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IETC Work Programme for 2004-2005 |
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The IETC work programme for 2004-2005 will revolve
around promoting the development and adoption of ESTs for water supply and
sanitation in developing countries. This is expected to lead to improved capacities
for environmental management of watersheds in relation to water supply and
sanitation at the regional, national and local (both rural and urban areas)
levels.
Guidelines on the application of ESTs for provision of water
and sanitation at the local level are expected to be produced, along with an
international
conference to promote the adoption of ESTs and best practices for the provision
of water and sanitation at local level (especially poor urban areas). This
will be augmented by a campaign in collaboration with local authorities to
promote the use of alternative practices for freshwater augmentation (i.e.
rainwater harvesting in urban areas as part of the urban water management
strategy).
The 2004-2005 Work Programme will also stimulate the development
and use of appropriate tools and ESTs for use in sustainable construction
by the construction
industry of developing countries; and establish various regional and sub-regional
networks on integrated waste management in key priority areas of the Asia-Pacific
region. This is expected to lead to improved capacities for the implementation
of urban environmental management practices in relation to construction and
waste management (including industrial waste).
Guidelines for initiating,
designing, constructing, maintaining, operating, refurbishing and demolishing
buildings in an environmentally sustainable manner
through applying ESTs are to be produced, including an online database on
ESTs for sustainable construction. Two high-level consultation meetings with
governments,
international NGOs and industry associations to promote integrated waste
management (including industrial waste) in Asia-Pacific region are also expected
to be
organized.
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Discussion on Item #7 |
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IETC was briefed of Asia Pacific projects and initiatives by Japan's
Ministry of Environment, such as Eco Asia, Asia-Pacific Forum for Environment
and Development (APFED), Asia Pacific Environmental Innovation Collaborative
Project, Asia Pacific Seminar on Climate Change, Acid Deposition Monitoring
Network, Asia Pacific Network for Global Change Research, Montreal/Stockholm
and related conventions. Japan's leadership role in the environmental field
was welcomed. |
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Bakens mentioned the Memorandum of Understanding between
CIB and IETC and looked forward to continued collaboration. He called for
the contractors
an related professionals also to be targeted in the building and construction
industry. This is a critical issue to the discussed in the upcoming meeting on
sustainable building and construction in Paris (December 2002). Multistakeholder
partnerships are a critical goal of this meeting. |
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Issues related to waste processing, particularly of manufactured products
and
industrial waste, in Japan was raised – calling for technical as well as
financial action need to be taken. Their impact on lakes and rivers is also critical,
and best practices in this field can be a resource for other countries in the
region. Initiatives and action taken by different UNEP units was outlined to
the IAB members. Local governments however need innovative leadership and tools/strategies
to be able to assess the potential impact and damage of wastes, and its larger
and global repercussions. |
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Joy highlighted the importance of performance indicators to be linked
to the outputs of IETC's projects and programmes. Best practices needed
to be recorded, as well as emphasizing the cross-cutting issues linking
the projects. Indicators could focus on decision-making processes, environmental
change etc. involving the public as well as private sectors. This is an
ongoing process of ensuring that the appropriate indicators and justifications
are identified. Projects also need to be aligned to the priorities identified
at WSSD and other recent international
meetings. |
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Bakens agreed to the comments and emphasized the need for benchmarks and
sectoral approach within the industry sector. This was indeed the objective
of the Industry
Sector reports published by UNEP recently for WSSD. |
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Zimmerman called for a need to engage in a broad-based
partnership and engagement
of civil society groups - NGOs, industry groups, local governments etc.
He was concerned that local level decision-makers and other stakeholders be provided
with an avenue to voice their needs and problems. |
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Observers also raised other points on industrial waste management
and water - particularly its impact on groundwater contamination, and other
water bodies such as lakes
and rivers. Support was sought for initiatives on this topic in Africa and
other
regions. |
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Skinner agreed the link between proper industrial waste management and
water contamination, and the need for action in urban areas. |
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IETC was also queried on the issue of hazardous waste materials, and
the various conventions that deal with the problems. Much of these and
related issues are indeed covered by the Chemicals Unit and other offices
of UNEP that handle conventions. It is clear that IETC has to identify
a clear niche within which it can play a key role. Of particular importance
is the management of information related
to hazardous wastes and ESTs. |
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Comments were also made on the role of the IAB was to
advice IETC on its programme of work and the role played by national governments;
alignment
of IETC's work programme for 2004-2005 along the outcomes and recommendations
of the upcoming
World Water Forum 3 to be held in early 2003 - particularly the ministerial
conference to be held in conjunction with WWF3; involvement and role of IETC,
UNEP and its networks of experts on the topics and issues to be covered in WWF3;
use of Global Environment Facility's funds for water-related projects. The outputs
and outcomes of water projects of various UNEP units need to be highlighted and
integrated - both online and offline. IETC itself has produced a number
of publications and produced databases on water issues that are more user-friendly
and useable. IETC was given a challenge to have one or two GEF-funded projects
in climate change,
waste and other critical topics. |
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IETC's unique role as a provider or broker of information on technologies
for environmental problems, including those that have low impacts on the
environment was highlighted, and that this was a clear niche that IETC
should work on. |
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IETC was also called on to expand the network of partners and cooperation
centers that it works with, particularly the possibility of setting up
of a cooperation
center for West Asia. This was welcomed. |
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