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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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GPA IGR-2 Concludes Successfully in Beijing

The Second Intergovernmental Review of the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities (GPA) successfully reached an early conclusion Friday, 20 October 2006 in Beijing. In the morning, a high-level segment heard reports on Thursday afternoon's roundtable discussions. In the afternoon, delegates adopted the Chair's summary of the roundtable discussions, the draft Beijing Declaration, and the draft report of the meeting without amendments. Above: Zhou Shengxian, Minister, State Environmental Protection Administration, China, and IGR-2 Chairman, gaveled the meeting to a close at 4:19 pm Beijing time.


Friday, 20 October
High-Level Segment


The High-Level Segment was chaired by IGR-2 Vice-Chair Ferguson Theophilus John, Saint Lucia.

Stephen Asamoah Boateng, Ghana, reported on the roundtable chaired by Nigeria.

Stefan Wallin reported on the roundtable chaired by Finland.

Dean Peart reported on the roundtable chaired by Jamaica.

Pakistan reported on the roundtable it chaired.

Conrad Lautenbacher reported on the roundtable chaired by the United States.

Georgette Koko reported on the roundtable chaired by Gabon.

Venezuela reported on the roundtable it chaired.

Saudi Arabia reported on the roundtable it chaired.

Achim Steiner, UNEP Executive Director, summarized the roundtable discussions.

Mauritius suggested developing a web portal as the first step of establishing a GPA clearing house.

Fernando Reyes Matta, Chile, drew attention to the potential environmental impacts of free trade.

Yue Ruisheng, China, said environmental goals and targets should conform with States' level of economic development.

Ydalia Acevedo Monegro, Dominican Republic, called for additional regional meetings to share experiences and examine objectives.

Tim Mmella, Kenya, suggested that seminars be held for ministers of finance to convey the importance of moving the MEA agenda forward.

Nadia Mijangos López, Guatemala, emphasized the differentiated needs of regions.

Stephane Louhaur, France, called for strenghtening support to governments creating national water policies and promoting good governance and local participation.

Malaysia called on the UNEP/GPA Coordination Office to work with others in preventing the dumping of toxic waste.
Closing Plenary


Mara Angélica Murillo Correa, Mexico, presented the draft Beijing Declaration on Furthering the Implementation of the GPA, which was adopted without amendment.

IGR-2 rapporteur Thomas Laughlin, United States, presented the draft report of the Meeting and its four annexes.

UNEP/GPA Coordinator Veerle Vandeweerd praised delegates' willingness to solve issues, take risks, and attempt innovative ways to move forward.
Donation to UNEP by Luo Hong

During the lunch break, Chinese entrepreneur and nature photographer Luo Hong donated millions of Yuan to UNEP to preserve Lake Nakuru in Kenya, known for its flocks of flamingos. The donation was accepted by Achim Steiner, Executive Director of UNEP, who also viewed many of Luo's photographs of African scenery and wildlife, and visited one of many Chinese locations in Luo's chain of cake bakeries.

Before the donation ceremony, Luo Hong showed Achim Steiner a photograph of the Serengeti and Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Zhijia Wang, UNEP, introduced Luo Hong and Achim Steiner at the ceremony.

After the ceremony, Luo Hong showed Achim Steiner one of his many cake bakeries.
Around IGR-2

Participants arriving for the high-level segment received copies of the Earth Negotiations Bulletin.

Felix Dodds, Stakeholder Forum, and Biliana Cicin-Sain, Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts and Islands.

The Beijing Marathon was run the day before IGR-2, with the U.N. logo making it easy to spot IISD's "Kimo" Goree.

The "Net Cafe" was popular with delegates throughout the week.

With many sessions finishing early, participants were able to take in the colorful sights of Beijing by night.

When things must be organized and aligned perfectly, there's no substitute for a taut piece of string.

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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