| For regional bodies, agreements and networks — see Regions
UN organizations and agencies
- UN Division
for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea
The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) lays down a comprehensive
regime of law and order in the world's oceans and seas. It is an umbrella
convention which establishes rules governing all uses of the oceans
and their resources. In so doing, it embodies in one instrument traditional
rules for the uses of the oceans and at the same time introduces new
legal concepts and regimes and addresses new concerns. The Convention
provides the framework for further development of specific areas of
the law of the sea. -- The site includes the full text of the Convention,
as well as information on Marine Resources and Marine Environment. Here
you will also find links to a variety of International Organizations
and Institutions. There is also information on Settlement of Disputes;
links to Documents and Publications; Education and Training; and a search
function to all Oceans
and Law of the Sea documents.
- UN Commission
on Sustainable Development, UNCSD
The Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) was created in December
1992 to ensure effective follow-up of the UN Conference on Environment
and Development; to monitor and report on implementation of the Earth
Summit agreements at the local, national, regional and international
levels. ----- The site offers reports from CSD Meetings, various background
documents, and reports on intersessional activities. See also more information
on the Sustainable Development
Web Site, including links to CSD Update Newsletter; Major groups;
Global agreements and commitments; National information - Guidelines;
Indicators of sustainable development; Success stories; and Learning
Centre. Here you will also find various topics, including ocean
and seas; and freshwater.
Furthermore, the CSD site provides the UN Comprehensive
Assessment of the Freshwater Resources of the World. This report
of the UN Secretary General to the Session of the CSD and to the Special
Session of the UN General Assembly in 1997, is an outcome of the United
Nations - Stockholm Environment Institute Freshwater Assessment Project.
The report deals with The Supply, Availability and Use of the World's
Freshwater Resources; Water Challenges - A 30 Year Outlook; Conclusions
and Policy Options.
- UN Development Programme,
UNDP
The UNDP mission is to help countries in their efforts to achieve sustainable
human development by assisting them to build their capacity to design
and carry out development programmes in poverty eradication, employment
creation and sustainable livelihoods, the empowerment of women and the
protection and regeneration of the environment, giving first priority
to poverty eradication. On the UNDP site one finds the GEF unit of UNDP
and the UNDP/GEF Project
Portfolio on International Waters. See also the UNDP Sustainable
Development Network Programme, and the joint UNEP-European Commission
Poverty and Environment Inititiave.
- UN Environment Programme,
UNEP
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is built on a heritage
of service to the environment. Established as a follow-up to the 1972
UN Conference on the Human Environment, UNEP is the environmental conscience
of the United Nations system, and has been creating a basis for comprehensive
consideration and co-ordinated action within the UN on the problems
of the human environment. Its mission is to provide leadership and encourage
partnerships in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing and
enabling nations and people to improve their quality of life without
compromising that of future generations.
The UNEP site includes the Regional
Seas Programme with Regional Action Plans, Regional Conventions,
and information on environmental threats to the sea, environmental
assessment and environmental management.
- UN Food and Agricultural
Organisation, FAO
The Food and Agriculture Organization was founded in 1945 with a mandate
to raise levels of nutrition and standards of living, to improve agricultural
productivity, and to better the condition of rural populations.
- FAO
Fishery Department: FAO's Major Programme on Fisheries is aimed
at promoting sustainable development of responsible fisheries and
contributing to food security. To implement this Major Programme,
the Fisheries Department focuses its activities, through programmes
in Fishery
Resources, Fishery
Policy, Fishery
Industries, and Fishery
Information. One can also find, for example, the full text of
the 1998
State of the World Fisheries and Aquaculture, as well as Review
of the State of World Fishery Resources (marine
fisheries, aquaculture,
and inland
fisheries).
- Global Environment Facility,
GEF
GEF is a multilateral financing mechanism created in 1991 to address
global environmental issues that do not normally get funded through
national, bilateral, and international finance. GEF is currently the
principal international funding mechanism for the global environment.
The GEF site links you to information on GEF
Projects; Operation policies; Partners, etc.
- International Maritime Organization,
IMO
IMO is responsible for improving maritime safety and preventing
pollution to water and air from ships. On the IMO site you find information
on the organization itself, and on conventions on marine pollution,
including the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution
from Ships, MARPOL 73/78. IMO is also the secretariat for the Convention
on the Prevention of Maritime Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other
Matter (LDC) 1972).
- United Nations
Regional Economic Commissions
The UN has five Regional Economic Commissions, which are subsidiary
bodies to the UN Economic and Social Council (see also the Regional
Commissions Development Update).
- World Meteorological Organisation,
WMO
The Global Climate
Observing System, GCOS, was established in 1992 by WMO, IOC, UNEP,
and the International Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU). The objectives
are to insure the acquisition of data to meet the data for: Climate
system monitoring, climate change detection and response monitoring
especially in terrestrial ecosystems; Application of climate information
to national economic development; Research toward improved understanding,
modelling, and prediction of the climate system.
The overall objective of the Hydrology
and Water Resources Programme, HWR is to apply hydrology to meet
the needs for sustainable development and use of water and related resources;
to the mitigation of water-related disasters; and to effective environmental
management at national and international levels. These needs relate
to the planning, design, operation and management of water projects,
including forecasting and control. The HWR consists of three mutually
supporting component programmes: Operational Hydrology Programme (OHP)
- Basic Systems, including HOMS; Operational Hydrology Programme (OHP)
- Applications and Environment; Programme on Water-related Issues. Links
to a collection of other
sites addressing issues of hydrology and water resources can also
be found on the WMO site.
The Global Runoff Data Centre
is operated under the auspices of WMO and closely co-operates with
other UN-agencies, international organisations and research institutes.
The major activities of the GRDC include the collection and dissemination
of river discharge data on global scale. WMO, with the support of the
World Bank, promotes the development of a World
Hydrological Cycle Observing System (WHYCOS). The first regional
WHYCOS component is the Mediterranean
Hydrological Cycle Observing System - MED-HYCOS project - hosted
by the Institute of Research for Development with its MED-HYCOS Pilot
Regional Centre. The MED-HYCOS information system is based on a World
Wide Web to Database connectivity dealing with managing and numerical/graphical
processing of Hydro-Meteorological data.
- World Health Organization,
WHO
Information on world health issues and the work of WHO can be found
on this site, including Water,
Sanitation and Health. The Third
Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health, June 1999, arranged
by the WHO Regional Office for Europe, adopted a Protocol
on Water and Health to the UN ECE 1992 Convention on the Protection
and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes.
- The World Bank
The World Bank Development
Topics include environment;
fisheries & aquaculture;
health, nutrition & population;
rural development; urban
development; and water. Water
is organized under four major themes: Hydropower; Water supply & sanitation;
Water resources management in rural development (including agricultural
irrigation and drainage); and Environmental dimensions of water resources
management (such as freshwater, coastal and marine resource management).
Combined, these four main themes are part of an integrated water resources
management approach to address the cross-cutting issues of water throughout
the various sectors and regions of the Bank's work.
The site of the World
Bank GEF Unit gives you information in the World Bank GEF database
about ongoing and completed projects, as well as on the Project
Development Fund (PDF) List 4 and Bank-GEF Enabling Activities.
- UNDP/ World Bank Water
and Sanitation Programme
Unsafe drinking water and inadequate sanitation are among the most serious
problems facing the developing world today. More than a billion people
in rural and urban areas lack access to the most basic water and sanitation
services. The environmental and social costs especially to women and
children are enormous. The UNDP-World Bank Water and Sanitation Program
is a partnership that directly addresses these problems.
Other international organizations
- European Environment
Agency, EEA
"The goal of the EEA and its wider network, EIONET (the European
Environment Information and Observation Network) is to provide the European
Union and the member states with high-quality information for policy-making
and assessment of the environment, to inform the public, and to provide
scientific and technical support to these ends." EIONET gives, for example,
further links to National Focal Points in EU states, National Focal
Points in Phare states - including their State of the Environment Reports
- and to the joint European Topic Centres and National References Centres
(on air emissions; air quality; inland waters; land cover; marine and
coastal environment; nature conservation; soil; waste. See EEA
Topical Centre on the Marine and Coastal Environment and EEA
Topical Centre on Inland Waters.
- International Council for
the Exploration of the Sea, ICES
ICES is the oldest intergovernmental organisation in the world concerned
with marine and fisheries science. Since its establishment in Copenhagen
in 1902, ICES has been a leading scientific forum for the exchange of
information and ideas on the sea and its living resources, and for the
promotion and coordination of marine research by scientists within its
member countries. Since the 1970s, a major area of ICES work as an intergovernmental
marine science organization is to provide information and advice to
Member Country governments and international regulatory commissions
(including the European Commission) for the protection of the marine
environment and for fisheries conservation.
- Joint Group of Experts
on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection, GESAMP
GESAMP is a multidisciplinary body of independent experts nominated
by the Sponsoring Organisations. Its mission is to provide advice to
the Sponsoring Organisations, at their request, on pollution and other
problems that face marine and coastal environments. Each Sponsoring
Organisation nominates one to four experts according to its interests
in the substantive work for the session. Experts appointed to the Group
should act in their individual capacities.
GESAMP activities include the preparation of an assessment report
"The State of the Marine Environment: Current Major Issues and Emerging
Problems". This considers the degradation of coastal ecosystems and
habitats, over-fishing and fishing of so-called "under-utilised species",
threats from alien species, aquaculture as a source of environmental
problems, pressure from tourism and a reduction of marine bio-diversity.
The final report will be published in 1999. Work is under way preparing
a report on land-based sources and activities affecting the quality
and use of marine, coastal and related freshwater environments. The
report reviews, among others, available information on the input of
nutrients, heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) to
the seas through the atmosphere. --- Preparations are also under way
for a global report on the state of the marine environment to 2002.
- U.S. National Oceanic and
Atmoshperic Administration (NOAA)
The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmoshperic Administration (NOAA) is a
multivaried environmental scientific agency composed of the National
Ocean Service, National W eather Service, National Marine Fisheries
Service, National Environmental Satellite Data, and Information Service,
and Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research. The creation of NOAA
in 1970 "was the result of a series of decisions which recognized the
importance of the oceans and atmosphere to the nation's welfare and
economy".
- Organisation for Economic
Co-operation and Development, OECD
Information on, for example, OECD activities in CCET, the Centre for
Co-operation with the Economies in Transition, including the Special
Country Programme and the joint OECD and EU Phare SIGMA programme in
Support of Good Governance in Central and Eastern Europe.Here you find
also information on OECD work on environmental issues: OECD responsibility
for the EAP Task Force for the Implementation of the Environmental Action
Programme for Central and Eastern Europe (EAP) as part of the Environment
for Europé Process. Information is also provided on OECD work on Sustainable
Consumption and Production, projects on Environmental Health and Safety,
and on Pollution Prevention and Control.
- World Conservation
Monitoring Centre, WCMC
WCMC is internationally recognised as a centre of excellence in the
location and management of information on the conservation and sustainable
use of the world's living resources. The WCMC site will guide you to
global data on biodiversity and information relating to WCMC's activities
in this field.
- Freshwater
Biodiversity: A Preliminary Global Assessment
This document has been prepared on behalf of the United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP). Its purpose is to provide useful information
on inland waters and their biodiversity to a wide audience, ranging
from those interested in the state of the world environment generally,
to those needing an overview of the global and regional context
in order to improve planning, management and investment decisions.
- WCMC Marine
Programme
WCMC maintains a large amount of information relating to marine
and coastal environments and their conservation. Particular attention
is devoted to mapping sensitive coastal ecosystems.
- World Conservation Union,
IUCN
The Union’s Mission is to influence, encourage and assist societies
throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature
and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically
sustainable. The World Conservation Union today has over 900 governmental
and non-governmental members from 138 countries. The Union is a global
network of networks with over 8,000 scientists and field practitioners
from government and non-governmental organisations working voluntarily
and works with and through its members and strategic partners -- grassroots,
governmental, intergovernmental, academic, research, corporate. See,
for example, IUCN's Marine
and Coastal Programme, and the IUCN Water and Nature Initiative
with the Wetlands
and Water Resources Programme.
Global conventions, agreements
and declarations
- Agenda
21
Agenda 21 is a comprehensive plan of action to be taken globally, nationally
and locally by organizations of the United Nations System, Governments,
and Major Groups in every area in which human impacts on the environment.
Agenda 21, the Rio Declaration, and the Forest Statement were adopted
by more than 178 Governments at the United Nations Conference on Environment
and Development (UNCED) held in Rio de Janerio, Brazil, in 1992.
The Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD)
was created in December 1992 to ensure effective follow-up of UNCED,
to monitor and report on implementation of the agreements at the local,
national, regional and international levels. It was agreed that a
five year review of Earth Summit progress would be made in 1997 by
the United Nations General Assembly meeting in special session. See
also the Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
- Water
Security in the 21st Century
The Ministerial Declaration of the Hague World Water Forum (March 2000).
- UN Convention on Biological
Diversity, CBD
The CBD site provides information on Conference of the Parties; the
Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA);
the Convention itself (History & Background, Articles of the Convention,
Ratification List); Financial Resources and Mechanism; Clearing-House
Mechanism (CHM); Key Thematic Areas (National Reports, the 1995 Jakarta
Mandate on marine and coastal biodiversity, Biosafety etc.); Documents
(Official CBD Documents), and COP Decisons; Database Events (Meetings
and Events up to COP V); contact info, etc. See also the Global
Biodiversity Assessment.
- UN Framework Convention
on Climate Change, FCCC
The FCCC web site includes the Convention and the Kyoto Protocol (full
text) and information on the issue of climate change. Here one also
finds country information from the Contracting Parties, as well as scientific
reports and reports from Conferences of the Parties. See also the web
site of the Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change (IPCC).
- UN
Convention on the Law of the Sea, UNCLOS
The Oceans and Law of the Sea site
includes the full text of the Convention, as well as information on
Marine Resources and Marine Environment. There is also information on
Settlement of Disputes; links to Documents and Publications; Education
and Training; and a search function to all
Oceans and Law of the Sea documents.
- UN
Convention on the Law of the Sea relating to the Conservation and Management
of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks
According to the Convention, coastal states and states fishing on
the high seas shall, inter alia, adopt measures to ensure long-term
sustainability of straddling fish stocks and highly migratory fish stocks
and promote the objective of their optimum utilization.
- Intenational
Whaling Convention
The site of the International Whaling Commission, IWC,
gives information on history and purpose of the Convention; Membership;
Secretariat; Meetings and Procedures; Conservation and Management; Scientific
Research; Dolphins and Porpoises; and Scientific Publications.
- International
Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, MARPOL 73/78
The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships,
as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto, was adopted in
1973. It covers all the technical aspects of pollution from ships, except
the disposal of waste into the sea by dumping, and applies to ships
of all types, although it does not apply to pollution arising out of
the exploration and exploitation of sea-bed mineral resources. Five
Annexes cover regulations for specific kinds of pollution.
- Ramsar Convention
on Wetlands of International Importance
There are some 1,000 wetland sites, totalling 71.3 million hectares,
designated for inclusion in the Ramsar
List of Wetlands of International Importance. The
Ramsar web site provides information on the Convention and Climate
Change; Coral Reefs; Environmental Impact Assessment; Global Water Crisis;
Mangrove Forests; Peatlands Coastal Ramsar sites; Toxic Chemicals; Wetland
Biological Diversity; Wetland Loss and Degradation; Wetlands and Arid
Zones. Regional
wetland information is given about the Arab States, the Baltic States,
the Mediterranean Region, and the Small Island Developing States.One
also finds information on wetlands and the Pan-European Biological &
Landscape Diversity Strategy; Man and the Biosphere Reserves, and a
list of World Heritage Sites that are also Ramsar Sites. Country-specific
wetland information is also available.
Action programmes and initiatives
- PEMSEA - Partnerships
in environmental management for the Seas of East Asia
Eleven countries in East Asia work together in the PEMSEA programme to
protect the life support systems of the Seas of East Asia and to enable
the sustainable use of resources through intergovernmental, interagency
and intersectoral partnerships.
- Global Programme of Action
for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities,
GPA
This web site of the Co-ordination Office of the Global Programme of Action
for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities
(GPA). UNEP was designated GPA Secretariat, with the task to promote and
facilitate implementation of the GPA at the national level; promote and
facilitate implementation at the regional, including subregional, level
through, in particular, a revitalization of the Regional Seas Programme;
and play a catalytic role with other organizations and institutions in
implementation of the GPA at the international level. See also, for example,
the GPA Clearing-House Mechanism for regional
seas and costal
zone management, and the GPA News
Forum.
- Framework
for Action
The Global Water Partnership, GWP,
is responsible for the development of this framework. "Concrete and realistic
programmes of action will be needed. While the Vision will describe possible
future scenarios and indicate where to go, the Framework for Action will
be a route map of how to get there. It will identify the milestones in
the process and the policy measures, management instruments, investment
priorities and the implementation strategy required to reach those milestones".
The Framework for Action is developed to translate the Vision in to practical
action.
- World Water Vision
Guided by the World Commission on Water in the 21st Century and managed
by the World Water Vision Unit hosted by of the UNESCO Division of Water
Science. The World Water Vision "aims to develop a massive public awareness
of the risks of major water problems as a result of inaction, as well
as encourage innovative thinking on how these problems can be tackled.
It should encourage and empower people to participate in devising and
implementing solutions to these water problems. And it should generate
the political commitment to turn this increased public awareness into
effective action". See also the UN
World Water Development Report (a combined effort by 24 UN organizations
to create a biennial assessment of the worldÕs freshwater).
Research institutes
- International Centre
for Living Aquatic Resources Management, ICLARM
An international research organization "devoted to improving the productivity,
management and conservation of aquatic resources for the benefit of users
and consumers in developing countries". ICLARM is one of the research
centres of CGIAR, Consultative Group
on International Agricultural Research. ICLARM, in collaboration with
the the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
and other partners, and with support from the European Commission, has
developed FishBase, a global information
system on fishes for research scientists, fisheries managers, zoologists
and many more. FishBase contains full information on 23,500 species. ICLARM
has also developed similar systems on coral reefs and their resources
(ReefBase) and management
of fish stocks in Asia (TrawlBase).
- International Council for
Science, ICSU
ICSU is a non-governmental organization, founded in 1931 to bring together
natural scientists in international scientific endeavour. It comprises
95 multidisciplinary National Scientific Members (scientific research
councilsor science academies) and 25 international, single-discipline
Scientific Unions to provide a wide spectrum of scientific expertise enabling
members to address major international, interdisciplinary issues which
none could handle alone.
- International Geosphere-Biosphere
Programme, IGBP
IGBP is an interdisciplinary scientific activity established and sponsored
by the International Council for Science (ICSU). The Programme was instituted
by ICSU in 1986. The IGBP is focused on acquiring basic scientific knowledge
about the interactive processes of biology and chemistry of the earth
as they relate to Global Change. The goal of the programme is to describe
and understand the interactive physical, chemical and biological processes
that regulate the total Earth system, the unique environment that it provides
for life, the changes that are occurring in this system, and the manner
in which they are influenced by human actions. See also the Land-Ocean
Interactions in the Coastal Zone International Project, LOICZ.
- Stockholm International
Water Institute, SIWI
The Stockholm International Water Institute is an umbrella organization
for global water-related scientific activities initiated in Stockholm.
SIWI activities include the organisation of the annual Stockholm Water
Symposium and the Stockholm Water Prize which is an international environmental
award presented by the Stockholm Water Foundation annually in honor of
outstanding achievements in science, engineering, technology, education
or public policy related to protection of the world´s water resources.
- UN
University: International Network on Water, Environment and Health
"Marshalling global resources more effectively to solve water problems
in the developing world". The U.N. General Assembly has called "for the
highest priority to be given to freshwater problems facing many regions,
especially in the developing world." The International Network on Water,
Environment and Health is a new member of the U.N. University family of
organizations. It was created by the U.N. University Governing Council
in 1996 with core funding provided by the Government of Canada to strengthen
water management capacity, particularly of developing countries, and to
provide on-the-ground project support. It does so "with minimal overhead
and the flexibility to assemble teams from different disciplines and countries
with the precise skills and expertise required to meet a given need".
- World Resources Institute,
WRI
Since its establishment in 1982 World Resources Institute has used information
and knowledge as tools to move human society to live in ways that protect
Earth's environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations
of current and future generations. WRI conducts policy research, publicize
policy options, encourage adoption of innovative approaches and provide
strong technical support to governments, corporations, international institutions,
and environmental NGOs. WRI's areas of work include oceans
and coasts and water resources
(as well as economics, forests, biodiversity, climate change, governance,
sustainable agriculture, world resources, business; and health. See also,
for example:
- Worldwatch
Institute
The Worldwatch Institute is dedicated to fostering the evolution of an
environmentally sustainable society - one in which human needs are met
in ways that do not threaten the health of the natural environment or
the prospects of future generations. The Institute seeks to achieve this
goal through the conduct of inter-disciplinary non-partisan research on
emerging global environmental issues, the results of which are widely
disseminated throughout the world.
Water-related networks, NGOs and
dedicated water information directories
- Advisory Committee on Protection
of the Sea, ACOPS
ACOPS is a private, independent, non-political organisation funded by
a variety of foundations, governmental and intergovernmental institutions,
and private individuals. Established in 1952 as one of the world's first
environmental NGOs, ACOPS originally concentrated on encouraging international
agreements to reduce marine oil pollution. Since then, ACOPS has expanded
its interests to include land-based sources of marine pollution, as well
as other aspects of degradation of the coastal and marine environment.
- African
Water Page
This information service, published by Water
Policy International ("an association of independent international
consultants engaged in development throughout the world, primarily in
the water sector") provides material on the water sector in Africa and
elsewhere.
- Clean Islands International,
Inc
Clean Islands International, Inc. is a non-profit non-governmental organization
with international members who are dedicated to providing educational
and technical assistance to island communities for the preservation and
beautification of indigenous natural environments and the sustainable
development of proper solid waste handling practices.
- eSeFDee
Marine Sciences Portal
eSeFDee Marine Sciences Portal is offered as a free service to the marine
scientific community, to managers and decision makers, and in general,
to anyone interested in the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean.
- European Rivers
Network, ERN
ERN is a non profit NGO. The aim of ERN, is to unite associations and
organisations working on rivers and to increase communication between
these organisations in order to better preserve the natural rivers in
Europe. See also International Rivers Network,
IRN.
- Global Rivers
Environmental Education Network, Green
GREEN represents an innovative and action-oriented approach to education
based on an interdisciplinary watershed or catchment education model.
GREEN's mission is to improve education through a global network that
promotes watershed stewardship and sustainability.
- Global Water Partnership
The Partnership, founded in 1996, is an international network open to
all parties involved in water resources management, e.g. governments of
developing as well as developed countries, UN agencies, multilateral banks,
professional associations, research organisations, the private sector
and NGO's.
- Greenpeace
See international Greenpeace campaigns relating to the Oceans
and Ocean Dumping.
- International Commission
on Irrigation and Drainage
Established 1950 as a scientific, technical and voluntary not-for-profit
NGO in India. The Commission is "dedicated to enhancing the worldwide
supply of food and fibre for all people by improving water and land management
and the productivity of irrigated and drained lands through appropriate
management of water, environment and application of irrigation, drainage
and flood management techniques. The ICID mission is to stimulate and
promote the development and application of the arts, sciences and techniques
of engineering, agriculture, economics, ecological and social sciences
in managing water and land resources for irrigation, drainage, flood management
and river training applications, including research and development and
capacity building for achieving sustainable irrigated agriculture.
- International
Commmission on Large Dams
A non-governmental international organization "which provides a forum
for the exchange of knowledge and experience in dam engineering. Leads
the profession in ensuring that dams are built safely, efficiently, economically,
and without detrimental effects on the environment". Founded in 1928 and
has National Committees from 80 countries (practising engineers, geologists
and scientists from governmental and private organizations, consulting
firms, universities, laboratories and construction companies).
- International Coral
Reef Initiative
ICRI is an environmental partnership that brings stakeholders together
with the objective of sustainable use and conservation of coral reefs
for future generations. ICRI is an informal mechanism that allows representatives
of over 80 developing countries with coral reefs to sit in equal partnership
with major donor countries and development banks, international environmental
and development agencies, scientific associations, the private sector
and NGOs to decide on the best strategies to conserve the world's coral
reef resources.
- International
Lake Environment Committee
ILEC was established in 1986 with the objectives to: "promote environmentally
sound management of lakes and reservoirs around the world; collect and
provide information of the environments and management of the lakes of
the world; promote research on the environmental management of lakes;
support developing countries for their environmental management of lakes
and for environmentally sound development planning of lake resources;
organize training on the environment and managemental of lakes: support
the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) for its activities that
contribute to the lake environment conservation in developing countries;
promote interchange with governmental agencies, local organizations and
research institutes in Japan and the world that are engaged in international
cooperation for conservation of lake environments". ILEC is currently
preparing a Survey
of state of the World Lakes" (to be completed in 2001) and offers
a World Lake Database.
The ILEC Foundation has been designated as a supporting organization to
the UNEP International Environmental Technology Centre (UNEP/IETC).
See also the UNEP-sponsored MSSL
(Mullard Space Science Laboratory) and WCMC
(World Conservation Monitoring Centre) Global
Lake and Catchment Conservation Database, which can be searched
alphabetically or through clickable maps.
- International
Office for Water
IOW is a non-profit-making association with the objective "to gather public
and private partners involved in water resources management and protection
in France, Europe and in the world (bi- and multi-lateral cooperation
organizations, ministries, water agencies, local communities, universities,
engineering schools, research centers, land development companies, water
suppliers and professionals, industrialists, professional associations,
non governmental organizations) in order to set up a real partners' network".
IOW now comprises 149 member organizations.
- International Ocean Institute
The IOI was founded in 1972 as an independent, non-profit, non-governmental
organisation. The IOI Network currently consists of ten Operational Centres
spanning the globe. The IOI has prepared working papers for UNCLOS III
(1973-1981); the Preparatory Commission for the International Seabed Authority;
and for the International tribunal for the Law of the Sea (1982-1994),
as well as for various governments. It has provided consultants to UNEP,
the World Bank, UNIDO, and the Asian-African Legal Consultative Committee.
The IOI mission is "to promote education, training and research to enhance
the peaceful uses of ocean space and its resources, their management and
regulation as well as the protection and conservation of the marine environment,
guided by the principle of the Common Heritage of Mankind".
- International Institute
for Sustainable Development
The mission of the IISD is to promote sustainable development indecision-making
internationally and within Canada. IISD contribute new knowledge and concepts,
analyze policies, identify and disseminate information about best practices,
demonstrate how to measure progress, and build partnerships to amplify
these messages.
- International Rivers Network
IRN was established in 1985 as a non profit all-volunteer organization
of activists experienced in fighting economically, environmentally, and
socially unsound river intervention projects. IRN's mission is to halt
and reverse the degradation of river systems; to support local communities
in protecting and restoring the well-being of the people, cultures and
ecosystems that depend on rivers; to promote sustainable, environmentally
sound alternatives to damming and channeling rivers; to foster greater
understanding, awareness and respect for rivers; to support the world
wide struggle for environmental integrity, social justice and human rights;
and to ensure that our work is exemplary of responsible and effective
global action on environmental issues.
- International Water Association,
IWA
The International Water Association (IWA) is an International membership
organisation dedicated to the promotion of best practice in water supply,wastewater
collection and treatment, water pollution control and water quality management.
IWA has a diverse range of members that include engineers,scientists,
managers,economists administrators working in water and wastewater utilities,
consulting companies, academia and research, manfacturers and suppliers,
government departments and agencies from over 130 countries.
- International
Water Law Project
The management, regulation and conservation of transboundary water resources
have become increasingly important subjects of international law. The
International Water Law Project web site provides information and links
on international water law and policy and related topics.
- International Water
Resources Association
"IWRA has strived to improve water management worldwide through dialogue,
education, and research for over 25 years. -- actively promoted the sustainable
management of water resources around the globe. -- The belief that sustainability
requires interdisciplinary action and international cooperation is a driving
force behind the association. IWRA seeks to improve water resource outcomes
by improving our collective understanding of the physical, biological,
chemical, institutional, and socioeconomic aspects of water. -- IWRA is
about networking people, information, and organizations that are vitally
concerned with the global sustainability of water resources. IWRA is one
of nine founding members of the World Water Council."
- IW-Learn
A network of "forward-looking project managers, educators, and government
officials who are working to build a global knowledge community." The
purpose of IW (International Waters)-Learn is "to improve the health of
the earth's great transboundary water systems - its endangered oceans,
river basins, and coasts. Through new technologies on the World Wide Web,
IW-Learn supports transboundary conferencing, teaching, negotiation, and
collaborative research." IW-Learn is financed primarily by the Global
Environment Facility (GEF), with participation from the United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank, and the United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP). The GEF inter-agency International Waters Task Force
will serve as the IW-Learn Steering Committee. IW-Learn is an NGO network
operating through the Tides Center, a San Francisco- and Washington-based
NGO that provides administrative and fiscal support services to social
justice and environmental action programs.
- LakeNet
"A global network of people and organizations responsible for the conservation
and sustainable development of lakes." LakeNet goals include: to promote
a sustainable and integrated approach to managing lake watersheds, an
approach that involves all stakeholders, including governments, business
and industry, nongovernmental organizations, researchers and scientists,
and citizens; to share lake and watershed management experience, practices
and technologies; to strengthen the institutional capacity for managing
lakes, particularly those considered to be among the "great lakes" of
the world; to raise awareness about the values of and threats to lakes
around the world; and to elevate the status of lakes in international,
national, regional and local policy discussions and funding decisions.
LakeNet is published by Monitor
International, a US-based nonprofit organization working in partnership
with others to conserve biological diversity, protect cultural heritage
and promote sustainable development of marine and freshwater ecosystems
throughout the world.
- Marine Stewardship Council
The MSC is a charitable, not for profit, non-governmental, international
organisation set up to promote sustainable fisheries and responsible fishing
practices worldwide, through developing long term, market based solutions,
which meet the needs and objectives of both the environment and commerce.
Central to the purpose of the MSC are its Principles and Criteria (i.e.
Standard) for Sustainable Fishing, against which independent certification
companies may certify fisheries, on a voluntary basis.
- NetCoast
NetCoast is an Online Guide to Intergrated Coastal Zone Management. The
Dutch Coastal Zone Management Centre provides "worldwide support for proper
coastal zone management planning and services for sustainable development
in coastal zones. Among its tasks: information dissemination and exchange,
including the development, implementation and maintenance of NetCoast.
- RiverNet
The aim of RiverNet is to provide world-wide information on river-basins,
ecological projects on rivers, organisations working on rivers and on
the threats, as dams and canal-projects. RiverNet is a service provided
by ERN, the European Rivers Network (NGO).
- Water Academy
An organization with a vision "to foster the existence of a community
of experts with the purpose of aiding in the management and use of water
for the benefit of all mankind. The Academy's objectives are "to be a
community of innovators and facilitators from science, business and government
who address and assist key-decision makers world wide. to be involved
in the making of tangible improvements in high impact water resource issues
through communication, relationships, and co-operation in the search for
common benefits and solutions".
- Water Aid
"The UK's specialist development charity working through partner organisations
to help poor people in developing countries achieve sustainable improvements
in their quality of life by improved domestic water supply, sanitation
and associated hygiene practices".
- Water for Food
and Rural Development
The objective of the Water for Food program is to develop a widely supported
vision on the critical issues and trends or discontinuities affecting
the water for food and rural development sector over the next 25 years
together with strategic directions the sector should follow. The Water
for Food and Rural Development program is a set of knowledge-building
and consultative activities carried out by the Water for Food and Rural
Development collaborating partner organizations. The program is a part
of the World Water Vision exercise. The Water for Food and Rural Development
Program is headquartered at the World Bank in Washington DC.
- Water and Nature
The Vision of Water and Nature is one of three Sector Visions (the others
are Water for People, and Water for Food) that will be combined with Regional
Visions for many parts of the world to form a common Vision for Water
Life and the Environment (World Water Vision) for the 21st Century. Development
of the World Water Vision is being led by the World Water Council. IUCN
-- World Conservation Union has been asked to undertake the process of
developing the Sector Vision for Water and Nature.
- Water Supply and Sanitation
Collaborative Council
The WSSCC is "a cross between a professional association and an international
NGO". Operates with a mandate from the UN General Assembly, but is not
affiliated to the UN. Established in 1990 at the end of the International
Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Decade. Its purpose is to maintain
the momentum of the Decade, by providing a regular way for water and sanitation
sector professionals to exchange views and experiences and develop approaches
which will mean faster achievement of the goal of universal coverage.
The WSSCC missionis "to accelerate the achievement of sustainable water,
sanitation and waste management services for all people, with special
attention to the unserved poor, by enhancing collaboration among developing
countries and external support agencies and through concerted action programmes".
- Water Web
The Water Web consortium housed at the Florida Center for Environmental
Studies, has been created to promote the sharing of information concerning
water and the earth's environment. Water Web's goals are to advance water
related issues, promote the use of quality information, and share information
with water use stakeholders and decision makers. The organization has
a global focus with initial participants from North, Central & South America
and Europe. See also the WaterWeb
Ring, established to assist users in finding water related sites.
- Wetlands International
The mission of Wetlands International is to sustain and restore wetlands,
their resources and biodiversity for future generations through research,
information exchange and conservation activities. Wetlands International
is the world's leading non-profit organisation concerned with the conservation
of wetlands and wetland species. It comprises a global network of governmental
and non-governmental experts working on wetlands. Activities are undertaken
in more than120 countries world wide.
- World Commission on Dams
The WCD is an independent and international commission established in
May 1998. Its objectives are to undertake a global review of the development
effectiveness of large dams and to develop internationally acceptable
criteria and guidelines for future decision–making on dams. The Commission
is to review the development effectiveness of dams and assess alternatives
for water resources and energy development, and to develop internationally-accepted
standards, guidelines and criteria for decision-making in the planning,
design, construction, monitoring operation and decommissioning of dams.
- World Conservation Union
IUCN was created in 1948, now "the world's largest conservation-related
organisation, bringing together 76 states, 111 government agencies, 732
NGOs, 36 affiliates, and some 10,000 scientists and experts from 181 countries
in a unique worldwide partnership". Its mission is to "influence, encourage
and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and
diversity of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is
equitable and ecologically sustainable". IUCN has promoted sustainability
and helped over 50 countries to prepare and implement National Conservation
Strategies. See IUCN
Marine and Coastal Programme.
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