Fifth session of the Meeting of the Parties (MOP) to the Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (Aarhus Convention), Second session of MOP to the Protocol on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (PRTRs MOPP-2) and their Joint High-Level Segment

The general segment of the second session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Protocol (MOPP 2) on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (PRTRs) continued on Friday, 4 July, in Maastricht, the Netherlands.

MOPP 2 met in plenary throughout the day. In the morning, MOPP 2 addressed sub-items under the item agenda on the programme of work and operation of the Protocol, including on the Strategic Plan for 2015-2020 and the work programme for 2015-2017. MOPP 2 also elected officers and other members of the Bureau and discussed the date and venue of MOPP 3. In the afternoon, MOPP 2 reviewed and formally adopted the decisions and outcomes identified in the ‘List of Key Outcomes and Decisions of MOPP 2’ (ECE/MP.PRTR/2014/CRP.3).

The third meeting of the Compliance Committee of the PRTR Protocol also met throughout the day. In the morning, an open roundtable addressed lessons learned from the first reporting cycle concerning the implementation of the Protocol on PRTRs. The Compliance Committee then met to discuss feedback from the roundtable, other business and adopted the outcomes of the meeting.

Two side events took place during the day, with discussions addressing the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC) Toolbox on Decision-Making in Chemicals Management and Forty Years of PRTR in the Netherlands. PRTR Protocol MOPP 2 Chair Michel Amand gaveled the meeting to a close at 3:37 pm.

The general segment of the second session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Protocol (MOPP 2) on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (PRTRs) opened on Thursday, 3 July, in Maastricht, the Netherlands.

MOPP 2 met in plenary throughout the day. In the morning, MOPP 2 adopted the provisional agenda (ECE/MP.PRTR/2014/3) and heard information on the status of ratification, acceptance, approval and accession with respect to the Protocol. MOPP 2 then addressed sub-items under the agenda item on promotion and capacity-building, including on: coordination mechanisms and synergies; provision of technical assistance; and communication tools and materials. Under the agenda item on procedures and mechanisms facilitating the implementation of the Protocol, MOPP 2 took up the sub-agenda items on the reporting mechanism and compliance mechanism. MOPP 2 also addressed the sub-items on financial arrangements and the implementation of the work programme for 2011-2014 under the agenda item on the programme of work and operation of the Protocol.

The third meeting of the Compliance Committee of the PRTR Protocol also met throughout the day, adopting their agenda and considering submissions, referrals and communications, and future work. Two side events took place with discussions addressing the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals Group and Atlas of the Environment.

The fifth session of the Meeting of the Parties (MOP 5) to the Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (Aarhus Convention) continued on Tuesday, 1 July, in Maastricht, the Netherlands.

The MOP convened in plenary throughout the day. The MOP continued consideration of the composition of the Compliance Committee and then addressed sub-items under the agenda item on promotion of the Convention and relevant developments and interlinkages, including: accession to the Convention by States from outside of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) region; promotion of the Convention’s principles in international forums; global and regional developments on issues related to Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development; update on the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) initiatives on access to information, public participation and access to justice in environmental matters; and synergies between the Convention and other relevant multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) and organizations.

The MOP also considered sub-items under the agenda item on the programme of work and operation of the Convention, including: the implementation of the work programme for 2012-2014; the Strategic Plan for 2015-2020; the work programme for 2015-2017; and financial arrangements. The day concluded with the MOP addressing the report on credentials with regard to the Convention’s parties, election of officers and other members of the Bureau, the date and venue of the sixth session of the MOP (MOP 6) and any other business.

The forty-fifth meeting of the Compliance Committee under the Aarhus Convention continued, with delegates considering the preparation of draft findings on compliance by specific parties. During lunch an open dialogue session with parties and stakeholders on procedures with new communications, use of domestic remedies and other matters was held.

Side events engaged participants on a variety of issues, including: building peace through access rights - preventing conflict around water, land and food; strengthening the impact of the compliance mechanism - how can the implementation of MOP recommendations be improved; advancing access and dissemination of environmental information and public participation through electronic information; a workshop on access to justice; promoting the spirit of Aarhus - creation of an informal network on citizens’ information and participation to public decision-making; and A2 Maastricht - one single plan for the city and the motorway.

The fifth session of the Meeting of the Parties (MOP 5) to the Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (Aarhus Convention) convened on Monday, 30 June, in Maastricht, the Netherlands.

The MOP convened in plenary throughout the day, adopting the provisional agenda (ECE/MP.PP/2014/1), addressing the status of ratification of the Convention and the amendment to the Convention. It also took up sub-items under the agenda item on substantive issues, including: access to information, including electronic information tools; public participation in decision-making; access to justice; and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The MOP also addressed sub-items under the agenda item on procedures and mechanisms facilitating the implementation of the Convention, including on: reports on the status of implementation of the Convention; compliance mechanism; and capacity-building.

The forty-fifth meeting of the Compliance Committee under the Aarhus Convention continued during the day, with delegates considering the preparation of draft findings on compliance by specific Parties.
Side events engaged participants on a variety of issues, including: transparency in European Union (EU) institutions; workshop on access to information; Aarhus Convention – a driver for democracy in international organizations; and the role of Aarhus Centres in advancing the implementation of the Aarhus Convention.