Kuwait Regional Convention for Co-operation on the Protection
of the Marine Environment from Pollution • Regional Organisation
for the Protection of Marine Environment (ROPME)
Convention
• Action Plan: The Kuwait
Regional Convention for Co-operation on the Protection
of the Marine Environment from Pollution was adopted
in 1978 and came into force in 1979. An Action Plan
was adopted in 1978. The objective of the Convention
is to prevent, abate, and combat pollution of the marine
environment in the region. It has four protocols:
-
Protocol
Concerning Regional Co-operation in Combating Pollution
by Oil and Other Harmful Substances in Cases of Emergency;
in force in 1979
-
Protocol
Protocol for the Protection of the Marine Environment
against Pollution from Land-Based Sources; in force in
1993
-
Protocol
on the Control of Marine Transboundary Movements and Disposal
of Hazardous Wastes; adopted in 1998
-
Protocol
concerning Marine Pollution resulting from Exploration
and Exploitation of the Continental Shelf;
in force in 1990.
ROPME:
In order to implement the Kuwait Regional Convention, its
Protocol, and the Kuwait Action Plan, the Regional
Organisation for the Protection of Marine Environment
(ROPME) was established in 1979.
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Jedda
Memorandum of Understanding
The
Jeddah
Memorandum of Understanding aims at "strengthening
cooperation and coordination in the planning and implementation
of global and regional environmental programmes in West Asia".
It was signed in 1998, between UNEP and the Council of Arab
Ministers Responsible for the Environment (CAMRE), PERSGA, and
ROPME. |
Jeddah
Declaration
The
Jeddah
Declaration, signed in 2000, "considers urgent environmental
issues from an Islamic perspective on the basis of the universality
of Islam, in the sense that it is a religion that addresses
all man kind. It aims to integrate ethical and moral component
into environmental policies. --- Within the framework of its
global environment programme, UNEP would provide technical support
and facilitate the linkage between its various global and regional
programmes, with those developed by the Organization of the
Islamic Conference (OIC), regarding the integration of ethical
and moral components into their programmes". |
Council
of Arab Ministers Responsible for the Environment (CAMRE)
"Recognizing
the urgent need to develop a clear vision and strategy for the
future of a well-identified Arab environmental action, the Council
of Arab Ministers Responsible for the Environment (CAMRE) issued
the Abu
Dhabi Declaration in 2001. The Declaration stresses
the urgent need to alleviate poverty and improve the living
standards and economic conditions of the average Arab citizen
through programmes of sustainable development and environmental
protection, based on the rational use of natural resources".
It "calls
for a new strategy based on a deeper understanding of the global
developments in the various fields of environmental action:
- the
application of modern environmental information and
accounting systems to help decision makers realize the feasibility
of investing in environment-friendly practices;
- the
adoption of Cleaner Production strategies;
- capacity
building and institutional development through the development
of human resources, the improvement of educational
systems, and encouraging Arab media to project a better
understanding and in-depth analysis of regional and
international environmental issues, and realizing that civil
society must be empowered to play a more effective role
in environmental decision-making".
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Cooperation
Council for the Arab States of the Gulf Secretariat General
The
objectives of the Cooperation
Council for the Arab States of the Gulf Secretariat General
(Gulf Cooperation Council, GCC) is "to effect coordination,
integration and inter-connection between Member States in all
fields, strengthening ties between their peoples, formulating
similar regulations in various fields such as economy, finance,
trade, customs, tourism, legislation, administration, as well
as fostering scientific and technical progress in industry,
mining, agriculture, water and animal resources, establishing
scientific research centres, setting up joint ventures, and
encouraging cooperation of the private sector".
In
the field of environmental
cooperation, the GCC states the following: "In view
of the common developmental and environmental problems and
conditions in GCC States, as a result of geographic proximity
and similar level of development, the GCC adopted, in 1985,
a strategic framework for environmental work at local and
regional levels under the title of "General Policies
and Principles for Environment Protection". It aims at
formulating proper scientific formula to protect the environment
and maintain the natural resources in a way that complies
with the goals of comprehensive development and realizes the
optimum benefit of available human and natural potentials
of the Member States.
Moreover, GCC States act to unify all regulations, laws, and
legislations that deal with the various aspects of the environment.
These regulations, laws, and legislations represent the minimum
requirements to enact national legislations." See also
the GCC
Environmental Award.
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UNEP
Regional Office for West Asia (ROWA)
The
mission of the
UNEP Regional Office for West Asia (ROWA) is to link and
integrate the environmental priorities and programmes of West
Asia with the global environmental programmes of UNEP.
"The coordination established with CAMRE, PERSGA, and ROPME
is a major step towards enhancing cooperation in the region.
The support provided by the Bahrain, the host country, and the
GCC contributes significantly to the sustainability of UNEP’s
efforts in the region". |
UN
Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA)
The
UN Economic and Social Commission
for Western Asia (ESCWA) has a mandate for raising the level
of economic development and cooperation among the countries
of its region and between them and other parts of the world.
The Natural Resources and Environment Management Programme under
its Energy, Natural Resources and Environment Division includes
a water resources component covering issues like assessment
of water resources in ESCWA member states; harmonisation of
environmental standards in the water sector of ESCWA member
states; and Progress achieved in the implementation of Chapter
18 of Agenda 21. ESCWA coordinates its activities with those
of the major departments -offices of the United Nations at Headquarters
and of specialized agencies and intergovernmental organizations,
such as the League of Arab States, the Gulf Cooperation Council
and the Organization of the Islamic Conference, with a view
to avoid duplication and ensure complementarity, synergy and
exchange of information. |
Regional
Organization for the Conservation of the Environment of the
Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (PERSGA)
The
Regional Organization
for the Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf
of Aden (PERSGA) is an official regional organization responsible
for the developmentand implementation of regional programmes
for the protection and conservation of the marine environment
of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. In the ROPME Sea Area, several
of the regional organizations cooperate with PERSGA on issues
in common. PERSGA has played an active role in promoting regional
cooperation. See also Region 12: Red
Sea and Gulf of Aden. |
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Agreements