Report of the ACC
Subcommittee On Oceans And Coastal
Areas (SOCA) on its informal
session
A. Opening of the session
B. Agenda, timetable and documentation
C. United Nations Atlas of the Oceans
D. Inter-agency review of the implementation plan for the Global Program of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities (GPA) and Progress on the Global International Water Assessment (GIWA)
E. Inter-agency cooperation as regards the UNEP/IAEA/IOC Inter-Agency Programme on Marine Pollution, IOC/UNEP/IMO co-sponsorship of the GIPME program, and IOC/WMO/UNEP/ICSU co-sponsorship of GOOS
F. Possibility of a proof of concept exercise on improved inter-agency co-operation in a specific region
G. Indicators for the marine and coastal environment: Recommendation by Earthwatch Working Party
H. Follow-up to decision 7/1 of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD), including a discussion of possible ways and means for improving inter-agency coordination in oceans and seas
I. Matters to be brought to the attention of the fourteenth session of Inter-Agency Committee on Sustainable Development (IACSD) [Vienna, 9-10 September 1999] and the eighth session of ACC/SOCA
J. Other matters
K. Closure of the informal session
I. List of Participants
II. Agenda
A. Opening of the session
1. The Subcommittee expressed appreciation to Mr O. Khaliminov, the Director of the Marine Environment Division of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for arrangements made to host the informal session at the IMO Headquarters in London.
2. Mr. Khaliminov welcomed the members of the Subcommittee on behalf of the Director General of IMO and provided information on the local arrangements.
B. Agenda, timetable and documentation
3. The Chair introduced the draft agenda, documentation and a proposed timetable for the informal session.
The list of participants is contained in the annex I and the agenda as adopted in annex II.
4. Under this agenda item the representative of FAO (the agency coordinating the execution of the Atlas project on behalf of the Sub-Committee) described the status of the UNFIP UN Atlas of the Oceans Project. He first indicated that, as FAO had just signed the agreement with UNFIP, the project could be expected to start in September-October. The SC was also informed that NOAA (USA), IFREMER (France) and HDNO (Russia) had agreed to collaborate and that NOAA had even offered a part-time coordinator for the duration of the project. The LOA with Russia is in an advance stage of drafting and has been cleared by the FAO Legal Office. It is now being considered by HDNO. FAO further described the progress made in the negotiations with the Elsevier publishing company and provided the Subcommittee a report on this process. A draft agreement is being elaborate for Phase One (the project phase) of the UN Atlas initiative. The success or failure of the project conditioning the nature and extent of the future agreement. The SC was informed that the general management structure for the project will involve establishing a Steering Committee (SC, an emanation of the ACC/SC), an Editorial Board (EB), a Review Panel (RP) and a Project Coordinator (PC). The SC and PC will be administered by the Project Structure at FAO and EB and RP will be administered by the publisher. The SC will oversee the nominations and functioning of the EB.
5. A period of suspension of the meeting of the Subcommittee allowed presentations of the “SynDigital” software by KnowledgeView LTD company; , the views of Elsevier regarding the Atlas and its cooperation in the project; as well as the proposal from FAO for the development of a Portal We b site as the UN Atlas Web Platform for the Atlas development, updating and consultation. After these presentations the Subcommittee resumed its informal meeting.
6. As regards the arrangements for the implementation of the Project, the ACC SOCA agreed to initially focus the discussion on the processes needed to timely produce the output required with what is available. In this respect, the Subcommittee noted the importance of making an inventory of information available on ocean policy issues at each UN partner Agency in accordance with its mandate, taking into account the material already existing, e.g.on their individual web sites.
7. The need for a work plan in identifying the priority issues by each partner Agency in accord with its individual mandate and by taking into account the availability of the information, was stressed. After a lengthy discussion, it was agreed that the proposal of FAO for a possible structure of the Atlas information, which was distributed at the meeting, should be used by the Partner Agencies as a “strawman structure” and that, by 30 September 1999, each partner Agency should;
¨ provide information on its priority ocean policy issues for which it can contribute under its mandate to the UN Atlas; and,
¨ indicate how and which part of its information system (web site, projects, information systems, databases,) in existence could contribute to the development of the UN Atlas.
8. The Subcommittee noted that the partnerships with organizations that are outside the UN system was most desirable for the effective development of the UN Atlas which is intended, however, to reflect primarily the policy-related work and productions of the UN Agencies. The Subcommittee stressed, however, that in order to ensure compatibility of all inputs with UN policy, the external partnerships contributions should be channeled through the competent (lead) UN Agency.
9. The subcommittee renewed its mandate to FAO for the finalization of the elements of the agreement with the Elsevier for the development of the UN Atlas. In pursuit of this, FAO will first finalize, by August 30 1999, the document developed between FAO and the Elsevier and distribute to the members of the Subcommittee for their comments which are expected to be returned to FAO by 30 September. The FAO will further define and elaborate the terms of reference of the various committees that are needed for the general management of the Project.
10. In view of the request set forward by the representative of the IAEA, FAO will recover the data provided to GEOS during the initial activities of the Project.
11. In view of the recent re-organization of UNEP, it was agreed that the GPA coordination office will be the contact point in UNEP for the Atlas and will ensure the cooperations needed inside UNEP, e.g. from GRID or GIWA.
D. Inter-agency review of the implementation plan for the Global Program of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities (GPA) and progress on the Global International Water Assessment (GIWA)
12. The representative of UNEP informed the subcommittee of the status of implementation of the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities (GPA) and the progress on the Global International Water Assessment (GIWA). She indicated that the staffing of the Hague Coordination Office was completed and the Coordinator’s post has been filled.
13. The Subcommittee noted that the modalities and
operational details for it to carry out the tasks and responsibilities as a
steering committee for GPA have not yet been agreed upon. The Subcommittee further noted the
impracticalities associated with its meeting as a steering committee for GPA.
14. The Subcommittee thus agreed to recommend to UNEP, which serves as secretariat for the GPA, that the Subcommittee act as a co-ordinating body for inter-agency co-operation in matters related to implementation of GPA by:
¨ facilitating the input of the individual partner agencies in the implementation of GPA;
¨ commenting and providing advice on the status of implementation of GPA and on its future development plans; and
¨ reviewing, as required, the roles and responsibilities of individual agencies in the implementation of GPA.
15. The Subcommittee invited UNEP to coordinate this input of the ACC Subcommittee on Oceans and Coastal Areas with the ACC Subcommittee on Water Resources.
16. The Subcommittee considered the conclusions of the IACSD at its 13th meeting concerning inter-agency implementation of the GPA (paras. 30-32 of doc.ACC/1999/1).
17. With regard to the IACSD’s agreement that the new head of the GPA Coordination Office should organize a joint meeting between the Chairs and Secretariats of both ACC subcommittee(s), until a view to clarifying responsibilities and giving added impetus to the implementation of the Programme of Action, the Subcommittee on Oceans and Coastal Areas, in consultation with the GPA Coordinator, recommends that such consultation can more efficiently and quickly be carried out through E-mail communication.
18. The Subcommittee strongly urged each Agency to respond to the request from the GPA office concerning information about action in support of GPA implementation. Based on the information provided by each Agency, the GPA office is strongly urged in return to respond actively by indicating in what areas, other than those related to the Clearing House, that it expects contribution from each Agency.
19. The Subcommittee agreed to invite GIWA to its next meeting.
20. The Subcommittee agreed to clarify with the Subcommittee on Water Resources the roles of the Subcommittees in relation to GIWA.
E. Inter-agency cooperation as regards the UNEP/IAEA/IOC Inter-Agency Programme on Marine Pollution, IOC/UNEP/IMO co-sponsorship of the GIPME program, and IOC/WMO/UNEP/ICSU co-sponsorship of GOOS
21. Under this agenda item the representatives of IAEA, IMO and IOC informed the Subcommittee of the status of the programs co-sponsored by their organizations and UNEP, including the Interagency Programme on Marine Pollution (IAPMP), Global Investigation of Pollution in the Marine Environment (GIPME) and Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS). They expressed the strong need for strengthening and /or revitalization of these Programs for they have been affected significantly by the reorganization of UNEP, which have taken longer than anticipated with some issues involving the implementation of the co-sponsored programs being deferred until both the Division and individual in UNEP responsible for these Programmes have been identified.
22. The UNEP representative informed the meeting that UNEP was in process of finalizing a water policy and strategy. UNEP’s continued support to the above mentioned programmes will depend on how these programmes relate to the UNEP water policy. It was pointed out that most of the joint programmes were in the field of monitoring and assessment.
23. The Subcommittee recommended that the SOCA Secretariat draws attention of UNEP and GIWA the concerns expressed by IAEA, IMO and IOC as regards the strengthening and /or revitalization of IAPMP, GIPME and GOOS Programs which are co-sponsored by these organizations and UNEP.
F. Possibility of a proof of concept exercise on improved inter-agency co-operation in a specific region
24. The Subcommittee considered the suggestion by its Chairman on the initiation of a proof of concept exercise on improved Inter-Agency co-operation in a specified region. The Subcommittee agreed that such an effort that is worthy of undertaking and is consistent with its terms of reference. After a lengthy discussion it was further agreed that a suitable region for the effort could be the Caribbean in view of the involvement in the Region of a good number of the UN organizations through a variety of projects.
25. The Subcommittee further agreed that the organizations represented in SOCA be invited formally to participate in the effort by the Chairman of the Subcommittee who will supplement his invitation by a comprehensive document explaining the gist of the effort. The Chair will in particular request the Organizations to provide information on their existing activities in the Region within 30 days after they receive the request. Based on the information received and in consultations with the Organizations involved, the chair will then prepare a document indicating the potential activities for which a proof of concept effort can be carried out for an improved Inter-Agency cooperation. The Organizations concerned will then prepare an implementation plan for the activity.
G. Indicators for the marine and coastal
environment: Recommendation by Earthwatch Working Party
26. The Earthwatch Working Party 5 at its meeting in Geneva, 3-4 May 1999 noted that a significant gap exists for the indicators for the marine and coastal environment, as well as the need for better co-ordination to fill that gap, and proposed that the issue be dealt with the ACC SOCA as the relevant task manager.
27. The Subcommittee considered the proposal and recognized the importance of the issues related to the indicators for the marine and coastal environment. The Subcommittee agreed to discuss these issues at its next regular meeting in a substantial manner following advanced preparations by its member Organizations.
H. Follow-up to decision 7/1 of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD), including a discussion of possible ways and means for improving inter-agency coordination in oceans and seas
28. The representative of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs and the Vice Chairperson of the Sub-Committee briefed the meeting on the outcome of CSD-7 (New York 19-30 April 1999) which focussed on oceans and seas as its sectoral theme. She summarized the main recommendations contained in CSD decision 7/1, highlighting those areas directed to the UN system and, in particular, to the ACC Sub-Committee on Oceans and Coastal Areas. A Report of the Secretary-General to ECOSOC and the General Assembly on “Measures taken in the UN system to accelerate progress in the implementation of Agenda 21 and the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21” (doc. A/54/131-E/1999/75), which reviewed the conclusions of CSD-7, was also made available to participants.
29. There was considerable discussion on the CSD’s invitation to the Secretary-General to undertake measures to ensure better co-ordination of the UN Work on Oceans and Seas and to suggest initiatives to improve co-ordination and integration. CSD also invited the Secretary-General, working in co-operation with the executive heads of organizations of the UN system, to undertake measures to improve the effectiveness of the ACC Sub-Committee on Oceans and Coastal Areas, including through making its work more transparent and responsive to member States. In response to these requests, it was agreed by the informal meeting of the Subcommittee that the following initial efforts could be submitted to the IACSD and ACC for its consideration:
1. Subcommittee members will provide regular annual briefings to delegations and interested observers during every session of the CSD (not just when oceans are discussed, as has been past practice), subject to the financial and time constraints on travel to UN Headquarters;
2. each member will explore the feasibility of conducting briefings on the work of the Subcommittee to governments and agency representatives and NGOs during regular sessions of the respective governing bodies;
3. The Subcommittee will develop its own website linked to that of the ACC and relevant organizations, as well as the UN Atlas of the Ocean web page; and
4. A SOCA Brochure will also be produced, which will be made available at the briefings described in (1) and (2) above.
30. In considering the important issues of staff travel and staff resources to carry out these above activities and other efforts that are needed for making the Subcommittee’s work more transparent, responsive and effective, the Subcommittee urged the Chairman to follow-up the efforts for obtaining assistance from interested governments, especially in terms of seconded personnel.
31. Other aspects of the CSD’s decision on oceans and seas which were brought to the Subcommittee’s attention for information included: the CSD’s request to UN organizations concerned with oceans to review their work programmes with respect to climate variability and the El Nino phenomenon; and the CSD’s recommendation that the General Assembly establish an open ended informal consultative process on oceans and seas, under the aegis of the Assembly, taking into account inputs from the UN system.
32. The representative of the UN the Division for Oceans Affairs and the Law of the Sea of the Office (UN DOALOS) of Legal Affairs brought to the attention of the Subcommittee that the results of the CSD’s review of oceans and seas will be considered by the General Assembly at its 54th session under the agenda item “Oceans and the Law of the Sea”. A new format for the main Report of the Secretary-General on this item, to be prepared by the DOALOS, was also discussed. This year it is planned that agency contributions would be included, as submitted, in an annex to the report, as well as be drawn upon in preparing the text of the report, as was done in previous years.
I. Matters to be brought to the attention of the fourteenth session of IACSD and the eighth session of ACC/SOCA
33. The Subcommittee agreed that the
matters agreed on at the informal session be brought to the attention of the
fourteenth session of IACSD (Vienna, 9-10 September 1999) and the eighth
session of ACC/SOCA.
34. The Subcommittee noted that for the last four years it has been holding informal sessions every year. The Subcommittee requested that the Chairman raise at the 14th session of the IACSD the issue of having two regular sessions per annum as the need may arise.
J Other matters
35. Under this agenda item, the members of the Subcommittee provided brief information on recent developments at their organizations, including administrative changes, emerging issues, progress and instrument developments.
K. Closure of the informal session
36. The informal meeting of the ACC Subcommittee on Oceans and Coastal Areas was closed at 5 p.m. on 18 August 1999,
Chairperson: P. Bernal
(Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization)
Vice-Chairperson: A. Rogers
(United Nations Division of Sustainable Development, Department of Economic and Social Affairs)
Secretary: U. Unluata
(Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization)
United Nations A. Rogers
R. Gruszka
United Nations Environment Programme V. Vandeweerd
United
Nations Development Programme P.
Reynolds
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations S. Garcia
S. Dewan
United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization P. Bernal
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission P. Bernal
P. Pissiersens
World Meteorological Organization F. Guzman
International Maritime Organization O. Khalimonov
M. Nauke
D. Du
J. Paw
R. Kahn
International Atomic Energy Agency H. Livingston
United Nations Industrial Development Organization J. Reedman
1. Opening of the session.
2. Agenda, timetable and documentation.
3. United Nations Atlas of the Oceans.
4. Inter-agency review of the implementation plan for the Global Program of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities (GPA) and Progress on the Global International Water Assessment (GIWA).
5. Inter-agency cooperation as regards the UNEP/IAEA/IOC Inter-Agency Programme on Marine Pollution, IOC/UNEP/IMO co-sponsorship of the GIPME program, and IOC/WMO/UNEP/ICSU co-sponsorship of GOOS.
6. Possibility of a proof of concept exercise on improved inter-agency co-operation in a specific region.
7. Indicators for the marine and coastal environment: Recommendation by Earthwatch Working Party.
8. Follow-up to decision 7/1 of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD), including a discussion of possible ways and means for improving inter-agency coordination in oceans and seas.
9. Matters to be brought to the attention of the fourteenth session of Inter-Agency Committee on Sustainable Development (IACSD) [Vienna, 9-10 September 1999] and the eighth session of ACC/SOCA.
10. Other matters.
11. Closure of the informal session.