22/1.
Early warning, assessment and monitoring
Strengthening the scientific base of the United Nations
Environment Programme
The Governing Council,
Recalling General Assembly resolution 2997 (XXVII) of 15 December 1972,
and in particular section I, paragraphs 2 (a), (b), (d) and (e) thereof,
Recalling also relevant Governing Council decisions pertaining to data,
information, monitoring, assessment and early warning, (including 18/27
C of 26 May 1995, the Nairobi Declaration on the Role and Mandate of the
United Nations Environment Programme, 20/1 of 4 February 1999, 20/4 of
4 February 1999, and the Malmö Ministerial Declaration ), and in
particular decision SS.VII/I on international environmental governance
and on capacity-building, paragraphs 8 (e), 11 (h) (i) and (ii), 24 and
31 thereof,
Noting the provisions contained in paragraphs 108 to 112 of the Plan
of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development on the
role of science, technology and assessment as a basis for decision-making
on environment for sustainable development,
Commending the Executive Director on the production of the third Global
Environment Outlook report, following the full participatory, consultative
approach as requested in Governing Council decision 20/1 of 4 February
1999, and its publication in May 2002, prior to the World Summit on Sustainable
Development,
Recognizing the benefits of South-South and North-South cooperation,
partnerships and networking inherent in the integrated environmental assessment
process of the United Nations Environment Programme and the enhanced capacities
of national and regional institutions to carry out assessments and supportive
data management as a result of the capacity-building undertaken by the
United Nations Environment Programme,
Underscoring the importance of international cooperation among the organizations
of the United Nations system, intergovernmental organizations, Governments,
the scientific community, non governmental organizations, private enterprises
and appropriate national institutions in exchanging information and scientific
knowledge on environmental matters, inter alia, through the United Nations
system-wide Earthwatch,
Having considered the report of the Executive Director on strengthening
the scientific base of the United Nations Environment Programme by improving
its ability to monitor and assess global environmental change, including
the establishment of an intergovernmental panel on global environmental
change (UNEP/GC.22/4/Add.l (pdf)),
Strengthening the scientific base of the United Nations
Environment Programme
1. Reiterates that further consideration should be given to strengthening
the scientific base of the United Nations Environment Programme by improving
its ability to monitor and assess global environmental change;
2. Invites Governments, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental
organizations, and scientific institutions to submit to the Executive
Director by a date specified by him their views on the following questions:
(a) What are the likely gaps and types of assessment needs with respect
to the environment and environmental change?
(b) How are the United Nations Environment Programme and other organizations
currently meeting those assessment needs?
(c) What options exist with respect to meeting any unfulfilled needs that
fall within the role and mandate of the United Nations Environment Programme?
3. Further invites those providing views to address, inter alia, the
following considerations:
(a) Scientific credibility, saliency, legitimacy and relevance in the
assessment processes;
(b) Interaction between science and policy development;
(c) The role of existing institutions;
(d) Possible options including strengthening existing institutions and
mechanisms and the establishment of an intergovernmental panel on global
environmental change;
(e) Links and sectoral integration;
(f) Duplication, cooperation, complementarity and added value to the work
of other assessment processes, international agencies and the multilateral
environmental agreements;
(g) Cost-effectiveness and efficiency; and
(h) Developing country participation and capacity-building;
4. Requests the Executive Director to make submissions publicly available
and to prepare a synthesis report for the Governing Council/Global Ministerial
Environment Forum at its eighth special session;
5. Further requests the Executive Director, following the issuance of
the report, to facilitate an intergovernmental consultation taking into
account available funding, transparency, regional balance and adequate
developing country participation, in preparation for the Governing Council/Global
Ministerial Environment Forum at its eighth special session.
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