Al Sambouk Issue 4. February 1997.
Editorial
PERSGA Council Decisions
The PERSGA newsletter Al Sambouk is one year old
The PERSGA Council held its second Meeting at the
now and we at PERSGA feel proud of this
temporary headquarters of PERSGA Secretariat in
achievement. We have received many encouraging
Jeddah on 26 October 1996. The meeting was chaired
comments about Al Sambouk and we hope that it will
by HRH Prince Fahad Bin Abdullah Al Saud, Assistant
continue to grow and serve an important function in the
Minister of Defence and Aviation and General
conservation and protection of the region's marine and
Inspector for Civil Aviation Affairs in the Kingdom of
coastal environments.
Saudi Arabia. The meeting was attended by heads and
Since the last issue was published in October there have

been a number of important activities which PERSGA
In This Issue of Al Sambouk:
has been involved in, which will be reported in this

issue. One of the most significant of these has been the
Editorial 1
Strategic Action Programme (SAP) for the Red Sea and
PERSGA Council Decisions 1
Gulf of Aden. This has been one of PERSGA's primary
SAP Endorsed by Second Meeting of
activities since the SAP commenced in October 1995,
PERSGA Council 2
Jordan Contribution 2
and it is now nearing completion. This has been a great
SAP Task Force Meeting in Sana'a 2
achievement involving most of the countries of the
Regional Drafting Group 3
region, PERSGA, and the partners of the Global
Navigation Workshop 3
Environment Facility (GEF). We plan that the final
Bahrain Workshop 4
report will be completed within the next couple of
Workshops in Sudan, Yemen and Djibouti 4
months and that this will stimulate the development of
Sanganeb Marine National Park 5
other programmes throughout the region which will be
The Lancelet 6
designed to address the issues highlighted in the SAP
SIOCAM Workshop in New York 6
report.
Joint Projects Between PERSGA and ALECSO 6
PERSGA Project Updates 7
The SAP has revealed that there are many important

environmental initiatives occurring throughout the

region, and the level of commitment of the countries of
members of delegations of PERSGA member countries,
the region is impressive. This is essential nowadays, in
and concerned Arab and international organizations.
part because attracting the support of the international
donor organizations for regional programmes depends
After reviewing the report and recommendations of the
upon real commitment being demonstrated by
preparatory meeting, which preceded the Council
individual countries to protect and conserve their own
meeting, the Council took decisions regarding the report
environments.
of the Secretary General, the budget and financial term,
and the SAP.
Some countries in the region are now experiencing the
great benefits to be gained from the information which
The Secretary General of PERSGA was requested to
is available through the Internet and the World Wide
follow up the implementation of the Memorandum of
Web. Sections of Al Sambouk, and also information on
Understanding signed with the regional and
the SAP, are published on the Internet by the United
international organizations and prepare similar
Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), as a
agreements with related organizations such as the
regular feature of their Web page. This will make news
Islamic Development Bank.
from the region available to a much greater
The PERSGA Secretariat was also encouraged to
international audience. UNOPS has been instrumental
continue co-operating with the Global Environment
in the implementation of much of the SAP activities in
Facility in all fields related to marine resources and
individual countries. For readers with access to the
their management.
World Wide Web, the UNOPS home page can be found
at the following address: http://www.unops.org
With regards to the financial term of PERSGA and
programme follow-up, the Council decided that the
Dr. William Gladstone
duration of the financial term for the PERSGA Council
will be bi-annual, starting from the second term
1997/1998. The budget of one term should be divided

Al Sambouk, Issue 4. February 1997, page 1

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Al-Sambouk Issue 4. February 1997.

on two years, with the constitution of an executive
PERSGA and ALECSO. Thus, Jordan is regarded as
committee to follow-up PERSGA`s activities, budget,
the first PERSGA Member State that fulfils its
and implementation of programmes and discuss casual
financial obligations towards PERSGA.
matters. The budget for 1997/98 was also approved.
The implementation of the projects and programmes

approved by the PERSGA Council in its second

meeting in Jeddah (26 October 1996) is expected to
SAP Endorsed by
start as soon as other Member Countries fulfil their
financial obligations.
Second Meeting of the

PERSGA Council
SAP Task Force Meeting, Sana'a




The third meeting of the Task Force of the Strategic
During its Second Meeting the PERSGA Council
Action Programme (SAP) for the Red Sea and Gulf of
endorsed the Strategic Action Programme (SAP) for the
Aden was held in Sana'a, Republic of Yemen, on 12
Red Sea and Gulf of Aden and in its Decision Number
and 13 January. The SAP Task Force consists of
4, decided to:
government representatives of all the countries involved
in the SAP, PERSGA, the Islamic Development Bank,
(1) Approve the results and recommendations presented
and the three partner agencies of the Global
in the Executive Summary of SAP
Environment Facility (the UNDP, UNEP, and the
(2) Request the Secretary General of PERSGA to
World Bank). The Sana'a meeting was also attended by
continue collaboration with the Task Force members,
a representative of the United Nations Office for
related organizations and specialised experts, and to
Project Services (UNOPS) which has been
take the necessary measures to finalise the SAP process
implementing many of the SAP activities.
including the development of the necessary supportive
The role of the SAP Task Force is to direct and guide
projects, and present it to the Council for approval.
the activities of the SAP, under the chairmanship of the
The Council also thanked and expressed its
PERSGA Secretary General Dr. Nizar Tawfiq. The
appreciation to the following:
objective of the Sana'a meeting was to review the
SAP's progress, especially the draft report of the SAP,
(1) Secretariat of PERSGA for its effective role in
and to plan future activities. The Environment
coordinating the SAP process.
Protection Council, which is PERSGA's focal point in
(2) Secretary General of PERSGA for the consultation
Yemen, organized the local arrangements for the Sana'a
initiated which aimed at encouraging Red Sea
meeting; His Excellency Eng. Mohsen Ali Al-Hamdani,
countries, whose coasts are environmentally important,
Chairman of the Environment Protection Council,
in the activities related to SAP process; and urge him to
opened the meeting and welcomed the participants.
continue such useful efforts.
The Task Force discussed and reviewed the following
(3) President of Islamic Development Bank, UNDP,
matters: the statement of the PERSGA Council; the
UNEP, World Bank and GEF for their efforts in
environmental activities currently occurring in each of
supporting PERSGA and countries of the region, and
the participating countries; progress in PERSGA's
for their participation in the SAP process.
other regional activities and progress in the activities of
the GEF partners; progress in SAP activities in each of

the participating countries; the outcomes of the SAP

(including regional threats, regional priority actions,
Jordan Contribution to PERSGA
and national priority actions); the country report
workshops; the update of the regional bibliography; the
review of regional environmental programmes; the

update of the state of the marine environment report;
PERSGA has received the sum of US $39,436.62 as
the planned fisheries study; the navigation study; and
the contribution of the Jordanian Government to the
future activities in the SAP including the need for the
budget of 1996. This amount will be utilised in the
implementation of the joint projects approved between


Al Sambouk, Issue 4. February 1997, page 2

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Al-Sambouk Issue 4. February 1997.

next Task Force meeting to review the SAP Project
Navigation Workshop
Brief which will be presented to the GEF for support.
A report of the meeting has been written and will be

distributed, in Arabic and English, in the near future.
A workshop on the Navigation Risks of the Red Sea
The next meeting will be held in early May, and in
and Gulf of Aden, and the development of a
addition to the Task Force, will involve technical
management plan for these risks, was held in Aden,
experts from each country, GEF headquarters staff,
Republic of Yemen, from 17-19 November 1996. The
regional and international donor organizations.
workshop was the first step in a study which is being
undertaken as part of the SAP, on navigation risks and

environmental protection in the region, which is funded
Regional Drafting Group
by the Government of Norway through the Norwegian
Trust Fund of the World Bank. The study will be

undertaken by the Norwegian firm Det Norske Veritas
One of the major products of the SAP will be the report
(DNV).
which synthesises the results of the individual country
The workshop took place in the excellent facilities of
reports, and recommends actions at both regional and
the Maritime Training Centre in Aden. There were 18
national levels. This report is being prepared by a
participants, consisting of regional experts in the fields
Drafting Group which consists of representatives of
of navigation and shipping, and representatives of
PERSGA, participating countries, and the GEF
DNV, PERSGA and the World Bank. The team of
partners. The group first met in Jeddah in September
regional experts assembled for this workshop will serve
1996 to plan and begin writing the report.
as an advisory and review group for the study being
A second meeting of the Drafting Group took place in
undertaken by the DNV consultants.
Sana'a on January 14 and 15 1997, following the SAP
The objective of the Aden workshop was to review the
Task Force meeting. The Group, which met in the
existing risks to navigation in the region, and needed
UNDP offices, consisted of Mr. Roger Aertgeerts
improvements. This information would guide the DNV
(UNOPS), Ms Catherine Cheung (UNDP), Mr. Halifa
consultants in planning their study. Funding for the
Drammeh (UNEP), Dr. William Gladstone (PERSGA),
workshop was provided by the Global Environment
Dr. Abdul Majeed Haddad (UNDP, Sana'a), Dr.
Facility, and the organization was undertaken by
Friedhelm Krupp (UNDP), Dr. Stephen Lintner (World
PERSGA, the Public Corporation for Maritime Affairs,
Bank), Dr. Sherif Ramadan (Egypt), and Captain Saeed
and the Yemen Ports Authority (Port of Aden). Captain
Yafai (Yemen).
Saeed Yafai, Chairman of the Public Corporation for
The Drafting Group reviewed and amended the SAP
Maritime Affairs, is acting as regional Technical
report, wrote additional sections, and planned the
Coordinator for the study and the workshops.
review and publication of the final version. The report
After more than two days of review and discussions the
will contain background information on the region and
workshop adopted a number of recommendations:
the SAP; a review of the current and emerging threats
to the coastal and marine environments; a programme
(1) There is a need for a re-survey of many parts of the
of actions designed to address these threats; and
region and the printing of updated charts
potential resources for these programmes. The major
(2) A regional agreement on cooperation for Port State
threats which have been identified by the SAP are the
Control is needed, as a means of reducing pollution
non-sustainable use of living marine resources;
from sub-standard ships
navigation, oil production and transport; urban and
industrial development; and the rapid expansion of
(3) Additional navigation aids (lighthouses) are required
coastal tourism.
in high risk areas such as the Straits of Tiran and the
islands to the south-west of the Bab al Mandeb
A final draft, which will go to review, is expected to be
available by the beginning of March. Funding for the
(4) The feasibility of a vessel traffic management
involvement of regional experts in the work of the
system should be examined in the regional navigation
Drafting Group is provided by UNEP as part of their
study
contribution to the SAP.
(5) Training in Port State Control is needed



Al Sambouk, Issue 4. February 1997, page 3

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Al-Sambouk Issue 4. February 1997.

(6) The use of traffic separation schemes in the Red Sea
submit the revised drafts of their overviews to UNEP
at points where ships converge to alter course should be
by February 1997.
considered
The meeting agreed that the Coordination Office of
(7) All countries should endeavour to participate in the
UNEP's Global Programme of Action, PERSGA,
technical study and the second workshop
ROPME and ROWA should maintain close
communications. It was also agreed that in the future
(8) There are particular navigation risks around the
they should consider the possibility of meeting to
Huneish Islands associated with the disruption of the
discuss the detailed activities which would lead to the
lighthouses there
integration of the PERSGA and ROPME work
After the completion of the technical study by DNV a
programmes with the Global Programme of Action.
review workshop, involving the regional experts who

participated in Aden, will be held in Ismailia (Egypt), in
April 1997.
Workshops in Sudan, Yemen and

Djibouti
Bahrain Workshop


In the framework of the Strategic Action Programme
During December 1996 a workshop on the
(SAP) for the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (see Al-
Implementation of the Global Programme of Action for
Sambouk 2: 3-4) reports on the status of the marine
the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-
environment of all riparian countries of the PERSGA
Based Actvities in the PERSGA and ROPME regions,
Region have been prepared by teams of national
was held in Bahrain. This was the second in a series of
experts. Jordan was the first country to hold a national
similarly-planned regional workshops that UNEP, as
workshop in order to review its country report.
Secretariat of the Global Progamme of Action, will
Following the positive experience in Jordan, additional
convene in 1996-1997. These workshops are planned to
country workshops were held during November and
facilitate the implementation of the Global Programme
December 1996 in Sudan, Yemen, and Djibouti.
of Action at the regional and national levels.
Representatives of Government Agencies, NGOs, and
The workshop was attended by representatives of nine
the private sector who are involved in the use and
governments (State of Bahrain, Republic of Djibouti,
management of coastal and marine resources, were
Arab Republic of Egypt, Hashemite Kingdom of
invited. The purpose of the workshops was to review
Jordan, State of Kuwait, Sultanate of Oman, Kingdom
the draft country reports which provide essential inputs
of Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and the Republic of Yemen),
for the development of the SAP. After a short
one United Nations agency (UNESCO/IOC), three
introduction to each country, its marine resources and
regional organizations (GCC, PERSGA, ROPME), and
institutional framework, these reports describe and
the Islamic Development Bank. UNEP was represented
analyse the status of the coastal and marine
by ROWA, the Water Branch, and INFOTERRA.
environment, with special reference to land-based and
marine-based activities which have an impact on
Two working groups, representing the PERSGA and
environmental quality. They also consider socio-
ROPME regions, were established to discuss draft
economic development, existing and anticipated future
overviews which had been prepared for the workshop
threats and environmental initiatives to cope with these
on land-based sources and activities affecting the
dangers. During the workshops completeness and the
marine, coastal and associated freshwater environments
accuracy of the draft reports were reviewed.
in the PERSGA and ROPME regions.
Additionally, the meetings were instrumental in
The meeting recommended that the PERSGA and
obtaining a general consensus on potentially
ROPME consultants should receive additional
controversial issues.
information and comments by 10 January 1997 to
On 27 November the Sudan Country Workshop, which
prepare a second draft of their overviews. The
had been organised by the Vice Chancellor of the Red
importance of this deadline was stressed. In accordance
Sea University - Dr. Abdel Gadir D. El-Hag, was held
with their terms of reference, the consultants will
at the premises of the University in a beautiful setting
overlooking Port Sudan harbour. H.E. Mr. Bedawi E.


Al Sambouk, Issue 4. February 1997, page 4

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Al-Sambouk Issue 4. February 1997.

Idris, Governor of the Red Sea State, welcomed the 32
Dr. Friedhelm Krupp, Chief Technical Consultant,
participants who representated a wide range of
SAP
organisations. He underlined the Government's

commitment to conservation of the Red Sea
environment and to sustainable development.
Sanganeb Marine National Park
During the discussions of the draft country report

socio-economic issues, maritime transport, proposed
Sanganeb, a genuine atoll in the Red Sea, has already
free zones and shark fisheries received particular
earned a famous reputation for underwater beauty since
attention. Participants provided substantial additional
the early days of the scientific exploration of tropical
information and documentation.
seas. Its outstanding features have received brilliant
The Yemen Country Workshop, which was organised
documentation from various books and films, among
by the Environmental Protection Council (EPC), took
them Captain Cousteau and Hans Hass. Hence the atoll
place on 22 December in the Central Statistics Office in
is visited by an increasing number of diving tourists
Sana'a. In his opening address, H.E. Eng. Mohsen Al-
from overseas.
Hamdani, Chairman of the EPC, informed the 22
Sanganeb, which lies at about 28 km north east of Port
participants about his organisation's activities in coastal
Sudan, is completely submerged, only its lighthouse
and marine environmental conservation. The following
rises above sea level. This oval reef is about 6 km long,
discussions were co-chaired by the national experts Dr.
2 km wide and lies on top of a rocky base that rises to
Abdul Majeid G. Haddad and Dr. Khalid I. Hariri. The
the surface from a depth of 800 meters.
draft report was endorsed by the meeting. Gaps of
information were identified in the sections on socio-
The Sudanese Government declared Sanganeb a Marine
economics and marine based tourism. Participants
National Park in 1990 to protect the unique coral reef
provided useful clarifications regarding the legal
resources of the atoll in such a way, and by such means
framework, marine transportation and pollution control.
as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of
The information obtained during the meeting further
future generations. Thus, such a protected, naturally
improved the quality and accuracy of the country
functioning Sanganeb atoll will provide many values to
report.
the people of Sudan and the world. It will be a standard
against which other coral reefs may be measured. It will
The last workshop was held in Djibouti on 26
be a reservoir of genetic materials, ensuring availability
December 1996 in the premises of the Ministerial
of the natural diversity of plants and animals for the use
Complex. Mr. Mohammed A. Moumen, Deputy
of future generations in mariculture and medicine. A
Director of Soil Improvement and Environment, opened
protected Sanganeb atoll will provide a source of
and chaired the session. In his introductory note he
replenishment for natural resources in adjacent areas
summarised the role of PERSGA and the SAP process
diminished by pollution or fishery harvest. It will be a
in the Region's coastal and marine conservation. The 20
place that all people will want to visit and enjoy as a
participants of the meeting again provided substantial
premiere example of nature's beauty and wonder, and
input into the country report. The discussions focused
where they can learn how coral reef ecosystems
on priority actions and the meeting emphasised the
function.
importance of Djibouti's accession to PERSGA, which
is presently considered by the Government, as a top
Sanganeb atoll was visited by Dr. Gary Davis, an
priority.
IUCN consultant, in 1981 as part of a study to
determine the feasibility of establishing a marine
In all three countries, participants provided substantial
national park. It was also visited briefly by His Royal
input towards the completion and improvement of the
Highness the Duke of Edinburgh in March 1982. In
reports. The discussions were held in a friendly and
November 1996, Dr. Danny Elder, a coastal and marine
constructive atmosphere. These workshops set a good
management advisor, accompanied by Dr. Friedhelm
example for a positive approach to problem solving in a
Krupp, the UNDP Consultant, and Dr. Dirar Nasr, the
co-ordinated, participatory process. It is hoped that they
Assistant Coordinator in PERSGA, visited Sanganeb
stimulated interagency consultations and regular
atoll to determine its current state and prepare a master
meetings to coordinate the management of the coastal
plan for its management and operation. Dr. Elder is
and marine environment. Similar workshops are
currently preparing the outline of such a plan for the
planned for the near future in Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
Sanganeb Marine National Park.


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Al-Sambouk Issue 4. February 1997.

The Lancelet
The major part of the workshop was a brainstorming
and prioritization exercise on needs and resources for
the following categories: education, training, research
The Lancelet (Cephalochordata) is a small marine
results and tools, policy frameworks, institutional
species (5-7 cm) which lives in shallow waters and has
framework, sustainable funding mechanisms, project
both sexes. Though it exists in almost all seas, for
development and management, and exchange of staff
instance near the shores of the British Isles and
and apprentices.
extending north to the Norwegian coastline, its most
extensive existence is in the warm seas such as the
These categories and needs were rated following
Mediterranean, the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.
individual assessments made by the different
participants. The ratings were written individually by
The Lancelet belongs to the Cephalochordata and is
the five project leaders, the results were summarized
scientifically known as Amphioxus. It lives near shores
mathematically and the group as a whole confirmed the
in stable waters, where it remains buried under clean
results.
sands to sometimes swim and appear in rapid
movements. This animal has considerable scientific
It is hoped that as SIOCAM matures, the outcome of
significance insofar as it characterizes the three basic
this workshop will be disseminated and updated via the
features of the Cephalochordata in a rather simple
world-wide-web for access and utilization by new and
manner. It is also quite similar to certain old ancestors
emerging UNDP and GEF Ocean and Coastal Areas
of an order that includes vertebrates.
projects.
The external shape of the Lancelet is that of a soft-

body, prolonged and compressed on both sides as well
Joint Projects Between PERSGA
as being sharp-tipped from the front and back ends. It
has no apparent head or other body parts. Its body is
and ALECSO
almost transparent so that several under-skin organs
can be seen. The surface of the skin is soft with three

kinds of fins: the dorsal, the tail and the pelvic fins. It
In the framework of the Agreement of Cooperation
has no external skeleton, and the most important part in
between PERSGA and the Arab League Educational,
its internal skeleton is the backbone. The Lancelet feeds
Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) it was
by a scooping movement to filter plankton into its
agreed to implement two joint projects from among the
stomach. The Lancelet has no hearing organ, but a
projects approved by PERSGA Council in its second
waxy hole together with a frontal eye dot. It has no
meeting in Jeddah.
ability to formulate images of visible items, and may
The title of the first project is: "Development of a
likely be photosensitive.
Programme for the Control of Pollution in the Red Sea
Khalil M. Khalil, Faculty of Veterinary Science,
and Gulf of Aden Region: Initiation of Policies for
University of Khartoum
Coatal Zone Management and Capacity Building". The
SIOCAM Workshop in New York
project includes the following activities: preparation of
national reports on the state of marine environment in

the region; field visits by consultants to PERSGA
The Strategic Initiative for Ocean and Coastal
countries; development of trajectory models for oil
Management (SIOCAM) Workshop was held in the
spills in the Red Sea (Phase I); organization of a
Headquarters of UNDP, New York, during 17-18
training course in the field of combatting marine
December 1996. Dr. Dirar Nasr represented PERSGA
pollution; formulation of national plans for combatting
at this workshop.
oil pollution; feasibility study for reception facilities; an
expert meeting for the evaluation of the project results;
SIOCAM aims at enhancing the effectiveness of current
and development of a programme for public education.
regional and national projects in this field through the
provision of a supportive framework for cooperation
It should be mentioned that some of these activities
between projects, governments and donor agencies and
have already started. For example, the reports on the
the collaborative development of mutually beneficial
state of marine environment, and development of the oil
products.
spill trajectory models have been undertaken in the
framework of the Strategic Action Programme. UNEP
participates in the implementation of the latter.


Al Sambouk, Issue 4. February 1997, page 6

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Al-Sambouk Issue 4. February 1997.

The second project is titled: "Study of Coastal Habitat
designed to address them. The consultant, Dr. Danny
in the Red Sea and Proposal of Plans for their
Elder, visited the UNEP and PERSGA offices in
Protection". It includes the following activities:
November. Building on the results of the SAP, Dr.
identification of local experts for field studies;
Elder investigated the range of regional environmental
identification of a visiting expert to supervise the field
issues in the marine and coastal environments, and also
studies; organization of a training course in coastal
problems related to groundwater.
zone management; preparation of environmental maps
Dr. Elder's review revealed that some of the
for critical habitats; development of public education
environmental issues are being addressed in existing
programmes; and evaluation of the project results.
programmes, however there are a number which are not
A second meeting is scheduled to take place in Jeddah
being adequately addressed, or where there is a
during March 1997 between the Secretariat of
duplication of effort. These will be detailed in Dr.
PERSGA and the Department of Scientific
Elder's report, a first draft of which is expected in the
Programmes and Research in ALECSO for
very near future. The recommendations of this study
consultation in implementing the second project.
will assist PERSGA to plan its programme in the
ALECSO is funding each project with US$ 50,000 in
coming years.
the framework of its contribution to PERSGA.


Al Sambouk is produced at the PERSGA office by
PERSGA Project Updates
Dr. William Gladstone (Editor) and Dr. Dirar Nasr
(Assistant Editor). Translation by Mr. Yassin H.

Yassin and Dr. Dirar Nasr. Graphics by Dr. David
Update of Bibliography
Olsen (MEPA). Additional copies can be obtained from

PERSGA, P.O. Box 53662, Jeddah 21583, Saudi
As part of its contribution to the SAP, UNEP is funding
Arabia. Tel: 966 2 657 3224; Fax: 966 2 652 1901.
a number of projects which are being implemented by
PERSGA. One of these is an update of the bibliography
of the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Gulf of Suez, which
was jointly published by PERSGA and UNESCO in
1990. That bibliography covered all references which
had been published until 1984.
The updated bibliography, covering work published
from 1985 until the present, is being undertaken in two
phases. The first phase, a computer search of published
scientific literature, is being done for PERSGA by
Professor Ali DouAbul, of the Department of
Oceanography at the University of Sana'a. Professor
DouAbul submitted a draft report in January and this is
currently under review by two international experts.
The second phase of the update involves gathering
published scientific reports and university theses
(Masters and Doctorates) from the countries of the
region. This is currently being done by individuals in
each country working under contract to PERSGA, and
the results will be combined with the references from
the international literature. The updated bibliography
will be published jointly by PERSGA and UNEP.
Review of Regional Environmental Programmes
A second SAP-related project to be funded by UNEP
and implemented by PERSGA involves a review of
regional environmental problems and the programmes


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