In the southern cone of South America, the Common Market of the South (MERCOSUR) is a regional organization designed to facilitate integration. MERCOSUR’s Specialized Working Group #6 addresses environmental and sustainable development issues.
Specialized Working Group #6 meets regularly through ordinary meetings, extraordinary meetings, and ministerial meetings. For example, in 2005, there were three ordinary meetings, one extraordinary meeting, and two meetings of MERCOSUR Environment Ministries.
The Working Group addresses a wide range of issues. These include, for example, desertification, biodiversity, competitivity and the environment; implementation of various MERCOSUR instruments relating to the environment; wildlife management; forest management; waste management; air quality; water resources and water quality management; and environmental health.
The Working Group organises seminars and briefings on particular topics. When there are upcoming Conferences of the Parties and other negotiating meetings, the Working Group helps to brief its Member States on the key issues, facilitating the development of common negotiating positions.
For more information, contact asin@mma.gov.br or see http://www.mma.gov.br/index.php?ido
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