Cooperation
on Implementation of an international Program on chemical Safety (IPCS):
This program
aims to strengthen the capacities in developing and industrializing
countries to develop risk reduction strategies for chemicals. The
IPCS MoU is an MoU among the WHO, ILO and UNEP establishing the International
Programme on Chemical Safety.
The inter-organizational
program for the sound management of Chemicals (IOMC) which involves
the OECD and the UN organizations dealing with chemicals, namely UNEP,
ILO, WHO, UNIDO and FAO. This program was established in 1995 to serve
as the mechanism for coordinating efforts of intergovernmental organizations
in the field of chemical safety. Coordinating mechanisms established
relate to areas as risk evaluation, harmonization of classification
of chemicals as well as information exchange on toxic chemicals and
chemical risks.
Mining sector
work specially mall scale mining and occupational safety. This program
is focused on building capacity to implement new policies between
the government and the industry. This work involves making information
available to a wide range of professions, preparing training manuals
(e.g. Environmental Monitoring Systems) Workshops.
Implementation
of the Global Compact Initiative. Since Davos Conference on 31 January
99, when the Secretary General of the UN challenged the world business
leaders to embrace and enact the Global Compact in their individual
corporate practices and support appropriate public policies through
consideration and implementation of 9 Human rights, Environment and
labor principles, UNEP, ILO and OHCHR have expressed their readiness
to cooperate for implementation of the initiative. They are the three
key UN agencies responsible for implementation of the initiative in
cooperation with the business sector.
Implementation
of the Norwegian supported UNEP-ILO project on Cleaner Production
for national employers organizations.
UNEP-WMO
WMO has many
functions similar to those abilities and activities demonstrated in
UNEP's DEIA/EW Division. Specifically, WMO has an 'Atmospheric Research
and Environment Programme', which coordinates research on the composition
and behaviour of the atmosphere and global weather system, focusing
on extreme event and socio-economic impacts. Of special relevance
is its work to monitor atmospheric greenhouse gas build-up, and assess
the integrity of the stratospheric ozone layer.
Already,
UNEP have co-operated successfully with WMO over the Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). UNEP has collaborative MOU with
WMO on Global Climate
Observing Systems for the biennium. UNEP supports the GCOS Secretariat
in planning and organizing meetings of the Scientific Steering Committee
and other Panels of GCOS. The support would generally go towards the
support of developing country participants in GCOS meetings.
The Climate
Agenda consists of Four Thrusts and UNEP is charged with implementing
Thrust 3 on Climate Impacts Assessment and Response Strategies to
Reduce Vulnerability. The Climate Agenda is the integrating framework
for the many climate related activities in the various agencies such
as UNEP, WMO, FAO, IHDP, ICSU (International Council for Scientific
Unions) IOC (Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission) etc. The
Climate Agenda is coordinated through an Inter-Agency Committee on
the Climate Agenda (IACCA) which should meet about once every year.
UNEP implements the World Climate Impacts Assessment and Response
Strategies Programme (WCIRP) of the World Climate Programme, and reports
annually to the WMO Executive Council and every 4 years to the WMO
Congress on progress in its implementation. IPCC UNEP and WMO established
the IPCC in 1988 and have created an IPCC Trust Fund where governments
make contributions for carrying out climate change assessments.
UNEP has
discussed with WMO their involvement in the global Solar Wind Energy
Resource Assessment, for which a project brief has been submitted
to the GEF Council. If approved, the two organizations would discuss
specific forms of cooperation in the project.
UNEP-UNCTAD
In April
2000, UNEP and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
(UNCTAD) launched the Capacity Building Task Force on Trade, Environment
and Development (CBTF). Over a three-year period, the UNEP-UNCTAD
CBTF aims to strengthen the capacities of countries, particularly
developing countries and countries with economies in transition, to
effectively address trade-environment-development issues at the national
level and to participate effectively in trade-environment-development
deliberations at the international level.
The framework
builds on the on-going work at and between the two organisations and
extends it, through extra budgetary funds, to benefit a wider set
of countries participating in CBTF activities. A trust fund, established
for the purpose of supporting the CBTF, has been established and will
be administered by UNEP. A memorandum of understanding between UNEP
and UNCTAD on the terms of reference for the trust fund has been exchanged
between the two organisations. BTF activities will engage stakeholders
from all sectors of society in research, training, country studies
and policy dialogue. These activities will focus on enhancing understanding
of the linkages between trade, environment and development, leading
to the formulation and implementation of integrated strategies and
policies to maximise the benefits, and minimise the negative impacts,
of increasing trade and trade liberalisation in those countries.
UNEP and
UNCTAD also have jointly developed a global Internet site. The
Minerals Resources Forum - to provide an information exchange
platform for key sustainable development issues. UNEP operates the
sections of this Forum dealing with mining and environment and with
offshore oil and gas.
UNEP-WTO
Collaboration
between the two secretariats is through enhanced information exchange,
consultation, participation in joint activities and capacity building
efforts. Implementation is through a framework of cooperation between
the two organisations signed in November 1999. The framework, which
builds on the on-going work between the two organisations, emphasises
the importance of continued collaboration between the secretariats
of UNEP and WTO. With the cooperation and participation of the WTO,
UNEP is holding a series of workshops on enhancing
synergies between multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) and
the WTO.
UNEP-ITU
Given the
present unqualified capacity of information and communications technology
to reduce resource and travel stresses on the environment, the time
is definitely ripe for a deepening of links between UNEP and the ITU.
Representatives of European, North American and Japanese telecommunications
companies have agreed to lunch a Global Telecom Initiative for the
environment and sustainable development. Discussions in working groups
have been started and UNEP is currently developing the 'Global Telecoms
Initiative' in which ITU is an integral part. UNEP DTIE in close cooperation
with the liaison office is following this initiative. The proposal
for such a global initiative has been made by UNEP, the ITU, European
Telecommunication Network Operators Association (ETNO) and North American
participants. The ITU will assist in involving companies from the
non-OECD world. Close contact has been established with the Telecom
Development Bureau and both sides have expressed their interest for
cooperation specifically on the GTI. It's been agreed that in the
upcoming meeting of the GTI steering group, clear areas of cooperation
will be further defined. Further co-operation, under the auspices
of a possible MOU, might include the following initiatives:
- Creating
an initiative in support of a Sustainable Information Society
-Organising
seminars, workshops and pilot projects to enhance access to and use
of ICT to support environmental protection and sustainable development
UNEP-OHCHR
The mission
of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights is to ensure
the universal enjoyment of all human rights by giving practical effect
to the will and resolve of the world community as expressed by the
United Nations. Some of the themes on which UNEP and OHCHR could develop
meaningful cooperation both in terms of organizational collaboration
and promotion of the discussion of the commission on Environment and
sustainable development .
At the organizational
level , discussions are underway for defining the areas of cooperation
in particular it the area of capacity building for development and
implementation of Environment law
At the commission
level :
Right to
a Healthy Environment
Various
human rights bodies such as the Sub-Commission on the Prevention of
Discrimination and Protection of Minorities and the Commission of
Human Rights, the Commission on the Status of Women, committees established
under International Conventions, Working Groups and Special Rapporteurs
have been concerned with the environmental dimension of human rights.
Among the various studies conducted by Special Rapporteurs of the
Sub-Commission there was a 1994 study devoted to Human Rights and
Environment. In the process of conducting the study several resolutions
were adopted by the Commission and the Sub-Commission, reaffirming
the close relationship between human rights and the environment.
In a recent
development, the Commission on Human Rights in view of preparation
for the World Summit on Sustainable Development (Sep 2002, South Africa
), at its 57th session in 2001, adopted the
decision E/CN.4/DEC/2001/111 on Environment and Human Rights,
in which has requested UNEP and the OHCHR to hold an international
Seminar to review and assess progress achieved since the United Nations
Conference on Environment and Development in promoting and protecting
human rights in relation to environmental questions and in the framework
of Agenda 21. This move, indeed has provided the opportunity for both
UNEP and OHCHR to built on their cooperation in the area of environment
and human rights. Organizational activates are underway for implantation
of the decision.
Dangerous
Products and Waste
In 1995
a Special Rapporteur on the adverse effects of the illicit movement
and dumping of toxic and dangerous products and wastes on the enjoyment
of human rights has been appointed by the Commission on Human Rights
for a period of three years with a mandate to: Investigate and examine
the effects of the illicit dumping of toxic and dangerous products
and wastes in African and other developing countries on the enjoyment
of human rights, in particular on the human rights to life and health
of everyone; Investigate, monitor, examine and receive communications
and gather information on the illicit traffic and dumping of toxic
and dangerous products and wastes in African and other developing
countries.
