February 2007
A monthly e-newsletter by UNEP/MAP
IN THIS ISSUE:
UNEP NEWS
MAP COMPONENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS
and BARCELONA CONVENTION

UNEP's Global Council 2007 raises the
NEW DEPI DIRECTOR APPOINTED
debate on sustainable globalisation
EIB and UNEP/MAP join forces for the
Ibrahim Thiaw has been appointed Director, Division of Envi-
Between 5 ­9 February, Ministers and Head
depollution of the Mediterranean
ronmental Policy and Implementation (DEPI) at UNEP.
of Delegations from 140 UN Member States attended the
The European Investment Bank (EIB) and UNEP/MAP have
24th UNEP Governing Council/ Global Ministerial
launched a process to create a pipeline of bankable invest-
UNEP's strategy and role in the GEF
Environment Forum (GC/GMEF) in Nairobi.
ment projects within the framework of the EC's initiative
UNEP is moving forward to fully operationalize its work in the
Horizon 2020 in close collaboration with the European Com-
fourth phase of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) follow-
mission.
ing a successful outcome of discussions with the CEO of GEF
on 16th February 2007 in Washington DC.
ICZM Protocol draft to be fi nalised in June
The draft text of the ICZM Protocol, which is being developed MDG Attainment Fund
within the framework of the Barcelona Convention, is expect-
Since mid-January, at the invitation of the Administrator of
ed to be fi nalised next June.
UNDP, UNEP has been working with UNDP and other experts
to develop Terms of Reference and eligibility criteria for allo-
Coast Day web-site launched
cation of the Environment and Climate Change funds under
the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) Attainment Fund.
PAP/RAC, which is one of UNEP/MAP's Regional Activity Cen-
tres, has launched the Coast Day web site
CP/RAC publishes Annual Report 2006
The Cleaner Production Regional Activity Centre of MAP has
published its 2006 Annual Report.
Issue 8 of EcoMedia magazine now available
INFO/RAC has fi nalised Issue 8 of the EcoMedia Magazine,
with a special focus on the ICZM Protocol. It can be viewed
online at: www.ecomediamagazine.org

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INDEX
UNEP NEWS
environmental aspects to promote the incorporation
UNEP NEWS
of the socio-economic value of water related
ecosystem services into national development plans.
UNEP's Global

"This GC / GMEF could not have come at a better
Council 2007
time. 2007 is truly a special year for us: it marks UNEP
raises the
+ 35; Brundtland +20 and WSSD +5. It also marks
debate on
the time when world opinion on climate change
sustainable
is converging. All these provide a truly unique
globalisation
opportunity for us", said Achim Steiner.

The Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning

of Slovenia and President of the Bureau of the
Contracting Parties of the Barcelona Convention,
H. E. Janez Podobnik, participated at the GC/GMEF
together with other Environment Ministers from
several Contracting Parties.

The Coordinator of UNEP/MAP Paul Mifsud also
attended the GC/GMEF. While in Nairobi he took
the opportunity to hold discussions with a number

UNEP's GLOBAL COUNCIL 2007 RAISES THE organisation to organise a globalisation debate. But
of delegates from the Contracting Parties to the
DEBATE ON SUSTAINABLE GLOBALISATION we do perceive that a new understanding is emerging Barcelona Convention on bilateral issues between
that the international community must address [...]",
MAP and the countries concerned.

Between 5 ­9 February, Ministers and Heads of
said UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner. " Some

During the UNEP Global Council, Ministers
Delegations from 140 UN Member States attended
pioneering corporations ­ including ones that depend presented and discussed various options for
the 24th UNEP Governing Council/ Global Ministerial
on fi sheries ­ are beginning to question whether
consideration by Governments, UNEP and the
Environment Forum (GC/GMEF) in Nairobi. This was
the existing model is a good long-term investment,
international community on the issue of the United
the fi rst Global Council with Mr Achim Steiner as the
whether the natural or nature-based resources upon
Nations Reform.
new UN Under Secretary General and UNEP Executive
which their profi ts are predicted will remain over the
The
specifi c areas discussed include: enhanced
Director.
coming decades".
coordination; improved policy advice and guidance;

This GC / GMEF managed, for the fi rst time, to

A number of decision were adopted addressing
strengthened scientifi c knowledge, assessment
attract the participation of six heads of UN agencies:
among others the global environment situation, an
and cooperation; better treaty compliance, while
UN Habitat, UNFCCC, UNDP, WTO, UNWTO, UNIDO
updated water policy and strategy of UNEP related to
respecting the legal autonomy of the treaties; and
­ as well as many international organizations, NGOs
fresh water for the period 2007 ­ 2012, the needs of
better integration of environmental activities in the
and business leaders.
small islands developing states, WSSD follow up and
broader sustainable development framework at the

The two main topics of discussion during the
the implementation of the UN programme of work.
operational level, including through capacity-building.
ministerial consultations were Globalisation and the

The fresh water strategy in particular, following

Support was expressed for a reformed United
Environment and the UN Reform. Delegates discussed
a year of development and various reviews by
Nations institution for the environment as well as for
also issues dealing with chemicals management, state
governments through the Committee of Permanent
an increase in its fi nancial resources.
of the environment, coordination and cooperation
Representatives (CPR) and the Ninth Special Session

The current United Nations reform process
within the UN system, with civil society as well as the
in Dubai, was fi nally adopted. The policy and strategy
presents an opportunity for strengthening the
IPCC report on Climate Change.
focuses on freshwater, with strong linkages to the
organisation' environmental activities. A steady

Among the opportunities of globalisation
oceans and coasts through the Global Programme
increase in the political attention being accorded
identifi ed were poverty alleviation, the harnessing of
of Action and the Regional Seas Programme.
to the environment has supported this process and
market power, environmental technology transfer and Integrated water resources management (or
there is growing recognition that environmental
enhanced communication possibilities.
IWRM) is the framework within which the strategy
sustainability cannot be separated from sustainable

"UNEP does not presume to be the fi rst
will be implemented and UNEP will focus on the
development and economic growth.

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INDEX
MAP COMPONENTS and BARCELONA CONVENTION
regionally polluting industrial and municipal points
ICZM PROTOCOL DRAFT TO BE FINALISED
of pollution in the countries mainly resulting from
IN JUNE
the assessment work of MED POL and to possibly
launch a Mediterranean Hot Spot Investment

The draft text of the ICZM Protocol, which is being
Programme (MeHSIP). The expert team is composed
developed within the framework of the Barcelona
of Mrs Christina Haffner-Sifakis (Team Leader) and Mr
Convention, is expected to be fi nalised next June.
Christoph Sommer.
It will then be submitted to the meeting of the

The EIB initiative will build on existing institutions
Contracting Parties for approval.
and results, fi lling gaps where it can bring added

The Working Group of Government designated
value. It will operate within the framework of existing
experts on ICZM Protocol met for the third time in
and developing environment policy instruments,
Loutraki, Greece, on 12-15 February. The meeting was
and support the implementation of the pollution
attended by the representatives of the majority of
reduction commitments undertaken in the framework Mediterranean countries and the EU. In spite of the
of the National Action Plans (NAPs) prepared by the
different issues discussed, the experts managed to
Mediterranean countries in collaboration with MED
achieve considerable progress.
POL as part of the implementation of the Strategic

Some issue are still pending and will be addressed
Action Programme (SAP) to address land-based
at the next meeting following consultations by the
pollution. Horizon 2020 will be grouped under the
delegates. The next meeting of the Working Group is
following four components:
scheduled to be held in Split, Croatia, next June.
i.
pollution reduction projects,
ii.
capacity building measures,
iii. research and
MAP
EIB AND UNEP MAP JOIN FORCES FOR THE
iv. monitoring, steering and review.
COMPONENTS
DEPOLLUTION OF THE MEDITERRANEAN

The assignment is split into three phases. During
and
phase I (February ­ March), the expert team will

Horizon 2020 was launched in December
BARCELONA
review and discuss the list of pollution reduction
2005 and adopted by the 3rd Euro-Mediterranean
interventions listed in the NAPs and other existing
CONVENTION
Ministerial Conference on the Environment in Cairo on documentation and conduct own desk research.
20 November 2006. The main aim of this initiative is
During phase II (April ­ July), the experts will visit the
EIB and UNEP/MAP
to reduce the level of pollution in the Mediterranean
Southern Mediterranean Countries to analyse selected
join forces for the
Sea by identifying and tackling the most signifi cant
pollution reduction investment projects to assess
depollution of the
pollution sources by the year 2020.
their capacity to be bankable. During phase III (August
Mediterranean

The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the MED
­ October 2007), a synthesis of the fi ndings will be
POL Programme, the UNEP/MAP component dealing
prepared and the draft fi nal report will be circulated
ICZM Protocol draft
with the fi ght against land-based pollution in the
for comments among all stakeholders.
to be fi nalised in
Mediterranean in the framework of the Barcelona

They will also discuss the main fi ndings with
June
Convention, have now launched a joint process to
Government ministries and other stakeholders,
create a pipeline of bankable investment projects
and they will evaluate the need for future technical
Coast Day web-site
within the framework of the EC's initiative Horizon
assistance support.
launched
2020 in close collaboration with the European
Commission.
CP/RAC publishes

An expert team has been recruited by the
Annual Report 2006
EIB in order to identify between 3-5 of the most

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INDEX
MAP COMPONENTS and BARCELONA CONVENTION
September 2007, within the Mediterranean countries.
Afterwards, the intention is that the Coast Day will
spread to other countries and live on in the years to
UNEP/MAP Key 2007 Dates
come.
For more information visit www.coastday.org
26-28 March
Extraordinary Meeting of National
MEDPOL Coordinators, Mytilini,
Lesbos, Greece
CP/RAC PUBLISHES ANNUAL REPORT 2006
29-30 March
Regional Workshop on Energy and
Sustainable Development in the

The Cleaner Production Regional Activity Centre
Mediterranean,
of MAP has published its 2006 Annual Report. The
Monaco
document summarises the activities carried out by
7-11 May
REMPEC Focal Points,
CP/RAC in 2006, along the strategic lines of action on
Malta
which the Centre bases its mission.

Along the activities related to the industrial
21-22 May
Reporting Meeting,
sector, the manufacturing industry in particular, the
Istanbul, Turkey
report outlines the activities developed within the
23-25 May
Compliance Meeting,
communication strategy
Istanbul, Turkey
of CP/RAC, including the
30-31 May
MCSD, Istanbul, Turkey
new tools developed,
such as a web page, a
4-8 June
Joint meeting BP/PAP/INFO/RACs
Focal Points, Rome, Italy
MAP
COAST DAY WEBSITE LAUNCHED
new corporation identity,
the CP News Bulletin,
5 June
World Environment Day Exhibition
COMPONENTS
the CP/RAC magazine
on climate change "Envisioning

PAP/RAC, which is one of UNEP/MAP's Regional
and
and the participation
Change",
Activity Centres, has launched the Coast Day web site.
and coordination of
BARCELONA
Oslo, Norway (until 20 August).
This new web site promotes the value of the coast
environmental events
It will then travel to Brussels, Belgium and
CONVENTION
and the necessity of using an integrated approach in
to raise the centre's
next year to Chicago, United States
managing the coastal area. It has been developed by
visibility.
12-15 June
SPA/RAC Focal Points,
EIB and UNEP/MAP
PAP/RAC within the MAP/METAP SMAP III project.

Copies of the annual
Rome, Italy
join forces for the
report may be obtained
depollution of the
26-28 June
MED POL Focal Points,
from cleanpro@cprac.org
Mediterranean
Tunis, Tunisia
2-3 July
Bureau of the Contracting Parties,
ICZM Protocol draft
Madrid, Spain
to be fi nalised in
September
publication of UNEP's 4th Global
June
Environmental Outlook ­ GEO4
Coast Day web-site
16-19 October
MAP Focal Points,
launched
Madrid, Spain

Coast Day is a unique event in the Mediterranean.
It aims to raise awareness of policy makers and the
24-27 October
First International Conference on
CP/RAC publishes
public on the coastal values. It is a day dedicated to
Marine Protected Area,
Annual Report 2006
the protection of natural coastal environment and its
France
interaction with human culture and socio-economic
10-13 D
10-13 Dec
e e
c mber
ember Co
C ntra
ontr c
acting Pa
ting P r
a ties,
ties ,
activities. The launch of the Coast Day is planned for
Almeria, Spain
Almeria, Spain

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INDEX
ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS
ENVIRONMENTAL NEW DEPI DIRECTOR APPOINTED
IFAD) to discuss the comparative advantages of
currently being reviewed by the Government of Spain
the agencies and agree on how to work together
and are expected to be fi nalized and sent to the UN
NEWS
Ibrahim Thiaw has been
in the framework of the GEF. The next GEF Council
Country Teams in the 57 eligible countries by 9 March,
appointed Director, Division
meeting to be held in June 2007 in Washington DC
2007 to open up the fi rst round of proposals.
NEW DEPI DIRECTOR
of Environmental Policy and
will discuss and review standards to be required of

The MDG Attainment Fund comprises a
APPOINTED
Implementation (DEPI) at
all GEF agencies including UNEP on fi duciary control
US$750 million donation (over four years) from the
UNEP. Mr Thiaw, a national of
and management which the Council is likely to expect
Government of Spain. The Fund has fi ve thematic
UNEP's strategy and
Mauritania, holds an advanced
all agencies to adhere to within one year of their
areas: Youth Employment and Migration; Gender
role in the GEF
University degree in Forestry and Forest Product
issuance.
Equality; Cultural Diversity and Development;
techniques, and brings to UNEP more than 22
Democratic Governance; and Environment and
MDG Attainment Fund years of expertise in the fi elds of natural resource
MDG ATTAINMENT FUND
Climate Change. Part of the requirement is that
management and environmental policy.
Proposals must be submitted by more that one

Since his early career with the Ministry of

Since mid-January, at the invitation of the
UN agency (resident or non resident) and have the
Rural Development of Mauritania, Mr Thiaw has
Administrator of UNDP, UNEP has been working
approval of the Resident Coordinator.
successfully developed and implemented large-scale
with UNDP and other experts to develop Terms of

Spain is the depositary of the Barcelona
environmental programmes and projects in Africa and Reference and eligibility criteria for allocation of the
Convention.
globally. As IUCN Regional Director for West Africa,
Environment and Climate Change funds under the
For more information, please contact Kaveh Zahedi
and most recently as Acting Director-General of IUCN,
Millennium Development Goals (MDG) Attainment
kaveh.zahedi@unep.org
Mr Thiaw has been instrumental in shaping the future
Fund. The fund is managed by UNDP. The ToRs are
of environmental conservation.
UNEP'S STRATEGY AND ROLE IN THE GEF

UNEP is moving forward to fully operationalize its
work in the fourth phase of the Global Environment
Facility (GEF) following a successful outcome of
discussions with the CEO of GEF on 16th February
2007 in Washington DC. The discussions were led
by Mr. Shafqat Kakakhel, Deputy Executive Director
of UNEP, and focused on UNEP's strategy and role in
the GEF. The meeting agreed to a target of US $300
million for a UNEP GEF work programme over the
four year GEF phase ending in 2010. The CEO of GEF
endorsed the general directions of UNEP's strategy in
the GEF. UNEP will set the standards, norms, methods
and guidelines on the global environmental issues the
GEF deals with in addition to work on environmental
analysis, monitoring and assessment. The Deputy
Executive Director of UNEP and the GEF team are now
working on operationalizing UNEP's strategy in the
GEF and refi ning the pipeline of programmes and
projects that UNEP will focus on over the next four
years.
10-13 December Contracting Parties,

In the coming months, UNEP will also be engaging
Almeria, Spain
other UN GEF agencies (UNDP, FAO, UNIDO, and

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