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AVANCES DE LA EIA EN CENTROAMERICA
30 November 2003
 La última reunión del año del Comité Técnico de EIA de Centroamérica se realizó en San José de Costa Rica a fines de noviembre. Los miembros del Comité presentaron los avances en materia de EIA en sus respectivos países y trabajaron en cuestiones de interés regional tales como la elaboración de una lista taxativa aplicable a nivel regional. Esta lista constituye el primer paso hacia la elaboración de un acuerdo en materia de EIA para la región. Hubieron además presentaciones y discusiones sobre temas de interés regional como el Tratado de Libre Comercio con los Estados Unidos. El Programa de Derecho Ambiental de UICN, a través de un Proyecto BMZ ha dado apoyo a la región y a su proyecto sobre EIA. En esta ocasión, el Dr. Alejandro Iza, del Centro de Derecho Ambiental, participó en la reunión y propuso algunas recomendaciones respecto de las listas taxativas en un contexto de EIA regional y transfronterizo.
English version
PROMOTING 'ENVIRONMENTAL FLOWS' IN SRI LANKA
28 November 2003
 IUCN Sri Lanka has organised and hosted a meeting of officials from the Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka, the Kala Oya Basin Secretariat and The World Bank to discuss the concept of 'environmental flows' and to introduce the IUCN publication 'Flow: the essentials of environmental flows'. The meeting heard presentations on the various assessment options that are available to determine an 'environmental flow' and the hydrological aspects of providing a regime for such flows, from Chaminda Rajapakse from IUCN WANI (Asia) and Vladimir Smakhtin from the International Water Management Institute. The Head of the IUCN Environmental Law Programme (ELP) was invited to the meeting to present on 'environmental flows' in the context of integrated water resources management and river basin organisations. The outcomes of this highly successful meeting will be followed through by IUCN Sri Lanka over the coming months. IUCN WANI and IUCN ELP released the world's first comprehensive guide to environmental flows in August this year and have been actively engaged in promoting the concept in selected countries and river basins since that time.
For more on IUCN Sri Lanka click here, IUCN WANI click here, and IUCN ELP Water and Wetlands click here.
'RIBBON LAUNCH' OF IUCN ACADEMY AT APCEL IP CONFERENCE
27 November 2003
 After the highly successful launch and inaugural colloquium of the IUCN Academy of Environmental Law in Shanghai, China, a 'ribbon launch' will take place in Singapore, on November 30th. The launch will be hosted by the Asia-Pacific Centre for Environmental law of the National University of Singapore (APCEL), an IUCN Member. Following the Academy's 'ribbon launch', APCEL, the first 'centre of excellence' recognized by the IUCN Commission on Environmental Law, will also hold a Conference on Intellectual Property and Biological Resources from 1-3 December. The Academy's launch and the Conference bring together a distinguished panel of speakers to address the complex issues arising from the conflict between the protection of biodiversity and the ownership of biodiversity-related knowledge. The topics at the Conference seek to bring to the participants the full range of the influences upon the two areas of the law and the challenges faced in the attempt to bridge the gap between them.
For more information on the IUCN Academy click here and APCEL click here.
CONNECTING IUCN's GLOBAL, REGIONAL AND COUNTRY STAFF LAWYERS
21 November 2003
 IUCN staff lawyers in Asia, based in IUCN Country Offices in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, gathered in Bangkok for a three-day intensive orientation on IUCN's approach to environmental law - the first such gathering of what will become an annual event. IUCN's Global Environmental Law Programme (ELP) provided funding to the Regional ELP, Asia, to organize the workshop under its 'Regionalization Programme' and a Legal Officer from IUCN's Environmental Law Centre, Bonn was one of the resource persons. Participants were provided with a Resource Book and CD, which included IUCN General Assembly/World Conservation Congress (WCC) resolutions, policy statements approved by Council, IUCN policy briefs, links to environmental law-related internet resources, and background notes on the whole range of issues in IUCN's Programme. Using these resources, publications from IUCN's Environmental Policy & Law Paper series and other IUCN programmes, the lawyers analyzed laws from their own countries. With the Asia Regional Conservation Forum coming up in December 2003, and the WCC to be held in Asia in 2004, the lawyers also spent time comparing their draft country programmes with the draft regional and global programmes.
For more on what IUCN is doing in Asia click here.
IUCN CEL 'CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE' EXPANDED
11 November 2003
 At its Steering Committee meeting held in Shanghai from 2-4 November 2003, IUCN's Commission on Environmental Law agreed to recognize new 'centres of excellence' in Botswana - at the University of Botswana, Costa Rica - at the University of Costa Rica, China - at the Shanghai Jiao Tong University and South Africa - at the University of Natal. This brings to 13 the number of centres recognized by IUCN CEL, since APCEL was opened as the first 'centre of excellence' at the National University of Singapore in February 1996. IUCN CEL also agreed to develop a uniform 'Charter' for IUCN CEL Recognized Centres of Excellence, the draft of which will be further consulted on before being finalized. The recognition of IUCN CEL 'centres of excellence' helps progress Agenda 21 and IUCN's statutory objective to build alliances and expert networks for conservation.
For more information on IUCN CEL 'centres of excellence' click here
IUCN ACADEMY TAKES NEXT STEPS
11 November 2003
 Following a highly successful launch and first colloquium of the IUCN Academy, professors from 35 countries representing 75 universities, gathered in Shanghai to institutionalize the Academy and its rules and procedures. By including the apologies extended to the meeting from many universities, this number increases to over 100 universities from 50 countries. There were constructive and fruitful discussions on many issues, such as the location and theme for the Annual Colloquia for 2004-2008, Academy membership, and the development of its research and teaching programmes. Several committees were created to take issues forward to the next IUCN CEL Steering Committee Meeting in Brazil in late May 2004, and from there to the first meeting of the IUCN Academy Executive Committee. The meeting agreed that the 2004 Colloquium will be held at the University of Nairobi, Kenya from 4-8 October 2004 on the topic of Environmental Law and Land Use.
For more information on the IUCN Academy click here
IUCN CEL STEERING COMMITTEE MEETS IN SHANGHAI
11 November 2003
 IUCN's Commission on Environmental Law met in Shanghai from 2-4 November. The meeting was joined by a number of active CEL members who were in Shanghai for the launch of the IUCN Academy of Environmental Law. The Commission addressed a very full agenda, which included: a rich discussion on the draft IUCN ELP Component Plan 2005-2008, the development of an IUCN ELP Strategic Plan, reports from Regional Vice Chairs and Specialist Groups, feedback on the IUCN World Parks Congress, the development of a 'Charter' for IUCN CEL recognized Centres of Excellence, the recognition of new 'centres of excellence', and preparations for the next World Conservation Congress. The Steering Committee also unanimously resolved to put forward Professor Koh Kheng Lian to Council as its nominee for the next Chair of CEL, and to accept the invitation of Law for a Green Planet Institute to hold its first Steering Committee for 2004 in Brazil, just before the 8th International Conference on Environmental Law. A full report will be available in coming weeks.
For more information on IUCN CEL click here
UN SECRETARY GENERAL WELCOMES IUCN ACADEMY
4 November 2003
 The initiative of IUCN to establish the IUCN Academy of Environmental Law has been welcomed by UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan in a message sent to the inauguration of the IUCN Academy being held in Shanghai. "Agenda 21 recommended strengthening the law for environment and development, and called on universities in particular to cooperate in building capacity in the realm of environmental law. That call was repeated last year in the Plan of Implementation adopted at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg…I would like to congratulate all academic leaders assembled at Shanghai Jiao Tong University for their role in making possible the launch of the IUCN Academy of Environmental Law. IUCN's Commission on Environmental Law has rendered an important service in implementing Agenda 21's recommendations…" said Annan. See full story below.
Full Statement from the UN Secretary General here.
IUCN LAUNCES IUCN ACADEMY OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAW- A WORLD FIRST
4 November 2003
 The first-ever Academy of Environmental Law, a global network and forum for universities to achieve higher standards in environmental legal education and research worldwide has been launched today. The IUCN Academy, which will bring together leading universities in all fields of environmental law, will convene annual colloquia; promote research on cutting-edge environmental issues; and facilitate cooperation among participating universities. To date, 45 universities from 45 countries have supported the initiative. "IUCN is privileged to convene the world's foremost academics in environmental law under this new endeavour, which implements recommendations made in Agenda 21," said Professor Nicholas A. Robinson, Chair of IUCN CEL. The inaugural Colloquium is being hosted from 4-6 November by China's Shanghai Jiao Tong University on the topic of 'The Law of Energy for Sustainable Development'. "What better place to launch the IUCN Academy and its first Colloquium on sustainable energy law than in China, where decisions made today will affect the future of the fastest-growing continent and indeed the whole world." said IUCN Director General Achim Steiner in a video address to the Colloquium delegates.
IUCN Media Release
Statement from the UN Secretary General
Statement from IUCN Director General
For more information on the IUCN Academy click here.
News October 2003 >
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