by Mr. K. Grip

Established by the nations and territories of the Wider Caribbean Region in 1981, the Caribbean Environment Programme (CEP) promotes regional co-operation in the protection of the marine and coastal environment. The CEP is an integral part of the Regional Seas Programme of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and is administered by its Regional Co-ordinating Unit (CAR/RCU) in Kingston, Jamaica.

The legal framework for the CEP is provided by the Cartagena Convention that was adopted in 1983. This Convention, the only region-wide environmental treaty, is a framework agreement setting out the political and legal foundations for environmental actions to be developed. These actions are directed by a series of operational Protocols, addressing oil spills, protected areas and wildlife (SPAW Protocol) and land based activities and sources of marine pollution (LBSMP Protocol).

The CEP helps to protect the marine and coastal environments of the Wider Caribbean Region through its catalytic and facilitating role. This is accomplished through programmes that strengthen national and sub-regional institutions, stimulate technical co-operation among countries and by the creation of networks of information and people. The various programmes and activities of the UNEP CAR/RCU assist the nations of the Wider Caribbean Region to chart a course for sustainable development and environmentally sound practices. The CEP assists in the co-ordination of international initiatives in the region, such as the International Coral Reef Initiative and the International Year of the Ocean and has established co-operation with global agreements such as the Convention on Biological Diversity.

The Programme co-ordinates the collection, production, review and dissemination of studies, publications and the results of work performed under its aegis. From technical reports, to newsletters, to educational and awareness-raising materials, to technical protocols and agreements, the CEP distributes materials in print and via the Internet. As befits its regional role, the CEP organizes and hosts many seminars and workshops. These events bring together non-governmental organisations, environmental specialists, scientists, policy makers and others, including representatives of the member governments of the CEP.

The activities of the CEP have been developed to support the implementation of the Cartagena Convention and its Protocols. In this capacity, the CEP has been co-ordinating activities regarding the conservation and management of endangered species and habitats of regional concern, the establishment and management of protected areas, and the assessment, management and monitoring of land-based sources of marine pollution. The Programme has developed guidelines for best available technologies and practices for sewage and agricultural waste management, as well as oil spills contingency plans. Systematic assistance is also provided on integrated coastal area management through the promotion and application of regional guidelines. Other major activities are the promotion of best environmental management practices in the vital tourism industry of the Wider Caribbean and the creation of a network of marine protected areas.

The CEP is also assisting with the development of a regional network of marine and coastal information and data through the Internet. Databases on government and regional contacts, experts, and projects are maintained. Additionally, the Programme develops geographic databases on relevant subjects, such as marine protected areas and endangered species.

The public is kept informed of environmental activities in the Wider Caribbean through the publication of the CEP newsletter, CEPNews, and its dynamic Internet Web site. The Programme is an important instrument for increasing public awareness, environmental education and capacity building through training of all levels and the publication of documents and materials.

The members of the CEP are the countries and territories bordering the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico and adjacent portions of the Atlantic Ocean, south of 30? North latitude and within 200 nautical miles of the Atlantic Coast. This area, known as the Wider Caribbean Region, includes all the islands of the Caribbean, the North and Central American countries bordering the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, and the northern South American countries as far east as French Guiana. This region is a complex mix of peoples, languages and societies in one of the most culturally and ecologically diverse areas of the world.

The CEP works closely with numerous organizations in protecting the Wider Caribbean marine and coastal environments. The Programme is primarily funded by the Governments of the region through the Caribbean Trust Fund. Additional funds are provided by other governments, donor agencies and the UNEP.

As an office of the UNEP, the CAR/RCU co-operates with the Regional Seas Programme and many other UNEP initiatives, as well as many organizations of the UN system. International, regional and local non-governmental organizations, as well as academic and research institutions, participate in the many projects of the CEP and assist with their implementation.

More accessible and comprehensive information is available on our Web page, http://www.cep.unep.org/. This site provides further detailed information about our activities, office and staff. More importantly, the site also makes available to the world our library of technical reports, our quarterly newsletter, project update pages, environmental databases and directories, and links to other Internet resources. If you do not have Internet access, or require any additional information, please contact us by fax, e-mail or phone.