference for the signing of the POPs convention is scheduled to take place from 21-23 May 2001, in Stockholm, Sweden. For more information contact: Jim Willis, UNEP; tel: +41- 22-917-8111; e-mail: chemicals@unep.ch; Internet: http://irptc.unep.ch/pops/ PANEL OF EXPERTS ON PESTICIDE SPECIFICATIONS, REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS, APPLICATION STANDARDS AND PRIOR INFORMED CONSENT: The 18th Session of the Panel is expected to meet in Bangkok, Thailand from 17-19 June 2001. The 19th Session is scheduled for 27-29 October 2002 in Rome. For more information contact: Gero Vaagt, FAO; tel: +39-6-5705-5757; e-mail: Gero.Vaagt@fao.org; Internet: http://www.fao.org/waicent/FaoInfo/Agricult/AGP/AGPP/Pesticid/Even ts/c.htm FIFTH CONSULTATION ON THE PREVENTION AND DISPOSAL OF OBSOLETE AND UNWANTED STOCKS OF PESTICIDES: This meeting is scheduled for 2001 in Rome. Participants will consider new provisions for the prevention and disposal of obsolete stocks and update/prepare various technical guidelines in support of the FAO Code of Conduct. For more information contact: Ale Wodageneh, FAO; tel: +39-6-5705-5192; fax: +39-6-5705-6347; e-mail: A.Wodageneh@fao.org; Internet: http://www.fao.org/waicent/FaoInfo/Agricult/AGP/AGPP/Pesticid/Even ts/c.htm JOINT FAO-WHO MEETING ON PESTICIDE RESIDUES: The 26th Session of the Joint Meeting of the FAO Panel of Experts on Pesticide Residues in Food and the Environment and the WHO Expert Group on Pesticide Residues (JMPR) will take place from 10-28 September 2001, in Geneva. The 27th Session is scheduled for 20-29 September 2002 in Rome. For more information contact: Amelia Tejada, FAO; tel: +39-6-5705-4010; Internet: http://www.fao.org/waicent/FaoInfo/Agricult/AGP/AGPP/Pesticid/Even ts/c.htm EIGHTH PIC-INC MEETING: The eighth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) for the Preparation of the Conference of Parties of the Rotterdam Convention for the Application of the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade (INC-8) will be held from 8-12 October 2001, in Rome. For more information contact: Niek van der Graaff, FAO; tel: +39-6-5705- 3441; e-mail: Niek.VanderGraaff@fao.org; or Jim Willis, UNEP Chemicals; tel: +41-22-917-8111; e-mail: chemicals@unep.ch; Internet: http://www.pic.int/ GOVERNMENT CONSULTATION ON UPDATING THE FAO CODE OF CONDUCT ON THE DISTRIBUTION AND USE OF PESTICIDES: This consultation is tentatively scheduled for October 2001 in Rome. It will consider the draft revised FAO International Code of Conduct on Distribution and Use of Pesticides. For more information contact: Niek Van der Graaff, FAO; tel: +39-6-5705-3441; e-mail: Niek.VanderGraaff@fao.org; Internet: http://www.fao.org/waicent/FaoInfo/Agricult/AGP/AGPP/Pesticid/Even ts/c.htm FOURTH SESSION OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL FORUM ON CHEMICAL SAFETY (IFCS): FORUM IV is scheduled to be held in Thailand in 2003, with FORUM V taking place in Hungary in late 2005 or 2006. For more information contact: the IFCS Executive Secretary; tel: +41-22- 791-3650; e-mail: ifcs@who.ch; Internet: http://www.who.int/ifcs CLIMATE AND ATMOSPHERE REGIONAL SEMINAR ON ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE VARIABILITY IN THE INSULAR CARIBBEAN: This workshop will take place from 7-9 May 2001, in Havana, Cuba. It will be hosted by the Government of Cuba and UNDP. For more information contact: Jafet Enríquez, tel: +537- 24-1512/15; fax: +537-24-1516; e-mail: jafet.enriquez@undp.org; Internet: http://www.onu.org.cu SECOND International Combined Heat and Power Symposium: This meeting will take place from 9-10 May 2001 in Amsterdam. For more information contact: Quirine Boellaard, tel: +31-20-549-1212; e- mail: q.heerkens@rai.nl; Internet: http://www.2ndCHPsymposium.com KYOTO MECHANISMS: EMERGING BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES: This forum, which will be held from 10-11 May 2001 in Hong Kong, examines the business opportunities and risks as countries work towards a final agreement under the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties. Several companies will outline emissions trading market structures and provide insights on global corporate initiatives in promoting emissions trading. Government officials from India and China will discuss investment opportunities available under the Kyoto mechanisms. Case studies on Malaysian and Indonesian CDM projects will examine legal, auditing and finance issues. For more information contact: Centre for Management Technology, Christina Lu Jialing; tel: +65-346-9132; e-mail: christina@cmtsp.com.sg; Internet: http://www.cmtevents.com INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND VARIABILITY IN NORTHERN EUROPE: This meeting will be held in Turku, Finland, from 6-8 June 2001. For more information contact: Mia Rönkä, University of Turku, Finland; tel: +358-2-333-6009; fax: +358-2-333-5730; Internet: http://figare.utu.fi/notice.html INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CHALLENGES OF A CHANGING EARTH: This conference will be held in Amsterdam from 10-13 July. It will examine the scientific basis needed to understand the complexities of the Kyoto Protocol and define the global carbon debate within a dynamic Earth System and human context. The conference is organized by the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme, together with its global change partners, the World Climate Research Programme and the International Human Dimensions Programme for Global Environmental Change. For more information contact: Susannah Eliott, International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme; tel: +46-8-1664-48; fax: +46-8-1664-05; e-mail: susannah@igbp.kva.se or igbp@congrex.nl; Internet: http://www.scionf.igbp.kva.se RESUMED COP-6/14TH SESSIONS OF THE UNFCCC SUBSIDIARY BODIES: The resumed COP-6 (as outlined under COP-6 decision FCCC/CP/2000/L.3) and the 14th sessions of the Subsidiary Bodies of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change will be held from 16-27 July 2001 in Bonn. For more information contact: the UNFCCC Secretariat; tel: +49-228-815-1000; fax: +49-228-815-1999; e-mail: secretariat@unfccc.int; Internet: http://www.unfccc.int 21ST SESSION OF THE OPEN-ENDED WORKING GROUP OF THE PARTIES TO THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL: This meeting is scheduled to be held from 24-26 July 2001, in Montreal, Canada. For more information contact: Ozone Secretariat; tel: +254-2-62-1234; fax: +254-2-62-3601; e- mail: ozoneinfo@unep.org; Internet: http://www.unep.org/ozone 18TH SESSION OF THE IPCC PLENARY: This meeting will be held from 24-29 September 2001, in London, UK. The purpose of the meeting is to adopt/approve the Synthesis Report. For more information, contact: Renate Christ, IPCC Secretariat, tel: +41-22-730-8574; e- mail: christ_r@gateway.wmo.ch; Internet: http://www.ipcc.ch/activity/master-sch.html 13TH MEETING OF THE PARTIES TO THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL: MOP-13 will be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from 15-19 October 2001. For more information contact: Ozone Secretariat; tel: +254-2-62-1234; fax: +254-2-62-3601; Internet: http://www.unep.org/ozone INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON ARCTIC FEEDBACKS TO GLOBAL CHANGE: This symposium will be held from 25-27 October 2001 in Rovaniemi, Finland. It is sponsored by the Nordic Arctic Research Programme and the Academy of Finland, and will feature a summary of Global Climate Model results for the Arctic, including in relation to the marine sector, terrestrial ecosystems, freshwater ecosystems and icecaps/glaciers. For more information contact: Peter Kuhry; tel: +358-16-341-2758; e-mail: peter.kuhry@urova.fi SEVENTH CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES TO THE UN FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE: COP-7 is scheduled to take place from 29 October - 9 November 2001, in Marrakech, Morocco. For more information contact: the UNFCCC Secretariat; tel: +49-228-815- 1000; e-mail: secretariat@unfccc.int; Internet: http://www.unfccc.int/ DESERTIFICATION WORKSHOP ON INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT OF THE ECOLOGICAL, METEOROLOGICAL, AND HUMAN DIMENSIONS OF GLOBAL DESERTIFICATION: This Dahlem Workshop will take place from 10-15 June 2001, in Berlin, Germany. For more information contact: james.f.reynolds@duke.edu; Internet: http://www.fu-berlin.de/dahlem/Future20Meetings.htm FIFTH SESSION OF THE CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES TO THE UN CONFERENCE TO COMBAT DESERTIFICATION: COP-5 is scheduled to meet from 1-12 October 2001 in Geneva, Switzerland. For more information contact: UNCCD Secretariat; tel: +49-228-815-2800; fax: +49-228-815-2898/99; e-mail: secretariat@unccd.int; Internet: http://www.unccd.int ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO COMBAT DESERTIFICATION: This traveling event will be held 8-20 April 2002, in Cape Town, South Africa, various rural communities, and Gobabeb, Namibia. The aim of this combined international symposium, rural community interaction and workshop is to connect community action with science and common sense. For more information contact: Mary Seely, Desert Research Foundation of Namibia, P.O. Box 20232, Windhoek, Namibia; tel: +264-61-229- 855; fax: +264-61-230-172; e-mail: mseely@drfn.org.na INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE FOR DRY AREAS FOR THE SECOND MILLENNIUM: This conference will be held from 15-19 September 2002, in Shijiazhuang, China. For more information contact: Catherine Vachon, Lethbridge Research Center, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada; tel: +1-403-317-2257; fax: +1-403-382-3156; Internet: http://res2.agr.ca/lethbridge/hebei/confindex.htm FORESTS MCPFE ROUND TABLE MEETING: This meeting will be held from 14-15 May 2001 in Brussels to consider future directions of the MCPFE and next steps. For more information contact: Peter Mayer, Liaison Unit Vienna; tel: +43-1-710-7702; e-mail: liaison.unit@lu- vienna.at; Internet: http://www.minconf-forests.net 30TH SESSION OF THE INTERNATIONAL TROPICAL TIMBER COUNCIL: This meeting will take place from 28 May - 2 June 2001 in Yaounde, Cameroon. For more information contact: ITTO; Yokohama, Japan; tel: +81-45-223-1110; e-mail: itto@itto.or.jp; Internet: http://www.itto.or.jp FIRST SUBSTANTIVE SESSION OF THE UN FORUM ON FORESTS: This meeting is scheduled for 11-22 June 2001, at UN Headquarters in New York. For more information, contact: Secretariat, Intergovernmental Forum on Forests, tel: +1-212-963-6208; fax: +1-212-963-3463; e-mail: vahanen@un.org; Internet: http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/unff_2001_fsm.htm FORESTRY IMPACTS OF CHINA'S REFORMS: LESSONS FOR CHINA AND THE WORLD: This symposium on the forestry impacts of China's rural, industrial, and financial reforms since 1978 will be held from 20- 23 June 2001, in Sichuan Province, China. For more information contact: L.Dachang@cgiar.org and T.Suhartini@cgiar.org INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON ECOLOGICAL AND SOCIETAL ASPECTS OF TRANSGENIC FOREST PLANTATIONS: This symposium will be held from 22-24 July 2001 in Stevenson, Washington State, USA. For more information visit: http://www.fsl.orst.edu/tgerc/iufro2001/eco_symp_iufro.htm MCPFE WORKSHOPS ON THE IMPROVEMENT OF PAN-EUROPEAN INDICATORS FOR SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT: This workshop will take place in Copenhagen from 24-25 September, and is being convened by the Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe (MCPFE). For more information contact: Ewald Rametsteiner, Liaison Unit, Vienna, Austria; tel: +43-1-710-7702; e-mail: liaison.unit@lu-vienna.at; Internet: http://www.minconf-forests.net 17th International Seminar on Forest and Natural Resources Administration and Management: This US Department of Agriculture Forest Service seminar will be held on 26 August – 13 September 2001 at Colorado State University's College of Natural Resources, USA. The focus will be on strategies and methods to develop, manage, and conserve natural resources for the sustained delivery of goods and services to meet the full range of human needs. For more information contact: Ann Keith, tel: +1-970-490-2449; e-mail: IFS@cnr.colostate.edu; Internet: http://www.fs.fed.us/global/is/isfam/welcome.htm INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON FORESTS AND FORESTRY IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES: This workshop will be held from 12-14 September 2001 in Debe, Poland. It is being jointly organized by the government of Poland, MCPFE and UN-ECE/FAO. For more information contact: Alexander Buck, Liaison Unit Vienna; tel: +43-1-710-77-02; e-mail: liaison.unit@lu-vienna.at; Internet: http://www.minconf-forests.net THIRD INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON REMOTE SENSING AND FOREST FIRES: This workshop will convene in Paris from 17-18 September 2001. For more information contact: Emilio Chuvieco, Department of Geography, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Hernares, Spain; e- mail: emilio.chuvieco@uah.es; Internet: http://www.geogra.alcala.es/EARSeL/EARSeL.htm MCPFE EXPERT LEVEL MEETING: This meeting will be held from 22-23 October 2001 in Vienna, Austria. It is open to participants and observers of the MCPFE. The meeting will discuss next steps towards the Fourth Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe (May/June 2003, Vienna). For more information contact: Peter Mayer, Liaison Unit Vienna; tel: +43-1-710-77-02; e-mail: liaison.unit@lu-vienna.at; Internet: http://www.minconf-forests.net XII WORLD FORESTRY CONGRESS: This meeting will take place from 21- 28 September 2003 in Québec City, Québec, Canada. For more information visit: http://www.wfc2003.org/ HABITAT IULA-FMCU UNITY CONGRESS ON "THE COMMUNITY AGENDA": This conference will be held from 3-6 May 2001, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is being organized by the International Union of Local Authorities, the World Federation of United Cities, the Municipality of Rio de Janeiro and UNCHS (Habitat) Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean. For more information contact: Roberto Ottolenghi; e-mail: ro.habitat@rio.rj.gov.br; Internet: http://www.rio.rj.gov.br/iula-fmcu "ISTANBUL+5" - SPECIAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOR AN OVERALL REVIEW AND APPRAISAL OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE HABITAT AGENDA: This Special Session of the UN General Assembly will be held from 6-8 June 2001. It will review and appraise progress made on the implementation of the outcome of the second UN Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II), which was held in Istanbul, Turkey in 1996. For more information contact: Axumite Gebre- Egziabher, UN Centre for Human Settlements, Nairobi, tel: +254-2- 623-831; e-mail: Axumite.Gebre-Egziabher@unchs.org; Internet: http://www.istanbul5.org/ 37TH CONGRESS OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF CITY AND REGIONAL PLANNERS: This meeting is being held from 16-20 September 2001 in Utrecht, the Netherlands. The focus of the congress is on planning in the information age. For more information contact: Congress Secretariat, The Hague, the Netherlands, tel: +31-70-3346-2654; e- mail: secretariat@isocarp.org; Internet: http://www.isocarp.org/2001/index.htm FOURTH INTERNATIONAL FORUM ON URBAN POVERTY (IFUP): This forum is being held from 16-19 October 2001 in Marrakech, Morocco. The topic of the forum is "Productive and Inclusive Cities - Towards Cities for All." UNCHS and the Government of Morocco are sponsoring the event. For more information contact: Jean-Yves Barcelo, IFUP Secretariat, UNCHS, Nairobi, Kenya; tel:+254-262- 4597; e-mail: ifup@unchs.org; Internet: http://www.unchs.org/ifup/conf/morocco1.htm CONGRESS ON NEW DIMENSIONS OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT: The 25th congress of the International Network for Urban Development (INTA) is being held from 20-23 October 2001 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The meeting will focus on new information and communication technologies and local development. . For more information contact: INTA Secretariat, The Hague, the Netherlands; tel: +31- 70-3244526; e-mail: intainfo@inta-net.org Internet: http://www.inta-aivn.org/99-menus/ContentFrameSet20.htm INTERGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS GEF COUNCIL MEETING: The Global Environment Facility Council will meet from 9-11 May and 6-7 December 2001 in Washington, DC. For more information contact: GEF Secretariat, tel: +1-202-473-0508; Internet: http://www.gefweb.org OECD ENVIRONMENT MINISTERS MEETING AND ANNUAL OECD COUNCIL MEETING AT MINISTERIAL LEVEL: These meetings will take place from 16-18 May 2001 in Paris, France. For more information contact: Media Relations, OECD, Paris, France; tel: +33-1-4524-8200; fax: +33-1- 4524-1950; Internet: http://www.oecd.org/media/upcoming.htm FAO GOVERNING BODIES: Sessions of the FAO Council are scheduled for 18-23 June, 30 October – 1 November and 14 November 2001. The 31st FAO Conference is tentatively scheduled for 2-13 November 2001. For more information on specific meetings, visit: http://www.fao.org/events/index.asp WORLD BANK GROUP AND INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND ANNUAL MEETINGS: The annual meetings of the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund will take place from 2-4 October 2001, in Washington, DC. More information is available online at: http://www.imf.org/spring/2001/index.htm OCEANS AND COASTS MEETING OF THE STATES PARTIES TO THE UN CONVENTION ON THE LAW OF THE SEA: This meeting will be held from 14-28 May 2001 in New York. For more information contact: UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; tel: +1-212-963-3968; e-mail: doalos@un.org; Internet: www.un.org/Depts/los/index.htm SIXTH INDO-PACIFIC FISH CONFERENCE: This conference will be held from 20-25 May 2001 in Durban, South Africa. It will address various aspects of the ichthyology of Indo-Pacific fishes, including evolution, genetics, systematics, ecology, biology, behavior and biogeography. For more information contact: IPFC 2001, Oceanographic Research Institute, P O Box 10712, Marine Parade, Durban 4056, South Africa; tel: +27-31-337-3536; fax: +27- 31-337-2132; Internet: http://www.seaworld.org.za CONFERENCE ON RESPONSIBLE FISHERIES IN THE MARINE ECOSYSTEM: This meeting will be held from 1-4 October 2001 in Reykjavik, Iceland. Sponsored by the FAO and the governments of Iceland and Norway, the conference will focus on: gathering and reviewing the best available knowledge on marine ecosystem issues; identifying means by which ecosystem considerations can be included in fisheries management; and identifying future challenges and relevant strategies. For more information contact: Grimur Valdimarsson; e- mail: grimur.valdimarsson@fao.org; Internet: http://www.refisheries2001.org/ INTERGOVERNMENTAL MEETING ON PROTECTION OF THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT FROM LAND-BASED ACTIVITIES: The First Intergovernmental Review Meeting on the Implementation of the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities (GPA) will take place in Montreal, Canada from 26-30 November 2001. For more information visit: http://www.gpa.unep.org POPULATION WORLD FOOD SUMMIT - FIVE YEARS LATER: This meeting will be held at the UN Food and Agricultural Organization's Headquarters in Rome, Italy from 5-9 November 2001. Participants will review progress made towards the 1996 World Food Summit goal of reducing by half the number of hungry people by 2015, and consider ways to accelerate the process. For more information contact: Mieko Ikegame, Unit for Cooperation with External Partners, FAO; tel: +39-06/5705-4706; e-mail: meiko.ikegame@fao.org; Internet: http://www.fao.org/news/2001/010304-e.htm UNITED NATIONS COMMISSION ON POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT: The Commission's 35th Session, to be held in 2002, will address the issue of "Reproductive rights and reproductive health, with special reference to HIV/AIDS." The 36th Session in 2003 will focus on "Population, education and development." For more information contact: Population Division; fax: +1-212-963-2147; Internet: http://www.undp.org/popin/unpopcom.htm SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE ON PARTNERSHIPS AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN THE NEW ECONOMY: This conference will take place in Copenhagen, Denmark from 27-29 June 2001. It will bring together key stakeholders engaged in the field of partnerships and social cohesion. For more information contact: Niels Hojensgard, The Copenhagen Centre; tel: +45-3392-9245; e-mail: dpnih@sm.dk WORLD CONFERENCE AGAINST RACISM, RACIAL DISCRIMINATION, XENOPHOBIA AND RELATED INTOLERANCE: This conference will be held from 31 August - 7 September 2001 in Durban, South Africa. A preparatory meeting is scheduled for May 2001 in Geneva. For more information contact: Conference Secretariat, tel: +41-22-917-9290; Internet: http://www.unhchr.ch/html/racism/racism.htm SECOND WORLD ASSEMBLY ON AGEING: This UN conference will be held in Madrid, Spain from 8-12 April 2002, 20 years after the Vienna World Assembly on Ageing. The meeting will review the outcome of the first World Assembly, and will adopt a revised plan of action and long-term strategy on ageing. The UN Commission for Social Development is acting as the Preparatory Committee for the conference. For more information contact: Alexandre Sidorenko, UN Programme on Ageing; e-mail: sidorenko@un.org; Internet: http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/ageing TRADE AND ENVIRONMENT WTO GENERAL COUNCIL: The World Trade Organization's General Council will meet several times during the remainder of 2001: 7-8 May, 18-19 July, 10-11 October, and 12-14 December. For more information contact: WTO, Geneva; tel: +41-22-739-5111; e-mail: enquiries@wto.org; Internet: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/meets.doc WTO COMMITTEE ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT: During 2001, this committee is scheduled to meet on 22 May and 19 October. For more information contact: WTO, tel: +41-22-739-5111; e-mail: enquiries@wto.org; Internet: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/meets.doc INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON GATS AND SUSTAINABILITY: This conference will be held from 21-22 May 2001 in Bonn, Germany. The aim of the conference is to promote the exchange of views and networking and to explore the consequences of the provisions of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) on Sustainable Development through discussions focusing on the requirements for a sustainable regime for regulating international trade in services and the sustainability implications of GATS. For further information contact: Martine Schaub, German NGO Forum on Environment and Development; tel: +49-228-368-1010; e-mail: handelsprojekt@forumue.de WTO COUNCIL FOR TRADE-RELATED ASPECTS OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS: During 2001, the TRIPS Council will meet from 18-22 June, 20-21 September and 26-29 November, in Geneva. For more information contact: Peter Ungphakorn, WTO, Geneva; tel: +41-22- 739-5412; e-mail: peter.ungphakorn@wto.org; Internet: http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/trips_e/trips_e.htm WTO COMMITTEE ON TRADE AND ENVIRONMENT: During 2001, this committee is scheduled to meet from 27-28 June and 30-31 October. For more information contact: WTO, tel: +41-22-739-5111; e-mail: enquiries@wto.org; Internet: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/meets.doc WTO COMMITTEE ON SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES: During 2001, this committee is scheduled to meet from 10-11 July, and 31 October – 1 November. For more information contact: WTO; e-mail: enquiries@wto.org; Internet: http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/sps_e/sps_e.htm WTO fourth ministerial meeting: The World Trade Organization's fourth ministerial meeting will be held in Qatar from 9-13 November 2001. For more information contact: WTO, tel: +41-22-739- 5111; e-mail: enquiries@wto.org; Internet: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/meets.doc WTO SUB-COMMITTEE ON LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES: This WTO sub- committee will meet from 27-28 November. For more information contact: WTO, tel: +41-22-739-5111; email: enquiries@wto.org; Internet: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/meets.doc WETLANDS RAMSAR CONVENTION SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL REVIEW PANEL: The tenth meeting of the Scientific and Technical Review Panel of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands is scheduled to take place from 26-29 June 2001 in Gland, Switzerland. For more information contact: Ramsar Secretariat, Gland, Switzerland; tel: +41-22-999-0170; e-mail: ramsar@ramsar.org; Internet: http://www.ramsar.org/meetings.htm REGIONAL AND SUB-REGIONAL MEETINGS UNDER THE RAMSAR CONVENTION: Prior to COP8, a number of preparatory regional and sub-regional meetings have been proposed to be held in Africa, Asia, the Neotropics and Europe. The meeting dates range from July 2001- October 2002, and their implementation depends on the mobilization of requisite financial resources. For further details of the proposed meeting programme visit: http://www.ramsar.org/cop8_regionalmeetings_proposal1.htm ASIAN WETLAND SYMPOSIUM 2001: This meeting will be held in Penang, Malaysia, from 27-29 August 2001. For more information contact: Symposium Secretariat: Reiko Nakamua, Ramsar Center Japan; tel: +81-3-3758-7926; e-mail: ramsarcj.nakamura@nifty.ne.jp SECOND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON WETLANDS AND REMEDIATION: This conference will take place from 5-6 September 2001 in Burlington, Vermont, USA. For more information contact: Carol Young, Conference Coordinator; tel: +1-614-424-7604; e-mail: youngc@battelle.org; Internet: http://www.battelle.org/environment/er/wetlandsconf/wetlandsconf/html RAMSAR CONVENTION STANDING COMMITTEE MEETINGS: The Standing Committee of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands will hold its 26th meeting from 3-7 December 2001 in Gland, Switzerland. Its subgroup on COP8 will meet from 6-8 May 2002, also in Gland, Switzerland. The 27th meeting will take place on 17 November, prior to COP8, in Valencia, Spain. For more information contact: Ramsar Secretariat, Gland, Switzerland; tel: +41-22-999-0170; e-mail: ramsar@ramsar.org; Internet: http://www.ramsar.org/meetings.htm RAMSAR CONVENTION ON WETLANDS COP8: COP8 is scheduled to convene in Valencia, Spain, from 18-26 November 2002. For more information contact: Ramsar Secretariat, Gland, Switzerland; tel: +41-22-999- 0170; e-mail: ramsar@ramsar.org; Internet: http://www.ramsar.org WILDLIFE CITES STANDING COMMITTEE: The Standing Committee will meet in Paris in June 2001. 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 SEVENTH CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES TO THE CONVENTION ON MIGRATORY SPECIES: CMS COP-7 is scheduled to take place from 1-15 September 2002 in Bonn, Germany. The Second Meeting of the Parties to the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (AEWA MOP-2) will also be held at this time. For more information on this meeting and others relating to the Convention on Migratory Species contact: CMS Secretariat, United Nations Premises in Bonn, Martin-Luther-King- Str. 8, D-53175 Bonn, Germany; tel: +49-228-815-2401/2; fax: +49- 228-815-2449; Internet: http://www.wcmc.org.uk/cms/events.htm WOMEN RESUMED 45TH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN: This meeting – which began in March 2001 at UN Headquarters in New York – is tentatively scheduled to resume from 9-11 May 2001 to address outstanding issues. For more information contact: UN Division for the Advancement of Women, New York; fax: +1-212-963- 3463; e-mail: erturk@un.org; Internet: http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/csw/45sess.htm MEETINGS OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE ELIMINATION OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN: A number of meetings are being held in 2001, all at UN Headquarters in New York. The 25th Session will meet from 4-22 June. The Pre-Session Working Group for the 26th Session will be held from 25-29 June. For more information contact: Women's Rights Unit, Division for the Advancement of Women, Room DC2-1226, UN, New York, NY 10017, USA; fax: +1-212-963-3463; e-mail: connorsj@un.org; Internet: http://www.un.org/womenwatch/calendar.htm Information request: if you would like an upcoming meeting, news report, recent event or staff appointment, departure or vacancy to be included in Linkages Journal, please contact the Editor Malena Sell at: malena@iisd.org STAFF Editor: Malena Sell malena@iisd.org Managing Editor: Langston James "Kimo" Goree VI kimo@iisd.org Proofreader/Advisor: Chris Spence chris@iisd.org Submissions, corrections, requests for subscription information and correspondence should be sent to malena@iisd.org. The opinions expressed in /linkages/journal/ are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of IISD and our funders. Excerpts from /linkages/journal/ may be used in other publications with appropriate academic citation. /linkages/journal/ may not be reproduced, reprinted or posted to any system or service without specific permission from the International Institute for Sustainable Development info@iisd.ca. This limitation includes distribution via Usenet News, bulletin board systems, mailing lists, print media and broadcast. For more information, send a message to malena@iisd.org The Sustaining Donors of the Bulletin are the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Government of Canada (through CIDA), the United States (through USAID), the Swiss Agency for Environment, Forests and Landscape (SAEFL), the United Kingdom (through the Department for International Development - DFID, and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office), the European Commission (DG-ENV), the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Government of Germany (through German Federal Ministry of Environment - BMU, and the German Federal Ministry of Development Cooperation - BMZ). General Support for the Bulletin during 2001 is provided by the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Austria, the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Environment of Norway, the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Environment of Finland, the Government of Australia, the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sweden, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Japan Ministry of Environment (through the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies - IGES).