FOR
PARTICIPANTS ONLY
A/AC.105/C.1/2002/CRP.14
1
March 2002
ENGLISH
ONLY
______________________________________________________________________________
COMMITTEE ON THE PEACEFUL USES
OF OUTER SPACE
Scientific
and Technical Subcommittee
Thirty-ninth
session
25 February
- 8 March 2002
Agenda item
5
Third United Nations Conference on the
Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space
(UNISPACE III)
Draft minutes of the meeting
Implementation of the Recommendations of the Third United Nations Conference on
the
Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNISPACE III)
1.
The
first meeting of the action team #1, Develop
a Comprehensive Worldwide Environmental Monitoring Strategy was held in Vienna,
Austria on Friday, 1 March 2002.
2.
The representatives from
Iran, Syria, Japan, United Kingdom, United States of America, Saudi Arabia,
Mexico and UNOOA attended the meeting.
3.
Dr.
A. R. Loulou from General Organization of Remote Sensing (GORS) was elected as
the chairman of the meeting.
4.
Dr.
A. R. Loulou opened the meeting by welcoming the participants and introduced
the objectives and plans for the implementation of the expectations from the work of the action team.
5.
Introductory remarks
were made by the representatives of I. R. Iran, Mr. Parviz Tarikhi, which act
as interim coordinator of the team in conjunction with the representative of
Syria.
6.
The participants of the
meeting adopted the agenda as contained in Annex I.
7.
It was proposed that the
team go through by identifying the expectations from monitoring of the
environment, stressing on the different levels of the work, e.g. national,
regional and global levels.
8.
It is agreed that a
questionnaire containing main questions on the ideas and view of the members on
the implementation of the work be prepared by 1st May 2002 to be distributed to
the members for receiving their inputs in a month.
9.
The meeting agreed to
hold it second gathering in parallel with COPUOS meeting that will take place
in first half of June 2002.
10.
The action team agreed
on the consensus nature decisions by the team.
11.
The team agreed the
membership in the action team be open to all State Members of the United
Nations and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations.
12.
It is agreed that the
documents prepared by the action team, including their drafts, and be
circulated to all members of the team.
13.
The team agreed on the
work plan as follows:
Ø
Establish Team: Contacts
from Member States and 3rd parties Apr 15, 02
Ø
Develop first draft of
Preliminary Report Jun 1, 02
Ø
Develop draft of
Assessment Report Oct 02
Ø
Develop final draft of
Assessment Report Jan 03
Ø
Prepare Presentation for
S&T Subcommittee Feb 03
Ø
Obtain Subcommittee
inputs/direction Feb 03
14.
Regarding the communications
among members, it was agreed that the members of the action team should work
through electronic mail, fax and telephone as much as possible.
15.
The participants of the
meeting also agreed to hold the next meeting in parallel with COPOUS meeting
and discuss the progress of the work.
Annex I: Agenda of the meeting
Conf. Rm. VII, 09:00-12:00
09:00 Opening and welcome note by one of the
interim coordinators
09:05 Presentation of participants and election of
the meeting chairman
09:20 Approval
of Agenda
09:25 Introduction
of the activities by the interim coordinators
10:10 Presenting
proposals by the Members
10:55 Break
11:00 Discussions
11:40 Conclusions
12:00 Deciding
the next meeting venue and adjourn
Annex II: Preliminary work
plan for the action team #1 (as circulated to the members of the action team
prior to the meeting)
Proposal by France on
perspectives and vision of the work of the Action Team on Disaster Management
Implementation of the recommendations of the Third United Nations
Conference on
The Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNISPACE III)
ACTION TEAM FOR RECOMMENDATION NO. 1
|
|
Country/Countries leading the team |
Syria, Philippines, Iran |
Members* |
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Brazil, China, France, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Mongolia, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Portugal, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Syria, UK, USA. UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Statistics Division UN International Drug Control Program (UNDCP) UN Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) UN ESCAP, UNESCO, ESA, ISPRS, Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), Manila Observatory |
Objectives* |
Address
the needs and requirements for use and protection of environment through
improvement and control methods approved by different countries, and develop
a comprehensive worldwide environmental monitoring strategy for long-term
global observations by building on existing space and ground capabilities. |
|
Principal products to be delivered* |
Note: Assessment Report should 1) Analyze the current structure of environment monitoring by different countries and NGEs. 2) Develop a preliminary assessment of the establishment such a system technically and economically. 3) Clarify the benefits, advantages and disadvantages of such a strategy. Propose
a 2-year work plan beginning from March 2002 to conduct the efforts of the
team. |
Work plan* |
Establish Team: Contacts from Member States an 3rd parties Apr 15, 02 Develop first draft of Preliminary Report Jun 1, 02 Develop draft of Assessment Report Oct 02 Develop final draft of Assessment Report Jan 03 Prepare Presentation for S&T Subcommittee Feb 03 Obtain Subcommittee inputs/direction Feb 03 |
Please provide information
on the activities that have already been taken by the team*:
Preliminary works carried out for preparation for the
meeting of the interim team coordinators.
ANNEX III: Detailed Work Plan
UNISPACE
III
IMPLEMENTATION PROPOSAL
on
DEVELOP A COMPREHANSIVE WORLDWIDE
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING STRATEGY
PROPOSED BY:
The Delegations of
Republic of Syria
&
Islamic Republic of Iran
Interim Coordinators
Iran
(Islamic Republic of)
Philippines
Syria
(Republic of)
Members
Countries:
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus,
Brazil, China, France, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Mongolia,
Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Portugal, Russian Federation, Saudi
Arabia, Syria, UK, USA.
Organizations:
UN Department of Economic and Social
Affairs, Statistics Division
UN International Drug Control Program
(UNDCP) UN Economic Commission for Europe (ECE)
UN ESCAP, UNESCO, ESA, ISPRS, Space
Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), Manila Observatory
TABLE OF CONTENTS
-
Introduction
1- background and justification
2- Objectives
3- Technical clusters:
3.1: Networking and knowledge sharing.
3.2: Capacity building of national and regional
organizations.
3.3: Regional systems for collection and
distribution of information.
3.4:
Remote Sensing Application to environmental monitoring.
4: Innovative funding mechanisms
5: Work implementation strategy:
5.1: Stakeholders and beneficiaries.
5.2: Supporting agencies.
5.3:
Financial partners and donors.
5.4: Implementation arrangements.
5.5: Time frame.
5.6: Monitoring and evaluation process.
PROPOSED WORK PLAN TO DEVELOP A
COMPREHENSIVE WORLDWIDE ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING STRATEGY
INTRODUCTION:
Depending
on the agreement of the committee on the peaceful uses of outer space at its
forty-fourth session concerning the establishment of action teams to implement
recommendations of the third united Nations conference on the exploration and
peaceful uses for outer space ( UNISPACE III ). This work plan was prepared to
implement recommendation –1- about ( Develop a comprehensive worldwide
environmental monitoring strategy).
1- BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION:
As a result of the rapid population growth and
climatic changes, Environmental systems have been subjected to high pressure to
meet increasing demand for food and other related life elements. This pressure
resulted in many cases in degradation of environment. Despite the efforts
undertaken to rationalize the use of environmental systems such as land and
water resources, large areas worldwide have been degraded and are now facing
many environmental problems. Both natural factors and human activities,
particularly in the fragile and unstable ecosystems have contributed to such
environmental degradation process. And the result was unbalanced natural
environmental systems, so it is very important to monitor and assess the
degradation process in early stage, in order to take the necessary measures to
combat it and rehabilitate the degraded systems.
In response to this situation, the international
community has given high priority to environmental monitoring. As evidenced in
UNISPACE III and the adoption of conference recommendation
-1-to develop a comprehensive worldwide
environmental monitoring strategy .
2- OBJECTIVES:
The main objective of this work plan is to
successfully launch a worldwide strategy for environmental monitoring, ensuring
the sustainable use of ecosystems and promoting regional cooperation on
critical environmental issues.
More specifically the objectives include the
following:
-
implementation of a
pre-operational system for the monitoring of the dynamics of some environmental
phenomena on selected areas.
-
Assessment and adaptation of
relevant techniques for environmental monitoring.
-
Provision of guidelines for
the effective implementation of environmental monitoring.
-
Support the capacity
building of the local staff in the field of environmental monitoring in
cooperation with concerned national institutions .
-
Enhancement of the
partnership between the related national, regional and international
institutions.
-
Support the involvement
of non-Governmental organizations and local population in environmental
monitoring.
To achieve the above mentioned objectives the work
plan has to concentrate resources and efforts to implement greater technical
cooperation, enhance the exchange of good practices among countries, and
encourage the development of policies leading to sustainable environmental
development. Also the work plan has to be anchored into the existing
development plans, national environmental action plans. And rural development
strategies.
3- TECHNICAL CLUSTERS:
The
work plan will operate through five technical clusters, the clusters will
operate through a set of outputs which will be achieved and implemented through
targeted activities, these technical clusters are:
3.1. Cluster 1 : Networking and Knowledge Sharing:
This cluster includes the exchange of information
as well as best practices on environmental monitoring among countries on
regional level. In this domain the work plan will rely on regional consultative
approach for the collection and distribution of related information, awareness
raising and training workshops will be essential to bridge knowledge gaps
between countries this cluster will take into account the work by organizations
or networks on this issue.
OUT PUT 1.1: identification of
stakeholders at regional level.
ACTIVITIES:
1.1.1: Draw an inventory of all
stakeholders working on environmental monitoring at regional level.
1.1.2: Identify and document activities undertaken
by countries and international institutions in the field of environmental monitoring.
1.1.3:
Identify needs and gaps on issues related to environmental monitoring.
EXPECTED RESULTS :
-Preparation of a document
identifying a strategy on how to address gaps and needs to develop
environmental monitoring, and the role of regional and international
organizations and networks to fill in these needs.
-
Inventory of all
stakeholders working on the domains of environmental monitoring.
OUT PUT 1.2: awareness raising
ACTIVITIES:
1.2.1:
Facilitate the organization of regional workshops in cooperation with
specialized agencies and networks.
1.2.2: Organize a regional awareness raising
activities to develop the understanding of the environmental monitoring issue.
EXPECTED RESULTS:
-
Increased awareness among
countries on the inter-linkages between ecosystems and other sectors.
-
Higher number of case
studies and lessons learnt.
OUT PUT 1.3 : knowledge sharing
ACTIVITIES:
1.3.1:
Regional up-scaling of pilot projects: Encourage the design, implementation and
duplication of pilot projects based on lessons learnt in regional level.
1.3.2:Encourage a case studies research on
development of natural resources management techniques.
1.3.3: Indigenous knowledge: Facilitate the
dissemination of guidelines and best practices among countries on the use of
indigenous techniques to monitor, protect and improve ecosystems.
EXPECTED RESULTS:
-
Enhanced regional and
international cooperation on a variety of environmental issues through exchange
of experiences and best practices.
-
Increased number of
partnerships and collaboration agreements between concerned institutions on the
regional and international levels.
3.2. CLUSTER 2 : CAPACITY BUILDING OF NATIONAL AND
REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS :
This cluster
aims at promoting regional cooperation among countries, it will strengthen the
institutional capacities of national and regional organizations to promote the
exchange of best practices and knowledge within and among countries.
OUT PUT 2.1 : institutional strengthening and capacity
building of national and
regional institutions
ACTIVITIES:
2.1.1:
Strengthen the institutional and technical capacities of national and regional
specialized centers to provide training in the field of environmental
monitoring.
2.1.2:
Contribute to the technical support of the relevant thematic networks.
2.1.3: Support
national and regional environmental research.
2.1.4:
Strengthen the institutional relationship and linkages between early warning
systems and decision makers to facilitate quick and appropriate responses to
environmental problems.
-
EXPECTED RESULTS:
Enhanced institutional and technical capacities of national and
regional organizations and networks to environmental monitoring and provide
adequate training and information on this domain.
3.3. CLUSTER 3 : REGIONAL SYSTEMS
FOR COLLECTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF INFORMATION:
In order to
ensure effective circulation and dissemination of information, a comprehensive
regional information networks on environmental monitoring have to b put in
place.
OUT PUT 3.1 : regional information
networks on ecosystems management and environmental monitoring
ACTIVITIES:
3.1.1:
Encourage the up- scaling of existing regional database on environmental
monitoring and management with the aim to create a comprehensive regional
database.
3.1.2:
Facilitate linkages between regional databases in collaboration with key
partners at the international level.
3.1.3:
Encourage the linkages between the national institutions and the regional
databases websites and thematic networks.
3.1.4: Build an
international database on environmental monitoring.
EXPECTED RESULTS:
-
Establishment of regional information networks on environmental
monitoring and ecosystems management.
-
Strengthening of the informational and communicational
linkages between networks and organizations at all levels.
3.4 : CLUSTER 4 : REMOTE SENSING
APPLICATION TO ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING:
This cluster
will form the technical skeleton of the work plan, the approach will be based
on selection of monitoring areas and series of test sites for implementation
and assessment of remote sensing monitoring techniques.
OUT PUT 4.1 : environmental monitoring
inventory and survey
ACTIVITIES:
4.1.1 : Survey
and evaluation of the methodologies used for environmental monitoring.
4.1.2 :
Inventory of environmental monitoring activities in the regional level.
4.1.3 :
Assessment of the current status of environmental monitoring in the regional
level.
EXPECTED RESULTS:
-
Selection of appropriate methods for environmental
monitoring.
-
Building database about environmental monitoring activities
and information.
OUT PUT 4.2 : remote sensing
application
ACTIVITIES:
4.2.1 :
Selection of basic indicators of environmental monitoring to be derived from
remotely sensed data.
4.2.2 : Case
studies over monitoring areas including different levels and types of
environmental monitoring, this task will include the following:
q
Definition of data plan ( parameters and measurement
protocols ).
q
Data acquisition including remotely sensed data and ground
data sets.
q
Data processing and analysis using the available hardware
and software.
q
Analysis of environmental degradation causes.
q
Mapping of environmental degradation trends and
highlighting hot spots.
-
EXPECTED RESULTS:
Selection of environmental monitoring indicators based on remote
sensing .
-
Production of environmental maps using remote sensing.
-
Selection of appropriate remote sensing techniques for
environmental monitoring and environment degradation assessment.
4: INNOVATIVE FUNDING MECHANISMS:
Innovative
funding mechanisms have to be put in place to maximize the use of financial
resources, avoid duplication of activities and encourage synergies between all
involving agencies.
OUT PUT 4.1 : innovative funding
solutions
ACTIVITIES:
4.1.1:
Facilitate the provision of necessary funding at the regional and international
levels for work activities.
4.1.2: Promote
multiple-source funding approaches, mechanisms and arrangements and their
assessment.
4.1.3:
Facilitate the establishment of financial mechanisms, such as environmental
funds.
4.1.4:
Strengthen existing related fund and financial mechanisms at the regional
level.
EXPECTED RESULTS:
-
Launching of innovative funding mechanisms.
-
Maximize the availability of funding to implement the work
plan.
OUT PUT 4.2 : foreign and private
sectors involvement
ACTIVITIES:
4.2.1:
Encourage regional and international finance organization to create
micro-credit programs for environmental development.
4.2.2:
Facilitate the participation of private sector to jointly invest with public
sector in national level programs for environmental protection and
rehabilitation.
-
EXPECTED RESULTS:
Increased flow of investments from private and public sectors and
foreign investments.
5: WORKPLAN IMPLEMENTATION
STRATEGY:
5.1: Stakeholders and
beneficiaries:
q
national relevant ministries and institutions.
q
Civil society representatives.
q
Regional network.
q
UN Relevant conventions.
5.2: Supporting Agencies:
q
Regional specialized centers.
q
Concerned international organizations.
q
Regional and international environmental networks.
5.3: Financial partners and donors
:
q
Multilateral and regional banks.
q
UN Bodies.
q
Others.
The work plan
has to take into account the framework of united nations conventions on
environment, and to be open to all countries wishing to join.
5.4: Implementation arrangements:
The work plan
has to be implemented at the regional level. A regional environmental monitoring
committees have to be established. The regional committees have to elaborate a
detailed work programs according to work plan technical clusters. The overall
programs management will be led by regional coordinators and supervised by : United Nations Committee on the Peaceful
Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS).
The management
will seek to establish close working relation ships with key partners,
institutions and agencies in the region, during the preparation phase of the
regional programs, consultations exchange of information and experiences among
regions and international entities will be conducted if needed. International
technical advisory committee headed by ( COPUOS ) has to be set up also to
provide recommendations and consultations for the regional committees.
5.5: Time frame:
the work plan
is conceived for duration of six years and includes three main phases:
-
Phase 1 : Design of the regional programs. Expected
duration is one year.
-
Phase 2 : Implementation of the regional programs. Expected
duration is four years.
-
Phase 3: Work finalization. Expected duration is one year.
5.6 : Monitoring and evaluation
process:
A monitoring
and evaluation process will be conducted to systematically document progress of
the work plan over the regional programs. Implementation benchmarks and
indicators relevant for monitoring and evaluation will be developed. Also
technical support has to be provided to the regional programs to assist them in
developing benchmarks and indicators.
The regional
coordinator will be responsible to post the reports to (COPUOS) and other
regional coordinators and networks.
A review
workshop has to be held annually, a progress reports and other documentation
will be prepared for this purpose and distributed to all parties. The annual
review workshop can be held jointly with the annual meetings of (COPUOS).
Final review of
the outputs will be conducted at the end of the six years. The review will be
commissioned by key stakeholders in order to assess successes and failures and
the potential of strategy extension.