NATIONS
United Nations
Envionment
Programme
UNEP/NOWPAP/POMRAC/
WG2 1/3
19 March 2004
Original: ENGLISH
Northwest Pacific Action Plan
Pollution Monitoring
Regional Activity Center
The First Meeting of NOWPAP POMRAC Working Group 2
(Rivers and Direct Inputs)
Vladivostok , Russian Federation,
24-25 May 2004
Draft Terms of Reference
for the Working Group 2 (Rivers and Direct Inputs )
of POMRAC NOWPAP
Background
The Action Plan for the Protection, Management and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the Northwest Pacific Region (NOWPAP) and three Resolutions were adopted at the First Intergovernmental Meeting (IGM) on NOWPAP (Seoul, 14 September 1994). Resolution 1 identified five areas of priority for implementation of the Action Plan, one of which was NOWPAP/3: Establishment of a collaborative, regional monitoring programme.
In the beginning the responsibility of NOWPAP/3 by the decision of the 3rd Intergovernmental Meeting had been shared by the Special Monitoring and Coastal Environmental Assessment Regional Activity Center (CEARAC) and the Pollution Monitoring Regional Activity Center (POMRAC). The two RACs were supposed to share the responsibility for overall regional monitoring programme.
Following the results of discussions at the First NOWPAP/3 Coordinating Committee Meeting (Beijing, 21-22 May 2001), the 7th Intergovernmental Meeting (Vladivostok, 20-22 March 2002), responsibilities and activities were divided between CEARAC and POMRAC as presented by the secretariat in document UNEP/NOWPAP IG.7/8. POMRAC will be fully responsible for two working groups: WG 1 - atmospheric deposition; and WG 2 – river and direct inputs.
The Pollution Monitoring Regional Activity Center (POMRAC), was established on 15 August of 2002, based on the r esolution 2nd of the Fourth IGM, and following the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding between UNEP and the Pacific Geographical Institute of Far Eastern Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences from 1 August 2002 in Vladivostok, Russian Federation . POMRAC was designated to coordinate and facilitate pollution monitoring related activities with technical assistance from UNEP and other relevant international and regional organizations.
The overall goal of POMRAC is to coordinate regional activities related to the establishment of a collaborative regional monitoring programme, particularly focusing on two areas: Atmospheric Deposition of Contaminants and River and Direct Inputs of Contaminants into marine and coastal environment.
POMRAC will be engaged, inter alia, in the development of a regional monitoring programme, development and implementation of monitoring data quality and analytical control methods, training courses relevant to monitoring methodologies and data and analytical control.
The 1st Focal Points Meeting of POMRAC NOWPAP (Vladivostok, Russia, 9-11 April 2003) determined the main activities for Working Group 2 (WG 2).
Objectives
Expert Workshop on Establishment of a Collaborative, Regional Monitoring Programme (NOWPAP/3) (Vladivostok, Russia, 1-3 July 1998) in Proposal for NOWPAP/3 Phase II recommended as the main task for WG 2 the practical establishment of a regional monitoring network for River inputs of contaminants (nutrients, trace metals, pesticides etc.).
The First NOWPAP/3 Coordinating Committee Meeting (Beijing, 21-22 May 2001) and the 7th Intergovernmental Meeting (Vladivostok, 20-22 March 2002) determined that t he objectives of WG 2 would be promote smooth and effective coordination of activities related to the monitoring of river and direct inputs in the NOWPAP region .
The 1st FPM POMRAC proposed that the main task of WG 2 should be to establish a regional assessment program to evaluate the River and Direct Inputs of contaminants into the marine and coastal environment in NOWPAP region.
The main objectives of the WG 2 are:
(a) Exchange information to ensure practical implementation of activities related to the monitoring of River and Direct Inputs in the NOWPAP region.
(b) Promote, coordinate and harmonize regional cooperation in the NOWPAP region related to the monitoring of River and Direct Inputs into the coastal and marine environment .
Functions
The functions of the WG 2 as an advisory body to POMRAC are:
• Identify and carry out the cooperative actions in the NOWPAP region related to the m onitoring of the River and Direct Inputs .
• Promote information exchange and technical cooperation, including education, training and technology transfer in the fields related to m onitoring of the River and Direct Inputs .
• Review ongoing regional and national activities and advise POMRAC on necessary follow-up actions related to the monitoring of the River and Direct Inputs .
• Advise POMRAC on necessary activities related to the goals and objectives of NOWPAP in the field of marine and coastal monitoring.
Participation
NOWPAP Members will be invited to participate in Working Group 2 . The experts and Focal points of each NOWPAP Member should represent the relevant n ational a uthority which has the responsibility and authority at the national level regarding monitoring of the River and Direct Inputs. It is expected that NOWPAP Members would ensure that their delegations reflect the full range of national expertise and interests.
Other relevant international or/and regional organizations concerned with River and Direct Inputs in the NOWPAP region may be invited to participate in the work of WG 2 as observers or consultants.
Sessions
WG 2 will meet once or twice a year (rotating among NOWPAP members), working mainly by correspondence (via internet).
Tasks
The main goal of the Working Group 2 (Rivers and Direct Inputs) will be the Assessment of River Inputs to the Seas in NOWPAP Region .
To achieve this aim WG 2 will involve itself in the following activities (It was approved by the First POMRAC Focal Points Meeting (Vladivostok , Russia, 9-11 April 2003):
Assessment:
• Exchange of detailed national reports with the description of parameters measured, methods used, data formats, quality criteria, national policies, etc. (format for submission to be prepared by POMRAC)
• Review and evaluation of existing monitoring programs related to river inputs of contaminants into coastal and marine environment
• Identification of needs for improvement of existing programs and possible needs for new techniques
• Preparation of the regional overview using data submitted by countries.
• Final products: regional assessment of river inputs to the seas and recommendations regarding future works (to be published by POMRAC)
Prioritization:
• Identification and prioritization of required activities under this working group
• Regional prioritization of parameters to be measured;
Capacity Building:
• Intercalibration exercise (using external funds as well)
• Training courses (using existing training centers/courses)
• Exchange of experts (back-to-back with WG meetings)
Public Outreach:
Preparation of public awareness materials (e.g., for website, newsletter, or booklet).
Intersessional work
The intersessional work of WG 2 will be carried out mainly by correspondence among the Focal Points and experts of NOWPAP Members.
Secretariat
The Working Group 2 will be served by a secretariat of the POMRAC.
Decisions
The Working Group 2 will achieve decisions by consensus among the Working Group members. If consensus cannot be reached on administrative and procedural matters, voting may be taken. Each Working Group Member will have one vote. Such decision will be taken by a majority of those Working Group Member s present and voting.
Procedure
The Working Group 2 shall adopt, mutates mutandis, the rules of procedures of the UNEP Governing Council.
The Working Group 2 shall advise, when necessary, to the POMRAC Focal Points Meeting on amendments to the present Terms of Reference of WG 2.
Budget and Expenses
The budget for the WG 2 subsequent activities is supported by the NOWPAP Trust Fund. Other external funds should also be sought in accordance with the development of POMRAC activities.
Report
The WG 2 will consider and adopt a report at each meeting. The report will be circulated to all participants of the meeting. The Chairman of WG 2 Meeting or Director of POMRAC will present the report to the Focal Points Meeting.
Language
The working language of the WG 2 will be English. The host country of each of the meeting sessions may interpret English into the language of the host country.