Governing Council President Ruhakana Rugunda emphasized the opportunity presented by this meeting, to determine how UNEP should contribute to implementing the WSSD's outcomes.

Nitin Desai, UN Under Secretary General for Economic and Social Affairs, stressed the need to consider implementation of WSSD outcomes at the regional level, and improve stakeholder involvement and coordination within the UN system. He suggested that the CSD could add value by supporting the integration of economic, social and environmental considerations, and highlighted UNEP's crucial role in realizing environmental goals.

Greece, speaking on behalf of the EU, supported regional and sub-regional work through existing initiatives such as NEPAD, and reported on EU partnerships on water and energy

Algeria (not pictured) outlined desertification problems and the need to protect cultural diversity.

The Czech Republic (not pictured) stressed the importance of good governance, democracy, stability and respect for fundamental human rights, and questioned how strategic environmental assessments and environmental impact assessments would be factored into NEPAD initiatives.

Norway (right), Canada, South Africa, and others said a contact group should be formed to further consider the IPEC proposal

Masa Nagai, UNEP, reports on progress of the Drafting Group

The Drafting Committee concluded discussion on text regarding the World Conservation Monitoring Centre after a compromise was reached on language referring to the focus of the Centre's activities. Following objections to the draft on the Asian Brown Cloud, the Committee decided to withdraw the draft decision. A new text on the global assessment of the state of the marine environment was adopted with some amendments. The text on post-conflict environmental assessments was discussed at length and was agreed after a reference to the need for countries concerned to request a post-conflict assessment was included. The issue of environmental emergency prevention, preparedness, assessment, response and mitigation was finalized with the addition of a positive reference to activities of the joint Environment Unit of UNEP and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, and support for refugee-hosting countries in rehabilitating damaged environments and ecosystems. The Committee debated a draft decision on adaptation to climate change, with a number of developed countries calling for a text that would avoid duplication of issues already covered by the UNFCCC. References to the Kyoto Protocol was also controversial. Contact groups were formed on adaptation to climate change and coral reefs.

Geoffrey Howard, IUCN, gave a brief overview of the World Parks Congress, which will take place from 8-17 September in Durban, South Africa. He noted that this will be the fifth Congress, that it takes place every ten years and that this is the first time that such a Congress will take place in Africa. He recalled that Nelson Mandela launched the Congress at the WSSD. He highlighted the Workshop Streams that will take place during the Congress on capacity building, gaps in the system, finance and resources, linkages between protected areas and surrounding land uses, raising awareness and strengthening support, governance, and management effectiveness.

For more information, visit the IUCN World Parks Homepage

Delmar Blasco, Secretary General, Ramsar Convention, launching the recent IUCN-Ramsar publication on Alien Invasive Species in Africa'a Wetlands

This publication is available form the IUCN Eastern Africa Regional Office, email: mail@iucnearo.org