International (Regional) Meetings

Fifth Annual Meeting of the Environmental Sub-committee of the Association of Northeast Asia Regional Governments ● Purpose of the meeting The meeting was held to exchange information on the results and/or progress of the environmental conservation projects which had been proposed and conducted by member governments. ● Outline of the meeting �@ Date: October 16,2003 �A Venue: Toyama city, Japan �B Sponsors: Toyama Prefecture and Association of Northwest Asia Regional Governments �C Participants: (13 regional governments of 4 countries) Japan(7): Aomori Prefecture, Niigata Prefecture  ,Toyama Prefecture , Fukui Prefecture and Hyogo Prefecture, Tottori Prefecture and Shimane Prefecture     Korea(3): Chungcheongnam-do Province, Kangwon-do Province, Kyongsangbuk-do Province China(2): Heilongjiang Province, Shandong Province Mongolia(1):Tuv Province ● Agenda of the meeting �@ Election of a coordinating government for the next term Toyama Prefecture was elected a coordinating government for the next term again. (The term will come to an end on July 13, 2005.) �A Introduction of new members 5 regional governments of 4 countries ----- Shimane Prefecture (Japan), Kangwon Province (Korea) , Chita Province (Russia) , Tuv Province (Mongolia) and Selenge Province (Russia) were introduced as new members. �B Progress report The state of activities of the Environmental Sub-committee and progress of the joint projects were reported �C Proposed joint projects for 2004 The following were proposed as joint projects. ・Survey of Washed-up Driftage along Coasts in the Northwest Pacific Region ・Joint Survey on Migratory Birds with Primorsky Kray ・Children’s Forum for Beach Clean-up Activity in the Northwest Pacific Region �D Schedule for the activity for the Environmental Sub-committee �E Others ・Management of NEAR ・Publication of the 2003 White Paper on the Environment of the Northwest Pacific Region ● Main outcome of the meeting �@ Sharing of environmental information It was acknowledged that the state of environmental issues varies from country to country and from district to district depending on their climate, topography, lifestyle, economical condition, etc., but it is important to understand environmental issues of member countries by sharing information on the environment and to come up with new environmental conservation measures. �A Proposal of joint projects It was also acknowledged that feasible joint projects should be proposed willingly to activate the Environmental Sub-committee. 12th Northeast Asian Conference on Environmental Cooperation ● Purpose of the conference The purpose o f the conference is to provide the place for the five countries of Japan, China, Mongolia, Korea and Russia to have information exchange and discussion on their environmental issues. ● Outline of the conference �@ Date: November 24 ? 26,2003 �A Venue: Toyama city, Japan �B Sponsors: the Ministry of the Environment, Toyama Prefecture, Toyama City, Northwest Pacific Region Environmental Cooperation Center �C Participants: Central and local government officials involved in environmental conservation, experts of research institutes of related countries and representatives of UNEP/Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP) ● Schedule & Agenda of the conference �@ Public Symposium �@ Date: November 24 �A Theme: Status of Dust and Sand storm in the Northeast Asia Region �B Keynote speech: Behavior of KOSA particles on the Taklamakan desart- Effect of KOSA on the environment in East Asia by Professor Tasunobu Iwasaka of Nagoya University �C Panel discussion: coordinated by Professor Ken Yoshikawa of Okayama University, with representatives of related countries and UNEP/ROAP as panelists. �ANEAR Session - Day 1 [November24]- �@ Keynote speeches: Representatives of China, Japan, Mongolia, Korea, Russia and UNEP/ROAP �A Session 1: Preservation of the Marine Environment - Day 2 [November25]- �B Session 2: Creating a Recycling Society �C Session 3: Environmental Cooperation Initiatives by local aythorities �D Summary by Chairperson - Day 2 [November25]- �B Observation Participants observed the “ECO Town” in Toyama city, which is a model industrial park aiming at “zero emission” ●Outline of Summary (excerpts from Chairperson’s summary) �@ Preceding the sessions, the representatives of each countries and international organization presented their recent development of environmental policies. The conference noted the following points: �@ Many initiatives have already developed. �A They cover a variety of environmental issues ranging from local to global ones and from urban pollution to natural resource management. �B These presentations updated the perception of each participant. �C They were a good basis for further discussion The conference recognized that the 8th Special Session of the UNEP Governing Council and the 5th Global Ministerial Environmental Forum would be held in March 2004 on Jeju Island. �A Session one, “Preservation of the Marine Environment” focused on the various efforts for both onshore and offshore environment. The conference noted the following points; �@ Marin issues cover a variety of aspects from pollution to fishery, natural resources management, , integrated coastal management, and environmental risk assessment and management. �A In this regard marine issues play as “show-window” to achieve sustainable development. �B Many approaches have been practiced to mobilize initiatives of environmental conservation by applying a mixed policy which can include monitoring, regulation, research, information, education, investment strategy, and economic instruments. �B Session two, “Creating a Recycling Society” focused on various efforts from both the public and private sectors in each country. The conference noted the following points: �@ To create a recycling society, it is important for various actors to share the responsibilities and financial burdens. �A Local governments should play important role in this field whereas national governments should play an important role for institutional support. At the same time, international cooperation should be promoted. �B Establishing the framework for achieving sustainable development should be promoted through enhancing capacity building, economic incentives, and technology development. �C Session three, “Environmental Cooperation Initiatives by Local Authorities” focused on the various efforts pursued by local governments of each country. The conference noted the following points. �@ Various types of international cooperation of local authorities have already developed in this region. �A To promote this kind of cooperation, it is important to exchange information from experiences at every opportunity, such as this conference. �B Local authorities have great potential to enhance participation through stakeholders such as the public, businesses, and NGOs into international environmental cooperation.

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