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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
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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.
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Thursday, 19 October
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Ministerial Segment
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Hua Jianmin, State Councillor, State Council, China, noted that rapid
economic growth leads to increasing damage to marine resources.
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Achim Steiner, UNEP Executive Director, stated that Chinese
environmental protection efforts will give hope to the rest of the world
to achieve sustainable development.
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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.
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Ian Campbell, Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Australia,
reported on the second day of the Meeting, which dealt with
partnerships.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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Stefan Wallin, State Secretary of the Environment, Finland, stated that
despite significant achievements, much remains to be done to enhance GPA
implementation.
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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.
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Lunch Event
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Advancing the Oceans, Coasts, SIDS and Freshwater Agenda
in the next Decade: Key Issues and Opportunities
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Ministerial Roundtables
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Table chaired by Nigeria
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Table chaired by Finland
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Table chaired by Jamaica
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Table chaired by Seychelles
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Table chaired by Pakistan
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Table chaired by United States
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Table chaired by Gabon
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Table chaired by Venezuela
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Table chaired by Saudi Arabia
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Afternoon Events
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East Asian Seas Regional Forum Meeting
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Reactive Nitrogen Discussion
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Global Environment Facility Side Event
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Press Conference
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Zhu Guangyao, Vice-Minister, SEPA and Achim Steiner, Executive Director,
UNEP, gave a lunchtime press conference.
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