UNEP ROAP

Strengthened, coordinated effort to conserve seas of Northwest Pacific
New offices in Toyama and Busan to serve agreement between China, Russia,Korea and Japan

Bangkok, November 2, 2004 – Conservation of the marine and coastal areas of the North West Pacific will be strengthened following the opening of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) supported offices in Toyama, Japan and Busan, Republic of Korea this week.

Regional Coordinating Unit (RCU) offices for the Northwest Pacific Action Plan (NOWPAP) will assist management of the seas on which millions of people depend for their livelihoods, but which are increasing threatened by coastal development, industry, transport, oil production and activities such as land reclamation and intensive marine aquaculture.

UNEP Deputy Executive Director Shafqat Kakakhel said opening of the offices had been agreed following five years of negotiations with the People’s Republic of China, Japan, the Republic of Korea and Russian Federation over implementation of the Action Plan for the Protection, Management and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the Northwest Pacific, first adopted in 1994.

“This gives significant new impetus to conservation efforts in the region. The committed joint approach agreed to by countries will help balance development aspirations with the need for sustainable management and protection of natural resources,” Mr Kakakhel said.

He cited problems of chemical and industrial wastes, untreated municipal sewage and agricultural pesticides and nutrients, which contribute to eutrophication and harmful algal blooms or ‘dead zones’ in the region. Other threats include oil pollution from wastewater and shipping accidents, atmospheric pollution and marine and coastal litter.

The Regional Coordinating Unit will oversee implementation of the action plan agreed to and funded by the four signatory countries. The ninth NOWPAP intergovernmental meeting begins in Busan on November 2, during which members will sign a Memorandum of Understanding for a new Regional Oil Spill Contingency Plan, to address the threat of major oil spills in the region.

The RCU will also oversee the work of four NOWPAP Regional Activity Centers in Beijing, Daejon, Toyama and Vladivostok, and provide a platform for meeting the country’s responsibilities under international marine and environmental conventions.

UNEP has served as the interim secretariat for NOWPAP since it was signed 10 years ago, as part of the work of its Regional Seas Programme. Established in 1974, the programme aims to address the accelerating degradation of the world’s oceans and coastal areas through sustainable management approaches, by engaging neighboring countries in developing comprehensive and specific actions for conserving the marine environment.

For more information:

See http://www.unep.ch/seas/

Or contact Tim Higham, Regional Information Officer, Bangkok, phone +66 2 282127, mob + 66 9 1283803, higham@un.org.