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EXPLANATORY GUIDE TO THE CARTAGENA PROTOCOL ON BIOSAFETY RELEASED TODAY
22 May 2003
 The Explanatory Guide to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety is available on-line from today, 22 May 2003, International Day for Biological Diversity. The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety is one of the most important international treaties recently adopted. It marks the commitment of the international community to ensure the safe transfer, handling and use of living modified organisms. As the Protocol nears entry into force in 2003, and as countries work on developing and adapting national biosafety frameworks, its is hoped that the Guide will make the Protocol more readily accessible and prove useful as a reference work for those who are involved in its implementation. The Guide has been produced by the IUCN-Environmental Law Centre and FIELD, in collaboration with the World Resources Institute. The Guide will also be available as a book in the IUCN Environmental Law and Policy Series from June 2003 at the World Conservation Bookstore. French, Russian and Spanish translations are currently under preparation.
IUCN Media Release
IUCN/FIELD/WRI Media Release
Explanatory Guide to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety - View
Download complete text: English (1,78MB)
JUDGES OF CENTRAL/EASTERN EUROPE, CAUCASUS AND CENTRAL ASIA MEET IN LVIV
20 May 2003
 From 16-17 May, 15 Chief Justices and other senior judges from Supreme and Constitutional Courts from 11 countries of Central/Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia, together with other judges and experts from across the globe, met in Lviv, Ukraine to advance the implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, insofar as it relates to the role of the judiciary in achieving sustainable development. The symposium considered regional and comparative case studies, together with issues relating to 'the Aarhus Convention', human rights and environment, Constitutional environmental rights, the potential role of specialist environment courts, and the ability of judges to exchange judgements through using the IUCN/UNEP Judicial Portal. The Symposium was sponsored by IUCN, UNEP and EcoPravo-Lviv, with the support of the State Judicial Administration of Ukraine and the Judicial Academy of Ukraine, and is part of an ongoing initiative of IUCN and UNEP to work with judges from all regions of the world to enhance capacity to implement and enforce environmental laws. The Lviv Symposium followed recent global symposia held in Johannesburg and Nairobi and regional symposia held in London and Rome.
Lviv Conference Programme - English - Russian
'Lviv Statement' - English - Russian
'Rome Statement'
'London Bridge Statement'
IUCN CEL STEERING COMMITTEE MEETS IN THE UKRAINE
16 May 2003
 IUCN CEL has held its first Steering Committee meeting for 2003 in the Carpathian Mountains in the Ukraine. The Steering Committee was joined by Justice Paul Stein AM, Chair of the IUCN CEL Judiciary Specialist Group, and staff of EcoPravo-Lviv, who hosted the meeting. Matters addressed included: reviewing IUCN's ongoing work with the judiciary; establishment of the IUCN Academy of Environmental Law; the update of the Draft Covenant on Environment and Development; the work of CEL specialists groups; the launch of the Dr Parvez Hassan Environmental Law Centre, and upcoming events, including the 'Water and the Web of Life' conference, the World Parks Congress and the World Conservation Congress. The meeting agreed to the expansion of steering committee membership, establishment of new specialist groups on Compliance and Enforcement, Human Rights and Environment, Oceans, and Trade and Environment and reestablishment of the group on Armed Conflict and the Environment. The Steering Committee unanimously endorsed EcoPravo-Lviv as an IUCN CEL 'centre of excellence' and admitted over 50 new members from more than 15 countries. A full summary of the meeting will be made available over the coming weeks.
IUCN CEL STEERING COMMITTEE REVIEWS THE LAW AND MOUNTAINS
16 May 2003
 IUCN CEL Steering Committee has used the occasion of its first Steering Committee meeting for 2003, held in the Carpathian Mountains, Ukraine to carry out a comparative review of the law and mountains. This event was held in honour of the anticipated entry into force of the International Agreement for the Stewardship of the Carpathian Mountains at the UN ECE meeting to be held in Kiev later this month. Comparative studies were provided addressing The Carpathians, by Ms Oksana Bilobran, Coordinator 'Kyiv-2003' Project, The Alps and the UN Year of Mountains, by Dr Wolfgang Burhenne, and The Adirondacks and The Altai by Professor Nicholas Robinson. Materials prepared for the session will be collated and made available on the IUCN ELP website over the coming months.
EUROPEAN JUDGES TAKE NEXT STEPS
12 May 2003
 Judges and experts from various countries in Europe and from across the globe met in Rome on 9-10 May to advance the implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, insofar as it relates to the role of the judiciary in achieving sustainable development, and the UNEP Global Judicial Symposium and to further progress the recommendations made at the IUCN/UNEP European Judges Symposium held in London in October last year. The Rome Symposium had a strong substantive focus, in particular on human rights and environment. Specific outcomes included the first meeting of the European Judges Forum and the IUCN CEL Judicial Specialist Group, further support for the IUCN/UNEP Judicial Portal and consideration of the content of the UNEP Judges Handbook. For the full outcome see the 'Rome Statement'.
'Rome Statement'
'London Bridge Statement'
Agenda
Papers and Contributions
Participants
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