ECLAC Meeting on the Application of Principle 10 in Latin America and the Carribean

On 6-7 November 2012, delegates of the signatory countries to the Declaration on the application of Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development held a meeting at the ECLAC headquarters in Santiago, Chile, where they agreed on a road map for its full implementation at the regional level. The event was organized in a participatory and inclusive manner with several Major Groups and other stakeholder organizations as well as UN organizations having an expertise in the field of access rights participating in the meeting. 

In the document, delegates declare that information forms the cornerstone of all free and democratic societies, and that it is essential to take active measures to bring environmental information into the public domain, doing everything possible to guarantee ready, rapid, effective and practical access to that information.

ROAD MAP FOR THE FORMULATION OF AN INSTRUMENT ON THE APPLICATION OF PRINCIPLE 10

According to the road map approved by signatory countries, the main aims of the regional instrument must be to achieve a shared vision on the importance of benefits of the access rights of Principle 10 and to recognize the particular conditions of each signatory country. They reaffirmed the importance of civil society participation in the process, and discussed appropriate measures such as providing up-to-date information on the process and conducting online consultations. 

In order to implement the road map, delegates agreed on a plan of action, which will be supported by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) as technical secretariat for the process. Participants also agreed on the preparation of an assessment of the current situation in terms of access rights in the signatory countries, as well as another document compiling national and international practices in this regard. Lastly, the plan of action also includes a consultation process to define the nature and content of the regional instrument for the implementation of Principle 10.

More information on the meeting:

Road map

 

Region's Countries Seek Participation of All Citizens in Environmental Issues

 

Countries Approve Road Map for Regional Instrument on Access to Environmental Information, Participation and Justice

 

Photo Gallery

Read more on UNEP's work on Principle 10.