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Highlights and images for 8 September 2017
1st Asia-Pacific Ministerial Summit on the Environment
Ministers continued and concluded their deliberations on Friday, the final day of the Summit in Bangkok, Thailand. In the morning, they provided further comments on the UNEA-3 draft ministerial declaration, after which a ministerial dialogue took place on ‘Policy perspectives on a pollution-free planet’. Delegates provided suggestions on practical ways to tackle pollution and build partnerships.
Side events were organized at lunchtime on: gender, the environment and sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific; and lessons from the Seoul Initiative Network on Green Growth (SINGG), a regional cooperation framework supported by the Government of the Republic of Korea government and endorsed by ESCAP in 2005. A special event on Strengthening regional ocean governance and partnerships towards clean seas took place after lunch.
At the end of the day, ministers adopted several outcome documents: the report of the senior officials and a Chair’s summary of the second UN Environment Programme Forum of Ministers and Environment Authorities of Asia Pacific; and the ministerial declaration on environment and development for Asia and the Pacific (E/ESCAP/MCED(7)/L.4). They also adopted the report of the seventh Ministerial Conference on Environment and Development in Asia and the Pacific (E/ESCAP/MCED(7)/L.3), after incorporating several amendments proposed by Iran and Japan. They agreed that the Secretariat would review the text of this report to include a mention of the Rio Principles, including the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR).
In closing, Shamshad Akhtar, ESCAP Executive Secretary, and Dechen Tsering, UN Environment Regional Director, thanked all delegates for their active participation and their presentation of best practices and policies for achieving a resource-efficient and pollution-free planet. The meeting closed at 4:41 pm.
The Summit sought to be a climate-neutral and low-impact event. Besides encouraging delegates to estimate and offset their carbon emissions, the conference took a low-waste approach to paper and printing, drinking-water containers, and catering. Participants were provided with their own biodegradable, reusable cups, and dined on meals made from organic and rescued ingredients. Around the venue, participants viewed exhibits about UN Environment and ESCAP campaigns, including information about regional implementation of the SDGs, and actions to reduce acid rain.
IISD Reporting Services, through its ENB+ Meeting Coverage, is producing daily photographic coverage of the meeting proceedings, as well as of key side events, and also produced a summary report, which is available in HTML and PDF.
Photos by IISD/ENB | Sean Wu
For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page.
Morning Session
(L-R) Raza Bashir Tarar, Vice-Chair of the Committee of Permanent Representatives to UN Environment, Pakistan; Suho Seong, Director of International Cooperation Division, Ministry of Environment, Republic of Korea; and Masagos Zulkifli, Minister of the Environment and Water Resources, Singapore
Delegates watch a video message from Edgar Gutiérrez, UNEA President and Minister of the Environment, Costa Rica.
Yeshey Dorji, Minister of Agriculture and Forests, Bhutan
Eiji Tanaka, Deputy Director, International Strategy Division, Global Environment Bureau, Ministry of Environment, Japan
Tu Ruihe, Deputy Director General, Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Environmental Protection, China
Srisuda Jarayabhand, Thailand
Delegates listening to a presentation
Cristina Martinez, International Labour Organization (ILO)
Julius Cainglet, Vice President, Federation of Free Workers - International Trade Union Confederation
Ministers engage in dialogue on ‘Policy perspectives on a pollution-free planet’.
Lee Minho, Deputy Minister of Environmental Policy, Ministry of Environment, Republic of Korea
Ramon Paje, Vice President for Asia Pacific, UNEA, the Philippines
Meena Praful Bilgi, Women Organizing for Change in Agriculture and Natural Resource Management (WOCAN)
Anish Shrestha, Advocacy Coordinator, Karnali Integrated Development Centre (KIDC)
Masagos Zulkifli, Minister of the Environment and Water Resources, Singapore; and Subrata Sinha, Conference Secretary and Regional Environmental Affairs Officer, UN Environment
Abdullah Ziyad, Minister of State for Environment and Energy, Ministry of Environment and Energy, Maldives
Chuthatip Maneepong, Thailand Environment Institute (TEI)
The ENB team taking notes
Closing Session
Masagos Zulkifli, Minister of the Environment and Water Resources, Singapore
Dechen Tsering, Regional Director and Representative for Asia and the Pacific, UN Environment, and Shamshad Akhtar, Executive Secretary, ESCAP, give the closing remarks.
Special Event - Strengthening Regional Ocean Governance and Partnership Towards Clean Seas
Lisa Svensson, Chief, Marine and Coastal Ecosystems Branch, UN Environment, introduced the topic. UN senior officials briefed delegates on UN Environment’s Clean Seas Campaign, and highlighted the outcomes of the UN Oceans Conference of June 2017, urging participants not to lose momentum.
Teenagers Melati and Isabel Wijsen, who founded a campaign to rid the island of Bali, Indonesia, of plastic bags, described their work in raising community awareness and rewarding local businesses that have created plastic bag-free zones.
Lorna Eden, Assistant Minister for Local Government, Housing and Environment, Fiji, drew attention to the Pacific Island Forum’s Pacific Oceanscape Framework, which was initiated by Anote Tong, then-President of Kiribati in 2009 as a catalyst for formulating ocean governance at all levels. Masagos Zulkifli, Minister of the Environment and Water Resources, Singapore, observed that eight out of the top ten countries contributing to marine litter pollution are in Asia, and urged countries to take their own national actions. He described Singapore’s initiatives, such as requiring ships in port to be registered and to comply with regulations. Abdullah Ziyad, Minister of State for Environment and Energy, the Maldives, highlighted Maldives’ national campaigns against dumping of plastics into the sea. Lev Neretin, Northwest Pacific Action Plan (NOWPAP), introduced its regional oceans programs involving 140 countries, and its medium-term strategy, which contributes to action on SDG 14 on oceans.
Lars Svensson, IKEA, noted that the company recycles 70% of the around 10 million kilos of waste it generates annually in the region and is encouraging customers to participate more actively in recycling, including through imposing a charge on plastic bags. The NGO sector called on countries to return to more sustainable and culturally-relevant, reusable packaging, such as banana leaves.
Muhammad Khurshid, Director General, South Asia Co-Operative Environment Programme
View of the delegates during the special event
Side Events
Gender, the Environment and Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific
Shamshad Akhtar, Executive Secretary, ESCAP, opened this side event, organized by UNESCAP. She stressed that women work in activities and sectors impacted heavily by impact of climate change, noting 58% of the economically active women are in the agriculture sector and women constitute 54% of the labour force in small-scale inland fisheries in the region. She introduced ESCAP’s publication “Gender, the Environment and Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific,” which identifies a strategic entry point for policy interventions.
Kaveh Zahedi, Deputy Executive Secretary for Sustainable Development, ESCAP, moderated the panel discussion. Lorna Eden, Assistant Minister for Local Government, Housing and Environment, Fiji, introduced Fiji’s national initiatives, such as the Markets for Change program, which includes training women in accounting, and encouraging inclusion of women in board members of private companies.
Deepa Liyanage, Director, International Relations, Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment, Sri Lanka, said that environmental policy making can be an arena for enhancing women’s participation. She noted the importance of both institutional and economic instruments, including training programs that will encourage women to enter technical fields of work and access greater opportunities.
Bernadette Resurrección, Senior Research Fellow, Stockholm Environment Institute, reminded participants that “green growth” is not necessarily socially inclusive and just. Muhammad Khurshid, Director-General, South Asia Cooperative Environment Programme, highlighted the potential role of new technologies that are replacing biomass fuels and reducing the dependence of rural women on biomass for cooking, heating and lighting.
A group photo of Shamshad Akhtar (center), Executive Secretary, ESCAP; and
the Panelists
View of the dais during the side event
Towards Resource Efficient Asia-Pacific Through Seoul Initiative Network on Green Growth
Stefanos Fotiou, Director, Environment and Development Division, ESCAP, moderated a panel discussion on the potential for learnings from the Seoul Initiative Network on Green Growth (SINGG), a regional cooperation framework supported by the Government of the Republic of Korea government and endorsed by ESCAP in 2005 to assist the Asia-Pacific region’s progress towards resource-efficient practices. Lee Minho, Deputy Minister of Environmental Policy, Ministry of Environment, outlined SINGGI’s development since its launch in 2005, noting that projects are now in the final stage of development and offer lessons for green growth opportunities. June-Woo Park (Republic of Korea) gave the keynote presentation about national progress towards shared responsibility for sustainably managing waste. He explained that initially governments had sole responsibility for sanitary treatment; then consumers increasingly accepted responsibility through reducing and recycling; and finally producers have been asked to manage their products over their full life-cycle in a circular economy.
Phub Tshering (Bhutan) outlined a project managing waste glass bottles in Bhutan, which showed that, in a small market, it can be difficult to recycle glass products. Ahmed Murthaza (Maldives) outlined that the Maldives is implementing projects to introduce the 3Rs, but considerable marine transport is involved in managing the waste – which imposes costs and other pollution management challenges. Alma Shalabexdya (Kazakhstan) outlined her country’s efforts to decouple growth and resource consumption. Eujin Kwon (Republic of Korea) discussed how to share green growth learnings with other countries. She noted that the Korea Environment Corporation conducts annual conferences involving over 40 countries to demonstrate the outcomes of a range of green growth projects that Korea has supported.
June-Woo Park, Republic of Korea
Around the Venue
IISD/ENB team: (L-R) Ikuho Miyazawa, Writer; Sean Wu, Digital Editor; Richard de Ferranti, Writer; and Delia Paul, Team Leader, experiencing virtual reality glasses during a coffee break
Summary report 4–8 October 1999
Experts’ Panel on Access and Benefit-Sharing
Selected other side events coverage for 26 November 2018
2018 UN Biodiversity Conference
A butterfly made from recycled paper
The following events were covered by IISD Reporting Services on Monday, 26 November 2018:
Community Protocols - Lessons Learned for ABS and Launching of the Biocultural Community Protocol Guidelines
China’s Sixth National Report on the Implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity
Photos by IISD/ENB | Kiara Worth
For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page
Community Protocols - Lessons Learned for ABS and Launching of the Biocultural Community Protocol Guidelines
Presented by Natural Justice, in collaboration with the Access and Benefit Sharing Capacity Development Initiative (ABS Initiative), the League for Pastoral People and Endogenous Livestock Development (LPP), and the Local Livestock for Empowerment (LIFE) Network
Participants during the event
This side event discussed experiences in developing community protocols as tools for access and benefit sharing (ABS) under the framework of the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization.
Presenters shared lessons learned and guidance on the facilitation of community protocols. Two publications were launched at the event:
Community Protocols for Pastoralists and Livestock Keepers
Community Protocols in Africa: Lessons Learned for ABS Implementation.
Barbara Lassen, Natural Justice, moderated the event. Eva Fenster, ABS Initiative, noted that Natural Justice has helped African communities develop community protocols. She highlighted the publication titled “Community Protocols in Africa: Lessons Learned for ABS Implementation,” launched at the event, which incorporates communities’ perspectives on traditional knowledge. She also stressed that community protocols legally empower communities and foster meaningful dialogue.
Jazzy Rasolojaona, Natural Justice, showcased a community protocol facilitated by Natural Justice and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ) in Madagascar. He reported that seven villages united to manage similar resources and environmental challenges. The resulting community protocol, he noted, aims to prepare Madagascar for future negotiations on issues regarding ABS and on empowering communities against illegal practices in their regions regarding biological resources.
Netzar Arreortua Martínez, Commissariat of Communal Goods, Capulalpam de Méndez, Mexico, showcased a community protocol in Mexico. He said that a committee was established after the approval of the protocol and highlighted that a participatory process involved drafting, designing and programming of activities, and validation. He noted that the final document, which has the approval from the community and the Mexican government, provides political security and the safeguarding of all natural resources.
Daniel Kobei, Ogiek Peoples’ Development Program, Kenya, presented the Ogiek Community Biocultural Development Process. He described the Ogiek as caretakers of fauna and flora in the Mau Forest where they live. Highlighting the challenges they have experienced, he cited forest encroachment and recent efforts to disenfranchise them from their ancestral land through evictions. He presented the community protocol development process, highlighting the participatory nature of the process. The Ogiek people, he reported, have become more aware of their rights over biological and genetic resources and become involved in forest rehabilitation. He said that, even though the government has not recognized the Ogiek’s claim to the Mau Forest, the community protocol would continue to play an important role in advocating for their rights.
Jacob Wanyama, LPP, discussed the development of the Samburu community protocol in Kenay, focusing on the red Maasai sheep. He showed the importance of the sheep to the cultural identity of the community through various stages of life, including: birth, circumcision, transition to manhood, marriage and death. The sheep, he reported, have a unique genetic capability to cope with parasitism. He underscored that the community protocol, in English and Samburu languages, describes the Samburu peoples’ rights over the genetic resources of the red sheep.
Geetha Nayak, GIZ India, highlighted the contents of the guide on “Community Protocols for Pastoralists and Livestock Keepers.” The guide, she noted, aims to provide communities with a legal instrument for their claims for livestock breeds and management systems. She highlighted the main parts of community protocol development, including definitions, institutions involved, management practices, and national and international laws.
Moderator Lassen said all protocols are different and adapted to different communities. She discussed lessons learned, including the need to: address issues from communities’ perspectives; identify main objectives to clarify expectations; and respond to real opportunities and challenges.
In the ensuing discussion, the panelists responded to questions on: the definition of biocommerce; possible safeguards protecting community protocols; migration of communities into an area with an existing protocol and their compliance with its contents; and difficulties of developing a community protocol. Lassen stressed that local communities need to base their protocol on local rules and noted ways for community ownership of protocols, such as using an audio format. She stressed that participatory processes involving most of the community members takes time and that there must be a balance between effective representation, and in-depth community consultation.
Panelists during the event
Eva Fenster, ABS Initiative
Jazzy Rasolojaona, Natural Justice
Daniel Kobei, Ogiek Peoples’ Development Program, Kenya
Netzar Arreortua Martínez, Commissariat of Communal Goods, Capulalpam de Méndez, Mexico
Moderator Barbara Lassen, Natural Justice
Jacob Wanyama, League for Pastoral People and Endogenous Livestock Development and the LIFE Network
Translation is provided during the event
Geetha Nayak, GIZ India
Participants during the event
Participants ask questions
Two publications were launched at the event: Community Protocols for Pastoralists and Livestock Keepers, and Community Protocols in Africa: Lessons Learned for ABS Implementation
CONTACT
Tobias Dierks | tobias@giz.de
MORE INFORMATION
www.abs-initiative.info/topics/integrating-iplc/
naturaljustice.org/community-protocols/
China’s Sixth National Report on the Implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity
Presented by the Nanjing Institute of Environmental Science (NIES) and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE), China
Chengshou Bai, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, China, presents China’s Sixth National Report to Cristiana Paşca Palmer, CBD Executive Secretary
This side event, moderated by Yulin Fu, MEE, China, launched China’s Sixth National Report to provide a snapshot of accomplishments, strategies for protecting China’s biodiversity, and efforts towards achieving the Aichi Biodiversity Targets.
Chengshou Bai, MEE, China, welcomed participants to the event, underscoring China’s efforts in promoting an “Ecological Civilization” integrated within every aspect of China’s social, political and economic development. He noted that since becoming a party to the CBD, China has increased its protected area coverage to 18% of its total land area and has implemented a series of important ecological projects, including: returning farmland to forest; returning grazing land to grassland; and establishing a national monitoring network for biodiversity. He also highlighted China’s enhanced conservation efforts in improving the status of rare and endangered species, including the giant panda, the Tibetan antelope, and the Père David’s deer.
Cristiana Paşca Palmer, CBD Executive Secretary, congratulated China for its leadership role in preserving biodiversity and for taking the presidency of the CBD in 2020 at a critical moment for the world. She stressed that, by 2030, the world must “bend the curve” of biodiversity loss or risk permanent and irreversible consequences. She highlighted China’s success in achieving the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, including on restoring degraded ecosystems, promoting carbon sequestration and implementing its National Report. She concluded by noting China’s leadership role in setting new conservation targets and in shaping the Post-2020 Biodiversity Framework.
Yulin Fu, MEE, China, discussed the process of preparing China’s Sixth National Report, explaining that the National Committee for Biodiversity Conservation led the process and described that the report was concluded in one year and four months, with the involvement of around 30 ministries, departments and research institutions. She also explained that the report follows CBD’s templates and is supported by a new process for national data gathering. She noted that an expert consultation reviewed the draft report, supported by technical workshops, and eventually approved and translated it into English in October 2018.
Dandan Yu, MEE, China, spoke on the indicator system of China’s Sixth National Report, focusing on the principles that informed them. She recalled that Article 26 of the CBD and COP Decision XIII/27 require an increase in capacity to produce a “high quality, gender-responsive, data-driven Sixth National Report.” She explained that the development of the Chinese national indicators should: cover all components of biodiversity; be objectively and timely in reflecting changes; be easy to understand and have wide acceptance; balance accuracy and low-cost; be sensitive to changes; and be internationally usable, while responsive to national circumstances. She shared that some indicators have uniquely Chinese characteristics, such as: timber standing stock; percentage of surface water bodies with good quality water; and the number of sites with original habitats for wild agricultural plants.
Haigen Xu, NIES and MEE, China, presented on China’s biodiversity conservation actions and achievements, progress towards the Aichi Targets, and experiences gained. He highlighted China’s megadiverse status, noting that the number of known species and sub-species is 92,302. He reported that, inter alia:
there are 3,767 species of threatened species in China's higher plants, accounting for 10.9% of the total number of species assessed;
the number of threatened species of vertebrates in China is 932, accounting for 21.4% of the total number of species assessed; and
there are 176 species of threatened amphibians, with a threat ratio of 43.1%, which is higher than the global percentage of threatened amphibians (30.6%).
He announced that since 2015, China has adopted a series of policies related to biodiversity conservation, which offer innovative efforts in overall arrangements towards the development of an “Ecological Civilization” through biodiversity conservation. These policies include: recommendations for accelerating “Ecological Civilization” development; recommendations on improving ecological compensation mechanisms; and proposals for mechanisms for wetland conservation and restoration. On further actions, he stated that policy measures for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity require refinement, with priorities to be given to the conservation of vulnerable grassland and marine ecosystems.
In the wrap-up discussion, participants identified, inter alia: the potential to modify targets after 2020 based on national experiences; main challenges faced in developing the report; China’s plans to continue to increase the amounts of data available for future biodiversity reporting; clarifications on data referring to China’s increasing ecological footprint, yet improving biodiversity indicators; and specific indicators that were effective in attracting political support.
Chengshou Bai, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, China
Yulin Fu, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, China
Cristiana Paşca Palmer, CBD Executive Secretary
Dandan Yu, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, China
Haigen Xu, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, China
Participants ask questions during the event
Participants read the newly launched report
CONTACT
Xu Haigen | xhg@nies.org
MORE INFORMATION
www.nies.org
Around the Venue
Traditional Egyptian artefacts on display around the venue sharing stories of Egypt's history
A model of an environmental cultural center using sustainability elements
A photography display highlighting the work done by indigenous people around the world to protect biodiversity