Background

Since 2006, Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions have supported the enhancement of synergies and linkages among the three multilateral environmental agreements in specific areas where common issues arise. In this regard, the Conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions adopted a series of decisions that led in 2008-2009 to the adoption of a set of recommendations to promote cooperation and collaboration among the three conventions at the national, regional and international level (Basel Convention decision IX/10, Rotterdam Convention decision RC-4/11, Stockholm Convention decision SC-4/34).

As part of the implementation of those recommendations, the simultaneous extraordinary meetings of the Conferences of the Parties to the three Conventions (ex-COPs) was held in Bali on 22-24 February 2010 back-to-back with the 11th special session of the UNEP Governing Council. In accordance with the omnibus decision adopted at the meeting, the Secretariats are continuing their efforts to implement their joint programme to support Parties with the implementation of the synergies decisions.

In this context, a regional awareness raising workshop on enhancing cooperation and coordination between the three Conventions was held for Asia on 19-21 April in Beijing, China in cooperation with the Stockholm Convention Regional Centre for Capacity building and Transfer of Technology  for Asia and the Pacific. The workshop aimed at enhancing coordination and cooperation in the view of strengthening implementation of the three Conventions at the regional and national levels by offering a forum to Parties to share their good practices as well as to explore opportunities to further develop synergies when implementing the three Conventions.

Workshop objectives

The workshop aimed at offering a holistic approach to the implementation of the three Conventions. A strong emphasis has been put on the implementation of Conventions at national and regional level in order to share good practices of coordination which facilitate joint-implementation. Considerations were also given to technical and financial assistance opportunities in implementing the Conventions.

Outcomes

• Increased awareness of participants of the process under way to further promote cooperation and coordination among the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions and its possible implications at the regional and national levels;

• Better understanding of the status of implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions in the region as well as the national priorities identified by Parties to fulfill their obligations;

• Shared information and experience on existing coordination mechanisms at national level as well as identify the areas where further coordination might be required;

• Increased awareness of the technical and financial opportunities to implement in a coordinated way the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions in the region.

 Target audience

Official Contact Points and Focal Points from the following countries were invited to participate to the regional workshop: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Lao’s People Democratic Republic, Mongolia, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, Vietnam.