AN
OVERVIEW
The Regional Seas Programmes of UNEP have
several common elements. The process of establishing a
Regional Seas Programme usually begins with the development
of an action plan outlining the strategy and substance of a
regionally coordinated programme, aimed at the protection of
a common body of water. The action plan is based on the
region's environmental challenges as well as its
socioeconomic and political situation. It may cover issues
ranging from chemical wastes and coastal development to the
conservation of marine species and ecosystems.
In most cases, the action plan is
underpinned by a strong legal framework in the form of a
regional convention and associated protocols on specific
problems. The legally-binding convention expresses the
commitment and political will of governments to tackle their
common environmental problems through joint, coordinated
activities.
The South Asian Seas Programme is one of
17 such programmes & the South Asian Seas Action Plan
was adopted in March 1995 and today enjoys the unqualified
support of the region's five countries (Bangladesh, India,
Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka). The South Asia
Cooperative Environment Programme (SACEP) has been
privileged to participate in this work, and is now serving
as the Action Plan secretariat.
MILESTONES
South Asian Seas Regional Oil Spill
Contingency Plan
| YEAR |
RECORD |
PARTICIPANTS |
| Nov
1999 |
Mission
- 5 member states by IMO consultant - Cdr Chris Harris |
24
National Delegates |
| Dec
1999 Colombo |
1st
Meeting Of Senior Officials to Consider the Draft
South Asian Regional Oil Spill Contingency Plan |
24
National Delegates |
| March
2000, Colombo |
Meeting
of National Focal Points to Review and Endorse
Capacity Building In The Development and Operation of
National Oil Spill Contingency Planning 1999-2000 |
10
National Delegates |
| March
2000 |
Third
R & D Forum on High Density Oil Spill Response,
Brest, France |
3
National Delegates |
| April
- June 2000 |
IMO
- SAS - UNEP Assessment Mission on Port Reception
Facilities in the South Asian Seas Region - Cdr T
Meyer and Cdr. Hiran Soysa |
|
| August
2000 |
Regional
Workshop on Ratification and Implementation of MARPOL
73/78 in the South Asian Seas Region, Colombo, Sri
Lanka |
20
National Delegates |
| Dec
2000 Colombo |
2nd
Meeting of Senior Officials to Consider The Draft
South Asian Regional Oil Spill Contingency Plan |
20
National Delegates |
| November
2002 |
SAS
/ IMO OPRC - Level 2 Training Course for Oil Spill
Commanders and Oil Spill Supervisors |
22
National Delegates |
| July
2003 Colombo |
SACEP
- IMO Regional Training Course on MARPOL 73/78
Implementation and Enforcement |
12
National Delegates |
| September
2003 |
SAS
/ IMO OPRC - Level 2 Training Course for Oil Spill
Commanders and Oil Spill Supervisors |
15
Delegates |
| December
2003 |
National
OPRC Level 3 (Contingency Planning Workshop) -
Pakistan |
25
National Participants |
Activities with UNEP's GPA Coordination
Office
(A) South Asian Seas Workshop on GPA in
1997
(B) Development of National & Regional Action Plans on
the GPA
(C) UNEP/GPA Strategic Action Plan on Sewage Inventory of
Socio-Economic Opportunities and Case Studies
(D) GPA Pilot Exercise on Regional Reporting for GPA
Intergovernmental Meeting 2001
(E) Physical Alterations and Destruction of Habitats:
Guidelines for Action and Role of Stakeholders
(F) Development of Pilot National Programmes of Action for
the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-Based
Activities
