Session 3: Advancing National Action and
Capacity Development
National Implementation of the Bali Guidelines:
Opportunities for Capacity Development Support
Achim Halpaap (UNITAR) and Alexander Juras (UNEP)
Different Nature and Objectives of Public
Participation
UNEP/UNITAR Principle 10 and Bali Guidelines Capacity
Development Initiative
• Series of regional workshops on P 10 and Bali Guidelines
• Bali Guideline Implementation Guide
• Global Joint Programme to Support National P10 Implementation
1. National Capacity Development and Legal Reform Projects
2. Global Support Services
• Engagement with countries in programme design
• Partnership with United Nations Development Partner (UNDP)
• Global programme document and joint fund-raising
Programme Area 1: National Capacity Development and
Legal Reform Projects
• Output 1: Fast Track Learning Support and Legal Advice
– Skills development linked to institutional objectives
– On demand legal analysis and advice
• Output 2: National Capacity Assessments and Strategy Development
– National Principle 10 Profiles
– Priority Setting Workshops
– National Action Plan Development¨
• Output 3: Principle 10 Implementation Action
– Legal reform (e.g. support of regulation development)
– Implementation action in key sectors/thematic areas (e.g. forestry, green
economy)
National Principle 10 Capacity Assessment and
Action Plan Development
Past Support of National Profile and Action Plan
Development to Implement Principle 10
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Central America
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Costa Rica
Honduras
Dominican Republic
Panama
Guatemala
El Salvador
Nicaragua
Africa
– Botswana
– Democratic Republic of Congo
– Mali
Lessons Learned from National Principle 10 Capacity
Development Projects
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Significant interest by Government to prepare a Principle 10 National Profile and
Action Plan
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Reveals that Principle 10 implementation needs capacity in civil society and
Government (technical, legal, etc.)
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Civil society actively participated in the government coordinated processes (some
400 stakeholders in 6 countries)
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Processes created opportunity for Governments to cooperate with civil society to
prepare situation analysis and set priorities
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Bali Guidelines helpful in creating benchmarks for national capacity development
(not available at the time)
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UNITAR currently revising methodology within framework of UNEP/UNITAR
collaboration (input from countries welcome)
Multilateral Environmental Agreements and
Principle 10 Implementation: Key Linkages
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UNFCCC (1992)
Biodiversity Convention (1992) and Cartagena
Protocol on Biosafety (2003)
Desertification Convention (1992)
Rotterdam Convention (2004) and Stockholm
Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants
(2004)
Others (Montreal, GHS, etc)
National Profile Process: Features and
Principles
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Comprehensive and systematic documentation of national
situation and capacities related to Principle 10
Country driven process and ownership (“by county-for
country”)
Multi-sectoral approach- engagement of all relevant
ministries
Multi-stakeholder approach: engagement of civil society
such as academia, private sector, media, trade unions, etc.
Ensure linkages with and support relevant national
environmental policy processes (e.g. MEA implementation)
Suggested Structure and Content of the
National Profile
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Chapter 1: Introduction to the political system and
state institutions
Chapter 2: Access to environmental information
Chapter 3: Public participation in environmental
decision-making
Chapter 4: Access to justice in environmental matters
Chapter 5: Analysis for environmental sectors and
problem areas
Chapter 6: Non-governmental groups and civil society
Chapter 7: Evaluation of existing capacities and
capacity constraints
Chapter 8: Opportunities for taking action
National Action Plan for Principle 10
Implementation
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Based on national priorities and capacity building
requirements
Features goals, objectives, activities, expected
outcomes, resources and time lines for implementation
Endorsed by both government and non-governmental
groups
Informs decision-making and activities of all parties
towards strengthening democratic environmental
governance
Implementation support for priority projects
Programme Area 2: Global Support Services
• Output 4: Global Learning Services and Support
– Training material development
– Curriculum development and instructional design support
– etc
• Output 5: Legal Support Desk
– Research on good legal practices
– Ad hoc legal support advice
• Output 6: Global Knowledge Sharing and Coordination
– Global website
– Development of knowledge products
– Linkages with environment, democracy and sustainable development initiates
Questions for Discussion
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Is the proposed approach appropriate?
What additional elements should be
considered?
Is there country demand for capacity
development support?
Official request from Government
indicating openness to engage civil
society and major groups
Contacts
UNITAR:
[email protected]
UNEP:
[email protected]