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HIGHLIGHTS FOR
FRIDAY, 30 NOVEMBER 2001
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On the final day of the Intergovernmental Review
(IGR)
on Implementation of the Global Programme of Action for the
Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based
Activities (GPA), delegates
convened in Plenary and heard statements from ministers
and high-level officials. Following
the conclusion of high-level statements, Chair Dhaliwal
presented the final draft of the Montreal Declaration for
adoption.
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HIGH-LEVEL
SEGMENT:
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SAMOA stressed that basic sanitation is a pressing issue for many
developing countries, and that wastewater treatment relies upon
international funding. He urged the GPA Coordination Office to expand its
capacity building and demonstration initiatives in the Pacific region.
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PAPUA NEW GUINEA (left) noted that the majority of its population
lives in rural communities and practices traditional methods of waste and
sewage disposal, and recommended that UNEP and the GPA Coordination Office
conduct research into alternative waste and sewage management practices
that are appropriate and within the financial means of traditional rural
communities.
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TAJIKISTAN (left) elaborated on its achievements in environmental
policy, and said newly independent states need greater attention and
financial support. He stressed the need to coordinate efforts in
sustainable development and to create economic incentives for
environmentally sound practices.
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BANGLADESH (right) called for financial and technical support for national
and regional GPA implementation.
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MONTREAL
DECLARATION:
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In a preambular paragraph listing concerns related to the marine
environment, the US, AUSTRALIA, ICELAND (left) and JAPAN objected to a
subparagraph on the expected impacts of climate change on marine
ecosystems.
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The US recognized the relationship between climate and oceans, but
stated that it was beyond the scope of the meeting, as climate change is
not a land-based source of marine pollution.
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SWITZERLAND urged retaining the reference as a means of building
synergies, and strongly cautioned delegations against backtracking on the
recent Marrakesh agreement on climate change.
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Delegates agreed to delete the reference to the "legal and policy"
framework and acknowledge that UNCLOS and Agenda 21 provide "the key
framework" for GPA implementation. Delegates
then adopted the Montreal Declaration with these and other minor
amendments.
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CLOSING
PLENARY:
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Rapporteur Franklin McDonald (Jamaica) (left) introduced the report of
the meeting (UNEP/GPA/IGR.1/L.1 and L.1/Add.1), which summarizes the
IGR's proceedings. He noted that the following are annexed to the
report: an outline of information on regional seas activities; the
Co-Chairs' conclusions from the meeting; and a series of NGO statements.
Delegates adopted the report as presented.
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Klaus
Töpfer, UNEP Executive Director (photo below) , thanked delegates for
their hard work and for their backing of the GPA Coordination Office's
work. He expressed his conviction that UNEP is well-positioned to host the
GPA Secretariat, and that the GPA is clearly linked with UNEP's other
activities on freshwater, technology transfer, and regional seas, among
others.
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He stressed the need for even greater
coordination with organizations both within and beyond the UN system,
particularly on financial issues, and stated that the Montreal
Declaration's recommendations provide the backing to do so. He thanked
the Chair, the Co-Chairs, the Bureau, and the Declaration drafting group,
and affirmed that the Secretariat would do its utmost to implement the
meetings' recommendations.
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Chair Dhaliwal said it was heartening that the international community
had come together at this meeting to send a clear message of commitment to
protecting the marine environment for future generations. He stressed the
need and responsibility to translate their words into action to stop the
degradation of the oceans, and stated that the meeting's outcomes
represented a significant step toward this goal. He officially gaveled the
meeting to a close at 1:35 pm on Friday, 30 November.
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