/linkages/journal/ Volume 6 Number 8 1 September 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/link0608e.pdf ( The following is the ASCII version of Vol. 6 No. 8 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 September 2001 issue of Linkages Journal includes: * media reports and news, including on GMOs and forests; * briefings on key meetings held in July and August 2001, including the resumed Sixth Session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP-6 Part II), and the First Session of the Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Plant Genetic Resource for Food and Agriculture; * 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 BONN AGREEMENT Surprise Agreement Achieved in Bonn One of the most significant international events of the past two months was the resumed sixth session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP-6 Part II), held in the second half of July (see page five). Most negotiators and observers going into the meeting were less than optimistic, with many questioning whether the Kyoto Protocol could survive a second failure similar to that experienced last November in The Hague. However, after prolonged negotiations, delegates surprised many pundits by reaching a political deal – the "Bonn Agreement" – that effectively keeps alive the prospects for eventual entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol. Following the political deal, the atmosphere among the exhausted negotiators was one of victory and satisfaction. However, talks held in the days following the Bonn Agreement showed that some rifts remain, demonstrating that the Kyoto Protocol's prospects, while improved, are far from certain. Much of the detailed work of translating the Bonn Agreement into legal text will now be taken up at COP-7, which is set to take place in late October and early November in Marrakech. Linkages Launches Johannesburg Portal The next few months will witness a number of regional and sub- regional preparatory meetings for the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg in 2002 (see pages 11-12). To keep readers up-to-date with the latest Summit news, IISD Linkages has created a Web Portal at http://enb.iisd.org/wssd/portal.html. The portal is updated on a daily basis, and contains background information on the Johannesburg Summit, a calendar of international, regional and NGO meetings, reports on the outcomes of past meetings, web links and news reports. In other news, IISD Reporting Services is pleased to announce Prisna Nuengsigkapian as the new Assistant Editor of Linkages Journal. Prisna, a Singapore citizen with an environmental science degree from Brown University, will be based in IISD's Geneva office. Prior to joining IISD, she worked for the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives in Berkeley, California, assisting local governments on climate change mitigation strategies. Welcome Prisna! Malena Sell, Editor, Linkages Journal RECENT MEETINGS Information on recent conferences, workshops and symposia in the field of environment and development negotiations SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT FOURTH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS WORLD YOUTH FORUM: Over 300 youth delegates from around the world met with representatives of the United Nations and intergovernmental organizations in Dakar, Senegal from 6-10 August 2001, to discuss the theme of "Empowering Youth for Action." Participants met in working groups and developed recommendations that were adopted in an outcome document, The Dakar Youth Empowerment Strategy. The outcome document calls for empowering young people to participate in decision-making and evaluating policies and programmes throughout all aspects of society. It further advocates implementing holistic and integrated youth empowerment strategies that are applicable at the global, regional and national levels and that involve young people at all stages of conception, formulation and implementation. In the section on "Environment and Human Settlements" the outcome document proposes increased cooperation between youth, UNEP, the UN Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat), and UNDP. Participants also highlighted the potential role of national and regional youth platforms in monitoring the implementation of Agenda 21 and the Habitat Agenda, and called for sub-committees within such platforms to be created. Participants also recommended producing a youth-friendly version of the Habitat Agenda, and including young people in official national delegations to the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002 in Johannesburg, as well as in the Commission on Human Settlements. The Dakar Strategy will be conveyed to the UN General Assembly later this year. More information on this meeting is available online at: http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unyin/forum/index.html CENTRAL AND SOUTH ASIA REGIONAL ROUNDTABLE IN PREPARATION FOR THE WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: This regional roundtable of eminent persons in preparation for the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) met from 30 July - 1 August 2001 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Participants discussed the region's concerns, challenges and achievements, noting that development paths should be consistent with cultural values. Political changes that have occurred in the last ten years, intra-regional conflicts, the rise in narcotics and human trafficking, and the fact that the region includes the world's two most populous countries, were highlighted as challenges in moving towards sustainable development. Participants suggested that countries incorporate sustainable development principles in their Constitutions or adopt frameworks for sustainable development legislation. Provisions of the Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters were suggested as a possible basis for national legislation in the region. Participants also proposed that the WSSD include a discussion on the impacts of globalization from sustainable development perspectives and an agreement on a process that would lead to a global scheme for restructuring foreign debt. More information on this meeting is available online at: http://www.johannesburgsummit.org/web_pages/bishkek_roundtable_rep ort.htm UN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL: This year's UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Session was held from 2-25 July in Geneva, Switzerland. During the ECOSOC 2001 Session, the Council discussed the transfer of knowledge and technology in promoting development, began a review of its operational activities for development, and discussed special assistance for economic, humanitarian and disaster relief. During the high-level segment of the session, delegates discussed ways to help Africa achieve sustainable development. In its discussions on the transfer of knowledge and technology, the Council noted that global sustainable development required accelerated transfer of knowledge and technology from developed to developing countries, acknowledging that the majority of the world's population still lives in poverty and that many have not yet reaped the benefits of information and communications technology. Addressing globalization and regional cooperation, Executive Secretaries of the five UN regional commissions highlighted that the opportunities presented by expanding global markets came with risks and costs, including growing inequality, and noted that governments are now less able to safeguard their economies against worldwide economic fluctuations. The Council adopted a resolution calling for the protection against products that are harmful to health and the environment, and requesting the Secretary-General to continue to disseminate the Consolidated List of such products as widely as possible, and to look into the possibility of online dissemination of the List. In reviewing the UN follow-up process on major conferences and summits, several national representatives suggested that the current procedure involving five-year reviews is ineffective, as conferences often deal with long-term objectives and complex issues that require more time to address. The theme for ECOSOC's high-level segment was the "Role of the United Nations system in supporting the efforts of African countries to achieve sustainable development." Roundtables were held focusing on financing investments in Africa and on Africa's infrastructure needs. Considerable support was expressed for the "New African Initiative," a multilateral agreement among African nations to set out a series of principles for economic and social progress, including national ownership of development efforts, government transparency and accountability in fiscal, legal and regulatory matters, and the strengthening of democracy. As a result of the high-level segment, the Council adopted a Ministerial Declaration that resolved to give full support to the political and institutional structures of emerging democracies in Africa, and to encourage and sustain regional and sub-regional mechanisms for preventing conflict and promoting political stability. ECOSOC did not complete all the work on its agenda. Outstanding matters will be addressed later this year when the Council reconvenes at United Nations Headquarters in New York. More information on this meeting is available online at: http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2001/ecosoc5990.doc.htm Information on the high-level segment is online at: http://www.un.org/esa/coordination/ecosoc/dev_afr/index.htm The draft ministerial declaration is online at: http://www.un.org/esa/coordination/ecosoc/dev_afr/declar.pdf SECOND MEETING OF THE OPEN-ENDED INTERGOVERNMENTAL GROUP OF MINISTERS OR THEIR REPRESENTATIVES ON INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE: The second meeting of the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Group of Ministers or Their Representatives on International Environmental Governance was held in Bonn, Germany on 17 July 2001. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) organized the meeting pursuant to decision 21/21 of the UNEP Governing Council, which established an Open-Ended Intergovernmental Group of Ministers to undertake a comprehensive policy-oriented assessment of weaknesses in existing international environmental institutions, and to examine options for strengthened international environmental governance. Two hundred participants from 75 countries were present, including 21 ministers and deputy ministers, experts, and representatives from non-governmental organizations (NGOs), UN bodies and inter- governmental organizations (IGOs). Delegates met in morning and afternoon plenary sessions to hear reports on the outcomes of recent consultations with civil society and experts, as well as statements by relevant international organizations and national representatives on further issues in international environmental governance. The Earth Negotiations Bulletin report outlining these discussions in detail can be found at: http://enb.iisd.org/unepgc/ieg2/index.html UN ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR EUROPE REGIONAL CONSULTATIVE MEETING: This meeting of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), focusing on preparations for the World Summit on Sustainable Development, took place from 12-13 July 2001 in Geneva as part of preparations for the Regional Ministerial Meeting planned for 24- 25 September. Government representatives and stakeholder groups discussed regional and sub-regional preparations for the World Summit on Sustainable Development, and considered possible elements for both the Regional Ministerial Meeting and further development of a draft ministerial statement. A Friends of the Chair drafting group was established to assist in preparing a draft statement that will be considered by the Open-ended drafting group meeting on 3-4 September, and during the Second Regional Consultative Meeting on 21-22 September. More information on this meeting is available online at: http://www.unece.org/env/rio+10/rcm1.htm EAST ASIA AND THE PACIFIC REGIONAL ROUNDTABLE IN PREPARATION FOR THE WSSD: The East Asia and Pacific Region's Eminent Persons' Roundtable met from 9-11 July 2001 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This Roundtable was the fourth in a regional series being organized to obtain independent views on regional and global issues for the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development. The participants noted that the region's diversity poses challenges for attaining sustainable development, and that the recent financial crisis has diminished the capacity of many countries in the region to address these challenges. Priority areas were identified and various proposals for regional cooperation were made, including the establishment of a regional council for sustainable development and the organization of a regional symposium on science for sustainable development. More information on this meeting is available online at: http://www.johannesburgsummit.org/web_pages/malaysia_press_release .htm http://www.johannesburgsummit.org/web_pages/malaysia_roudtable_rep ort.htm BIODIVERSITY CONFERENCE ON NEW BIOTECHNOLOGY FOODS AND CROPS - SCIENCE, SAFETY AND SOCIETY: This international conference took place in Bangkok, Thailand from 10-12 July 2001, and was attended by 250 participants from more than 50 countries, including scientists, government officials and representatives from industry, academia and civil society. The conference was organized by the OECD and the Government of the UK, in cooperation with the FAO, WHO, UNEP, and the Government of Thailand. Participants focused on the following themes: science; safety, with particular emphasis on methods for building international consensus on new biotechnology food and crop safety; and society, including how stakeholder views inform national and international decision-making. The meeting concluded with recommendations that all stakeholders commit to greater transparency on genetically modified organisms and that governments increase their support for independent and publicly-funded scientific research into the risks and benefits of genetically modified foods and crops. More information on this meeting, including video and audio broadcasts, is available online at: http://www.oecd.org/bangkok/ OPEN-ENDED EXPERT MEETING ON CAPACITY BUILDING FOR THE CARTAGENA PROTOCOL ON BIOSAFETY: This meeting took place from 11-13 July 2001 in Havana, Cuba. The aim of the meeting was to further develop proposals on the implementation of the Protocol's capacity-building provisions for consideration by the Intergovernmental Committee for the Cartagena Protocol (ICCP) at the ICCP's second meeting in October 2001. The open-ended expert meeting was attended by representatives from almost 100 Parties and observers from UN bodies, specialized agencies and convention secretariats. Participants considered a report summarizing the information received in response to a questionnaire on capacity- building sent to governments, and heard a presentation of ongoing initiatives on capacity-building for the implementation of the Cartagena Protocol. They also considered priority issues such as institution building, risk assessment and risk management identified by governments, as well as approaches, options and strategies to effect capacity-building with regard to the priority issues. They agreed on a draft Plan of Action for the Building of Capacities for the Effective Implementation of the Cartagena Protocol. More information on this meeting is available online at: http://www.biodiv.org/doc/meetings/bs-cb/bs-em-cb-01/emcb-01-03- en.pdf FIRST SESSION OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP ON PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE: This meeting was held from 2-4 July 2001 at the Headquarters of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome. The Working Group's task at this meeting was to provide technical advice to the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA) in guiding and reviewing the implementation of the Global Plan of Action for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (GPA), to further develop a global system of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA). The session was attended by 21 Member delegations, seven observers from CGRFA Member Nations who are not Members of the Working Group, and representatives from intergovernmental organizations, industry, a non-governmental organization, and two agricultural research centers. Participants considered papers prepared by the Secretariat relating to progress, monitoring and facilitation of the GPA's implementation, the Report on the State of the World's PGRFA, the World Information and Early Warning System (WIEWS), and potential impacts of Genetic Use Restriction Technologies (GURTs) on agricultural biodiversity and production systems. Following discussions on each of these issues, the Working Group provided recommendations that were subsequently adopted in a report produced at the close of the meeting. These recommendations will be submitted to the CGRFA for consideration at its ninth Regular Session. The Sustainable Developments report outlining these discussions in detail can be found at: http://enb.iisd.org/crs/wgpgr1/ SIXTH EXTRAORDINARY SESSION OF THE COMMISSION ON GENETIC RESOURCES FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE: This session was held in Rome at the headquarters of the FAO from 24 June - 1 July 2001. More than 260 participants from 93 countries, intergovernmental and non- governmental organizations attended the session, which was convened to conclude negotiations on the Revision of the International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (IU), the first comprehensive, international instrument on plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA). The session concluded negotiations on the IU, adopted resolutions transmitting the IU to the FAO Conference in November 2001, and mandated the FAO Director-General to collaborate with the International Agricultural Research Centers (IARCs) in reviewing their Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs) on plant germplasm placement to ensure conformity with the IU provisions. Agreement was reached on many of the issues that were outstanding from previous negotiating sessions, including the coverage of the Multilateral System (MS), access and benefit sharing, ex situ PGRFA held by the IARCs of the Consultative Group of International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), and legal and institutional issues. However, agreement was not reached on the definitions of PGRFA and genetic material, the patenting of genetic parts and components, the IU's relationship with other international agreements and the list of crops for inclusion in the MS. The most contentious issues, in particular the functioning of the Multilateral System (MS), specifically in relation to the coverage of MS, facilitated access, and the sharing of monetary benefits on commercialization, were negotiated by a "Friends of the Chair" contact group. Informal working groups negotiated the lists of crops covered by the MS (Annex I), the use of terms and resolutions. Issues that were not agreed in these informal groups and in the Committee of the Whole were addressed and negotiated during the final Plenary. The Earth Negotiations Bulletin report outlining these discussions in detail can be found at: http://enb.iisd.org/biodiv/ExCGRFA-6/ CLIMATE AND ATMOSPHERE 21ST MEETING OF THE OPEN-ENDED WORKING GROUP OF THE PARTIES TO THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL: The Open-Ended Working Group met from 24-26 July 2001 in Montreal, Canada. Representatives from 178 countries reviewed options for further tightening the international regime for phasing out ozone-depleting substances (ODS). The Working Group initiated a study on monitoring and preventing illegal trade of ODS, reviewed exemptions for essential-use of CFCs and other ODS, discussed reduction of emissions from ODS used as process agents, and considered replenishment of the Multilateral Fund for 2003-2005. The Protocol's Technology and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP) presented a new approach to evaluating new substances with significant ozone-depleting potential that would shift the burden of providing scientific and technical proof to companies proposing either production of new substances, or novel uses of existing substances not currently being used commercially. The results and recommendations of the Working Group will be taken up at the 13th Meeting of the Parties to the Protocol, which will be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka from 15-19 October 2001. More information on the Working Group's meeting is available online at: http://www.unep.org/ozone/press-rel/21oewg-pressrel-240701.shtml and http://www.unep.org/ozone/21oewg.shtml RESUMED SIXTH SESSION OF THE CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES TO THE UN FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE: The resumed sixth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP-6 Part II) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the fourteenth sessions of the UNFCCC's subsidiary bodies were held in Bonn, Germany, from 16-27 July 2001. Over 4,600 participants from 181 governments, 254 intergovernmental, non-governmental and other observer organizations, and 332 media outlets were in attendance. The meeting sought to successfully complete negotiations aimed at setting the operational details for commitments on reducing emissions of greenhouse gases under the 1997 Kyoto Protocol. It also sought agreement on actions to strengthen implementation of the UNFCCC itself. In attempting to achieve these goals, which were set out in the 1998 Buenos Aires Plan of Action (BAPA), the resumed COP-6 was intended to bring to a close more than two and a half years of preparations and negotiations, and to complete the tasks that had been left unfinished at COP-6 in The Hague in November 2000. From 16-18 July, delegates met in closed negotiating groups to reduce differences on texts for decisions on a range of issues related to the Protocol and the UNFCCC, including: financial issues; the mechanisms; compliance; and land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF). On Thursday, 19 July, the high-level segment of the resumed COP-6 began, with participants striving to make a breakthrough by achieving agreement on a "political" decision on key outstanding issues. They worked throughout the weekend, with COP President Pronk presenting a proposal for a draft political decision outlining agreements on core elements of the BAPA. On Monday morning, ministers finally agreed to adopt it, with a revised section on compliance. The political decision – or "Bonn Agreement" – was approved by the ministers in Plenary late Monday morning. High-level discussions over the weekend also resulted in a Political Declaration by a number of developed countries, in which they pledged additional funding for climate change activities for developing countries. During the remainder of the second week, delegates attempted to clear all remaining brackets in the outstanding texts held over from COP-6 Part I in The Hague, based on the political guidance set out under the Bonn Agreement. Although decisions were adopted on several key issues, delegates were unable to complete all their work on the mechanisms, compliance and LULUCF. Since not all texts in the entire "package" of decisions were completed, all decisions were forwarded to COP-7, where delegates will attempt to conclude their negotiations. The fourteenth sessions of the COP's subsidiary bodies met at the same time as the resumed COP-6. After a number of informal consultations, the subsidiary bodies adopted draft conclusions on a range of issues, including reports on inter-sessional activities, policies and measures, cooperation with relevant international organizations, and administrative and financial matters. The Earth Negotiations Bulletin outlining these discussions in detail can be found at: http://enb.iisd.org/climate/cop6bis/ OCEANS AND COASTS 53RD MEETING OF THE INTERNATIONAL WHALING COMMISSION: This annual meeting was held from 23-27 July 2001 in London, UK. At this meeting, the International Whaling Commission (IWC), which is responsible for reviewing and revising the measures governing the conduct of whaling, discussed a proposal to establish an interim allocation of 50 minke whales for small-type coastal whaling, management schemes, and the effects of whales on fish stocks for human consumption. Governments considered but did not agree on proposals to adopt the Revised Management Procedure and consolidate progress made so far on the Revised Management Scheme, both of which would have established management schemes for any commercial whaling that may occur in the future. The IWC commissioned a study on the effects that whales have on fish stocks for human consumption and passed a resolution urging Japan to stop its scientific kills of Antarctic minkes and cull of Dall's porpoises until a full assessment has been carried out by the scientific committee. The Commission also passed a motion criticizing Norway for hunting Minke whales and for resuming exports of whale products. During this session, the IWC put Iceland's membership on hold and relegated it to observer status for refusing to comply with the commercial whaling ban. Proponents of ending the ban on commercial whale hunting were unsuccessful, while proposals for whale sanctuaries in the South Pacific and in the South Atlantic Oceans were rejected for the second time. Government representatives and experts expressed concern about the lack of progress in the IWC during this meeting. More information on this meeting is available online at: http://www.iwc.org/iwc2001report.htm Live broadcasts of the highlights of the meeting can be viewed at: http://www.e-kujira.or.jp/london/iwc.html TRADE AND ENVIRONMENT WTO SYMPOSIUM ON ISSUES CONFRONTING THE WORLD TRADING SYSTEM: The Symposium on Issues Confronting the World Trading System was held from 6-7 July 2001 at the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva, Switzerland. Approximately 450 representatives of NGOs, governments, industry, academia and the media attended the Symposium. Participants met in Plenary and in work sessions that focused on: agriculture; food safety and the Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement); the Agreement on Trade- Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) and access to essential medicines; TRIPS and biotechnology/biodiversity; trade and environment; trade in services; the WTO and civil society; and trade and development. The Sustainable Developments report outlining these discussions in detail can be found at: http://enb.iisd.org/crs/wto-issues/sdvol55num1.html WOMEN 25TH SESSION OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE ELIMINATION OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN: The Committee of the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) convened for its 25th Session in New York from 2-20 July 2001. At the session's opening, the Committee welcomed CEDAW's universal ratification in Latin America and the Caribbean. During the three week session, the Committee reviewed compliance reports from 8 states: Andorra, Guinea, Singapore, Guyana, the Netherlands, Nicaragua, Sweden, and Viet Nam. The session concluded by adopting a draft report, requesting an additional session of the Committee in 2002 to clear its backlog of reports and adopted a decision to forward a statement to the special session of the General Assembly on Children in September 2001. More information on this meeting is available online at: http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/25sess.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 AARHUS CONVENTION TO ENTER INTO FORCE IN OCTOBER The Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters will come into force on 30 October 2001. The pan-European Convention, negotiated by the UN Economic Commission for Europe, supports environmental transparency by ensuring that governments cannot hide sensitive environmental information or cover up environmental mishaps. The Convention aims to give citizens a voice in decision-making affecting their environment and allows them to take governments and polluters that break the rules to court. Convention Secretary Jeremy Wates describes the treaty as "not only a powerful weapon in the struggle to protect the environment, but also a tool for democracy … especially for countries which have recently introduced democratic systems." The majority of the countries that have ratified are Eastern European countries and members of the Commonwealth of Independent States. Links to further information UN ECE press release, 9 August 2001 http://www.unece.org/press/pr2001/01env06e.htm WATER SHORTAGE HIGHLIGHTED DURING WORLD WATER WEEK A report issued during World Water Week in Stockholm states that one in three people will not have access to enough water by 2025. Noting that 450 million people in 29 countries already suffer from water shortages, the report warns that Asia and sub-Saharan Africa are likely to face the most severe problems with future water shortages. Frank Rijsberman, Director General of the International Water Management Institute, which published the report, said different views must be accommodated to avoid a collision course of needs and interests. In particular, he noted the divide between environmentalists, some of whom are urging a 10% cut in water use to protect ecosystems, cities, which are continually demanding more water for industry and domestic use, and agricultural scientists, who advocate boosting farm water use by 20-25% over the next 25 years to secure food supplies. Experts have warned that environmental security and access to vital natural resources like water will increasingly feature in national defense. Links to further information Environment News Service, 14 August 2001 http://www.ens-news.com/ens/aug2001/2001L-08-14-02.html Stockholm Water Symposium 2001 website http://www.siwi.org/sws2001/sws2001.html BIODIVERSITY AGREEMENT REACHED ON GLOBAL GM GUIDELINES Negotiators from 165 countries have agreed on the first global guidelines requiring countries to test the safety of genetically modified (GM) foods prior to their entry into the market. The agreement, which relates in particular to GM foods' potential to cause allergic reactions, was reached during the 24th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, held in early July. Member states also approved a series of new maximum levels of contaminants, including lead, cadmium and the carcinogen aflatoxin, in fruit juices, cereals and milk. The Commission also agreed on new guidelines for organic livestock production, supporting natural breeding methods and progressive elimination of the use of antibiotics and growth hormones. A task force is expected to have detailed GM testing guidelines prepared by 2003 in time for the Commission's next major session. Links to further information Reuters new release, 9 July 2001 http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=11473&newsdate= 09-Jul-2001 Report of the Codex Alimentarius Commission's 24th Session http://www.codexalimentarius.net/cac24/alinorm0141/httoc.htm FORESTS FOREST CONSERVATION SHOULD TARGET 15 COUNTRIES Efforts to save the world's forests should initially focus on the 15 countries that contain 80 percent of the world's remaining closed forests, according to a new report from UNEP. The report also shows how governmental protection for closed forests varies between countries, with Venezuela having 63 percent of its forests in protected areas, while Russia has only 2 percent of its forests protected. A key finding in the report is the fact that 88 percent of closed forests in the 15 countries currently have low to non- existent population densities, thus offering an opportunity for conservation. The report calls on governments to tighten national conservation laws, enforce wildlife smuggling and poaching, and draft action plans to conserve remaining closed forests. UNEP will soon publish another report, "Strategy on Global Forest Assessment and Monitoring," which will outline actions it will be taking to support forest conservation, such as monitoring and assessing closed forests in partnership with governments, space agencies, NGOs and the FAO. UNEP hopes to create a permanent forest monitoring system. Links to further information UNEP press release, 20 August 2001 http://www.unep.org/Documents/Default.asp?DocumentID=211&ArticleID =2892 UNEP report, August 2001 http://www.na.unep.net/publications/closedforest.pdf INTERGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS WORLD BANK ADOPTS NEW ENVIRONMENT PLAN The World Bank's Board has announced a new environment strategy aimed at further integrating environmental concerns into the Bank's projects and programmes. The result of two years of stakeholder consultations, the new strategy will seek to ensure that economic growth does not come at the cost of people's health and future opportunities. The new strategy emphasizes improving quality of life and growth in developing countries through supporting sustainable environmental management, and protecting the quality of regional and global commons, such as climate, forests and water resources. Efforts will be tailored to each developing country's needs and capacities. Commenting on the new strategy, Ian Johnson, Vice President of the Bank's environmentally and socially sustainable development network, noted that developing countries are showing a growing interest in the effects pollution and declining natural resources have on health and growth prospects. According to the Bank, 5-6 million people in developing countries die annually from waterborne diseases and air pollution, while the economic costs of declining natural resources range from 4-8% of annual gross domestic product. Links to further information World Bank Development News, 19 July 2001 http://www.worldbank.org/developmentnews/stories/html/071901a.htm POPULATION WORLD POPULATION MAY PEAK BY 2070 World population is expected to peak at 9 billion by 2070 before dropping back down to 8.4 billion by 2100, according to a recent study by the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA). This finding, which shows an 85% chance that world population will stop growing before 2100, contradicts UN projections, which predict population growth to 9.7 billion by 2150 stabilizing at over 10 billion after 2200. The new study also predicts a large geographic redistribution of the population, with Europe's share dwindling and Africa's representation increasing from 13% to 22%. The elderly population is expected to increase, with the proportion of people over 60 rising from today's 10% to 34% by 2100. Links to further information Nature Science Update, 2 August 2001 http://www.nature.com/nsu/010802/010802-10.html WILDLIFE REPORT CALLS FOR SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION IN WEST AFRICA A new report has called for urgent action to support sea turtle conservation in West Africa. The report, which was commissioned by the Convention on Migratory Species and is the first comprehensive report on sea turtles on Africa's Atlantic coast, suggests that the region holds some of the world's most important feeding and nesting sites, and advocates urgent international efforts to conserve sea turtle populations. The report features several new findings, including that: southern Gabon holds the world's largest population of leatherbacks; Boa Vista, part of the Cape Verde islands, houses a large, newly discovered loggerhead population; Mauritania, because of its sea grass beds, has the most important feeding grounds for green turtles in West Africa; and olive ridley turtles, whose population is falling significantly in South America, are nesting on beaches from Guinea-Bissau to Angola. The report recommends increasing monitors on beaches to protect nesting sites. It also supports trans-border studies and wildlife agreements between adjacent countries, the development of projects to reduce demand for turtle products and stringent legislation in key countries to discourage industries that exploit the turtles. The report, Biogeography and Conservation of Marine Turtles of the Atlantic Coast of Africa, draws on over a century of studies and observations, and provides a comprehensive review of the status and known nesting sites of six turtle species from Morocco to South Africa. Comenting on the report's findings, UNEP Executive Director Klaus Toepfer said they should "spur us all to redouble our efforts to protect sea turtles on Africa's Atlantic coast." Links to further information CMS press release, 8 August 2001 http://www.wcmc.org.uk/cms/press_release_seaturtle080801.htm 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 ESCWA SEEKS NEW DIVISIONAL HEAD The Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia is seeking a Chief for its Energy, Natural Resources and Environment Division. This is a D-1 position based in Beirut, Lebanon. The deadline for applications is 9 September 2001. More information is available online at: http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/eecw2115.htm CIEL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR VACANCY The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) is searching for an Executive Director. The position is based in Washington DC. More information is available online at: http://www.ciel.org/Join/exdirSEarch.html SENIOR VACANCY AT MILLENNIUM ASSESSMENT The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment is seeking a Senior Associate for Engagement and Communication. The position is based in Washington, DC, and is with the Meridian Institute and the World Resources Institute. More information is available online at: http://www.millenniumassessment.org/en/position.sa.ec.pdf.pdf ICLEI ADVERTISES DIRECTORS' POSTS The International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) is seeking an International Director for its Local Agenda 21 Campaign and a Regional director for its Latin America and Caribbean office. The Director of the LA21 position is based in Toronto and the application deadline is 14 September 2001. More information is available at: http://www.iclei.org/iclei/newjobs.cfm?ID=162 The Regional Director will be based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and the application deadline is 15 September 2001. More information is available online at: http://www.iclei.org/iclei/newjobs.cfm?ID=160 IUCN SEEKS EUROPEAN PROGRAMME DIRECTOR The World Conservation Union (IUCN) is hiring a Regional Director to head its European Programme. The position is based in Tilburg, the Netherlands and the closing date for applications is 15 September. More information is available online at: http://www.iucn.org/vacancies/regdireurope.doc READINGS New and recent book titles, articles and other literature on environment and development JOURNALS /Climate Change Energy & Environment, Volume 12, Issue 2/3, 2001, contains several articles on climate policy and politics in key countries. In "U.S. climate policy: evolution and future prospects," Shardul Agrawala and Steinar Andresen outline the history of US climate policy, as well as potential future scenarios under the Bush administration. Jorgen Wettestad considers achievements and trends in EU climate policy in his article "The ambiguous prospects for EU climate policy - a summary of options." The active role of Japan in international climate change negotiations since COP-3 in Kyoto is highlighted by Yasuko Kawashima in "Japan and climate change: responses and explanations." Arild Moe and Kristian Tangen, in "Russian climate policies: more than hot air?," consider in particular the role of Russia in terms of an international carbon trading regime, noting both opportunities and challenges. In "Canadian circumstances: the evolution of Canada's climate change policy," Paul Samson identifies a number of national characteristics and drivers that have influenced climate policy in the past, and which are likely to continue to do so. The situation in India is outlined by Joyeeta Gupta in "India and climate change policy: between diplomatic defensiveness and industrial transformation." Finally, Kristian Tangen, Gorild Heggelund and Jorund Buen consider the current and future role of China in "China's climate change positions: at a turning point?" "Global inequality and climate change." Society and Natural Resources 14 (6, 2001), pp. 501-509. In this article, J. Timmons Roberts examines inequality in the context of climate change, both in general terms and in terms of effects on international negotiations. The author identifies two bargaining positions among rich countries, and five among poor countries, and attributes them to the differential influence of "polluting elites" among nations. The conclusion is that a solution to climate change needs to both address inequality and delink carbon and development. "The Kyoto Protocol, emissions trading and the CDM: an analysis from developing countries perspective." Energy Journal 22 (3, 2001), pp. 147-169. This article by Jyoti Painuly provides an analysis of the Kyoto Protocol, particularly the CDM, from a developing country perspective. In the case of simulated trading, the author finds that gains to countries without emissions reduction targets from participation in GHG mitigation might vary from US$6 billion to US$29 billion, about 7% to 20% respectively of the global gains in an emissions trading system. However, he suggests that several institutional issues related to CDM design and implementation would need to be resolved before developing countries can optimize their gains, and that they should actively participate in the design and implementation aspects of the CDM. "Assessment of GHG inventories from the LUCF sector of Annex-1 countries." Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change 6 (1, 2001), pp. 25-46. In this article, N. H. Ravindranath, Rodel Lasco and P. Sudha examine the land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector of countries with emissions reduction commitments under the Kyoto Protocol. The authors base their study on these countries' National Communication reports on CO2 emissions and removals by sinks, noting that the LULUCF sector serves as a sink for 27 out of 31 countries, while it is a source for Australia, Estonia, Lithuania and the UK. They find that the LULUCF sector functions as a sink due to CO2 absorption by existing trees, while there is little emission due to deforestation. They note, however, that many countries have not adopted the standardized reporting format, which limits the comparability, transparency and verifiability of data, and that reporting for uncertainty is very limited. Therefore, the authors argue that reporting on LULUCF is inadequate with regard to meeting the requirements under the Kyoto Protocol. "Sequestering carbon in tropical forests: experiments, policy implications, and climatic change." Society and Natural Resources 14 (6, 2001), pp. 525-531. Thomas Rudel considers the prospects for changes in tropical forests – the slowing of deforestation as well as reforestation – that could slow global climate change in the near-term. He reviews the effectiveness of recent efforts in this regard, which he suggests could mark the beginning of a transition from tropical deforestation to reforestation, and argues that substantial sequestration could take place if local elites were to support multiple means of conservation, if agricultural productivity improved and other economic sectors were able to absorb surplus rural labor. /Forests "After a decade of global forest negotiations, where are we now?" Review of European Community & International Environmental Law: RECIEL 10 (1, 2001), pp. 98-105. This article by Melanie Steiner examines the evolution of global forest policy over the past decade, considers its future, and outlines challenges and opportunities in the decades to come for the forest sector as a whole. /Women and Development "Tackling the down side: social capital, women's empowerment and micro-finance in Cameroon." Development and Change 32 (3, 2001), pp. 435-464. This article by Linda Mayoux examines seven micro- finance programmes in Cameroon, challenging the assumption that women's participation in groups necessarily increases their financial sustainability and empowers them. Mayoux finds that micro-finance programmes that build social capital can significantly contribute to women's empowerment. However, she stresses the need to consider what sorts of norms, networks and associations should be promoted, and how they can best contribute to empowerment, noting that where the complexities of power relations and inequality are ignored, reliance on social capital as a mechanism for reducing programme costs may undermine programme aims not only of empowerment, but also of financial sustainability and poverty targeting. "Expansion of third world women's empowerment: the emergence of sustainable development and the evolution of international economic strategy." Colorado Journal of International Environmental Law and Policy 12 (2, 2001), pp. 303-346. This article by Katherine Spengler argues that women's economic independence strengthens community infrastructure, creates co- operative relationships, and leads to advancement of sustainable development as a means to alleviate poverty and environmental degradation. Spengler highlights examples from the area of international development to support her argument. NEW PUBLICATIONS The Civil Corporation: The New Economy of Corporate Citizenship (Earthscan 2001). Authored by Simon Zadek, this book highlights how business is influencing societal values and norms as well as public policy and practice. Zadek examines the role of corporate citizenship, especially with regard to how the business community can and should address sustainable development. For more information visit: http://www.earthscan.co.uk/asp/bookdetails.asp?key=3316 Greenhouse Gas Market Perspectives: Trade and Investment Implications of the Climate Change Regime (UNCTAD 2001). This book, published by UNCTAD and co-authored by Malik Amin Aslam, Jos Cozijnsen, Svetlana Morozova, Marc Stuart, Richard Stewart and Philippe Sands, explores issues related to the proper functioning of trading in GHG credits and allowances, and the effective participation of all countries in the climate change regime. It contains four papers containing "post-Hague commentaries," and dealing specifically with: the legal and institutional framework for a plurilateral greenhouse gas emissions trading system; the size of the carbon market, including a review of several models used for estimating the size; the development of post-Kyoto emissions trading schemes in Europe; and issues related to voluntary participation by developing countries. To obtain an advance copy of the book online, visit: http://www.unctad.org/ghg/Publications/GHG_MktPersp.PDF The Case Against the Global Economy and For a Turn Towards Localization (Earthscan 2001). This book, edited by Edward Goldsmith and Jerry Mander, presents a revised, international version of an earlier North American publication. The authors argue for a course away from globalization and towards a revitalized democracy, local self-sufficiency and ecological health. For more information visit: http://www.earthscan.co.uk/asp/bookdetails.asp?key=3372 Two brief papers on the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) have recently been written by Joy Hyvarinen. The Convention on Biological Diversity: Future Issues suggests 2002 may be a decisive year for the Convention, highlighting the negotiations on international environmental governance. It considers challenges and opportunities for the Convention, such as climate change and the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. Strengthening the Convention on Biological Diversity follows the previous paper, and explores how Parties might be able to use a 'forgotten' Article, which could help consideration of national reports and provide a mechanism for developing the Convention. For copies of the papers, contact Joy Hyvarinen, The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, by e-mail at: joy.hyvarinen@rspb.org.uk WHAT'S NEW ONLINE /Chemical Management Thousands of chemical safety documents are now available free from an online database at the International Program on Chemical Safety website, a joint effort of WHO, ILO and UNEP. This service aims to help countries fulfill their 1992 UNCED commitments in this ares, by consolidating a wide variety of information produced by a number of international bodies. The database aims to assist in the sound management of chemicals and provides a means of rapid access to information on chemicals commonly used throughout the world that may also occur as contaminants in the environment and in food. The database is available at: http://www.inchem.org/ /Climate Change The Resurrection of a Protocol - The Bonn Agreement and its impact on the 'Climate Catch 22'. Benito Müller has published a note on the outcome at COP-6 Part II held in Bonn in July. He outlines the main issues covered by the Bonn Agreement, provides an initial evaluation, and examines the role and response of the US and potential for US ratification of the Kyoto Protocol. To access the note visit: http://www.wolfson.ox.ac.uk/~mueller The Center for International Climate and Environmental Research - Oslo (CICERO) has recently posted several publications on climate change policy online. These include: From small to insignificant: Climate impact of the Kyoto Protocol with and without the US by Cathrine Hagem and Bjart Holtsmark; The state of climate research and climate policy by Asbjørn Torvanger, Knut Alfsen, Hans Kolshus and Linda Sygna; Can the Clean Development Mechanism attain both cost-effectiveness and sustainable development objectives? by Hans Kolshus, Jonas Vevatne, Asbjørn Torvanger and Kristin Aunan; and Why quota trade should be restricted: The arguments behind the EU position on emissions trading, by Hege Westskog. Cathrine Hagem has written a paper on The merits of non-tradable quotas as a domestic policy instrument to prevent firm closure, and J.C. Jansen et al have developed a paper on The multi-sector convergence approach: A flexible framework for negotiating global rules for national greenhouse gas emissions mitigation targets. To access the papers visit: http://www.cicero.uio.no/index_e.asp /Environmental Labeling Databases on Eco-labeling, Certification Schemes and Other Relevant Environmental Guidelines for Coffee, "Green" Electricity, Sustainable Tourism and Office Products. The North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation (NACEC) has developed a series of online Green Goods and Services Databases for Canada, Mexico and the United States. The databases are intended to serve as a clearinghouse mechanism providing transparent information on eco-labeling, certification schemes and other relevant environmental guidelines for coffee, "green" electricity, sustainable tourism and office products. The online databases are available at: http://www.cec.org/databases /International Environmental Governance A working paper entitled Whither MEAs? The role of international environmental management in the trade and environment agenda, has been authored by Konrad von Moltke and published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD). It serves as an input to the UNEP process on International Environmental Governance in the lead up to the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development. Von Moltke examines the current system of MEAs and opportunities to strengthen it. He considers and rejects the idea of a World Environment Organization, and proposes two other options: a "clustering" of MEAs into groups that share common problem structures, and a joint approach to the various institutions used in common by most MEAS, among them science assessment and implementation review. To access the paper online visit: http://www.iisd.org/pdf/trade_whither_meas.pdf /International Trade in Endangered Species The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) has released an online version of The Evolution of CITES, Sixth edition. This publication presents the provisions of the Convention and relevant Resolutions and Decisions in an accessible way and provides explanations and comments to facilitate an understanding of the Convention and how it should be implemented. The hard copy book will be published later this year, while the PDF version is now online at: http://www.cites.org/common/docs/Evol_2001.pdf /Trade and Development WTO after Seattle: Put Sustainable Development on the Agenda! This publication is the result of cooperation between member organizations of the '92-Group and the Danish North/South Coalition. These organizations take the view that any trade round or negotiations in the WTO framework should be used to advance sustainable development issues from a South/North perspective. The publication is available online at: http://www.92grp.dk/inenglish/Default.htm /United Nations Environment Programme UNEP's Regional Office for West Asia recently launched its own website, as part of UNEP's strategy to promote the specific priorities of each regional office. The new West Asian website focuses on issues relating to freshwater, marine ecosystems, desertification, environmental monitoring, the region's World Summit on Sustainable Development process, women, children, youth groups and nongovernmental organizations. A series of workshops for media professionals, allowing them have input in the site, and the creation of a database with the help of Arab networks dealing with regional NGOs, are among planned future projects. The new website can be found at: http://www.uneprowa.com.bh/ UPCOMING MEETINGS Information on upcoming conferences, workshops and symposia in the field of international environment and development negotiations SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 2002 WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT SUBREGIONAL PREPARATORY MEETINGS: Subregional preparatory meetings for the Johannesburg Summit 2002 are taking place between June and October 2001. The South Pacific region meeting will take place from 5-7 September in Apia, Samoa. The Central Asia meeting will convene from 19-21 September in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The South Asia meeting will be held from 27-29 September in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The Southeast Asia subregional meeting will take place from 17-19 October in Manila, the Philippines. For more information contact: Rezaul Karim, UNESCAP, Bangkok; tel: +66-2-288-1614, e-mail: karim.unescap@un.org or Nirmal Andrews, Director, UNEP Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok; tel: +66-2-288-1870; fax: +66-2-280-3829; e-mail: andrewsni@un.org. The South Africa (SADC) meeting will take place in Port Louis, Mauritius in October at a date yet to be determined. The Northern Africa meeting will take place from 5-7 September in Tunis, Tunisia. The East Africa meeting is scheduled for 10-12 September in Djibouti. The Central Africa region meeting is being held from 17-19 September in Libreville, Gabon. The West Africa meeting will convene from 1-3 October in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. For more information contact: Ousmane Laye, UNECA; tel: +251-1-515-761; e-mail: olaye@uneca.org or Sekou Toure, Director, UNEP Regional Office for Africa; tel: +254-2-624-285; e-mail: sekou.toure@unep.org; Internet: http://www.johannesburgsummit.org/ INTERNATIONAL EMINENT PERSONS' MEETING ON INTER-LINKAGES: This meeting, providing input to the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development, will take place from 3-4 September 2001 in Tokyo. The meeting is being jointly organized by the United Nations University, the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Environment of Japan and the Global Legislators Organization for a Balanced Environment (GLOBE), and will focus on "Strategies for bridging problems and solutions to work towards sustainable development." 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 WORLD FORUM ON FOOD SOVEREIGNTY (WFFS): This forum, which is taking place from 3-7 September 2001 in Havana, Cuba, is being co- organized by a collective of 14 organizations and international networks. The forum, which is being held ahead of the Rome+5 FAO Summit and the WTO Ministerial meeting in Qatar, will address issues of food sovereignty and the right of people to feed themselves. For more information contact: Asociación Nacional de Agricultores Pequeños (ANAP); tel: +53-7-320-268; fax: +53-7-328- 586; e-mail: fmsa@anap.org.cu 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 Government of Germany. 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 MEETINGS OF THE OPEN-ENDED INTERGOVERNMENTAL GROUP OF MINISTERS OR THEIR REPRESENTATIVES ON INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE: The third, fourth and fifth IEG meetings will be held from 9-10 September 2001 in Algiers, Algeria, on 1 December 2001 in Montreal and at the end of January 2002 in New York prior to the second Preparatory Committee for the World Summit on Sustainable Development. The next special session of the UNEP Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum will take place 13-15 February 2002 in Latin America, at a venue to be announced shortly. For more information contact: Masa Nagai; tel: +254-2- 623493; e-mail: Masa.Nagai@unep.org; Internet: http://www.unep.org/IEG/ INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON GLOBALIZATION OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT - CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: This meeting will take place in Grado, Italy from 11-13 September 2001. It is being co-organized by Harvard University's Center for International Development, 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 UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY HIGH-LEVEL DIALOGUE ON GLOBALIZATION: FACILITATING THE INTEGRATION OF DEVELOPING COUNTRIES INTO THE WORLD ECONOMY IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY: The UN General Assembly will be holding this high-level dialogue from 17-18 September 2001. The two sub-themes are: "Promoting the integration of developing countries into the world economy and generating new public and private financing resources to complement development efforts"; and "Enhancing the integration of developing countries in the emerging global information network, facilitating access to information and communication technology for developing countries." This dialogue will convene prior to the annual GA general debate and will consist of plenary meetings, ministerial roundtables and informal panels, with the participation of NGOs. The final outcome of the dialogue will be a summary by the GA President, to be presented at the close of the event. For more information contact: UN Non-Governmental Liaison Service (UN- NGLS); tel: +1-212-963-3125; fax: +1-212-963-8712; e-mail: ngls@un.org International Conference on Industrial Sustainability: This conference, focusing on Eco-efficient Industry – Environmental Performance Evaluation and Benchmarking – will be held from 17-19 September 2001 in Taipei, Taiwan. The conference will provide a forum for key stakeholders to discuss strategies and management tools for achieving industrial sustainability. For more information contact: Tony Mo, Taiwan Business Council for Sustainable Development; tel: +886-225-501-792; fax: +886-225-506- 309; e-mail: bcsdroc@iplus.net.tw CONFERENCE ON INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT 2001: This conference will be held from 17-21 September 2001 in Havana, Cuba. It will provide an opportunity for an exchange of experiences among authorities, scientists, industry representatives and technical experts involved in transport. For more information contact: Huberto Valdés Rios, Secretario Ejectivo; tel: +537-62-3051/3058 ext. 230; e-mail: iitransp@transnet.cu; Internet: http://www.transnet.cu/web/convencion/convencion.html SPECIAL SESSION OF THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON CHILDREN: The Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly on Children will take place from 19-21 September 2001 at UN Headquarters in New York. This meeting is being held ten years after the World Summit for Children. For more information contact: Secretariat for the Special Session on Children, UNICEF House, 3 UN Plaza, New York NY 10017, USA; Internet: http://www.unicef.org/specialsession/ 2002 WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT REGIONAL PREPARATORY MEETINGS: Regional preparatory meetings for the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development will be held between September and November 2001. The European regional meeting will take place from 24-25 September in Geneva, Switzerland. The Latin American and Caribbean meeting will be held from 23-24 October in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The West Asia meeting will occur on 24-25 October in Cairo, Egypt. The Africa meeting is scheduled for 5-9 November in Nairobi, Kenya. The Asia and Pacific meeting will take place in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, from 27-29 November. For more information on all the preparatory regional meetings contact: Hiroko Morita-Lou, DESA, New York; tel: +1-212-963-8813; fax: +1-212-963-4260; e- mail: morita-lou@un.org; Internet: http://www.johannesburgsummit.org/ SOUTHERN NGO SUMMIT: This summit will take place from 8-10 October 2001 in Algiers, Algeria, to prepare for the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development. For more information contact: Esmeralda Brown, Southern Caucus Chairperson, New York; tel: +1-212-682- 3633; fax: +1-212-682-5354; e-mail: ebrown@gbgm-umc.org FIRST UNEP/GEF GLOBAL INTERNATIONAL WATERS ASSESSMENT (GIWA) GENERAL ASSEMBLY: This General Assembly of the GIWA project will take place from 9-11 October 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 ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATICS 2001 - SYMPOSIUM ON SUSTAINABILITY IN THE INFORMATION SOCIETY: The 15th International Symposium "Informatics for Environmental Protection," will be held from 10- 12 October 2001 in Zurich, Switzerland. For more information contact: Regula Fussenegger; tel: +41-71-2747-441; e-mail regula.fussenegger@empa.ch; Internet: http://www.empa.ch/deutsch/fachber/empasg/iep01/ INTERNATIONAL WATER ASSOCIATION (IWA) 2001 WORLD WATER CONGRESS: This conference, which is expected to attract over 3000 participants, will take place from 15-19 October 2001 in Berlin, Germany. Discussions will focus on water economics and politics and enabling efficient water management. For more information visit: http://www.iwa-berlin.de 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 FIRST INTERGOVERNMENTAL MEETING OF EXPERTS TO DEVELOP GUIDELINES ON COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT OF MEAS: This meeting will be held from 22-26 October 2001 in Nairobi, Kenya. For more information contact: D. Kaniaru UNEP DEPI; tel: +254-2-62-3507; fax: +254-2- 62-4249; e-mail: donald.kaniaru@unep.org CONFERENCE ON EQUITY FOR A SMALL PLANET: This conference will be held from 12-13 November 2001 in London, UK. It will focus on the dynamics and tensions between globalization and local livelihoods, and provide a platform for Southern experiences to inform the agenda for the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development. The meeting also marks the 30th anniversary of the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), which is convening the event. For more information contact: IIED Conference Organizer; tel: +44-20-7388-2117; e-mail: wssd@iied.org; Internet: http://www.iied.org/wssd/meetings.html 2001 ASIA-PACIFIC EARTH CHARTER CONFERENCE: This conference is scheduled for 29 November – 2 December 2001 in Brisbane, Australia. The conference will seek to promote awareness, acceptance, and adoption of the Earth Charter for the Asia-Pacific Region. It will also contribute to the region's preparations for the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development. For more information contact: Clem Campbell; tel: +61-7-5429-5401; e-mail: clemcampbell@optusnet.com.au; Internet: http://www.gu.edu.au/centre/kceljag/eljag/04_events/nov2001earthch arter/earth_charter.htm 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 in Johannesburg in 2002, 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 2001 BERLIN CONFERENCE ON THE HUMAN DIMENSIONS OF GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE: This conference will be held from 7-8 December 2001 in Berlin, Germany. Entitled "Global Environmental Change and the Nation State," the conference will examine the interlinkages between global and national environmental politics, and look at new forms of global environmental governance that link global institutions with a significant degree of national decision-making. For more information visit: http://www.environmental-policy.de SECOND PREPARATORY SESSION FOR THE 2002 WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: This meeting will take place from 28 January – 8 February 2002 at the UN Headquarters in New York. It will review the results of national and regional preparatory processes, examine the main policy report of the Secretary- General, and convene a Multi-stakeholder Dialogue. For more information contact: Andrey Vasilyev, DESA; tel: +1-212-963-5949; fax: +1-212-963-4260; e-mail: vasilyev@un.org; Major groups c ontact: Zehra Aydin-Sipos, DESA; tel: +1-212-963-8811; fax: +1-212-963-1267; e-mail: aydin@un.org; Internet: http://www.johannesburgsummit.org/ DELHI SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT 2002: This meeting will be held from 9-11 February 2002 in New Delhi, India. The theme will be "Ensuring sustainable livelihoods: challenges for governments, corporates, and civil society at Rio+10." For more information visit: http://www.teriin.org/dsds/index.htm INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON FINANCING FOR DEVELOPMENT: The UN International Conference on Financing for Development will be held from 18-22 March 2002 in Monterrey, Mexico. 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 will meet from 15-19 October 2001 in New York. 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 THIRD PREPARATORY SESSION FOR THE 2002 WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: This meeting will take place at UN HQ in New York from 25 March – 5 April 2002. It will aim to produce the first draft of a "review" document and elements of the CSD's future work programme. For more information contact: Andrey Vasilyev, DESA; tel: +1-212-963-5949; fax: +1-212-963-4260; e-mail: vasilyev@un.org; Major groups contact: Zehra Aydin-Sipos, DESA; tel: +1-212-963-8811; fax: +1-212-963-1267; e-mail: aydin@un.org; Internet: http://www.johannesburgsummit.org/ 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 of age from over 115 countries, who will learn about and discuss the state of the environment and showcase environmental initiatives by schools. The conference will also produce a statement from children to the world leaders who will meet 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, Nairob; tel: +254-2- 623262; e-mail: theodore.oben@unep.org; Internet: http://www.unep.org/children_youth/ FOURTH PREPARATORY SESSION FOR THE 2002 WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: This meeting will take place from 27 May – 7 June 2002 in Indonesia. It will include Ministerial and Multi- stakeholder Dialogue Segments, and is expected to result in elements for a concise political document to be submitted to the 2002 Summit. For more information contact: Andrey Vasilyev, DESA, New York; tel: +1-212-963-5949; e-mail: vasilyev@un.org; Major groups contact: Zehra Aydin-Sipos, DESA; tel: +1-212-963-8811; e- mail: aydin@un.org; Internet: http://www.johannesburgsummit.org/ WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: The World Summit on Sustainable Development will take place in Johannesburg, South Africa, from 2-11 September 2002. For more information contact: Andrey Vasilyev, DESA, New York; tel: +1-212-963-5949; e-mail: vasilyev@un.org; Major groups contact: Zehra Aydin-Sipos, DESA; tel: +1-212-963-8811; e-mail: aydin@un.org; Internet: http://www.johannesburgsummit.org/ THIRD WORLD WATER FORUM: This meeting will take place from 16-23 March 2003 in Kyoto, Japan. A Ministerial Conference will be held during the Forum, where Ministers will work towards framing and adopting a political declaration concerning global water problems. For more information contact: Secretariat, Tokyo; tel: +81-3-5549- 1488; e-mail: office@water-forum3.com; Internet: http://www.water-forum3.com/ BIODIVERSITY 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 THIRD MEETING OF THE CBD-UNESCO CONSULTATIVE WORKING GROUP OF EXPERTS ON BIODIVERSITY EDUCATION AND PUBLIC AWARENESS: This meeting will take place 13-15 September 2001 in Bilbao, Spain. A Consultative Working Group of Experts on Biological Diversity Education and Public Awareness, jointly established by UNESCO and the Secretariat of the Convention, is developing an operational framework and a specific strategy for the implementation of the Global Initiative on Biodiversity Education and Public Awareness. For more information visit: http://www.biodiv.org/outreach/awareness/epa-03.asp INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON "ASSEMBLING THE TREE OF LIFE": This symposium will be held from 20-22 September 2001 in New York. Organized by the American Museum of Natural History and Yale University, the symposium will seek to synthesize and take stock of current knowledge about the history of life based on new phylogenetic information, with a view to making this information available to the broader public. The symposium comprises an initiative under the auspices of the International Biodiversity Observation Year. For more information e-mail: tolsymposium@amnh.org OPEN-ENDED MEETING OF EXPERTS ON A COMPLIANCE REGIME UNDER THE CARTAGENA PROTOCOL ON BIOSAFETY: This meeting will take place from 26-28 September 2001 in Nairobi, Kenya, prior to the Second Meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Cartagena Protocol. Experts will convene to review the synthesis report prepared by the Executive Secretary. For more information visit: http://www.biodiv.org/biosafety/mtg-te-cmpl.asp SECOND MEETING OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMITTEE FOR THE CARTAGENA PROTOCOL: This meeting will take place in Nairobi, Kenya, from 1-5 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 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIOTECHNOLOGY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: This conference will be held from 15-17 October 2001 in Alexandria, Egypt. It is targeted at both government and civil society representatives, scientists and the media. The conference will focus on scientific, ethical, and safety issues as well as the regulatory, intellectual property rights and trade and economic issues in the biotechnology debate. It will highlight a Southern perspective. For more information contact: Ismail Serageldin, Programme Committee Chair, International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) Cairo office; 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: CBD SBSTTA-7 will meet from 12-16 November 2001 in Montreal, Canada. 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 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 perceptions. 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/TRAINING/CRS01/crsps01.htm WORKSHOP ON Predicting Biodiversity in European Landscapes: Mapping, Patterns, Indicators, AND Monitoring: This workshop will take place from 18-20 November 2001 in Vienna, Austria. Participants will examine the availability and applications of biodiversity predictors and consider their consequences for European environmental policy. For more information contact: Simone Matouch; tel: +43-1-5862-87721; e-mail: arge.matouch@eunet.at; Internet: http://dos1.pph.univie.ac.at/biodiv/index.html OPEN-ENDED INTERSESSIONAL MEETING ON THE STRATEGIC PLAN, NATIONAL REPORTS AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY: This meeting will take place 19-21 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 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. 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 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, Montreal, Canada: tel: +1-514-288-2220; fax: +1-514-288-6588; e-mail: secretariat@biodiv.org; Internet: http://www.biodiv.org SESSIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION: The Executive Committee of the Commission will meet for its 49th Session from 26-28 June 2002, and will convene its 50th session from 26-27 June 2003. Both meetings will take place in Rome, Italy. For more information contact: Secretariat of the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme; tel: +39-06-57051; fax: +39-06-5705-4593; e-mail: codex@fao.org 25TH SESSION OF THE CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION: The Commission will meet from 30 June – 5 July 2003 in Rome, Italy. For more information contact: Secretariat of the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme; tel: +39-06-57051; fax: +39-06-5705-4593; e- mail: codex@fao.org CHEMICAL MANAGEMENT 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 SECOND SESSION OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS ON THE GLOBALLY HARMONIZED SYSTEM OF CLASSIFICATION AND LABELING OF CHEMICALS: This meeting is being held on 21 September 2001 in Geneva, Switzerland. Subsequent meetings of the Sub-Committee are scheduled to take place on 19 April and 20 September in 2002. For more information visit: http://www.unece.org/trans/main/dgdb/dgsubc4/c4age.html EIGHTH SESSION OF THE PIC-INC: 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 SIXTH SESSION OF THE POPS INTERNGOVERNMENTAL NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE: The sixth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for an International Legally Binding Instrument for Implementing International Action on Certain Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPS INC-6) will be held from 17-22 June 2002 in Geneva, Switzerland. For more information contact: tel: +41-22- 917-8193; fax: +41-22-797-3460; e-mail: pops@unep.ch 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 18TH SESSION OF THE IPCC PLENARY: This Plenary session of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 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 FIFTH ANNUAL EMISSIONS MARKETING ASSOCIATION MEETING AND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE: This conference will take place from 30 September – 2 October 2001 in South Carolina, USA, and will include a pre-conference session for those new to the industry and for those looking to expand their focus in the emissions trading industry. Topics to be addressed include: linkages between energy and climate policy, what to expect at COP-7, voluntary CO2 commitments/GHG trading pilots, and NOx and SO2 emissions trading trends. For more information contact: David Feldner; tel: +1-414- 276-3819; e-mail: dfeldner@emissions.org; Internet: http://www.emissions.org CONFERENCE ON DELIVERING KYOTO: COULD EUROPE DO IT? POLITICAL, INDUSTRIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DIMENSIONS: This conference is scheduled to take place from 1-2 October 2001 in London, UK. Organized by the Royal Institute of International Affairs, the meeting will explore whether and how Europe can lead a global response to climate change. Participants from industry, government, NGOs and academia are expected to attend. For more information contact: Georgina Wright, the Royal Institute of International Affairs; tel: +44-20-7957-5754, fax: +44-7321-2045, e-mail: conferences@riia.org; Internet: http://www.riia.org/Conferences/kyoto01.pdf 13TH MEETING OF THE PARTIES TO THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL: MOP-13 will be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka from 16-19 October 2001. The Second Meeting of the Bureau and the 27th Meeting of the Implementation Committee will both take place on 15 October. For more information contact: Ozone Secretariat; tel: +254-2-62-1234; Internet: http://www.unep.org/ozone/13mop.shtml 17TH EUROPEAN PHOTO-VOLTAIC SOLAR ENERGY CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION: This conference is scheduled for 22-26 October 2001, in Munich, Germany. Issues to be addressed include: fundamentals, novel devices and new materials; crystalline silicon solar cells; and photo-voltaic technology and its use by developing countries. For more information contact: WIP; tel: +49-89-720-1235; e-mail: wip@wip-munich.de; Internet: http://www.wip- munich.de/conferences/pv/munich_2001/munich.html 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, Bonn, Germany; tel: +49-228-815-1000; e-mail: secretariat@unfccc.int; Internet: http://www.unfccc.int/ SOLAR WORLD CONGRESS OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOLAR ENERGY SOCIETY (ISES 2001): This congress will be held from 25 November – 2 December 2001 in Adelaide, Australia. The technical programme will cover all aspects of renewable energy and energy sustainability. For more information contact: ISES 2001, c/o Hartley Management Group Pty, Ltd.; tel: +61-8-8363-4399; +61-8-8363-4577; e-mail: ises2001@hartleymgt.com.au; Internet: http://www.unisa.edu.au/ises2001congress/home.html INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON THE MANAGEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT: This meeting will be held from 7-8 December 2001 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It will seek to address energy, environmental management and technology issues, and provide a forum for information exchange among representatives of industry, government, and academia. For more information contact: International Consortium for the Management and Technology of Energy, Environment and Ecology; tel: +1-714-898-8416; e-mail: inquiries@iceee.org; Internet: http://www.iceee.org INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON RENEWABLE ENERGY FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT: This conference will be held from 19-21 January 2002 in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and will consider the technical scope of power generation from offshore wind, waves, current and tidal schemes. The conference will also consider technologies for the medium- to long-term and will address technical challenges in developing renewable energy sources. For more information contact: A.K.M. Sadrul Islam, Convenor; fax: +880-2-861-3046; e-mail: sadrul@me.buet.edu DESERTIFICATION Third International Conference on Land Degradation: This meeting will be held from 17-21 September 2001 in Rio de Janeiro. For more information contact: Beáta Madari: tel: +55-21-274-4999; e-mail: icld3@cnps.embrapa.br; Internet: http://www.cnps.embrapa.br/ICLD/ world Congress on conservation agriculture - a worldwide challenge: This congress will take place on 1-5 October 2001 in Madrid, Spain. 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 FIFTH SESSION OF THE CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES TO THE UN CONVENTION 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; e- mail: secretariat@unccd.int; Internet: http://www.unccd.int/cop/cop5/menu.php SYMPOSIUM ON 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, tel: +264-61-229- 855; 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 FOURTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON LAND DEGRADATION AND DESERTIFICATION: This meeting will be held in 2004 in Murcia, Spain. For more information contact: Ángel Faz Cano; e-mail: angel.fazcano@upct.es FORESTS FOREST LAW ENFORCEMENT AND GOVERNANCE: EAST ASIA MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE: This conference will convene 11-13 September 2001 in Bali, Indonesia. The meeting aims to explore the best current thinking on forest law enforcement and plans to conclude with a Ministerial segment that concurs on a statement expressing political commitment for action at the country and regional level. For more information contact: Nalin Kishor, World Bank Institute; tel: +1-202-473-8672; fax: +1-202-676-0977 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 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ADVANCING COMMUNITY FORESTRY: This conference will be held from 23-28 September 2001 in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The focus will be on "Innovations and Scaling up Experiences." For more information contact: Somsak Sukwong, Regional Community Forestry Training Center for Asia and the Pacific (RECOFTC), Bangkok, Thailand; e-mail: ftcsss@ku.ac.th; Internet: http://www.recoftc.org CONFERENCE ON TROPICAL FORESTRY RESEARCH IN THE NEW MILLENNIUM: This meeting, entitled "Tropical Forestry Research in the New Millennium - Meeting Demands and Challenges," will be held from 1- 3 October 2001 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. For more information contact: Kenanga Simon, Asian Strategy & Leadership Institute, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia; Internet: http://www.frim.gov.my/CFFPR 2001.html INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON VALUE ACCOUNTING OF THE FORESTRY ENVIRONMENT: This meeting will convene from 9-12 October 2001 in Beijing, China. For more information contact: Research Institute of Scientific and Technological Information on Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, China; tel: +86-10-6288-8322; e- mail: yuling@isti.forestry.ac.cn; Internet: http://www.forestry.ac.cn 31ST SESSION OF THE INTERNATIONAL TROPICAL TIMBER COUNCIL: This meeting will be held from 29 October – 3 November 2001 in Yokohama, Japan. For more information contact: International Tropical Timber Organization Secretariat, Yokohama, Japan; tel: +81-45-223-1110; e-mail: itto@itto.or.jp; Internet: http://www.itto.or.jp/Index.html SECOND SESSION OF THE UNFF: UNFF-2 will take place in San José, Costa Rica, from 4-15 March 2002. For more information contact: Mia Söderlund, UNFF Secretariat, tel: +1-212-963-6208; fax: +1- 212-963-3463; e-mail: unff@un.org; Internet: http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/forests.htm 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 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 WORLD HABITAT DAY - CITIES WITHOUT SLUMS: This year, the global observance of World Habitat Day will be held on 1 October 2001 in Fukuoka, Japan. Among other events, there will be a panel discussion with dignitaries on "Cities without Slums" and a Seminar on Securing Land for the Urban Poor organized in collaboration with ESCAP. For more information contact: Amrik Kalsi, Coordinator, World Habitat Day; tel: +254-2-623-124; e-mail: amrik.kalsi@unchs.org; Internet: http://www.unchs.org FOURTH INTERNATIONAL FORUM ON URBAN POVERTY (IFUP): This forum is being held from 16-19 October 2001 in Marrakech, Morocco. The theme will be "Productive and Inclusive Cities - Towards Cities for All." 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, the United Arab Emirates. The meeting will focus on new information and communication technologies (NTIC) and local development, including how NTIC can help in managing urban development. For more information contact: Secretariat, The Hague; tel: +31-70-3244526; e-mail: intainfo@inta-net.org; Internet: http://www.inta-aivn.org/99-menus/ContentFrameSet20.htm CONFERENCE ON PARTNERSHIP FOR URBAN DEVELOPMENT - NEW APPROACHES, NEW ACTORS FOR CHANGING URBAN POLICY: This international conference will be held in March 2002 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It is being organized by the International Network for Urban Development (INTA) and the Municipality of Greater Addis Ababa, in partnership with the Federal Government of Ethiopia and the Chamber of Commerce of Addis Ababa. For more information contact: Internet: http://www.inta-aivn.org/20-activities/Ethiopia.htm INTERGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS WORLD BANK GROUP AND INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND ANNUAL MEETINGS: The 2001 annual joint meetings of the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund will be held from 29-30 September 2001, in Washington, DC. A seminar series on "Sharing the Benefits of Growth," will take place in conjunction with the annual meetings. They will include interactive seminars and hands-on workshops that explore how businesses, governments and civil society can create successful partnerships for sustainable development and financial stability . For more information on the 2001 annual meetings visit: http://www.imf.org/external/am/2001/index.htm For more information on the seminar series contact: tel: +1-202-473-3394; e-mail: seminars@worldbank.org; Internet: http://www.worldbank.org/pos/ GEF REPLENISHMENT MEETINGS: The next two Global Environment Facility Replenishment Meetings will take place from 11-12 October 2001 in Edinburgh, Scotland and from 3-4 December 2001 in Washington, DC. For more information visit: http://www.gefweb.org/Replenishment/Schedule_of_Meetings/schedule_ of_meetings.html FAO GOVERNING BODIES: Sessions of the FAO Council are scheduled for 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 GEF COUNCIL MEETING: The Global Environment Facility Council will meet from 6-7 December 2001 in Washington, DC. For more information contact: GEF Secretariat, tel: +1-202-473-0508; Internet: http://www.gefweb.org GLOBAL MINISTERIAL ENVIRONMENT FORUM: This meeting will take place from 13-15 February 2002 in Latin America. For more information contact: Beverly Miller, Secretary, UNEP Governing Council; tel: +254-2-62-3411; e-mail: beverly.miller@unep.org UNEP GOVERNING COUNCIL: The 22nd regular session of the UNEP Governing Council is scheduled to be held from 3-7 February 2003 in Nairobi. For more information, contact: UNEP; tel: +254-2- 621234; fax: +254-2-624489/90; e-mail: cpiinfo@unep.org; Internet: http://www.unep.org OCEANS AND COASTS 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 CONFERENCE ON BENTHIC DYNAMICS: The international conference and workshop on Benthic Dynamics – In Situ Surveillance of the Sediment-Water Interface – will be held from 25-29 March, 2002 in Aberdeen, Scotland. It is being organized by the University of Aberdeen, and will focus on: organism-sediment relationships; biogeochemistry and organic diagenesis; hydrodynamics at the sediment-water interface; natural and anthropogenic disturbance, and studies of spatial and temporal phenomena in disparate benthic habitats. For more information contact: Martin Solan, Ocean Laboratory and Centre for Ecology, University of Aberdeen; tel: +44-13-587-89631; e-mail: m.solan@abdn.ac.uk; Internet: http://www.abdn.ac.uk/ecosystem/conference/ 54TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE INTERNATIONAL WHALING COMMISSION (IWC): This meeting will take place in May 2002 in Shimonoseki, Japan. The Scientific Committee and Commission Committees and Working Groups will be meet at the same venue. For more information contact: IWC Secretariat, Cambridge, UK; tel: +44-1223-233971; e-mail: iwc@iwcoffice.org; Internet: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/iwcoffice/2001_meeting.htm TWELFTH MEETING OF THE STATES PARTIES TO THE UN CONVENTION ON THE LAW OF THE SEA: This meeting will be held from 13-24 May 2002 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 POPULATION WORLD FOOD SUMMIT - FIVE YEARS LATER: This meeting will be held from 5-9 November 2001 at a venue to be decided. Participants will review progress made towards the 1996 World Food Summit goal of reducing the number of hungry people by half by 2015, and consider ways to accelerate the process. For more information contact: Mieko Ikegame, 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 UN COMMISSION FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT: The 40th Session of the UN Commission for Social Development will be held from 12-21 February 2002 in New York. The theme of the session will be integration of social and economic policy. For more information visit: http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/csd/2002.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. 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 COUNCIL FOR TRADE-RELATED ASPECTS OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS MEETINGS: During 2001, the TRIPS Council will meet from 20- 21 September and 26-29 November 2001 in Geneva, Switzerland. For more information contact: Peter Ungphakorn; tel: +41-22-739-5412; e-mail: peter.ungphakorn@wto.org; Internet: http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/trips_e/trips_e.htm 48TH SESSION OF THE UNCTAD TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD: The Board will convene for its 48th session from 1-12 October 2001 in Geneva. For more information visit: http://www.unctad.org/en/special/tb48ag.htm WTO COMMITTEE ON TRADE AND ENVIRONMENT: This committee is scheduled to meet from 3-4 October 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 GENERAL COUNCIL: The WTO's General Council will meet two more times during the remainder of 2001, from 10-11 October and 12-14 December. 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 TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT : This committee is scheduled to meet on 19 October 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 COMMITTEE ON SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES: This committee will meet from 31 October – 1 November 2001. 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 Doha, 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 sub-committee will meet from 27-28 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 WIPO SECOND SESSION OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMITTEE ON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND GENETIC RESOURCES, TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND FOLKLORE: This session will be held in Geneva from 10-12 December 2001. Participants will consider a variety of issues, including access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing, and protection of traditional knowledge, creativity and folklore. For more information contact: Francis Gurry, Assistant Director- General; tel: +41-22-338-9428, e-mail: francis.gurry@wipo.int WETLANDS REGIONAL AND SUB-REGIONAL MEETINGS UNDER THE RAMSAR CONVENTION: Prior to COP8 in 2002, a number of preparatory regional and sub- regional meetings are under consideration, dependent on funding. For more information, visit: http://www.ramsar.org/cop8_regionalmeetings_proposal1.htm 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/h tml FOURTH EUROPEAN REGIONAL MEETING OF THE RAMSAR CONVENTION: This meeting will take place from 13-18 October 2001 in Bled, Slovenia. For more information contact: The Ramsar Convention Bureau; tel: +41-22-999-0170; fax: +41-22-999-0169; e-mail: ramsar@ramsar.org 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. The 27th meeting will take place on 17 November 2002, 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. The theme of this COP is "Wetlands: Water, Life, and Culture." For more information contact: Ramsar Secretariat, Gland, Switzerland; tel: +41-22-999- 0170; e-mail: ramsar@ramsar.org; Internet: http://www.ramsar.org/index_cop8.htm WILDLIFE 11TH MEETING OF THE CITES PLANTS COMMITTEE: This meeting will take place from 3-7 September 2001 in Langkawi, Malaysia. 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/eng/news/meetings/PC11.shtml FIRST MEETING OF THE CONTRACTING PARTIES TO THE PROTOCOL CONCERNING SPECIALLY PROTECTED AREAS AND WILDLIFE (SPAW) IN THE WIDER CARIBBEAN REGION: This conference will take place 24-29 September 2001 in Havana, Cuba. For more information contact: UNEP-CAR/RCU; tel: +1-876-922-9267; e-mail: uneprcuja@cwjamaica.com; Internet: http://www.cep.unep.org 46TH MEETING OF THE CITES STANDING COMMITTEE: This meeting will be held from 11-15 March 2002 in Geneva, Switzerland. For more information contact: CITES Secretariat; tel: +41-22-917-8139; fax: +41-22-797-3417; e-mail: cites@unep.ch 18TH MEETING OF THE CITES ANIMALS COMMITTEE: This meeting will be held from 8-12 April 2002 in Costa Rica. For more information contact: CITES Secretariat; tel: +41-22-917-8139; fax: +41-22-797- 3417; e-mail: cites@unep.ch 12TH MEETING OF THE CITES PLANTS COMMITTEE: This meeting will take place from 6-10 May 2002 in Leiden, the Netherlands. For more information contact: CITES Secretariat; tel: +41-22-917-8139; fax: +41-22-797-3417; e-mail: cites@unep.ch SEVENTH CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES TO THE CONVENTION ON MIGRATORY SPECIES: CMS COP-7 is scheduled to take place from 15-28 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, Bonn, Germany; tel: +49-228-815-2401/2; fax: +49-228- 815-2449; Internet: http://www.wcmc.org.uk/cms/events.htm CITES COP12: This meeting will take place from 3-15 November 2002 in Santiago, Chile. For more information contact: CITES Secretariat; tel: +41-22-917-8139; e-mail: cites@unep.ch; Internet: http://www.cites.org/eng/news/calendar.shtml WOMEN WOMEN AND DIVERSITY LEADERSHIP SUMMIT 2001: This summit will be held from 17-18 October 2001 in Washington, DC. For more information contact: Edie Fraser; tel: +1-202-463-3766; e-mail: edie@BWNi.com; Internet: http://www.bwni.com/events/summit/summit2001.html FOURTH INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON WOMEN IN THE 21ST CENTURY: This workshop is scheduled to take place from 12-16 November 2001 at the University of Havana in Cuba. For more information contact: Norma Vasallo; fax: 537-335774, 537-335960; e-mail: cmujer@psico.uh.cu 26TH SESSION OF CEDAW: The 26th session of CEDAW is scheduled to be held from 14 January – 1 February 2002 UNHQ in New York. For more information contact: Women's Rights Unit, DAW, New York; fax: +1-212-963-3463; e-mail: connorsj@un.org; Internet: http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/committ THIRD INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON WOMEN, WORK, HEALTH: This congress will convene from 2-5 June 2002 in Stockholm, Sweden and is being sponsored by the National Institute for Working Life. For more information contact: e-mail: wwh@niwl.se; Internet: http://www.niwl.se/wwh STAFF Editor: Malena Sell malena@iisd.org Assistant Editor: Prisna Nuengsigkapian prisna@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 the editors at 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 IISD Reporting Services publications, including Earth Negotiations Bulletin and /linkages/journal/, 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 Department for International Development (DFID) and the European Commission (DG-ENV). General Support during 2001 is provided by the German Federal Ministry of Environment (BMU) and the German Federal Ministry of Development Cooperation (BMZ), the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 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, Swan International, and the Japan Ministry of Environment (through the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies – IGES).