2000 - 2007

2004: Inauguration of the NOWPAP Regional Coordinating Unit in Toyama, Japan

2003: The Framework Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea (Tehran Convention) was signed in November.

2003: The UNEP Governing Council, at its 22nd Session and Global Ministerial Environmental Forum in early 2003, set out the elements of a global strategy for the regional seas based on the central idea of the Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans as an instrument for sustainable development.

2003: The Northwest Pacific (NOWPAP) begins setting up its Regional Coordinating Unit (RCU), to be co-hosted by Japan (Toyama) and the ROK (Busan).

2002: The World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) draws particular attention to pressures on marine and coastal ecosystems from fisheries, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Moreover, it specifically calls for strengthening regional cooperation and coordination between relevant regional organizations and programmes, including the UNEP Regional Seas Programme.

2002: On 18 February 2002 the North-East Pacific countries adopted the Convention for Cooperation in the Protection and Sustainable Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the Northeast Pacific (Antigua Convention) and its Plan of Action, at a Conference of Plenipotentiaries convened at the invitation of the Government of the Republic of Guatemala by the Executive Director of UNEP.

2001: UNEP Governing Council 21/28, requests UNEP to give priority to the revitalization of the Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans (RSCAPs) as its central mechanism for implementation of its activities relevant to chapter 17 of Agenda 21 and urged to support the preparation of a strategic approach to financing Regional Seas Programmes and to assist them in the mobilization of resources. It further requested UNEP to support cooperative initiatives aimed at the harmonization of work plans of the RSCAPs and MEAs including Biodiversity Conventions (CBD, CMS, CITES).

2001: A meeting of experts designated by the Governments of the North-East Pacific meeting in Managua adopts an Action Plan and reviews the draft convention for the environmental protection and management of the marine and coastal areas of the region.

2000: UNEP convenes the Third Global Meeting of Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans in Monaco in November 2000.

2000: UNEP establishes a Joint Secretariat for the Abidjan and Nairobi Conventions.