"UNEP-GPA welcomes the initiative for the Xiamen International Forum for Coastal Cities. It is a good platform to share knowledge and experiences at a practical level worldwide. New partnerships may emerge from the forum."

"联合国环境规划署全球行动计划组欢迎厦门国际海洋城市论坛. 这是一个全球知识共享和实践经验交流的良好平台. 通过此次论坛, 更多新的伙伴关系将诞生. "
--联合国环境规划署全球行动计划组织官员 席·凡·德·顾奇特

 

Global Program of Action


Cees van de Guchte
Senior Program Officer, UNEP Coordination Office
席·凡·德·顾奇特
联合国环境规划署全球行动计划组织官员

The GPA (Global Program of Action) was adopted in 1995 in Washington by 108 states and the EU. It aims at preventing the degradation of the marine environment from land-based activities and the physical alteration and destruction of habitats.

80% of all marine pollution comes from land-based activities. The sustainable use of coastal and ocean resources is linked to public health, food security, and economic and social issues, including urban development, cultural values and traditional livelihoods.

The GPA is a source of conceptual and practical guidance, which specifies action at national level, promotes regional and international cooperation, and supports recommended approaches by source category. The GPA is implemented by governments while UNEP (United Nations Environment Program) is the secretariat. The first regular Intergovernmental Review meeting was held in 2001 in Montreal, Canada. The second one will be held in October 2006 in Beijing.

In the first IGR meeting, targets on water and sanitation were set. That is, by the year 2015, the world is to halve the proportion of people who are unable to reach or afford safe drinking water, and the proportion of people who do not have access to basic sanitation. Addressing water and sanitation is not restricted to "taps and toilets." Collection, treatment, re-use and safe re-allocation to the environment are also important aspects to consider.

The second IGR meeting to be held in Beijing next year will continue to contribute to the previously set targets, plan the road towards 2015, define the GPA Program of Work from 2007 to 2011, and contribute to the International Decade for Actions.

 

 

"Unnatural disasters"


Dr. Chua Thia-Eng
Regional Program Director of the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA)
蔡程英博士
国际海事高级官员 东亚海域环境管理区域项目负责人

The coastal cities of most countries in the world contribute a large part to national GDP. However, the greatest threat to coastal economic sustainability is the increasing frequency and magnitude of natural and man-made disasters. Coastal cities are at the forefront of the resulting impacts.

The devastating Indian Ocean Tsunami in December 2004 and the recent Hurricane Katrina caused huge economic losses. In both cases, the so-called weather-related "natural disasters" are considered by environmentalists as "unnatural disasters."

Both the government and business communities are primarily responsible for most of these catastrophes, as they are the two most dominant stakeholder groups that have the political and economic resources to effect changes in the coastal areas. On the other hand, the general public contributed a substantial portion of the chronic pollution arising from the waste they generated as well as changing consumption patterns resulting from the improvement in standards of living.

Coastal cities are essential and crucial players in preventing and reducing the devastating effects of both acute and chronic catastrophes caused by either natural or man-made disasters.

A paradigm shift is needed to change the way our natural resources are being governed and managed. The new paradigm would include the following essential ten-point action: Action 1. Include coastal and marine environmental concerns in economic development policy. Action 2. Integrate sea-use into land-use planning and management. Action 3. Establish coordinating mechanisms. Action 4. Put an end to habitat destruction and restore habitats. Action 5. Stop overfishing. Action 6. Develop and implement ecosystem-based management. Action 7. Educate the public. Action 8. Build partnerships. Action 9. Address trans-boundary issues. Action 10. Create regional and global networks of local governments.

Substantial achievements have been made by several coastal cities in the region in implementing Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) programs. A case worth mentioning is the successful implementation of the coastal zoning and permit system in Xiamen that has led to national legislation allowing the local governments in the coastal region of China to undertake sea-use zoning.

The achievements of Xiamen in adopting the ICM concept and the implementation of ICM activities over the last 12 years proves the value of this integrated management approach. More importantly, it has shaped a well-informed citizenry that has supported the programs and the strong political will that has implemented them.

 

 

Coastal cities face challenges


Bowdin King
ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability World Secretariat
波丁·金
地方环境行动国际理事会官员

In 2004, with the support of UNEP/GPA, ICLEI Local Governments for sustainability conducted a study to look at the networks serving coastal cities and the opportunities to accelerate the sustainable development programs of coastal cities.

The presentation shows the challenges faced by coastal cities as well as some of the international responses to these challenges. It focuses on the unique function of local governments as the coordinators of local action.

The global challenges to cities are shared but the solutions have to be tailored to local conditions. It was noted that in order to do this, there are already several organizations and networks serving coastal cities addressing these development challenges. The relationships and exchanges between these organizations were often not easily apparent. A call therefore, has been made to provide a platform for the exchange of methods, tools and information that could enhance the work of local governments.

Local governments learn best from each other. Suggestions are made to improve the learning and exchange between coastal cities.

About ICLEI

ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability was founded in 1990 as the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives. It is an international association of local governments and national and regional local government organizations that have made a commitment to sustainable development. More than 470 cities, towns, counties, and their associations worldwide make up ICLEI's growing membership. ICLEI works with these and hundreds of other local governments through international performance-based, results-oriented campaigns and programs.

 

Vocabulary
degradation 降级
sanitation 卫生
magnitude 重要性
dominant 主导的
catastrophe 灾难
substainability 可持续性