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South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC)
RETA 5936: Special Meeting of the Environment Working Group

10 - 11 June 2002, Bangkok, Thailand


Post-workshop Statement

Based on the Second Meeting of the Environment Working Group held on 16-18 April 2002, in Thimphu, Bhutan, a Special Meeting of the Environment Working Group under the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation program (SASEC) was held in Marriott Resort and Spa, Bangkok, Thailand on 10-11 June 2002.

The meeting was jointly chaired by Dasho Sangay Thinley, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Royal Government of Bhutan and Mr. Masaaki Nagata, Principal Programs Officer, ADB. The other countries participating in the program include Bangladesh, India, and Nepal.

It was emphasized at the meeting that subregional cooperation in the environment sector should address concerns or areas that are of common interest to the SASEC countries and focus on specific and non-controversial areas to enable the cooperation to move forward. Also, it was agreed to apply the following criteria in identifying and prioritizing projects:

  • degree of project benefits or impacts to the subregion
  • urgency and need for the project
  • availability of financing for the project
  • preparedness of the project.

At the Special Meeting, it was agreed to recommend, in order of priority, these projects:

  • Regional Air Quality Management Programme
  • Developing a Knowledge Base Towards Strengthening Monitoring of Freshwater Pollution in South Asia
  • Hazardous Waste Management
  • Regional Capacity Building and Networking of Experts in the South Asia Subregion
  • South Asian Conservation and Sustainable Development Corridor.

Background

During the EWG Second Meeting held in Thimphu in April 2002, five subregional cooperation project proposals, prepared by the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), were discussed. It was pointed out that no proposals had been presented in the area of pollution control/management, previously identified as one of the three priority areas by EWG.

Consequently, the Second Meeting recommended that additional project proposals/ concept papers be prepared to reflect the concerns of SASEC countries and another EWG meeting be held to prioritize finally the subregional cooperation programs/projects to be submitted to the forthcoming Country Advisor Meeting (CAM) for its endorsement.

Objectives

The primary purpose of the Special Meeting is to discuss new project proposals submitted for consideration of the EWG and prioritize programs/projects for submission to Finalization Meeting of the Country Advisors Meeting in late September or early October 2002.

Expected Outputs

  • List of prioritized programs/projects on Environment Sector
  • Cooperative dialogue and strengthened cooperation among participating countries and ADB

Target Participants

Participants include:

  • senior officials from the participating countries
  • representatives of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
  • Regional Environment Office for South Asia Embassy of the United States of America, Kathmandu, Nepal
  • ADB staff
  • consultants

View Members of the Environment Working Group

Workshop Documents

Contacts

SASEC Secretariat
Asian Development Bank
Tel: + 632) 632 5195
Fax: + 632) 636 2318
Email: sasec@adb.org

Masaaki Nagata
Principal Programs Officer
Operations Coordination Division
Asian Development Bank
Tel: + 632 632 5195
Fax: + 632 636 2318
Email: mnagata@adb.org