Malé Declaration Secretariat at UNEP RRC.AP presented three publications to His Excellency Patali Champika Ranawaka, Minister of Environment for Sri Lanka.

Mr. Mylvakanam Iyngararasan, Secretariat for the Malé Declaration on the Likely Effects of Transboundary Air Pollution in South Asia Secretariat at UNEP RRC.AP, presented three publications to His Excellency Patali Champika Ranawaka, Minister of Environment for Sri Lanka, during the opening ceremonies of the 5th Regional Stakeholders/Coordination Meeting and 10th Session of the Intergovernmental Meeting of Malé Declaration in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

“Youth for Clean Air,” “Past, present and future on Malé Declaration,” and “Compendium of Good Practices for Reduction on Prevention and Control of Air Pollution” were officially launched on 19 August 2008.The “Youth for Clean Air” publication and CD developed by Tunza-South Asian Youth Environment Network (SAYEN) supported by UNEP are available at

Regional Workshop on GEO/IEA Methodology

UNEP Division of Early Warning and Assessment (DEWA) in Asia and the Pacific organized the regional workshop on UNEP Global Environmental Outlook (GEO) / Integrated Environmental Assessment (IEA) methodology from 8 to 11 September 2008 in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Workshop objectives included: the discussion and sharing of experience on City IEA Methodology including sharing experience from some major cities in the region; the review of IEA process impacts and capacity-building on national and city-level; and the finalization of the customized version of GEO Resource Book for Asia and the Pacific. The workshop provided strategic inputs to enhance capacity of partners using GEO/IEA methodology, and to strengthen the assessment network.

Participants included GEO Collaborating Centers and governments in the region. Notably, the “green meeting” promotes the use of natural materials, limitation on paper-use and calculation of meeting carbon footprint (from travel and meeting organizing). Ms. Anna Strabawa, Mr. Jinhua Zhang, Ms. Tunnie Srisakulchairak, Mr. Batyr Hadijyev, Ms. Natalya Medvedyev, Mr. Purna Chandra Lal Rajbhandari, and Ms. Nipa Laithong of UNEP RRC.AP participated in the workshop.

UNEP RRC.AP mission on Climate Neutral partnership with Broad Air Conditioning, China

UNEP RRC.AP mission to Broad Air Conditioning Ltd., in Beijing, P.R. China was hosted by Mr. Ding Yuan Gang, Vice President of Broad, and Mr. Li, Customer Officer of Broad’s Beijing Office on 31 July 2008. The mission enabled closer discussion of cooperation in UNEP green buildings programs, specifically the energy efficient renovation of the UNEP RRC.AP office. As part of the partnership agreement for example, the existing air conditioning system in RRC.AP is being replaced with an energy-saving air conditioning and air purification system designed by BROAD. Through its products, BROAD contributes to the world’s energy saving and greenhouse gases emission reduction.

A study initiated at UNEP RRC.AP in the second half of 2006 on non-transport related emissions in its operations discovered that over 40 % of the electricity consumption and associated GHGs could be reduced. Following the study, the demonstration project on the office retrofitting was undertaken. Dr. Aida Karazhanova and Ms. Liang Li of UNEP RRC.AP and Mr. Zhang Shigang of UNEP Beijing Office participated in the mission.

Yunnan Provincial Sustainable Development Strategy Study launched at workshop

China Foreign Economic Cooperation Office (FECO), Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) in cooperation with Yunnan Provincial Environmental Protection Bureau (YEPB) hosted a workshop in Beijing, P.R China to launch the Yunnan Provincial Sustainable Development Strategy (YPSDS) Study on 30 July 2008 with the support of UNEP RRC.AP. The workshop aimed to present and disseminate YPSDS study report on how the province can strategically mainstream sustainable development in local policy and planning; to discuss the follow-up activities on YPSDS; and summarize how practical Yunnan PSDS report would be at both national and sub-regional levels. Outcomes emphasized that the global review process and MDGs should be aligned within YPSDS implementation process. Strategic importance of Yunnan province in Greater Mekong Sub-region was stressed by participants, as well as how China could become a good example of south-south cooperation for SD. It was suggested that Yunnan PSDS study to take a leading role and serve as a positive example for other provinces of China on developing SD strategies for example in the Greater Mekong Sub-region.

The participants of the workshop included representatives from FECO/MEP, YEPB, and representatives from The Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Renmin University of China, Beijing Normal University, and SOGREAH Consultants Beijing Office. The project in Yunnan province, P.R.China on capacity-building towards formulation of the long-term sustainable development strategy is supported by UNEP RRC.AP, Government of Norway and ADB and implemented by MEP and YEPB. Dr. Aida Karazhanova and Ms. Liang Li of UNEP RRC.AP as well as Mr. Zhang Shigang of UNEP Beijing Office attended the workshop.

Philippine solid waste management and informal sector consultation workshop

The Final Consultative Workshop for the development of the National Framework for the Management of the Informal Sector in Solid Waste Management was organized by National Solid Waste Management Commission of the Environmental Management Bureau/Department of Environment and National Resources (NSWMC/EMB DENR) in Manila, Philippines on 26 September 2008. About 50 participants from various national agencies, NGOs and other partner agencies participated in the consultative workshop. Thematic areas identified by participants will serve as input to the planned “National Framework for the Management of the Informal Sector on Solid Waste Management.”

Lead government representatives from Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) included Atty. Jonas Leones, Assistant Director, EMB; Atty. Zoilo Andin, Executive Director, NSWMC/EMB-DENR; Dr. Emily Aguinaldo, Deputy Executive Director, NSWMC/EMB-DENR; and Mr. Gerardo V. Calderon, Assistant Secretary, Local Government Concern and Lands - Department of Environment and Natural Resources participated in the workshop.. Assistant Secretary Calderon encouraged the support on the development of the national framework and to Local Government Units for the development of the national framework relative to 3R practices. Mr. Guilberto Borongan of UNEP RRC.AP participated in the workshop.

EANET Secretariat at UNEP RRC.AP hosted a capacity-building workshop for policy makers on acid deposition

The Capacity Building Workshop for Policy Makers of the Participating Countries of Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia (EANET) organized by EANET Secretariat at UNEP RRC.AP was held in Pathumthani, Thailand from 23 to 26 September 2008. The workshop used a module-approach. It aimed to enhance the capacity of officials of the participating countries of EANET and those involved in the policy- making process to contribute to the discussion necessary for future development of EANET. Specifically, the workshop objectives included: improved awareness of participating countries’ policy-makers on adverse environmental impacts of acid deposition and strengthened regional cooperation by providing the policy-makers with good practices and policies addressing acid deposition and air pollution. Given the lectures and the Handbook for the workshop on “Multilateral Cooperation on Air Pollution: Science, Policy and Negotiations for Agreements/Instruments," the group exercises at this workshop were very productive. Ms. Adelaida B. Roman, Coordinator of the EANET Secretariat at UNEP RRC.AP opened the workshop.

Practitioners gather for green buildings national workshop in Dhaka

The National Workshop on Eco-housing/Green Building under Malé Declaration was jointly organized by Department of Environment, Ministry of Environment and Forest, Bangladesh, Housing Building Research Institute (HBRI), Dhaka and UNEP RRC.AP. The workshop was held in LGED Bhavan, Agargaon, Dhaka, Bangladesh on 23-24 September 2008. Workshop’s main objectives include: capacity-building and awareness-raising on eco-housing; sharing experiences and expert opinions to help formulate recommendations for policy dialogue; and dissemination of the eco-housing concept to the stakeholders.

Raja Devasish Roy, Special Assistant to Honorable Chief Advisor, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Agriculture, Fisheries; Mr. AHM Rezaul Kabirndc, Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Forest; and Mr. Md. Shah Alam, Member, Agriculture, Water Resources and Rural Institution Division of the Ministry of Planning graced the event. Around eighty participants from engineering, architecture, urban planning, building design, developers from HBRI, NGOs, university and institutions attended the workshop. Ms. Naw Wah Wah Htoo of UNEP RRC.AP participated in the workshop.

Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Mongolian youth environmentalists partner for climate

The 4th Tunza-Northeast Asian Youth Environment Network (NEAYEN) Conference was held during 1 to 4 September 2008 at the Erkhet Suld Ger Camp in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The conference was jointly organized by the UNEP ROAP, Bayer A.G. in cooperation with UNDP Mongolia, the Ministry of Nature and Environment (MNE) Mongolia, as convened by the UNEP National Committee for the Republic of Korea and the country host Institute for Future. Outcomes of the annual conference were the Ulaanbaatar Initiative which declared key messages of the youth environmentalists from China, Japan, Republic of Korea and Mongolia to their peers and leaders of their countries. The initiative also summarizes the action plans in the areas of green campus, advocacy and lobbying, online networking and 2009 World Environment Day programs.

Eminent persons such as United Nations Resident Coordinator for Mongolia Ms. Debora Comini and Vice Minister of Nature and Environment (MNE) for Mongolia His Excellency Davaadorjiin Delgertsogt strongly highlighted the youth’s opportunity to rise above climate change in their respective messages. GTZ-Mongolia Country Director Mr. Martin Marschke and Environment Education Coordinator Ms. Barbara Schichler graced the reception. The theme of the NEAYEN annual conference is youth partnerships for climate change. The participants interacted with experts from UNEP such as Regional Environmental Affairs Officer, Mr. Mahesh Pradhan, Regional Coordinator for Bio-safety, Ms. Fee Chon Low, among others. Youth participated in a field visit to Terelej National Park where a clean-up campaign was conducted at Turtle Rock. Ms. Catherine Candano of UNEP RRC.AP participated in the meeting.

His Excellency Patali Champika Ranawaka, Environmental Minister of Sri Lanka, opens the Intergovernmental & Regional Stakeholder’s Meetings on Malé Declaration

UNEP RRC.AP and the Central Environment Authority (CEA), Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of Sri Lanka organized the Tenth Session of the Intergovernmental Meeting (IG10) and the Fifth Regional Stakeholders cum Coordination Meeting (5 RSCM) in Colombo, Sri Lanka from 19 to 21 August 2008. The Inauguration Ceremony was graced by His Excellency Patali Champika Ranawaka, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources of Sri Lanka.

The stakeholders and coordination meeting aimed to share and receive stakeholders’ views and ideas on the implementation of Malé Declaration and enhance coordination and information-sharing among the ongoing air pollution initiatives in and across the regions. The IG10 discussed the Malé Declaration implementation progress from 2007 to 2008, results of impact assessment studies on health, crop, corrosion and rapid urban assessment conducted during Phase III, and future plans.

National Focal Points (NFP) and National Implementing Agencies (NIA) from the Ministries of Environment of eight participating countries of the Malé Declaration in South Asia and various stakeholders groups on air pollution at national, sub-regional, regional, and global levels, members of Monitoring Committee (MoC), South Asian Cooperative Environment Programme (SACEP), Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), Swedish Environmental Research Institute Ltd (IVL) and UNEP attended the meeting. Mr. Mylvakanam Iyngararasan, Ms. Naw Wah Wah Htoo, Ms. Wenman Liu participated in the meetings.

Local Government Units, Informal Sectors and other line departments during the Consultative Workshop on the development of NFMISSWM

First Consultative Workshop on “National Framework for the Management of the Informal Sector in Solid Waste Management (NFMISSWM)” was organized by National Solid Waste Management Commission, Environment Management Bureau, Department of Environment and Natural Resource Philippines on 13 August 2008. About 120 participants from 8 regions in Luzon including the informal sector NGO’s line and concerned departments, LGU’s , GTZ and UNEP RRC.AP participated the workshop.

The workshop aimed to consult and build consensus among stakeholders on the planned NFMISSWM and identify activities and appropriate strategies for the NFMISSWM. Good practices were presented on the management of the informal sector in SWM relative to 3Rs. It was highlighted that most of the LGUs recognized to formalize the informal sector in SWM. The participants agreed on the current reality dialogue/consensus and drawn streamlined seven priority conditions for the informal sector. Mr. Guilberto Borongan of UNEP RRC.AP participated in the workshop.

RRC.AP staff during Q&A at the National Workshop on Advanced Waste Management in Cambodia

The National Workshop on Advanced Waste Management was organized by Cambodia Environmental Association in coordination with the Ministry of Environment, on 8 August 2008 at Sihanoukville City, the Kingdom of Cambodia. About 40 participants coming from inter-ministries, concerned departments and institutions at provincial level, NGOs, academe, local authorities and private sector engaged with waste collection and management services participated in the workshop.

ASEAN youth environmentalists meet at the UN Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific

The 4th Tunza-Southeast Asian Youth Environment Network (SEAYEN) Conference was held in Bangkok, Thailand from 21 to 23 July 2008. Nearly 30 environmental youth leaders from eight ASEAN countries participated in the conference on climate change convened in cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretariat by UNEP; BAYER AG; the SEAYEN Secretariat National Youth Achievement Award Council (NYAAC) Singapore, with local support from the Thai Youth Environment Network (ThaiYEN) and the Asian Institute of Technology Student Union (AIT SU) Environment Committee. The theme of the SEAYEN annual conference is the rights and roles of the youth in the post-Bali regime towards climate security in the vulnerable ASEAN region. A youth statement and action on climate change rights of youth in Southeast Asia was formulated by as well the SEAYEN work plan of collaborative action including youth-led advocacy video and publication.

Dr. Dechen Tsering, Deputy Regional Director UNEP ROAP, Mr. Aprianto Mashjur of ASEAN Secretariat, Mr. Chaveng Chao of Bayer Thai Company and Mr. James Soh, Eminent Adviser with the Secretariat of the Tunza-SEAYEN

The participants interacted with experts from UNEP on Climate Change and Multilateral Environmental Agreements such as Deputy Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, Ms. Dechen Tsering, Regional Environmental Affairs Officer, Mr. Mahesh Pradhan, among others. Honorable Senator Loren Legarda from the Philippines and Mr. Aprianto Mashjur from the ASEAN Secretariat addressed SEAYEN on the youth’s opportunity to rise above climate change. Outcomes of the ASEAN+3 Youth Environment Forum and resulting State of Environment on Climate Change Youth Version was presented by youth delegates at the SEAYEN meeting. Youth participated in a field visit to Bayer Thai Company’s Bangpoo Plant to learn environmental management techniques first-hand. Ms. Catherine Candano of UNEP RRC.AP participated in the conference.

Youth from East Asia share assessment of climate change issues

Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs ASEAN Department and Ministry of Nature and Environment Department of Environmental Quality and Protection hosted the ASEAN +3 Youth State of Environment Forum on Climate Change, “You(th) Can Save Our Climate” supported by UNEP RRC.AP from 12 to 20 July 2008 in Bangkok and Chaam, Thailand. Nearly 60 youth delegates from ten countries in Southeast Asia and China, Japan, Republic of Korea developed a youth green voice and assessment of climate change as it affected their countries and communities. The forum resulted in the ASEAN+3 Youth State of Environment Report on Climate Change published by the Royal Government of Thailand.

Using elements of the Integrated Environmental Assessment process, youth at the forum prioritized issues of excessive energy use, deforestation and urbanization that they considered the top-most ranked human activities that put pressure on climate (and related eco-systems) in the thirteen countries. The youth also voiced their ideas to their governments on what they intend to do about climate change in home, school and community, as well as how their countries can support the youth climate change initiatives. Mr. Tin Aung Moe, Ms. Sansana Malaraisoon, Ms. Tunnie Srisakulchairak, and Ms. Catherine Candano of UNEP RRC.AP participated in the forum.

Mr. Guilberto Borongan joined the Emerging Issues Component of UNEP RRC.AP as Associate Programme Officer on July 2008. He will work and support the Thematic Working Group on Solid and Hazardous Waste (TWG-SHW) in Southeast and East Asian countries, the Advanced Waste Management in Asia and the Pacific (AWMAP) project related to 3R activities in SEA region, and activities on Urban Environmental issues.

Ms. Thithikan Satchabut, a graduate student of Natural Resource Management of the Asian Institute of Technology in Thailand, is assisting the Capacity Building Component’s Tunza-Southeast Asian Youth Environment Network, under UNEP’s Youth Program.

Ms. Seepus Sri-aksorn of the Faculty of Liberal Arts at Sripatum University in Thailand, is assisting the National Sustainable Development Strategies Project Secretariat at the Capacity Building Component.