NOWPAP Coordinator participated in the 34th Session of the Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection (GESAMP) held in Paris, France on 8-11 May 2007. Representatives from UNEP Regional Seas Programme, Large Marine Ecosystem Projects and Regional Fisheries Management Bodies were invited in order to explore three issues:
1) existing regional expert networks (to be used to build GESAMP pool of experts);
2) how GESAMP can help regional organizations; and
3) role of GESAMP in regional capacity building.
In response to these questions, information on DINRAC web-database of experts and networks of experts of all NOWPAP Regional Activity Centres (RACs) was provided.
Mutual interest was also indicated regarding possible NOWPAP involvement in two future GESAMP activities:
- Atmospheric input of chemicals to the ocean (to be lead by World Meteorological Organization);
- Assessment of trends in global pollution in coastal environment (to be led by International Atomic Energy Agency).
Implementation of NOWPAP contributes to the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities (GPA) in the Northwest Pacific region.