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Linkages Update
New Reports and Resources
Scientific Summary for Policymakers on Ocean Fertilization
Agriculture Greenhouse Emissions in Latin America and the Caribbean: Current Situation, Future Trends and One Policy Experiment
The Changing Wealth of Nations
Third Arab Report on the Millennium Development Goals 2010 and the Impact of the Economic Crisis
Gender Dimensions of Agricultural and Rural Employment: Differentiated Pathways Out of Poverty
Mapping the Impacts of Natural Hazards and Technological Accidents in Europe
International Guidelines on Bycatch Management and Reduction of Discards
Outlook Report on the State of the Marine Biodiversity in the Pacific Islands Region
Report of the 21st SPREP Meeting
Report of the Tenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Noumea Convention
The Status and Distribution of Freshwater Biodiversity in the Eastern Himalaya
Managing Forests for Climate Change
UN-REDD Programme Newsletter
State of the World’s Fisheries and Aquaculture
Rio20: Making it Happen, Issue 2:2
Future Transport Fuels
Stimulating Low-carbon Vehicle Technologies
Motor Systems Efficiency Supply Curves
Strengthening Climate Change Adaptation Through Effective Disaster Risk Reduction

SIDS Policy and Practice
A Knowledgebase on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States  

SIDS Policy and Practice

Biodiversity Policy & Practice
A Knowledgebase of UN and Intergovernmental Activities Addressing International Biodiversity Policy  

Biodiversity-L Policy and Practice

Climate Change Policy & Practice
A Knowledgebase of UN and Intergovernmental Activities Addressing Global Climate Change Policy  

Climate Change Policy & Practice

MEA Bulletin
Want more in-depth news on key multilateral environmental agreements and their secretariats? Sign up to receive our free publication, MEA Bulletin.  

MEA Bulletin

Latest News - Friday, 4 February 2011
Mercury INC 2 Makes Progress
Chiba, 29 January—Delegates at the Second Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to Prepare a Global Legally Binding Instrument on Mercury (INC 2), which convened from 24-28 January 2011, in Chiba, Japan, agreed to negotiate the new treaty based on an elements paper prepared by the Secretariat (UNEP(DTIE)/Hg/INC.2/3), and offered initial responses to the paper element-by-element. They achieved a full first reading of the elements paper, and mandated the Secretariat to prepare a new draft text, taking into account discussions at INC 2, for further negotiation at INC 3, scheduled to convene in October 2011. More.
Photo: L-R: Glenn Wiser and Matthew Gubb, Secretariat, consult during the negotiation on the elements paper
International Year of Forests Launched During UNFF 9
New York, 4 February—The ninth session of the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF 9), which is convening from 24 January-4 February 2011, at UN Headquarters in New York, US, has focused on the theme “Forests for people, livelihoods and poverty eradication." On 2 February, delegates met in a special session of the UN General Assembly Hall for the launch of the International Year of Forests 2011. More.
Photo: L-R: Jan McAlpine, Director, UNFF; Arvids Ozols, Chair, UNFF9; Joseph Deiss, President, UN General Assembly; and Vivian Pliner, Secretary, UNFF (photo courtesy of the UNFF Secretariat)
Other News
Sustainable Development
CSD Intersessional Meeting Considers 10YFP on Sustainable Consumption and Production
World Bank to Hold Virtual Consultations on its Technology Strategy for Development
World Economic Forum Leaders Discuss Green Growth
UN Secretary-General Launches Global Compact LEAD
UNIDO and ASEAN Organize Seminar on Green Industry
Sustainable Development News

Human Development
First Regular Session of the UNDP/UNFPA Executive Board Opens
UNDP Highlights Arab Region’s Development Challenges
UNDP Asia and Pacific Director Addresses Issue of Green Cities and China
More Development News

Water, Oceans and Wetlands
IOC Executive Secretary Provides Overview of SIDS Activities
Ramsar Celebrates 40th Anniversary
More Water News

Climate and Atmosphere
Adaptation Fund Board Releases 12th Meeting Report
Multilateral Fund Releases Summary of Executive Committee’s Decisions at 62nd Meeting
ASEAN Tourism Ministers Call for Climate Change Workplan
More Climate News

Intergovernmental Organizations
UNGA adopts climate change resolution UNEP, UNWTO Launch Global Partnership for Sustainable Tourism
UNGA adopts climate change resolution UN-HABITAT and UNEP Launch Sustainable Urban Transport Initiative in East Africa
UNGA adopts climate change resolution UNEP and UNOPS Develop Sustainable Vehicles Procurement Guidelines
More IGO News

Trade, Finance & Investment
WTO Members Address Environmental Issues within the Doha Mandate
ECLAC Seminar Addresses Fiscal Policy for a Green Economy
GEF CEO Endorses Energy Efficiency Projects in Climate Change Focal Area
GEF Endorses Biodiversity Projects on Protected Areas, Conservation in Production Lands and Biosafety
More Trade News

Biodiversity and Wildlife
CBD Highlights Guidance for NBSAPs and Fifth National Reports
CMS Proposes Action Plan for Spoon-billed Sandpiper
ITPGR Secretariat Prepares for GB 4
Nagoya Protocol Opened for Signature by Parties to the CBD
UNEP Honorary Ambassador of the Year of the Bat Outlines the Importance of Bats
More Biodiversity News

Chemicals Management
Pacific’s First E-waste Day Held in Cook Islands
Stockholm Secretariat Launches PEN Awards
More Chemicals News

Forests, Desertification and Land Issues
Expert Panel Releases Assessment of International Forest Governance
FAO and Coalition of Rainforest Nations Sign Agreement on Capacity Building
UNCCD and GEF Secretariats Discuss GEF-5 Policies and Programmes
More Forests and Deserts News

Key meetings in the next two weeks
WCRP/IOC Workshop on Regional Sea Level Change: 7-9 February 2011. Paris, France.
Ninth Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI) Dialogue on Forests, Governance and Climate Change: 8 February 2011. London, England.
Meeting of the Latin American and Caribbean Regional Coordination Mechanism: 8-9 February 2011. Santiago, Chile.
49th Session of the Commission on Social Development: 9-18 February 2011. New York, US.
Informal Thematic Debate of the General Assembly on Disaster Risk Reduction: 9 February 2011. New York, US.
OECD Green Growth Strategy Workshop: 10-11 February 2011. Paris, France.
16th Meeting of the Ramsar Scientific and Technical Review Panel: 14-18 February 2011. Gland, Switzerland.
Ad Hoc Working Group of the Whole of the General Assembly on the Regular Process: 14-18 February 2011. New York, US.
UNCCD CRIC 9 and CST S-2: 16-25 February 2011. Bonn, Germany.
CBD AHTEG Meeting on Invasive Alien Species: 16-18 February 2011. Geneva, Switzerland.
International Conference on Building Partnerships for Moving towards Zero Waste: 16-17 February 2011. Tokyo, Japan.

IISD Reporting Services will be reporting on 8 February 2011 from the
Ninth RRI Dialogue on Forest Governance and Climate Change