My presentation is a brief conclusion of the report of the Eighth Meeting of the ASEAN Senior Officials on the Environment, 8-10 September 1997, at CEBU, the Philippines, related to the Transboundary Pollution.
1. ASEAN Working Group on ASEAN Seas and Marine Environment (WGASME)
The Meeting noted that the WGASME would be preparing an inventory list of project concerned with marine pollution in the region so as to avoid any overlap with those carried of by other ASEAN bodies and international organizations.
2. ASEAN Working Group on Transboundary Pollution (WGTP)
The Meeting agreed with the following recommendations of the WGTP on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).
(a) Monitor closely and communicate at national level the development of matter concerning POPs undertaken by international and regional organizations particularly the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution and the development of criteria in identifying additional POPs.
(b) Establish and strengthen national coordinating body in each member country in dealing with POPs matters.
(c) Organize a regional workshop on POPs to promote awareness on POPs matters; and
(d) Request UNEP to carry out a pilot study in Vietnam on POPs residues resulting from the chemicals used in the past decades.
3. ASEAN Working Group on Environmental Management (WGEM)
The meeting approved the recommendations of the WGEM.
(a) To continue to source for funds to hold the Workshop on Environmental Institution and Legislation for ASEAN countries.
(b) To seek input from ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Energy (SOME) on the project on AElectricity and the Environment: A Framework for Decision Making in the ASEAN region" to ensure that environmental factors are taken into consideration in the project.
(c) To place Thailand's proposed project on Enhancement of Conservation and Sustainable Use of Peat Swamp Forest in the ASEAN Region, which is a reformulated proposal for the project on "Integrated Wetland Development and Management" under the ASEAN Working Group on Nature Conservation as the scope of the proposed project focused primarily on conservation of peat swamp forests in ASEAN region.
(d) To withdraw the projects on "River Rehabitation and River Beautification" an "Soil Erosion Mapping" as the proponent countries of the projects had decided to withdraw them. Noting that there are differences in the geography, culture, climate, economic development, environmental management programmes, etc. In ASEAN countries the Meeting agreed that a set of common environmental quality parameters would serve to initiate the process to achieve the long term environmental goals.
The Meeting also noted that methods of analysis should be indicated for the designated parameters of the long term environmental goals for ambient air and river water qualities.
In addition, the Meeting agreed to present to the 7th AMME the following proposals:
(a) The revised long term goals for water quality for the four different classes of rivers for ASEAN countries.
(b) The ASEAN initiatives to achieve the long-term environmental goals for ambient air and river water qualities.
(c) To achieve an ambient air quality below 100 Pollutant Standard Index (PSI), adjusted wherever appropriate, by the year 2010 with priority for urban and industrialized areas.
4. Consideration of matters relating to agreements of international Conventions and Protocols
4.1 Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
The Meeting agreed that one of the ASEAN Member Countries should be represented as a member of the Executive Committee of the Montreal Protocol.
With regard to the phasing out of methyl bromide, the Meeting agreed that specific quantum of funds should first be made available to assist developing countries prior to any agreement to phase out could be reached. It was also agreed that a 10-year grace period be applied.
4.2 Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal
The Meeting noted the information paper on Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal presented by Singapore.
Thailand informed the Meeting that her own process of ratification is on-going,
4.3 Framework Convention on Climate Change
The Meeting noted the information paper on Framework Convention on Climate Change presented by Singapore.
With regard to ASEAN's position at the 3rd Conference of Parties (COPIII) scheduled to be held in Kyoto from 1-10 December 1997, ASEAN should ask Japan to take the lead in resolving outstanding issues in the negotiation, such as the Quantified Emissions Limitation and Reduction
Objectives (QELROs) and policies and measures. The Meeting reiterated that the developing countries were not obliged to make any firm commitment. The Meeting agreed that even if the developing countries were to make any commitment, it should not impede the process of development in those countries and that a funding mechanism should be clearly established.
The Meeting also agreed that this matter be further discussed at the next SOM and AMME.
Indonesia informed the Meeting of a request from Japan for an informal meeting with ASEAN representatives on 14 September 1997 in Jakarta.
4.4 Convention on Prior Informed Consent (PIC)
The Meeting noted the information paper on Convention on Prior Informed Consent presented by Malaysia.
The Meeting supported the ongoing negotiation towards concluding an International convention on PIC and to urge the UNEP Expert Group on Banned Chemicals to expedite its work.