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United Nations Environment Programme Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean

UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMMEPROGRAMME DES NATIONS UNIES POUR L’ENVIRONNEMENT

Intersessional Meeting of the Forum of Ministers of the Environment of Latin America and the CaribbeanPanama City, Panama 20-21 October 2009

Distribution:LimitedUNEP/LAC-IGWG(IS).XVII/3Tuesday, 8 September 2009Original: Spanish

Progress Report on the Fulfilment of the Decisions of the Sixteenth Meeting of the Forum of Ministers of the Environment of Latin America

and the Caribbean (March 2008 - August 2009)

UNEP/LAC-IGWG(IS).XVII/3Page i

CONTENTSI. Introduction....................................................................................................1II. Follow-up to the Decisions and Recommendations of the Sixteenth Meeting of the Forum of Ministers of the Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean3

Decision 1. Assessment and Implementation of the Latin American and Caribbean Initiative for Sustainable Development (ILAC):.............................3Decision 2. 2008-2009 Regional Action Plan................................................5Decision 3. Composition and Mandate of the ITC.........................................5Decision 4. Operation of the Working Groups..............................................6Decision 5. Small Island Developing States.................................................7Decision 7. Atmospheric Pollution..............................................................17Decision 8. Better Fuel for a Better Quality of Life.....................................17Decision 9. Natural Protected Areas..........................................................18Decision 10. Sustainable Consumption and Production.............................19Decision 11. Environmental Education For Sustainable Development.......20Decision 12. Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Distribution of The Benefits Arising from Their Utilization and Participation of the Region in the Negotiation of the International Judicial REgime..............21Decision 13. Strengthening of the Participation of the Main Groups of Agenda 21....................................................................................................22Decision 14. Renewable and/or Alternate Energies...................................23Decision 15. Recognition and Strengthening of the Participation of Indigenous People........................................................................................24Decision 16. Sustainanble Land Management...........................................25Decision 17. Climate Change.....................................................................26Decision 18. Chemical Substances............................................................29Decision 19. Settlements / Sustainable Housing........................................31

UNEP/LAC-IGWG(IS).XVII/3Page 1

I. Introduction

1. The decision by the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean to establish the Forum of Ministers of the Environment stemmed from the need for a regional political body to analyse and build consensus on positions relating to the issues contained in the regional and international environmental agendas. The Forum has gained strength through its regular meetings since 1982, and its participation in discussions of the international environmental agenda have been recognized.2. The Forum of Ministers has translated its deliberations and agreements into specific decisions relating to the environmental priorities of the region and those agreed to internationally. Its main working bodies are the Inter-sessional Committee and the Inter-Agency Technical Committee (ITC). The ITC consists of the World Bank, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). 3. Since the convening of the Sixteenth Meeting of the Forum of Ministers of the Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; 27 January to 1 February 2008), important events have occurred in the international environmental sphere with relevant repercussions on the dialogue and decision-making process in the region, emphasizing among others, the global financial and economic crisis as well as advances in international dialogue on climate change, in response to the dissemination of scientific reports and economic assessments that indicate the gravity of the socio-economic and environmental impacts of the problem. Similarly, note should be made of the continuation of discussions on sustainable ecosystems management and the conservation of biodiversity, themes that continue to be of priority to the international community as a whole, and to the region in particular, and which will be priority topics during 2010, International Year of Biodiversity. These issues deserve the attention of the Forum of Ministers of the Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean, which is the principal body for dialogue and consensus on environmental policies in the region.4. A general overview of the activities carried out during 2008 and 2009 indicates that UNEP has addressed the national, sub-regional and regional environmental priorities and has strengthened cooperation and coordination links with other Agencies of the United Nations system, several intergovernmental organizations, as well as other national, sub-regional and regional institutions, primarily to promote capacity building and technology support.5. The Forum of Ministers has been strengthened as a body for political dialogue which discusses and adopts shared criteria on priority issues on the international environmental agenda, including strategic matters arising from the principal multilateral environmental agreements. From a programmatic point of view, the Forum of Ministers has successfully undertaken the implementation of the Latin American and Caribbean Initiative for Sustainable Development (ILAC).6. The operation of the Inter-Agency Technical Committee has encouraged the implementation of the Regional Action Plan (RAP). Various activities responding to the priorities established by the countries of the region have been carried out


through joint initiatives and projects of UNEP and other regional and international organizations, although more effective action is still required.7. The institutional development of the countries of the region has been supported through various activities in the area of environmental legislation and through cooperation projects aimed at expanding capacity to satisfy multilateral environmental conventions.8. The participation of the main groups of civil society has been given special attention in the activities carried out by UNEP in Latin America and the Caribbean. This strategic orientation is consistent with UNEP’s global policy and has strengthened the analysis and search for options to the environmental problems that the region is facing as a whole. 9. The present report, prepared by the Secretariat of the Forum of Ministers, outlines the progress made in carrying out the decisions adopted at the Sixteenth Meeting of the Forum of Ministers, and is presented for consideration by the Inter-sessional Meeting of the Meeting of the Forum of Ministers (Panama, 21-22 October 2009), as input for the formulation of necessary recommendations and actions, for subsequent consideration and decision-making by the Ministerial Segment of the Forum of Ministers at its XVII Meeting (Mexico, February 2010). It should be noted that a large number of expected actions on each of the Forum’s decisions was entrusted not only to UNEP, but also to the Working Groups created under decision 2 and the ITC.10. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), through its Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (ROLAC), has carried out numerous negotiations with the governments of the region as well as with agencies of the Inter-agency Technical Committee, to follow-up on and support the implementation of the Decisions adopted at the Sixteenth Meeting of the Forum of Ministers of the Environment.11. The Decisions were sent to the relevant bodies, such as the Secretariats of international environmental conventions, agencies of the Inter-agency Technical Committee and within UNEP itself, to coordinate and facilitate the monitoring of these regional agreements.


II. Follow-up on the Decisions and Recommendations of the Sixteenth Meeting of the Forum of Ministers of the Environment of Latin America

and the Caribbean

DECISION 1ASSESSMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LATIN AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN INITIATIVE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ILAC):

12. At the Sixteenth Meeting of the Forum of Ministers, a comprehensive report was presented on the execution of ILAC five years after its implementation, outlining the process since its adoption as part of the Implementation Plan of the World Summit on the Environment and Sustainable Development (Johannesburg 2002) and underscoring the steps taken towards its implementation at the national, sub-regional and regional levels, through the decisions of the Forum of Ministers and the actions undertaken by the countries to advance in the fulfilment of the objectives, goals and purposes of the Initiative, in accordance with the 25 main goals and 5 thematic areas. 13. In an effort to continue the implementation of ILAC, the Meeting of the Forum indicated that the priority action areas of the Initiative in which the Latin American and Caribbean Countries would focus their efforts during the 2008-2012 period would be as follows:

ILAC AREA PRIORITIES

Climate Change (1) Recognise the link between the topic with all the ILAC areas / (including renewable energies and energy efficiency

Biological Diversity Increase in forest areas

Genetic resources – fair and equitable benefit sharing arising from their use

Water Resources Management Watershed Management

Coastal-marine management and its resources

1() Added during the Fourteenth Meeting of the Forum of Ministers of the Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean (Panama 2003).


Vulnerability, human settlements and sustainable cities

Vulnerability and risk management

Solid waste

Social topics, including health inequality and poverty

Health and the environment (pollution and chemical substances)

Economic issues, including competitiveness, trade and production and consumption patterns (energy)

Sustainable consumption and production

Institutional aspects Assessment and indicators

Environmental education

14. The Ministers reaffirmed the strengthening of the South-South cooperation between the Latin American and Caribbean countries, as a tool for knowledge transfer, sharing of best practices and techniques as well as other resources among the countries of the region, aimed at the implementation of ILAC. 15. To this end, UNEP has facilitated the implementation of regional and sub-regional proposals to strengthen the implementation of the Bali Strategic Plan for technology support and capacity building (Bali Strategic Plan) as well as South-South cooperation. The following are some examples of these activities:

Environmental policies and legislation: South-South cooperative actions such as the implementation of synergies between multilateral environmental agreements in four countries of the four sub-regions of the region were promoted; the Training Programme for Judges for the Protection of Biodiversity was strengthened, as well as the Latin American Environmental Law and Policies Programme, in which the countries exchange information and lessons learnt.

Sustainable consumption and production: Several national, sub-regional and regional workshops were conducted, in order to support the implementation of sustainable consumption and production programmes, and of sustainable public procurement, where the countries share information on national policies. Information can be found on the website of the sustainable consumption and production network of the region (www.redpycs.net).

Protection of the urban environment, including clean fuel, air quality, waste management, control of industrial pollution and the use of technology in the industry: With the creation of the Regional Authorities Network responsible for Air Pollution, a South-South cooperation area among the countries has been established and will be a source of information, exchange of experiences and recommendations.

http://www.redpycs.net/


Promotion of environmental education, awareness and participation of civil society: Training and knowledge exchange was achieved through the provision of support for participation in specialized university courses in the region.

16. Activities were also conducted in other areas such as environmental indicators; climate change, including energy; conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem management, including forests and environmental services; combating desertification and mitigating the effects of drought, the management of arid and semi-arid zones; integrated coastal area management, including the protection of the marine and coastal environment as well as the sustainable use of land and marine resources and wildlife; coordination of positions on global environmental problems and in fora; and disaster management. 17. As a result of the assessment carried out by the Ministers in relation to the lessons learnt and the challenges faced in the implementation of the RAP, the Ministers decided to conduct a conceptual review of its structure and modes of execution during the inter-sessional period, with a view to evaluating the feasibility of joint programmes with agencies of the Inter-agency Technical Committee (ITC). This review would be prepared by the Government of Argentina, based on the elements presented during the meeting, and analyzed at this inter-sessional meeting (Panama City, Panama, 21-22 October 2009).

DECISION 22008-2009 REGIONAL ACTION PLAN

18. The Sixteenth Forum of Ministers decided to develop a new matrix for the preparation of the 2008-2009 Regional Action Plan and requested UNEP, as Secretariat to the Forum, to propose a RAP for the 2008-2009 biennium, aimed at the implementation of the ILAC and focused on the set of actions agreed by the Forum of Ministers pursuant to Decision 1 of the Sixteenth Meeting, incorporating the comments made during the Preparatory Meeting of Experts. 19. As agreed, UNEP prepared the proposal, circulated it to the countries of the region for comments, after which the Secretariat distributed the final version for approval. The agreed final version was later sent out to the respective countries (Annex I of this document).

DECISION 3COMPOSITION AND MANDATE OF THE ITC

20. In order to fulfil the decision as well as continue support for the efforts undertaken by the countries of the region, the Inter-agency Technical Committee met in October 2008. The meeting agreed that the support provided by each agency would be within the framework of the mandate of their respective work programme. 21. The agencies, on the other hand, agreed to support the preparation of a report on the progress of the region in achieving Goal No. 7 of the Millennium Development Goals (ensure environmental sustainability), which will be presented in November 2009.


DECISION 4OPERATION OF THE WORKING GROUPS

22. The Forum of Ministers decided to establish six working groups which are open to all the countries of the region, subject to the fulfilment of paragraph 4 of this decision: a) Environmental Indicators; b) Risk Management; c) Access to Genetic Resources; d) Climate Change; e) Management of Coastal-Marine Areas and their Resources; and f) Environmental Education for Sustainable Management.23. After making the pertinent consultations with the countries, several convocations, communication and exchanges with the coordinating countries, the Working Groups that continue to function are: Access to Genetic Resources, Climate Change, Environmental Education for Sustainable Development and Environmental Indicators.

Working Group Members

Access to genetic resources and fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from their use

Ecuador, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Grenada, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Suriname, VenezuelaUNEP

Climate Change Panama, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, St. Lucia, Suriname, Venezuela, ECLAC, IADB, World Bank, UNDP

Environmental Education Brazil, Antigua and Barbuda, Colombia, Chile, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, Surinam, Uruguay, Venezuela,UNEP


Environmental Indicators Costa Rica, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, St. Lucia, VenezuelaECLAC, UNEP

Risk Management Nicaragua, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Venezuela

Management of Coastal-Marine Areas and their Resources

Dominican Republic, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru

24. Following up on the agreements established by the decision of the Forum of Ministers, UNEP, in its capacity as Secretariat of the Forum, made several consultations to obtain information on the designation of focal points within the countries for the various Working Groups. Similarly, and in light of the convening of the Seventeenth Meeting of the Forum, country coordinators of the different Working Groups will be asked to send to the Secretariat, information on the activities carried out during the inter-sessional period. Based on information received, the Secretariat will compile the reports submitted by the Working Group Coordinators.25. As Secretariat to the Forum, UNEP supported the countries in organizing and convening meetings for these groups. The work carried out in each of these groups is outlined in greater detail in the respective decisions on each topic.

DECISION 5SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES

26. The Secretariat continues to work with the Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the implementation of the SIDS Programme, designed in accordance with Decision 4 of the Forum of Ministers of Latin America and the Caribbean held October 2003, and during subsequent meetings of the Forum (2005 in Caracas, Venezuela and 2008 in the Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic). The SIDS Caribbean Programme consists of six main components, namely:

a) A well-established and well-defined regional coordination and cooperation mechanism for the execution of the Barbados Programme of Action (BPOA) for the Sustainable Development of SIDS.

b) A financial mechanism in the form of a Regional Sustainability Fund.

c) A technical programme that is focused on topics related to the environmental pillar of sustainable development and consisting of various partnership initiatives, namely: the Partnership Initiative on Sustainable Land Management; the Partnership Initiative on the Management of Coastal Aquifers; the Partnership Initiative on Sustainable Management of Non-Timber Forest Products


– generating opportunities for the participation of the private sector and the creation of alternative sources of income for indigenous peoples and local communities; a Programme for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity of the Small Island Developing States of the Caribbean; and a South-South Cooperation Programme in the field of Trade and Environment.

d) A South-South horizontal cooperation programme, starting with activities in the Latin American countries and the Caribbean SIDS. These activities include technologies relating to renewable energy, land degradation, water resources, with special emphasis on the management of coastal resources, bio-security, trade and environment, climate change, disaster management and integrated management of the Caribbean Sea.

e) a Civil Society Support Programme with five principal elements:

(i) Development of a Regional Programme, based on the environmental community and public awareness in support of the implementation of the Barbados Programme of Action, and

(ii) a project entitled “Your change for a better environment”.

f) A special focus component highlighting specific initiatives in a number of selected countries. These special focus initiatives are based on agreements that have made between the Executive Director who acts on behalf of UNEP and the respective Ministers of the Environment on behalf of the participating country.

27. The necessary background work in relation to (a) and (b) has been completed and the Secretariat is awaiting the direction of the Member states on the implementation of actions for its continuation. With regard to the activities mentioned in (c), these are being carried out at different levels, but limitations are experienced resulting from a lack of resources. The most developed activity in this group is the Partnership Initiative on Sustainable Land Management (PISLM). As recognized in Decision 5 of the Forum of Ministers, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago offered support to the PISLM through the Caribbean Network for Integrated Rural Development (CNIRD) and has committed to giving its continued support. During the period under review, a series of significant goals were achieved in regard to the PISLM, among which the following are noteworthy:

During the 25th Extraordinary Meeting of the Commission for Trade and Economic Development Council (COTED) held 14-18 April 2008, the CARICOM Ministers of Environment endorsed the PISLM as the framework for the implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and Land Degradation, components of the Barbados Programme of Action, and extended the mandate of PISLM to include issues relating to rural development and poverty alleviation.

A Five Year Rolling Business Plan for the PISLM for Caribbean SIDS 2009 – 2013 was prepared and adopted by the PISLM Task Force. The Business Plan charts the way forward and considers various ongoing projects in the Region, future projects and budgetary implications.

The PISLM continued the establishment of links with similar programmes at the global level. In this sense, the cooperation between the PISLM and a


similar initiative in China was formalized with the participation of the project coordinator at an international meeting on land degradation organized by the People’s Republic of China/GEF in dry land ecosystems in November 2008. A document entitled “Partnership initiative on land degradation and sustainable land management in Caribbean SIDS” was presented at the meeting.

28. The immediate challenge for the initiative is to intensify its involvement on the ground, particularly in rural communities in the Caribbean SIDS, as well as the mobilization of resources to execute the business plan.29. Some activities, of South-South cooperation in particular, have been carried out in order to implement components (d) and (e); however, the strengthening of their actions and greater mobilisation of resources are required.30. Also worthy of mention is the Capacity Building related to Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEA) in African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Countries. The objective is to enhance the capacity of ACP countries to implement their respective obligations under MEAs and related commitments thereby resulting in sound management of their environment and natural resources towards poverty alleviation and sustainable development focusing on, among others, mitigating the adverse effects of climate change, loss of biodiversity, drought, land degradation, chemicals, hazardous wastes and other threats to the environment. From 8th to10th September 2009, The Caribbean Hub Needs Prioritization Workshop was held in Georgetown, Guyana. The overall aim of the Workshop was to provide the Caribbean ACP States with the opportunity to assess and update the capacity inventory compiled under the ‘Needs Identification and Prioritization component of the project. 31. During the 2008-2009 biennium, UNEP completed the integrated global environmental outlooks (GEOs) of the following urban areas of the insular Caribbean: Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic; and Holguin, Santa Clara and Cienfuegos, in Cuba. At national level, the report on the environmental outlook of Cuba (GEO Cuba) was completed. UNEP also expects to complete the reports on environment outlooks in Haiti and the Dominican Republic in December 2009. These reports have been prepared with the support of ministers or secretariats of the environment (national) or municipal (urban environmental outlooks), and technical counterparts selected by these bodies. The reports followed the GEO conceptual framework based on the identification of driving forces, pressures, their impact on the state of the environment, and the present responses and future actions that could be undertaken to improve environmental quality in the spheres of the report.32. The First SEAF (Sustainable Energy Advisory Facility) Workshop for the promotion of Renewable Energy Use in the Caribbean took place in Jamaica from 16th to 17th February 2009, with participation of representatives from Cuba, Dominica, Jamaica, and Suriname. The Inter-American Development Bank, the Latin American Energy Organization (OLADE), The Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) and the University of Delaware in United States representatives also participated at this meeting. As a result of this workshop, two proposals from Jamaica and Suriname were submitted for the consideration of SEAF Secretariat in May 2009. 33. In order to facilitate the implementation of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety in the Caribbean, a process was begun for the preparation of a Regional Project UNEP / GEF to support the implementation of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety through the establishment of efficient, transparent, operable and sustainable


National Biosafety Frameworks for Caribbean subregion countries of Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago. The project will support activities at regional and national level in each of the participating countries.

34. In the framework of the Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles (PCFV) established in UNEP headquarters, various symposiums, and workshops about cleaner fuels have been carried out. Additionally, dissemination of information and training will begin on the topic during the first workshop for the Caribbean to be held in Jamaica at the end of 2009, or possibly at the beginning of 2010.35. In an effort to provide updated, scientifically-based information pertinent to our region and available to decision-makers and relevant sectors, UNEP supported the development of assessment activities related to vulnerability and data collection for the implementation of actions leading to adaptation to climate change, which were incorporated to publications dedicated to two sub-regions with high vulnerability in the region, and among which we can mention: “Climate Change in the Caribbean and the Challenges of Adaptation, 2008” which was prepared by the Secretariat of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC), and CATHALAC. This report was launched during the 14th

Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Poznan, Poland in December 2008.36. Also on the subject of evaluations, a project is underway in the region for the integration of climate change and ecosystem factors in risk assessment and associated planning processes. This project is located initially in the Caribbean, specifically in Jamaica, as a case study with the possibility of replication in the region.

37. Regarding the subject of sustainable consumption and production at subregional level, relevant entities of the Caribbean gathered in September 2008, to review the Subregional Action Plan, where a communication was drafted for the Ministers. In this framework, UNEP developed and initiated the Information Network on SCP for Latin America and the Caribbean, available in Spanish, English and Portuguese for the entire region. A series of trainings to train technical focal points of the countries have been carried out to allow for the appropriate use of this tool. The Network was officially launched at the Fifth Meeting of the Council of Government Experts in SCP. The network’s site is www.redpycs.net. Additionally, a network is also being developed for the Caribbean, in the Caribbean Environmental Health Institute CEHI in St. Lucia.38. In order to respond to the special needs of some of the insular countries, the Caribbean SIDS Programme has added a component based on a special focus. Under this component, activities in Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba and the Dominican Republic were continued. The activity in Jamaica focuses on the rehabilitation of the coastline which was considerably damaged during the last hurricane season. In the case of Haiti, Cuba and the Dominican Republic, on the basis of the Tri-national Policy Agreement made by the governments of these countries, implementation of the


“Demarcation and Establishment in the Caribbean Biological Corridor (CBC) Project will start: as a framework for the Conservation of Biodiversity, Environmental Rehabilitation and the Development of Livelihood Options in Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Cuba”.39. In October 2008, UNEP designated an officer to support Haiti, focusing on the Regeneration of Ecosystems Initiative in this country, which deals with the restoration of mountainous ecosystems, and coastal areas in which the main issues are deforestation and unsustainable agricultural practices that result in soil erosion, reduction in soil fertility, land sliding and catastrophic flooding in vulnerable cities. The long-term result (10-20 years) of the Initiative will be the reduction of poverty and vulnerability to disasters, through ecosystem restoration, and the creation of means of subsistence based on the sustainable management of natural resources. The initiative is currently in its preparatory phase (2009-2010), during which a long-term integrated programme is being developed for the restoration of the ecosystems to reduce poverty and disaster risks, and sources of funds are being secured.40. Activities of the Montreal Protocol Compliance Assistance Programme (CAP). The Caribbean SIDS CAP is a combination of projects and initiatives to achieve this goal and build capacity at the national, regional and collective levels with the aim of assisting the Contracting Parties to fulfil and maintain compliance with the Montreal Protocol. The following activities are included:

a. Montreal Protocol Compliance Assistance Programme. The CAP provides continuous support to all Caribbean SIDS on management of compliance of the Protocol and presentation of reports on annual data requirements to the Secretariat to the Multilateral and Ozone Fund. UNEP provided training and capacity building of ozone officers and other key national stakeholders on the management and preparation of the annual reports required by the Secretariat of the Montreal Protocol. The Caribbean SIDS have achieved 100 per cent compliance for data reporting requirements. With regard to the 2008 database, more than 85 per cent of the SIDS have eliminated the use of CFC, in compliance with the mandate of the Montreal Protocol.

b. Exchange among Networks. The main objective is to build capacities of the national ozone workers and prepare and implement strategies to deal with the emerging issues such as favourable technologies for the ozone layer, the need for new skills, illegal trade of ODS, alternative technologies to using methylbromide, CFC inhalers and the trade of ODS technologies that contribute to ODS dependence. Since 2008, four meetings of the network were held in which the Caribbean countries participated.

c. Development and implementation of national Montreal Protocol policies and legislation. The CAP provided support to the Caribbean SIDS on reviews and development of national legislations and in particular, the establishment of licences to control the trade in ODS. This support is provided through national and regional policy workshops and, where necessary, through special assistance and resources to countries that are at risk of non compliance or those that are fully non compliant.


d. Support for Country-specific Policy and Legislative Compliance with the Montreal Protocol. With this goal in mind, support was given to Haiti, Guyana and Barbados. Ten (10) SIDS have established an informal information exchange system for the trafficking of ODS with countries of Asia Pacific for provisional approval of ODS freight before reaching to the respective countries. A training course was also held for the national partners on the implementation of ODS licensing system in Dominica, Belize and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. All the countries received assistance towards maintaining compliance. With regard to the 2007 and 2008, reports on compliance with the Protocol, the Ozone Officers Network of the English-speaking Caribbean were the first to complete all the data required by the Ozone Secretariat.

e. Technological support and capacity-building at the national and regional levels. UNEP coordinates the transfer of the best available technology to support the sustainable compliance and transition of ozone-friendly technologies through a combination of national and sub-regional workshops, targeting both the private and public sectors. Special attention is paid to the air-conditioning and refrigeration as this sector is the largest user of ozone depleting substances in the Caribbean SIDS. Additional regional workshops to facilitate the creation of capacities for adaptation to technologies in the long-term were held in Trinidad and Tobago 2008 (8 countries), Grenada 2009 (14 countries). Cuba and the Dominican Republic participated in similar workshops in Argentina and Colombia in 2008 and 2009 respectively. In addition, this policy training was included in all the activities of the national project to phase out the use of ODS.

f. Training of customs officials , other government workers and the private sector responsible for the trade in ODS and ODS dependent technologies. To date, customs training has been conducted in all Caribbean SIDS and 7 regional workshops have been held since 2003 to address the functions and responsibilities relating to the trade in ODS and the technologies that use ODS.

g. Training and awareness-raising in relation to the monitoring and control of illegal trade in commodities traded by virtue of multilateral environmental agreements. In May 2007, a workshop for the English-speaking Caribbean on the management and control of illegal trade was held in Saint Lucia, with particular reference and focus on commodities controlled under the Montreal Protocol. National ozone and customs officials from each of the 14 CARICOM member-states, including Haiti, as well as representatives from regional organizations such as the CARICOM Secretariat, the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States and the Caribbean Customs Laws Enforcement Council also participated in this workshop. The Customs Enforcement Network was established in 2008, and its first meeting was held in 2008 together with the Network of Latin American countries.

h. Green Customs Initiatives (GCI) Training. The objective of the Initiative is to strengthen compliance and the enforcement of multilateral environmental agreements through integrated capacity building of customs officials within the framework of the enforcement of these agreements. Workers are trained


in various agreements at the same time in order to achieve greater efficiency than if they were trained separately for each agreement. The Green Customs Training Initiative for 2009 will be held in the Customs Training Centre, in November 2009, in the Dominican Republic. This training programme for all small island states will focus on the training of trainers that allows for the nationalization of GCI methodology.

i. Support to institutional strengthening and national ODS phase-out action plans. The main objectives of this project are to support increased national capacity, national plans of action for the phasing out of ODS and the implementation and compliance of the Montreal Protocol. The national projects for which UNEP is responsible are: creation of regional workshops and networks; horizontal cooperation; support to training and capacity building; training and technological support of long-term options for refrigerant alternatives; research and development activities, among others. The CAP has undertaken project activities in the following countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Bahamas, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Surinam. It provides support services for compliance and the work network in Cuba and Trinidad and Tobago.

41. Within the framework of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), so far in this biennium, a series of activities have been carried out. The regional meeting of Latin America and the Caribbean on SAICM was held in Panama City, February 14th -16th, 2008 under the patronage of the Governments of Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States of America. The next meeting will be held in March 2010. In follow up of this meeting, other meetings of the regional coordination committees were held in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, 11th to 13th June 2008, as well as the SAICM Workshop for the Caribbean region on chemical products and tools for harmful substances, in Bridgetown, Barbados, 10th to 13th March 2009.42. The Caribbean Hotel Energy Efficiency Action Programme (CHENACT) supports the Caribbean hotel sector in migrating towards higher energy efficiency and use of renewable energies. This project will also explore the possibilities of obtaining carbon credits for reduced carbon dioxide emissions through the clean development mechanism of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Synergies have been created within the CHENACT project and UNEP, so that the participants not only comply with the Kyoto protocol by reducing their carbon dioxide emissions, but also with the Montreal protocol in relation to the phasing out of ozone depleting substances in air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment.

DECISION 6ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATORS

43. During the last meeting of the Forum of Ministers, the importance of the development and use of environmental indicators was highlighted, taking into account the work and recommendation of the working group and the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). Therefore, a Committee meeting on geo-spatial and land observation systems was held in Panama City, Panama from October 2-3 2008). The


work schedule was reviewed, and the structure of the Atlas of Our Changing Environment for Latin America and the Caribbean, one of the main activities of the approved Work Plan for this biennium was agreed to.44. The Atlas is in its final phase of development as a joint undertaking between UNEP and CATHALAC (Centro de Agua para el Trópico Húmedo para América Latina y el Caribe for its initials in Spanish), with the support of the member states of the TAC. A final version of the Atlas is expected to be ready for printing in December 2009.45. In this context, the following activities were conducted:

a) Reactivation of the ILAC discussion forum. b) Workshop on Development of Capacities for Biodiversity Indicators in the

Mesoamerican Region: This is a joint cooperation between the World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) and UNEP, through its Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (ROLAC). The workshop was part of the activities planned by the WCMC, in fulfilment of the partnership on Biodiveristy Indicators 2010, and contributing to the creation of capacities for producing indicators which facilitate the follow-up of ILAC goals 1.1 to 1.4.

46. With respect to the Environmental Indicators Working Group (EIWG): The ILAC discussion forum, work was re-activated through the virtual forum (www.geodatos.org) on 18 May 2009. To date, eighteen (18) methodological sheets (3 per week) have been discussed. As a simultaneous discussion tool, virtual tools were used, via sessions in which comments were consolidated and in which country focal points participated. Comments have been received mainly from those countries that prepared the ILAC report (Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Colombia and Mexico). The Central American countries are not active participants in the working group with the exception of Costa Rica, the country responsible for the Secretariat of the Working Group. According to the schedule, the work of the virtual forum will be extended and two more sessions for consolidating comments will be held. In addition, ECLAC supports the activities aimed at reviewing the methodological sheets, both those that have been agreed by consensus and those that have not.47. The progress achieved in the six ILAC thematic areas cover twenty-five goals which are represented by fifty indicators; however some of these indicators pose a problem in their definition, which has made it difficult to arrive at a consensus among the countries. There are currently fifteen Methodological Sheets (30%) on which consensus was reached, twenty-three (46%) without consensus, and twelve (24%) are without data.48. The following is the level of progress by thematic area:

i. Biological Diversity: There are four indicators but no consensus.ii. Management of Water Resources: Nine indicators; a consensus was reached

on two (22%), no consensus reached on three (33 %) and four contained no data (44 %).

iii. Vulnerability, Human Settlement and Sustainable Cities: 14 indicators; consensus was reached on five (36%), no consensus on eight (57%) and one contained no data (7%).

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iv. Social topics including health, inequality and poverty: 10 indicators; consensus was reached on two (20%), no consensus on five (50%) and three had no data (30 %).

v. Economic aspects including trade, consumption and production patterns: Six indicators; consensus was reached on three (50%), none on two (33%) and one contained no data (17%).

vi. Institutional aspects: Seven indicators; consensus was reached on three (43%), no consensus on one (14%) and three contained no data (43%).

49. The meeting of the Environmental Indicators Working Group was held in Santo Domingo de Heredia, Costa Rica from August 26-28 2009. The work sessions focussed on discussing the twenty-three indicators on which no consensus had been reached. By the end of the meeting a consensus was reached on seventeen of the indicators discussed, four were eliminated, two were kept without consensus and seven new indicators were proposed. Therefore, the EIWG will present to the Forum of Ministers, a total of 31 ILAC indicators, with their methodological sheets, on which consensus was reached. One of the indicators is synergetic, in the sense that it allows for the measurement of two goals. Methodological sheets were prepared for five of the twelve indicators for which this was lacking. The seven remaining indicators have difficulties with respect to the availability of viable and necessary statistical data for their construction.50. The following conclusions are worthy of note:

The need to review the formulation of certain goals and the pertinence of some indicators with respect to these goals.

The absence of a national statistics system in the countries renders the construction of ILAC indicators difficult.

The need to prepare an ILAC regional report on the 7 years since its establishment, with as much national data as possible.

51. The convening of a joint ECLAC/UNEP workshop was also planned for Santiago, Chile in September 2009 entitled Construction of Environmental Indicators (ILAC/MDG7) in Latin American countries.52. The EIWG, together with ECLAC’s Statistics Division, is reviewing the relevance of the proposed indicators for measuring goals. Instances in which the proposed indicators do not reflect the goal to be measured have been detected. EIWG expects to formulate a concrete proposal to improve the use of indicators to follow-up on the ILAC initiative.53. During the 2008-2009 biennium, UNEP provided technical support for the preparation of ILAC reports at the national level in Peru (launched May 2008, www.pnuma.org/deat1/publications.html), Panama and Uruguay. It is expected that Panama, Cuba and Uruguay will complete their national reports before the next meeting of the Forum. UNEP and ECLAC prepared project proposals during this biennium, without obtaining the financial support required for their implementation. The projects formulated are aimed at improving national capacities to implement a system of ILAC indicators in Latin America and the Caribbean.54. With regard to the Integrated Environmental Assessments of the Global Environment Outlook (GEO), UNEP provided technical support to begin the GEO

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processes at the national level in Panama, Dominican Republic, Chile and Guatemala. Follow-up to the reports which initiated in the previous biennium will continue in Venezuela, Belize and Haiti.55. The GEO Mercosur, GEO Amazon, GEO Sao Paolo Health reports have been completed at the sub-regional level. A report on the state of the environment on the Titicaca watershed (GEO Titicaca) is being prepared.56. At regional level, the preparation of the third report on the outlook for the environment in Latin America and the Caribbean (GEO LAC 2009) will continue and is expected to be completed in December 2009.57. Technical support was provided at the national level for the urban environmental outlooks in the cities of Canelones, River, Colonia (Uruguay); Trujillo (Peru); Puerto Montt (Chile) and Quito (Ecuador). Work will continue on the GEO city reports for Georgetown (Guyana) and Córdoba (Argentina). At the same time, the following GEO cities processes were completed during this biennium (January 2008 to August 2009): Cartagena (Colombia), Chiclayo (Peru), Loja and Esmeraldas (Ecuador), Rosario (Argentina), Santa Clara, Cienfuegos, Holguín (Cuba), Guatemala City (Guatemala), El Salvador City (El Salvador), Cobija and El Alto (Bolivia), Querétaro and Playa del Carmen (Mexico).58. ECLAC continues to provide support for the strengthening and consolidation of environmental indicators and geo-spatial information as well as systems for Earth observation.

DECISION 7ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION

59. Within the framework of this Decision, the Ministers of the Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean agreed to incorporate a regional network of authorities responsible for atmospheric pollution, to carry out technical exchanges and promote capacity building, as well as assess options for reducing air pollution during the 2008-2009 period.60. UNEP, with the support of the Global Atmospheric Pollution Forum, organized the first meeting of the Intergovernmental Network on Air Pollution in Latin America and the Caribbean, which was held in Panama City in March 2009. Antigua and Barbuda, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, and Uruguay participated in this seminar, in which government representatives analyzed topics such as: regional and global trends in air pollution, its impact on health, the needs for the Latin America and Caribbean region, the transport sector and air pollution, bio-mass burning, among other topics. This subsequently led to intervention and discussion by representatives of the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, which defined a series of priority actions to be put into practice by the Network, with the support of UNEP and the Global Forum.61. A workshop regarding the implementation of co-benefits as a tool for the reduction of air pollution will be held in October of this year. Following the Intergovernmental Meeting and the planned activities for the current year, a report on the functioning and progress of the network will be presented to the XVII Meeting of the Forum of Ministers for its consideration.


DECISION 8BETTER FUEL FOR A BETTER QUALITY LIFE

62. In this decision, the Ministers of the Environment confirmed the importance of this topic at the last meeting of the Minsters of the Forum. Many countries of the region, such as Colombia, suffer from high levels of air pollution due to pollution emitted by vehicles.63. The Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles (PCFV), at UNEP headquarters, is the global initiative for promoting clean fuel and cleaner vehicles in developing countries and those in transition, and provide technical, financial and training support in the development of policies to fulfil the global objectives of clean fuel and vehicles. This partnership brings together more than 110 organizations including governments, the private sector (petroleum and vehicle industries), civil society and international organizations dedicated to cleaner air and reduction of the emissions of greenhouse gases by vehicles. Initiatives are already underway in Chile, Paraguay, Mexico and Colombia, with the support of the PVFC, and symposiums and workshops on cleaner fuel have been conducted. A workshop will be held in December in Chile to develop mechanisms to provide incentives for vehicles with low or zero emission. 64. Additionally, dissemination of information and training will begin on the topic during the first workshop for the Caribbean to be held in Jamaica at the end of 2009, or possibly at the beginning of 2010.65. As with other advances on this topic, the Regional Network of authorities responsible for air pollution was created. This network will contribute to the development and implementation of policies and mechanisms to help solve the problem of pollution in Latin America and the Caribbean.

DECISION 9NATURAL PROTECTED AREAS

66. During the last Ministers meeting, the importance of the work carried out by the Latin American Technical Cooperation Network on National Parks and other Protected Areas and Wildlife as a mechanism for regional cooperation and integration, was recognized.67. In this regard, the countries of the Region have concentrated their efforts on administrative reorganization, under the concept of “national systems” and on the establishment of new protected areas in the respective territories. The Latin American Technical Cooperation Network on National Parks, other Protected Areas and Wildlife (RedParques) of the FAO has served as a regional mechanism for training in the areas of conservation and regional cooperation, to facilitate the implementation of the Protected Areas Programme. UNEP contributed to the Second Latin American Congress on National Parks and Other Protected Areas (Bariloche, Argentina; 30 September to 6 October 2007), as part of the Organizing Committee, participating in the opening ceremony and other working sessions, as well as in the preparation of the document “Privileged Spaces”, which outlines the current status of the protected areas of the region in terms of threats, challenges and opportunities. This document provided a basis for discussion during the


congress and was prepared with other collaborators such as FAO, RedParques, the National Park Administration of Argentina and the World Commission on Protected Areas. UNEP continues to participate by carrying out coordination tasks and in electronic fora discussions through which electronic conferences on priority topics are organized. 68. Another initiative that promotes the conservation and increase in forest areas, which is being implemented at national and sub-regional levels, is the Payment-for-Environmental-Services (PES). The use of this instrument has grown particularly in the Mesoamerican region. At the request of the Council of Ministers of the Environment of this sub-region, UNEP, together with the Central American Commission on Environment and Sustainable Development (CCAD for its initials in Spanish) started the Project to prepare a Proposal for the Establishment of a Mesoamerican Fund for Payment-for-Environmental-Services currently being executed.69. It should also be emphasized that the Latin American and Caribbean sub-regions, have environmental strategies and plans that take into account these initiatives, such as the Mesoamerican Strategy for Sustainable Development (EMSA for its initials in Spanish), which was adopted in June 2008, and whose main themes are biodiversity and forests, climate change and sustainable competitiveness.70. Finally, conservation projects are being carried out with funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF). Among those worthy of mention are: the continuation of the Andean Paramus Conservation Project and the Argentinean umbrella project, capacity building in the management of invasive species in Panama; the project for Improvement of Certification Schemes for the Sustainable Planning of Tropical Forests in Mexico and Brazil, and Bio-security projects within the framework of the Cartagena Convention on Bio-safety Convention to the Biological Diversity in Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Panama, Guatemala and El Salvador.

DECISION 10SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION

71. On the topic of sustainable consumption and production (SCP), significant progress was made with respect to the implementation of the Regional Action Plan of Latin America and the Caribbean. Countries of the region including Costa Rica, Colombia, Ecuador and Uruguay have started to adopt national SCP policies and strategies. Additionally, a Dialogue Table on SCP will be held in Mexico in early 2010, which is expected to initiate the definition and establishment of an integrated SCP policy. In the Caribbean, a training course for the preparation of national SCP programmes will be held. Round table discussions have been held in Brazil and Uruguay.72. UNEP is also conducting an evaluation of the status and progress of SCP in the region, which will be presented in September 2009 during the Fifth Experts Meeting on Sustainable Consumption and Production (Cartagena, Colombia; September 16-18, 2009).73. At the sub-regional level, relevant Caribbean entities met in September 2008 to review the Sub-regional Action Plan and a paper was prepared for submission to the


Ministers. Similarly, Mesoamerican government focal points met to prepare a specific recommendation on SCP to the Ministers of the Environment of the Central American Commission on Environment and Development.74. With respect to small and medium-size enterprises with SCP practices in the region, efforts are being made to create a specific working group of Small and Medium-size Enterprises (SMEs). Some countries like Mexico, Brazil and Argentina showed interest, but the necessary leadership for this initiative has not yet been defined. It is possible that a meeting of the representatives of the private sector will be convened before the end of the year (2009) to discuss their vision on the draft 10-year Framework Programme (10-YFP).75. UNEP developed and initiated the SCP Information Network for Latin America and the Caribbean which is available in English, Spanish and Portuguese for the entire region. A series of training courses to train technical focal points of the countries to use this tool has been developed. Its official launch took place at the Fifth Meeting of the Regional Council of Government Experts on Sustainable Consumption and Production. The Network’s website is www.redpycs.net. In addition, a network for the Caribbean is also being created by the Caribbean Environmental Health Institute (CEHI) in Saint Lucia.76. With regard to the topic of sustainable public procurement (SPP), a Mercosur project has been developed, which gave rise to a proposal for the inclusion of SPP criteria, an SPP manual; and a communication campaign proposal. An SPP training workshop for Central America was held in Costa Rica in October 2008, in conjunction with the Government Purchasing Network of the Organization of American States (OAS). Additionally, the project for SPP capacity building at the regional level has begun with the participation of 4 pilot countries: Mexico, Costa Rica, Chile and Uruguay. Two training courses which focused on SPP were also held for South America (Chile, May 2009) and Mesoamerica (Mexico, July 2009). 77. The Fifth Meeting of the Regional Council of Government Experts on SCP was held from September 16 to 18 in Cartagena, Colombia. The object of this meeting was to access the region’s SCP progress based on the priorities identified by the Experts Council and ratified by Decision 10 of the Forum of Ministers, and to define the specific contributions of the region to the ten-year Programme Framework which will be presented to the Sustainable Development Commission in 2010. It will also contribute to ECLAC’s Regional Implementation Meeting.

DECISION 11ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

78. At the Sixteenth Meeting of the Forum of Ministers, the Ministers decided to reaffirm their support and approve the Latin America and Caribbean Environmental Programme on Education for Sustainable Development (PLACEA), being coordinated by Brazil during the 2008-2009 biennium. 79. To this end, and within the framework of the Sixth Ibero-American Congress of Environmental Education (Ciudad de La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina; 16-18 September 2009), a meeting of the Working Group was convened to discuss the implementation of the Environment Education Programme of Latin America and the

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Caribbean (PLACEA). PLACEA will be strengthened with the Third Meeting of Experts on Public Management of Environmental Education, which will be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, simultaneously with the Sixth Ibero-American Congress of Environmental Education. The activities of the meeting will include the review of theoretical frameworks and the organizational structure of the programme; discussion of the proposals of priority action; inclusion of the civil society in PLACEA; training and communication processes; mobilization of resources; and the preparation of PLACEA’s action schedule.80. Under the “Water as source of life” International Decade for Action 2005-2015 initiative, whose commitment includes the Millennium Development Goal to reduce by half, the number of persons living without access to drinking water by 2015 and cease the unsustainable use of water resources, two very important events in relation to this vital liquid were convened during the second half of 2008: the Tenth International Course on Coastal Area Management, held in Mexico, where there was significant discussion on a wide variety of management topics, both of water and of natural resources as well as on strategic planning and management of wetlands and coastal zones; and the Forum of Waters of the Americas, in Brazil, in preparation for the World Water Forum in Turkey in March 2009. With regard to the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development, the Environmental Education Project for Portuguese-speaking countries was launched in 2008 and seeks to carry out joint work among member states of the Community on education and the environment. It is a shared Project in which the more advanced countries in the area will share experiences and resources with the less developed ones, in the search for joint solutions to local and regional problems. 81. UNEP has continued a series of activities within the framework of the Environmental Training Network together with Universities and other environmental entities. These include the publication of Environmental Education textbooks for primary and secondary schools (1000 copies of 6 primary texts, one secondary and the corresponding teacher guides); an agro-forestry Course with the University of Chapingo; a coastal area management course with the University of Guadalajara; scholarships for participants of the Fifth International Seminar in Colombia and an Intensive Course in Plant Systems; as well as support to the Centre of Knowledge and Socio-environment Care of the Plata Watershed.82. In conformity with the Forum’s mandate, UNEP has continued to administer the Trust Fund of the Network and will soon be requesting that countries pay their contributions for this year.

DECISION 12ACCESS TO GENETIC RESOURCES AND THE FAIR AND EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF THE BENEFITS ARISING FROM THEIR USE AND

PARTICIPATION OF THE REGION IN THE NEGOTIATION OF AN INTERNATIONAL JUDICIAL REGIME

83. As the region with the most biological diversity on the planet, the Ministers considered as priority the strengthening and development of capacities within the region to participate in the negotiation and implementation of the international regime, within the framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and


in particular on the subject of fair and equitable distribution and access to benefit sharing (ABS). In decision 8 of the fifteenth meeting of the Forum (Caracas, Venezuela, 2005), it was decided to create a working group as a regional discussion body for international regime negotiations, as well as the promotion of sub-regional and regional activities. These include the convening of meetings, workshops and other measures aimed at deepening knowledge and exchange in the areas of access to genetic resources, sharing of benefits and traditional knowledge, identification of priorities and needs of the region, as well as improvement of its position in the negotiation process of the International Regime. 84. Consequently, the second meeting of the Access to Genetic Resources Working Group was held in Quito, Ecuador, 29-30 April 2008, where the results of the first meeting held in Paipa, Colombia in 2007 were outlined and reviewed. The meeting report was sent to the Secretariat of the Convention. The meeting in Quito was held prior to the Ninth Conference of the Parties (Bonn, Germany, May 2008). The negotiators from Latin America and the Caribbean to the Ad Hoc Working Group on ABS of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit Sharing relied on the recommendations of both meetings for their participation in multilateral meetings. The next meeting of the Working Group is expected to be held in 2010 in Panama City.85. Additionally, a regional ABS Project related to the strengthening of the implementation of access to genetic resources and the distribution of benefits in 9 Latin American and Caribbean countries is also being developed. The project will be funded by the GEF.

DECISION 13STRENGTHENING OF THE PARTICIPATION OF THE

MAIN GROUPS OF AGENDA 21 86. During the last meeting of the Forum, the Ministers established the importance of considering the decision of the Civil Society Forum of the region, as it relates to the guidelines that should be established to improve the participation of the main groups of Agenda 21.87. In order to assist with the fulfilment of the agreement regarding the participation of civil society, UNEP has continued the practice of inviting representatives of organizations of Civil Society to meetings, with the aim of garnering and incorporating their perspectives and approaches into the decision-making process of the main UNEP bodies. 88. In the case of the Latin America and Caribbean Region, UNEP has held the UNEP Regional Forum for the Civil Society before each biennial meeting of the Forum of Ministers of the Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean. The same method of consultation has been used at the meetings of the Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum of UNEP. Representatives from the 9 main groups (approximately 50 delegates) participated in the last Latin America and the Caribbean Civil Society Forum held in November 2008 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The discussions captured in the declaration were based on the six priority areas that have been established by UNEP in its new Programme of Work.


89. In addition to the regional meeting of the Civil Society of Latin America and the Caribbean, 5 sub-regional workshops of the TUNZA Youth Network were held, which is the other priority for the Forum of Ministers. These meetings brought together youth from indigenous and farming communities, as well as groups which had not participated previously such as religious groups, the Red Cross and the Boy Scouts. These activities have had the support of local organizations. They were carried out in Heredia, Costa Rica for the Mesoamerican sub-region; in Georgetown, Grenada for the Caribbean sub-region with the support of the Caribbean Youth Environment Network, within the framework of which the GEO for Caribbean Youth was launched; in Buenos Aires, Argentina for the South American countries; in Quito, Ecuador for the Andean region; and one was held in Guatemala this year. It must be emphasized that the GEO groups also participated in these meetings where GEOs for Youth are also discussed and developed. Information flow to authorities of Civil Society as well as with the Tunza Network was promoted through a regularly-updated webpage, (http://www.pnuma.org/sociedad_civil_m/index.html) (http://www.unep.org/tunza/).90. The work with the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) has promoted the implementation of a partnership to strengthen the task of communications on Gender and the Environment through the implementation of a set of radio programmes aimed at rural women, as well as training projects that promote a better quality of life.91. The participation of young people from the region in the World Youth Conference (Germany) was outstanding, due to their preparation and the proposals they presented during the meeting. 92. The training programme on new information technologies, the state of the environment in Latin America and the Caribbean, climate change and the integrated management of water resources, for journalists and communicators have been strengthened.93. The participation of young people has increased significantly. They constitute a very active group that has taken a prominent role in the Regional Fora for Civil Society within the region.94. The Global Environmental Citizenship (GEC) Project was a first regional initiative created as an innovative experiment and supported by the GEF. It was a pilot capacity building project and environmental awareness exercise whose goal was the development of a consciously pro-active citizenry capable of contributing to and influencing national decision-making and action around GEF focal areas. In all, seven pilot countries of the Latin American region – Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Mexico and Peru, and six regional networks from Latin America and the Caribbean participated, produced materials and were trained on the Conventions of Biodiversity, Climate Change, International Waters and the Ozone. The Project did have an important catalytic role in introducing participatory models of decision-making and consensus building at the national and municipal levels of participating countries and selected municipalities. The Fifth Meeting of the Steering Committee of the Global Environmental Citizenship Project took place on October 29-31, in the city of Panama. In this meeting, each of the partners made a brief account of the activities implemented since May 2006, and also provided an outlook for the future of the project within their organizations.

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DECISION 14RENEWABLE AND/OR ALTERNATE ENERGIES

95. In accordance with the mandate of the Forum of Ministers, in terms of promoting the development and progress of technologies as well as renewable energy programmes or their support mechanisms, a workshop to present the tool of the Sustainable Energy Advisory Facility (SEAF), and initiate some pilot programmes using this tool, was convened jointly by the UNEP-RISOE Centre on Energy, Climate and Sustainable Development (with headquarters in Denmark) and UNEP/ROLAC. SEAF is designed to offer a quick and flexible response to promoting development and implementation of policies, strategies and sustainable energy technologies. Two workshops (one in Panama for Latin American countries and one in Jamaica for the Caribbean countries) were held in February 2009. As a result of these workshops, some proposals for intervention were received and are currently being reviewed. Another workshop will be held in October 2009, in coordination with the Latin American Energy Organization (OLADE).96. Also related to Renewable Energies is the Caribbean Hotel Energy Efficiency Action Programme (CHENACT) project which aims at assisting the Caribbean hotel sector as this sector is migrating towards higher energy efficiency and use of renewable energies. This project will also explore the possibilities of obtaining carbon credits for reduced carbon dioxide emissions through the clean development mechanism of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Synergies have been created within the CHENACT project and the UNEP, so that the participants not only comply with the Kyoto protocol by reducing their carbon dioxide emissions but also with the Montreal protocol in relation to the phasing out of ozone depletion substances in air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment.

DECISION 15RECOGNITION AND STRENGTHENING OF THE PARTICIPATION OF INDIGENOUS

PEOPLE

97. The incorporation of indigenous groups in the regional meetings of the Civil Society as well as in the sub-regional workshop of the Tunza Network and the International Children and Youth Conference has been a priority.98. From June 15-20, 2008, a Week of Sustainability, Culture and the Environment was observed in the Lagunera region in Mexico. This activity was organized by Mundo Sustentable (a non-governmental organization in Mexico) in collaboration with the Presidency of the Latin America and the Caribbean Civil Society Forum, and UNEP. Representatives of indigenous people were invited. In addition to these activities, the participation of indigenous people, particularly the Emberá Wounnan, the Nögbe-Bugle and the Wargandi people were included in the Joint Programme Project, Incorporation of Measures for Mitigation and Adaptation to Climate Change in the Management of Natural Resources in Priority Watersheds of Panama, which is mentioned in greater detail in Decision 17 on Climate Change. They have also been included as an integral component of the project and the decision-making and


approval processes of the work programmes, and will participate in the various stages of the project.

DECISION 16SUSTAINABLE LAND MANAGEMENT

99. During the Sixteenth Meeting of the Forum held in the Dominican Republic in 2008, the Ministers of the Environment felt that it was necessary to review the topic and promote a regional overview of the fight against desertification, land degradation and drought. Great concern was expressed regarding the low profile of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the absence of specific funding strategies in the programmes of specialized national and international bodies, as well as the significant reduction in the expected flow of international resources channelled by the GEF, aimed at combating land degradation in Latin America and the Caribbean.100. It was recognized that there was need to act in synergy, with a systemic approach to the regional implementation of appropriate measures, while emphasizing the importance of harmonizing efforts and mobilizing technical and financial resources. 101. They therefore recommended the formulation and implementation of regional strategies aimed at ensuring the convergence and integration of National, Sub-regional and Regional Programmes of Action to Combat Desertification and Drought, with national, sub-regional and regional strategies related to food security and poverty eradication, as well as with national, sub-regional and regional adaptation programmes and plans for climate change, conservation of biodiversity, management of water resources and sustainable forest management.102. By virtue of the above, the Forum of Ministers agreed to carry out actions that would focus attention on the topic in the public policies of their respective countries and promote decisions conducive to raising substantial donations from the budget of multinational financial organizations. Accordingly, the Forum asked the Inter-agency Technical Committee and the Secretariat of the Forum (UNEP), in coordination with the Global Mechanism (GM) to prepare a proposal of regional scope indicating the actions and mechanisms necessary for increasing the flow of financial resources in support of implementation at the national, sub-regional and regional levels of the UNCCD, using an approach of synergy that is in keeping with the UNCCD Ten-year Strategy.103. The Inter-agency Technical Committee and the Secretariat of the Forum (UNEP), in collaboration with the Global Mechanism were also requested to strengthen the interaction with other international cooperation agencies, particularly multilateral development banks and international funds, including the GEF, for the establishment of programmes and budgetary provisions aimed at combating desertification and promoting sustainable land management, taking into account this perspective in their priority actions, creating and/or strengthening funding and technical cooperation lines and giving due priority to the Latin American and Caribbean region.


104. In keeping with the above, the Global Mechanism (GM) is working towards the formulation of a Regional Financial Strategy in consultation with the ITC, which will be presented to the Forum of Ministers for subsequent approval. This strategy will provide for the identification of suitable mechanisms for mobilizing the necessary resources to promote Sustainable Land Management and the implementation of the UNCCD.

DECISION 17CLIMATE CHANGE

105. The Latin American and Caribbean region is faced with the threat of climate change. Many countries in the region show high levels of vulnerability to extreme climatic phenomena that are capable of unleashing disasters that compromise their developmental process, as is the case for Caribbean SIDS.106. These peculiarities are part of the reason why the region has played such a prominent role in the multilateral negotiation processes related to climate change and why it participates vigorously in actions that are developed under the Kyoto Protocol, and particularly in the Clean Development Mechanism. The Forum of Ministers has contributed significantly to the participation of the countries in these processes, with the topic being dealt with at successive meetings. As a result of this, it has been given prominence at the regional and global levels and is currently included as one of the main themes of the Regional Action Plan. 107. In order to continue channelling efforts towards the strengthening of regional capacity for active participation in the negotiation and implementation processes of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), a Preparatory Workshop for Latin American Negotiators was held in Poznan, Poland in November 2008 with a view of dealing with the problems facing the region at the sub-regional, regional and global levels. The three documents that were presented at the Conference of the Parties (COP) in Bonn, Germany were analysed.108. A Climate Change Negotiators Workshop for the Central American Integration System (SICA for its initials in Spanish) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) was held from May 11th to 13th, 2009 in Leon, Nicaragua 2009. It was organized by the (CCAD) Central American Commission on Environment and Development in cooperation with the Danish Government. 109. Similarly, the Workshop on Climate Change Negotiators for Latin American countries was held in Panama City, in collaboration with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), giving continuity to the regional preparatory workshops for the thirteenth and fourteenth COP held since 2007. The objective was to strengthen negotiation capacities and discuss the region’s position in light of the multilateral negotiations to be held prior to the fifteenth Conference of the Parties to be held in December 2009 in Copenhagen.110. In an effort to provide updated, scientifically-based information that is pertinent to our region and available to decision-makers and relevant sectors, UNEP supported the development of assessment activities related to vulnerability and data collection for the implementation of actions leading to adaptation to climate change, which were incorporated to the following publications dedicated to two sub-


regions with high vulnerability in the region. They are: “Mitch: One Decade Later. Panorama of environmental trends in Central America”, which include posters, maps, and was developed with the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), ECLAC and other agencies of the United Nations system and other organizations; and “Climate Change in the Caribbean and the Challenges of Adaptation, 2008” which was prepared by the Secretariat of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC), and CATHALAC.111. Also on the subject of evaluations, a project is underway in the region for the integration of climate change and ecosystem factors in risk assessment and associated planning processes. This project, located in the Caribbean, specifically in Jamaica, is a case study with the possibility of replication in the region.112. Meanwhile, at the national level, UNEP is supporting the design of a programme for the implementation of the first phase of the Brazilian Climate Change Panel. The project is being promoted by Brazil to implement its National Plan against Climate Change. The purpose of the Panel is to promote progress in the understanding of the risks and potential impacts of climate change, by compiling, analyzing and carrying out an integrated review of relevant information from key sectors responsible for the emission of greenhouse gases. 113. In September 2008, UNEP signed an agreement for the implementation of joint actions with the Mexican Secretariat of the Environment and Natural Resources. It includes the creation of capacities in the implementation of multilateral agreements, particularly for adaptation and mitigation of the effects of climate change as well as the promotion of cooperative South-South actions in the Latin American and Caribbean region, among other actions.114. On another note, a meeting of the Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction organized by the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) was held March 17-19, 2009 in Panama. Awareness and exchange of experiences on policies and legislations concerning climate change were also promoted within the framework of the XI Meeting of the Environment and Tourism Commission of the Latin American Parliament (PARLATINO), which was held 5-6 March 2009 in the Dominican Republic. Additionally, capacities were created through conferences on climate change provided at the Fifth Training Programme in Environmental Law and Policies which took place in Asunción, Paraguay, May 20-30, 2008 in the Programme for Regional Environmental Governance of Marine-Coastal Areas held in May 2009 in Panama.115. The CHENACT Project mentioned earlier is also related to Climate Change. Aimed at assisting the Caribbean hotel sector in migrating towards higher energy efficiency and use of renewable energies, it will also explore the possibilities of obtaining carbon credits for reduced carbon dioxide emissions through the clean development mechanism of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. 116. UNEP, within the framework of the UNDP/Spain Fund for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, is participating in the implementation of three joint programmes which are aimed at increasing the capacity of the population and the country to adapt to climate change and their capacity to carry out mitigation actions in Panama, Peru and Nicaragua (2008-2011), namely:


Joint Programme: Incorporation of Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Measures in the Management of Natural Resources in two Priority Watersheds in Panama.

Joint Programme: Adaptive and Integrated Planning of Environmental Resources and Climatic Risks in High Andean Micro basins in Peru.

Joint Programme: Local Environmental Management for the Management of Natural Resources and Provision of Environmental Services in the Bosawas Biosphere Reserve of Nicaragua (for more information visit http://www.undp.org/mdgf/environment_jp.shtml).

117. Dissemination and information activities on climate change were also promoted by the Secretariat:

International Poster Biennial in Mexico. Topic: climate change. Franz Mayer Exhibition from October 2008 to March 2009.

Art and the environment exhibition in Guadalajara, June 2008 and June 2009 (800,000 participants).

Climate Change Poster Exhibition. Movie, photograph, graffiti, caricatures, conferences and others.

Art and the Environment in Montevideo, May 2009.

Art and the Environment Month in Panama City, Panama, September 2008 (several broadcasting activities: concerts, interactive and creative activities for children: painting, and audiovisual productions).

Earth Concert (Panama Symphonic Orchestra) in the National Theatre, September 2008.

Distribution of posters on climate change in the streets of Panama, June 2008.

Environmental film season in the Joint Programme of Peru.

Production of audiovisual material with Albatros Media: spots and programmes on climate change aired on 50 Latin American channels, including CNN in Spanish.

Children’s painting competition on Climate Change. More than 2000 drawings were received in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Training of journalists in Colombia (October 2008), Panama (November 2008) and Torreon, Mexico.

Regular publication of articles and reports on climate change in Tierra America.

http://www.undp.org/mdgf/environment_jp.shtml


Launch of the Report on Carbon Sequestration and the “Seal the Deal” campaign on World Environment Day in Mexico. The film “Home” was shown in Panama in June 2009.

Four workshops of the Tunza network for young people, the main topic of which was “Climate Change”.

DECISION 18CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES

118. The Ministers of the Environment highlighted the importance of environmentally-sound management of chemical substances and hazardous wastes, including electronic waste, and urged the ITC and UNEP to continue to give technical assistance to the countries in order to conduct inventory checks of chemical substances and hazardous wastes; establish policies for the management of chemical substances and hazardous wastes, as well as devise ways to deal with their storage and final disposal. 119. For its part, the twenty-fifth session of the Governing Council of UNEP, held 16-20 February 2009, adopted decision 25/5 on the management of chemical substances. Countries were urged to continue work in this area, particularly in relation to the strengthening of capacity for the storage of mercury as part of international actions relating to mercury.120. UNEP is therefore implementing the Project entitled “Reduction of mercury supply and investigation of mercury storage solutions”. This project involves two regions: Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean. It is a joint effort between UNEP and the Basel Convention Regional Coordination Centre. The results of the Project for the storage of mercury supplies in Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean will serve as input for the Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee, responsible for preparing a legally-binding global instrument. In order to begin this process, a Workshop for the mitigation of the Mercury Storage Project for Latin America and the Caribbean was held in Montevideo, Uruguay, April 22-23, 2009. 121. Within the framework of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), a series of activities have been carried out so far in this biennium. The regional meeting of Latin America and the Caribbean on SAICM was held in Panama City, February 14-16, 2008 under the patronage of the Governments of Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States of America. The next meeting will be held in March 2010.122. In addition to this meeting, the meetings below were held as a follow-up:

Meeting of the regional coordination committees, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, 11-13 June 2008.

Regional Consultation Meeting for Latin America and the Caribbean on reference to issues relating to the international management of chemical products, Viña del Mar, Chile, 17-19 December 2008.


Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) Workshop for the Caribbean region on chemical products and instruments for hazardous wastes, Bridgetown, Barbados, 10-13 March 2009.

123. UNEP also organized two workshops before the SAICM regional meeting, namely:

A workshop on the continued management of Polychloride-Biphenyl in the Latin American and Caribbean Region (11-12 February 2008); and

A workshop on the development of national institutions and infrastructure for the sound management of chemical products (13 February 2008).

124. In reference to solid wastes, UNEP provided technical support to Costa Rica from Argentina through South-South cooperation in 2008, for the development of national policies on the management of solid waste. Specific recommendations were formulated which underscore the concept of “integrated waste management” and focus on citizen participation and environmental education.

125. Peru, with the support of UNEP’s International Environmental Technology Centre (IETC) and the organization Cooperación, developed a project on the management of solid wastes, reinforcing the life cycle focus on the development of the Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan (ISWMP) in the Lima region (Peru), both at the policy and implementation level, and building local and regional capacity to manage the system.126. Additionally, a global project for integrated solid waste management is currently being executed. Its objective is to promote the design of specific plans that allow for the minimization, separation, collection, transport, re-use/recycle, recovery of resources, and treatment and disposal of solid wastes in cities.127. UNEP has supported the countries of the region in implementing multilateral environmental agreements. Within this context, a sub-regional workshop for Latin American countries on the implementation of multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) was held in El Salvador in 2008, to raise awareness and explore synergies between different trade agreements with related regulations, particularly in the context of the Dominican Republic-Central America and Free Trade Agreement (DR/CAFTA).128. The work carried out on capacity building to countries regarding the alternative use of ozone depleting substances has been continued with exchange in the subregional networks building capacity of national ozone officers to develop and implement strategies to address emerging issues such as ozone-friendly technologies, the need for new skills, dealing with illegal trade in ODS, alternative technologies to methyl bromide, the metered-dose inhalers with CFCs and trade of ODS dependent technologies that contribute to dependence on ODS.129. A Training of Trainers Workshop on the Green Customs Initiative was held in February 2008 in Caracas, Venezuela. Another such seminar is expected to be held


in the Dominican Republic in November 2009. The object of this initiative is to strengthen the compliance and implementation of MEAs through the integrated creation of capacities for customs officials within the MEA execution chain. Customs officials were therefore trained in fulfilling trade requirements of several MEAs at the same time, making the workshop more efficient than one in which training is for a single multilateral agreement.

DECISION 19SETTLEMENTS / SUSTAINABLE HOUSING

130. Decision 19 advocates increased regional cooperation to promote carbon-neutral buildings or zero-energy consumption. Consequently, UNEP implemented the “Sustainable Urban Housing Initiative” (SUSHI) with a pilot programme in Sao Paolo, Brazil. This initiative, carried out within the framework of the Sustainable Building and Construction Initiative (SBCI), which is a partnership between UNEP and company leaders at the global level, seeks to develop a method of guaranteeing that the social housing programmes have design criteria and construction practices that support the principles of sustainable construction. 131. The UNEP Global Environment Outlook (GEO), focused on cities and urban areas, has devised a valuable tool to facilitate the development of strategies and urban plans to support cities in improving their urban environmental management. To date, 31 GEO cities have been developed in Argentina, Bolivia, Belize, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay, supplying municipal governments, scientists, policy makers and the public in general with information on the state of the environment of their cities. There are currently 11 evaluations in progress.

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