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UNEP GPA 2nd Intergovernmental Review
of the Global Programme of Action for the Protection
of the Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities

Beijing | 16-20 October 2006
United Nations
 

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Ministerial/High-Level Segment Begins at IGR-2

The High-Level Segment of the GPA IGR-2 began on Thursday, with delegates hearing opening statements, as well as reports from Monday's breakout groups on national implementation in action, Tuesday's partnerships workshops, and Wednesday's plenary work on building a common agenda. In the afternoon, ministers and other high-level officials engaged in nine roundtable discussions on the importance of oceans, coasts and islands and their associated watersheds, and the way forward.

Above: IGR-2 participants posed for a group photo during the lunch break.


Thursday, 19 October
Ministerial Segment


Hua Jianmin, State Councillor, State Council, China, noted that rapid economic growth leads to increasing damage to marine resources.

Achim Steiner, UNEP Executive Director, stated that Chinese environmental protection efforts will give hope to the rest of the world to achieve sustainable development.

Mathripala Sirisena, Minister of Environment, Sri Lanka, reported on IGR-2's first day, which focused on mainstreaming the GPA into national development planning, financing GPA implementation, and strengthening legislative and institutional arrangements.

Ian Campbell, Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Australia, reported on the second day of the Meeting, which dealt with partnerships.

Rejoice Mabudafhasi, Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, South Africa, and IGR-2 Vice-Chair, summarized the third day of the Meeting, which addressed GPA progress and the way forward.

Awni Behnam, International Oceans Institute, on behalf of stakeholders and other major groups, cautioned against procrastination and called for generosity from donors, participatory attitudes, enforcing commitments, and promoting training and education.

Zhaoqian Li, Mayor, Rizhao City, China, explained that the circular economy is a practical concept implemented in his coastal city, which has been designated a national model of a circular economy by the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA).

Stefan Wallin, State Secretary of the Environment, Finland, stated that despite significant achievements, much remains to be done to enhance GPA implementation.

Elizabeth Thompson, Minister of Housing, Lands and Environment, Barbados, underscored the importance of the marine environment for the Caribbean region's culture and livelihoods, noting the severe impacts of marine pollution and climate change.
Lunch Event

Advancing the Oceans, Coasts, SIDS and Freshwater Agenda in the next Decade: Key Issues and Opportunities
Ministerial Roundtables

Table chaired by Nigeria

Table chaired by Finland

Table chaired by Jamaica

Table chaired by Seychelles

Table chaired by Pakistan

Table chaired by United States

Table chaired by Gabon

Table chaired by Venezuela

Table chaired by Saudi Arabia
Afternoon Events

East Asian Seas Regional Forum Meeting

Reactive Nitrogen Discussion

Global Environment Facility Side Event
Press Conference

Zhu Guangyao, Vice-Minister, SEPA and Achim Steiner, Executive Director, UNEP, gave a lunchtime press conference.

Related Links

UNEP Global Programme of Action
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission
Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts and Islands
World Ocean Network
Gerald Mangone Center for Marine Policy
Stakeholder Forum - GPA

Related Coverage

3rd Global Conference on Oceans, Coasts and Islands
Global Conference on Oceans, Coasts and Islands, 2003
Global Conference on Oceans and Coasts at Rio+10, 2001
GPA IGR-1
East Asian Seas Congress 2006

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