Farewell to Ms. Park and Mr. Baba

Two program officers from the NOWPAP RCU are leaving us on 31 March 2009, after working hard for four years trying to implement, promote and coordinate NOWPAP activities. Ms. (Dr.) Jeung Sook PARK, NOWPAP Scientific Affairs Officer, has reported to her Busan duty station in January 2005.  Since that time, and thanks to her efforts, NOWPAP became much more known not only in our region but also as far away as South Africa and Jamaica.  Being responsible for scientific and technical projects, Jeung Sook contributed substantially to the success of NOWPAP Marine Litter Activity (MALITA) and the development of the NOWPAP regional project focusing on the persistent toxic substances (PTS).  Her help to NOWPAP Regional Activity Centers (RACs) can be demonstrated, for example, by several project proposals which she prepared on climate change, invasive species and biodiversity conservation (as well as marine litter).  She had also contributed, jointly with other staff, to the successful organization of NOWPAP Intergovernmental Meetings.    Mr. Norio BABA, NOWPAP Administrative Officer, has reported to his Toyama duty station in December 2004.  Due to his personal efforts and skills, both RCU offices in Toyama and Busan became operational very quickly.  Working away from headquarters (UNEP in Nairobi) is not easy, but Norio has managed all financial transactions for NOWPAP RACs, RCU and specific projects smoothly and in strict accordance with the UN rules and regulations.  Norio not only successfully mobilized additional resources for NOWPAP activities, but also managed all budgetary requirements associated with the past, present and future NOWPAP projects, including project proposals to donors. Under his supervision, two programme assistants in Busan and Toyama are now doing online financial transactions and managing the overall NOWPAP budget in close contact with UNEP HQs.    Successors of Norio and Jeung Sook, Mr. Masakatsu OHYAMA and Mr. (Dr.) Sangjin LEE, are now being recruited by UNEP and are expected to join the NOWPAP RCU in May.