Developing a Marine Litter Activity in SAS Regional Seas Programee
 

Within the context of UNEP’s support to the South Asia Seas Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP), Secretariat to the South Asian Seas Regional Seas Programme (SAS), bearing in mind that marine litter is a priority activity for both the SAS and UNEP’s Regional Seas Programme, UNEP will support the SAS Secretariat for the development of Regional Activity on Marine Litter in the South Asian Seas.
The objective of this activity is to assist in the environmental protection and sustainable management and development of the South Asian Seas region through the development of a regional activity on marine litter.
Under the terms of the MoU, SACEP (the MoU will be between SACEP and UNEP), in consultation with the UNEP Regional Seas Coordinating Office (RSCO), shall undertake the following activities:
Activity A - Preparation of a Review Document on Marine Litter in the South Asian Seas Region, on both the national and regional levels, which will include, among others: collection of information and review of existing institutional arrangements; data and information on marine litter in the marine and coastal environment; legal and administrative instruments; programmes and initiatives; identification of gaps and needs in coverage of marine litter management; and proposals for changes and recommendations.
Such review document should be based on national reports (preferably based on standard questionnaires) and their compilation and other available documents and information, such as relevant scientific papers and other sources and literature.
Activity B - Development of proposal(s) for national and regional monitoring and assessment programmes, including the development of appropriate methodologies, to assess quantities, compositions, distribution patterns and trends of marine litter in the South Asian Seas region. The methodologies suggested should preferably be based on successful experiences gained in other regions.
Activity C – Organization of a regional meeting of national authorities and experts on marine litter in order to assess the regional situation, discuss the products of Activity A and B above, and discuss the draft framework document “Regional Activity on Marine Litter in the South Asian Seas” (Activity E below).
Activity D – Organization of the participation of the South Asian Seas countries in a Regional Beach Clean Up Day, within the framework of the International Coastal Cleanup 2006 Campaign (September 2006).
Activity E - Preparation of a Framework Document’ "Regional Activity on Marine Litter in the South Asian Seas”. This document should include, among others, the strategic approach, a costed programme of work, potential regional and international partners, a list of operational activities, and recommended sources for funding.

 

DG, SACEP Meets SAARC Secretary General to discuss about taking forward the MoU between SAARC and SACEP

Dr. A.A. Boaz, Director General, SACEP met Mr. Chenkyab Dorji, Secretary General, SAARC at Kathmandu on 17th March 2006. The discussions mainly focused on taking forward the MoU between SAARC and SACEP signed recently. The Secretary General stressed on closer cooperation between the two organizations in the field of environment so that the member countries could benefit from the regional approach. He emphasized on the fact that the year 2007 has been declared by SAARC as the “Green South Asia” year and that SACEP should play a pivotal role in this year. Dr. Boaz reciprocated the feelings of the Secretary General and gave a detailed blueprint of the plan of action that could strengthen the MoU between the two organizations. He also said that SACEP will develop a detailed calendar for activities that should take place during the 2007-Green South Asia year and forward it to the Secretary General at the earliest.

Malé Declaration on Control and Prevention of Air Pollution and its Likely Transboundary Effects for South Asia
Project Implementation - Phase 3

SACEP enters into an agreement with UNEP in facilitating the Phase3 related project activities, which will focus on capacity building within the region and related research activities under health and corrosion impacts due to air pollution. Under this agreement SACEP will constantly monitor the progress in programme implementation by the National Implementing Agencies and subsequent reporting to the Governing Council. Promotion and strengthening / expanding the existing stakeholder participation is a focused activity during this phase to ensure sustainable continuation of the project following the present phase of 3-year period.

Regional Seminar/Workshop on Ratification and Implementation of the OPRC-HNS Protocol, the AFS Convention and Identification and Establishment of PSSAs

In responding to the regional needs, SACEP and International Maritime Organization (IMO) jointly organized a four day training workshop from 16 to 20 January 2006 at Colombo, Sri Lanka. The Ministry of Ports and Aviation, Government of Sri Lanka hosted the workshop. Twenty five officials from governments of Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka were participated. The main objective of the workshop was to improve the regional capacity on implementing the OPRC-HNS protocol.

SACEP and SAARC signed a MoU.........

South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), established in 1985, is an intergovernmental body, a prime organization for South Asia, working not only as a political bridge amongst the countries but also provide greater understanding in the economic, social and cultural spheres. Its Secretariat is based in Kathmandu, Nepal.

South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme is an Inter-governmental Organization established in 1982 by the countries of South Asia with its headquarters in Colombo, Sri Lanka to promote and support protection, management and enhancement of environment in the region. SACEP has also been registered with the United Nations as a multilateral organization.

During the past two decades of its existence, SACEP has launched a number of programmes/projects in the areas of environmental law, management, training, capacity building, education, state of environment reporting, biodiversity, South Asian Seas and transboundary air pollution etc.

The need for framework of co-operation between the two organisations for maximum utilisation of resources for the benefit of the people of South Asia by avoiding duplication was under discussion though the years. The signing of MOU is therefore a significant achievement in this direction as it provides the opportunity to merge the separate strengths of the two organisations, both political and technical to address the environmental issues in the region. It is also expected that UN and other agencies will enable and support these organisations to carry out their respective mandates effectively and hence the instances of duplication of activities will be minimised.

(Joint Press Release)