Framework of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) Barbara Ruis

1. Framework of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs)Barbara Ruis Tirana, Albania, 22-24 June 2010

2. What are Multilateral Environmental Agreements? (MEAs) International legal instruments that: have environmental protection/sustainable development as their goal are concluded between a large number of states or international organizations as parties concluded in written form governed by international law can be embodied in a single instrument or in two or more related instruments (framework agreements)

3. Milestones in the evolution of MEAs The 1972 Stockholm Conference on the Human Development: first attempt to address inter-relationships of environment and development at global level adopted first global action plan for environment established the United National Environmental Programme (UNEP) accelerated development of modern MEAs: more than 60% of existing MEAs are adopted after 1972 The 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED): national and international policies redirected towards integration of environmental, economic and development objectives Agenda 21 and Rio Declaration adopted development of new international regimes stimulated

4. Multilateral Environmental Agreements - process MEAs are developed through a thorough negotiation process among concerned countries. The result is a mutually agreed upon treaty adopted via a high-level related conference, and signed by the signatories (states); “Party”/ country ratifies (accepts, approves or accedes) the convention After ratification of a fixed/ defined number of signatories the convention enters into force Once a Party has finlized uts ratification process, it is subject to all its provisions. Article 122 Constitution of the Republic of Albania

5. Core MEA clusters CHEMICALS & HAZARDOUS WASTE LAND SEAS ATMOSPHERE BIODIVERSITY

6. MEA Clusters: Biodiversity Consists of MEAs related to protection and conservation of biodiversity Main conventions: CBD / Cartagena Protocol CITES RAMSAR CMS World Heritage

7. MEA clusters: Land MEAs focusing on protecting land from negative “altering”/land-use Main convention: UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)

8. MEA Clusters: Atmosphere MEAs aimed at protection of atmosphere from pollutants Main instruments: Vienna Convention / Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete Ozone Layer UN Framework Convention on Climate Change / The Kyoto Protocol

9. MEA Clusters: Marine Environment Conventions relevant to marine environment: UNCLOS/ Fish Stocks Agreement Global Program of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities (GPA) 17 Regional Seas Conventions and A number of Protocols on land-based sources of pollution of marine environment

10. MEA clusters: Chemicals & Hazardous waste Deal with hazardous impacts of wastes and chemical pollution Main Conventions: Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade (PIC) Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

11. MEA Implementation Implementation - a process of converting international commitments and requirements into national law and policy in order to induce behavioral change of target groups, i.e. those actors causing the problem in question. Compliance - refers to whether the countries adhere to the agreement provisions and undertake implementation measures, including procedural measures (e.g. national reporting). Enforcement - Formal (national and international) procedures and actions by which compliance is compelled or non-compliance deterred. Effectiveness - whether a MEAs resolved a problem that caused its creation.

12. Institutional elements of core MEAs (1) Conference of Parties (COP) Ultimate decision-making body on implementation and development of their respective MEAs Secretariat Supports COP and performs a number of varied functions depending on the mandate of the MEA Executive and subsidiary bodies Generally advisory in nature, report to COPs on scientific, technical, or financial matters or on implementation progress; internal or external, standing bodies or ad hoc with a limited mandate

13. Institutional elements of core MEAs (2) Clearinghouses Facilitate exchange of information (websites, databases operated usually by the Secretariats) Implementation actors on national level Represented by the national authorities and/or institutions, training and information centres Financial mechanisms

14. Financial mechanisms Regime Budgets - MEAs can establish one of more of mandatory or voluntary trust funds, most often administered by the international organizations that provide the Secretariats. Budgets are proposed by Parties and approved by the COPs Development Assistance - Funds can be provided via foundations (e.g. UN Foundation), bilateral arrangements, private sector donors and NGOs Other multilateral financing mechanisms - Global Environment Facility, The Kyoto Protocol climate-related mechanisms, the World Bank

15. THANK YOU !barbara.ruis@unep.org