UNEP ROAP Director visit to NOWPAP RCU

Dr. Young-Woo Park, Director of UNEP Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP), visited NOWPAP RCU Busan office on 9 June 2009.  Dr. Park was attending the 3rd International Conference on Children’s Health and the Environment (held in Busan, Korea on 7-10 June), where he made an opening statement and chaired one of the sessions. During his short visit to Busan office, Dr. Park shared his ideas related to NOWPAP implementation (e.g. using information technologies and geographic information systems (GIS) for internet training) as well as information on research being done in Korea on using algae for carbon sequestration and also for biomass production.  Dr. Park also stressed importance of coordination with government agencies to get any relevant information that might help implementing NOWPAP activities.  NOWPAP RCU staff members briefed Dr. Park on recent projects implemented by NOWPAP Regional Activity Centers and Regional Coordinating Unit (RCU).

Conference participants congratulated UNEP on its work related to mercury (including GC 25 decisions).  Partnership between WHO and UNEP on environment and health linkage was also highly appreciated.

(released on 10 June 2009)

NOWPAP MERRAC update

At its 12th Focal Points Meeting (FPM) and the 4th Competent National Authorities (CNA) Meeting for NOWPAP Regional Oil and HNS Spill Contingency Plan held in Daejeon on 1-3 June 2009, NOWPAP Marine Environmental Emergency Preparedness and Response Regional Activity Centre (MERRAC) approved the workplan and budget for the 2010-2011 biennium.  In conjunction with the FPM and CNA Meeting, an International Workshop on the Response to Marine Pollution in the NOWPAP Region was also held on 5 June in Incheon, where representatives from the NOWPAP member states shared information and practices on oil spill preparedness and response.  

As the region is at the high risk of oil spill incidents demonstrated by the real disaster of Hebei Spirit in December 2007, NOWPAP members pay great attention to regional cooperation on the issue and tried to be better prepared.  In 2008, Second NOWPAP Oil Spill Exercise was held in Qingdao, China.  In 2009, two NOWPAP BRAVO exercises were successfully conducted to check the communication efficiency among member countries in response to oil spill under the NOWPAP Regional Oil and Hazardous and Noxious Substances Contingency Plan (RCP).  In addition, MERRAC has shared it successful story recently with the South Asia Cooperative Environment Programme (SACEP) in order to help them to get their oil spill contingency plan adopted.  

(released on 9 June 2009)

8th DINRAC Focal Points Meeting convened

NOWPAP Data and Information Network Regional Activity Centre (DINRAC) has recently completed its 8th Focal Points Meeting in Beijing.  During the three-day meeting on 19-21 May 2009, DINRAC Focal Points approved the workplan and budget for 2010-2011 that is to be submitted to NOWPAP 14th IGM at the end of this year for adoption.  DINRAC will form a working group to develop an activity on alien species, visualize the current DINRAC website using the web-based GIS and maintain its internet communication system among member states.  In addition to DINRAC Focal Points and national experts, Directors of each NOWPAP RAC and representatives of NOWPAP RCU also attended the meeting where they had sideline interviews with a consultant for NOWPAP RCU performance review.  

(released on 25 May 2009)

NOWPAP representatives attended the World Ocean Conference

The NOWPAP representatives attended the World Ocean Conference in Manado, Indonesia on 11-15 May 2009.  The Conference was aimed at creating a forum for the world community to discuss current marine and ocean issues which are related to climate change.

The Manado Declaration was adopted at the conference by the participating governments and the outcomes from the conference will be brought to the current climate change negotiation process at the UN Climate Change Conference in December 2009 in Copenhagen.  The Coral Triangle Summit was also held at the same time. In addition, there were also parallel International Science, Technology and Policy Symposium, Exhibition and UNEP workshops which the NOWPAP representatives also attended and distributed NOWPAP publications and promotional items.

(released on 25 May 2009)

NOWPAP participation in the Global Gathering 2009 in Busan, Korea

NOWPAP participated in the Global Gathering 2009 in Busan, Korea on 23 May 2009.  A NOWPAP exhibition booth was set up at the event which was designed by Busan municipal government as a cultural exchange event to promote international cooperation.  

This is the second time that NOWPAP has participated in this annual event since 2008.  

(released on 25 May 2009)

Cooperation with Korea UNEP National Committee developed

Starting from information exchange, linking websites and sharing publications, NOWPAP has developed cooperative relationship with the Korea UNEP National Committee.  After attending and delivering a lecture at a workshop organized by the Committee last year on the oil spill in Taean, Korea, NOWPAP representative will participate in another event sponsored by the Committee: international video conference on Global Green New Deal in Seoul on 5 June 2009.  

(released on 25 May 2009)

New programme officers at the NOWPAP RCU

Recruited by UNEP as NOWPAP Administrative Officer and Scientific Affairs Officer,   Mr. Masakatsu OHYAMA and Mr. Sangjin LEE have recently reported respectively to NOWPAP RCU offices in Toyama (Japan) and Busan (Republic of Korea).   

Mr. Ohyama, a Japanese national, had been working at the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs for more than 10 years, being in charge of financial and programme management before joining NOWPAP.  He also worked at an investment institution for four years, dealing with corporate finance and investments.  His rich experience with the UN system and financial affairs will benefit NOWPAP administration and finance management.   

Dr. Lee, a Korean national, had been a branch director and research centre manager in the Korean Coast Guard, responsible for oil spill preparedness and marine pollution related project management since 2004.  He was also involved in university research projects on toxic waste management.  His academic achievements and project management skills will contribute to successful implementation of NOWPAP activities.  

With the arrival of the two new staff members, NOWPAP RCU will continue to provide its assistance to the member states and Regional Activity Centers.

(released on 4 May 2009)

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.

(released on 27 March 2009)

NOWPAP recent developments

According to the decision of the 12th NOWPAP Intergovernmental Meeting (IGM), the relocation of the NOWPAP Coordinator and Deputy Coordinator between Toyama and Busan RCU offices took place in December 2008. Now both offices are fully operational.  After the relocation, a courtesy call has been paid respectively by the Coordinator and the Deputy Coordinator to Seoul and Tokyo.

The 2nd NOWPAP BRAVO exercise has been conducted successfully in January 2009 by NOWPAP member countries under the coordination of MERRAC.  This exercise aimed at testing the communication between among NOWPAP members in response to oil spill incident.

A process for conducting RCU performance review has been started.  According to the member countries’ suggestion and with the help from the UNEP Headquarters, a consultant is being hired to implement the review. Consultations on the dates and the agenda of the 14th NOWPAP Intergovernmental Meeting are also on the way.

With the leaving of the NOWPAP Administrative Officer and the Scientific Affairs Officer in April 2009, recruitment of their successors is being finalized by UNEP Headquarters.

NOWPAP and PICES are developing cooperation as both sides are planning to have a joint session during the 2009 annual PICES meeting on marine spatial planning in support of integrated management - tools, methods, and approaches.  In addition, NOWPAP is considering contribution to the PICES North Pacific Ecosystem Status Report and the Satellite Oceanography Summer School through providing experts for a relevant workshop and lecturer and materials for the summer school.

(released on 10 February 2009)