Last update: 23/06/2004
Relations with Multilateral Bodies, Programmes and Initiatives
Worldwide
United Nations Environment
Programme - UNEP
Together with UNEP APAT provides technical support to
the Ministry of the Environment and Territorial Protection
(MATT) on various tasks, particularly at a regional level, and also
takes part in the Governing Council’s preparation
activities.
Together with MATT, APAT has provided information on Italy
which can be found on the UNEP.NET website, the
United Nations Environment Network, a
global, topical and regional information site on the environment.
The network was created in September 2000 and its aim is to provide
information via this site about the international scientific
community specialising in the environment and encourage it to work
together in order to improve the quality of life for us and for
future generations.
Multilateral Environmental Agreements - MEAs
The main international environment related agreements, which
also fall into the “UN Global Conventions” category,
are:
APAT provides technical and scientific support to the Ministry
of the Environment and Territorial Protection for tasks related to
negotiations at an international level, and implementation at a
national level, of the tasks required for a globally controlled
environment.
United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development
- CSD
This commission was set up by ECOSOC (UN Economic and Social
Council) as a result of the 1992 Conference in Rio (United Nations
Conference on Environment and Development – UNCED). Within
the commission ANPA provides support to the Ministry of the
Environment and Territorial Protection in the preparation of
technical documentation, negotiation and the publication of
results.
International Atomic Energy Agency
- IAEA
APAT supports the Ministry of the Environment and Territorial
Protection in the preparation and implementation phases of the IAEA
General Conference and takes part in the international working
groups which look at reviewing international legislation such as
the
NUSSAC (Nuclear Safety Standards Advisory Committee),
TRANSSAC (
Transport Safety Standards Advisory Committee) and the committee
for the review of the International Convention on the physical
protection of nuclear material.
As the Control Authority for nuclear safety and health
protection, APAT ensures that the national and international
obligations resulting from International Conventions that regulate
nuclear power are followed (by taking part, for example in
inspections required by the Non-Proliferation Treaty). It is
also the “First Point of call” for Italy within the
automatic information exchange system used in the event of
radiological accidents affecting members of the European Union and
members of IAEA.
APAT takes part in the Coordinated Research Project for ASAM
(Improvement of safety assessment methodologies for near
surface disposal facilities for radioactive waste) promoted by
IAEA's Security Coordination Department.
Global Monitoring for Environment and Security
GMES is a global initiative for the monitoring of security and
the environment, and was jointly founded by the European Commission
(DG Research, DG Environment, DG Information Society) and the
European Space Agency. It was announced by the Commission and the
Space Agency at the “Research” Council on June 26 2001.
As per European Space strategy it aims to provide information which
helps to satisfy people’s security and environmental
information requirements aided by the technical and operational
skills provided by the earth and space observation systems.
The programme will become operational in 2008 and the project
is divided into two phases; an initial phase (2002-2003) and an
implementation phase (2004-2008). It was founded in 1998 when the
European Commission, The European Space Agency and a group of
national Space Agencies expressed the wish to improve the quality
of information flowing from the European Union and its Member
States, aiming to make it punctual, reliable and of the highest
quality
The Ministry of Education, University Studies and Research
(MIUR) together with the Ministry of the Environment and
Territorial Protection has elected two Italian representatives
within the GSC (Steering Committee) and has set up, within MUIR
itself, a National Employment Agency to support the GMES
initiatives as well as the project work groups, which were created,
together with GSC, by the COM Communication 609 of October 23
2001.
APAT is a member of the National Employment Agency GMES which
supports the Steering Committee’s (GSC) initiatives.
The 4th GMES Forum was organised jointly by MATT-MUIR, the
European Commission, and The European Space Agency and took place
in Baveno (Lago Maggiore, Italy) between 26-28 November 2003. The
final report for the initial phase was presented as was the
implementation plan for the second phase that the Steering
Committee (GSC) approved at the December 4 meeting.
Ad Hoc Working Group on Earth Observation –
GEO
GEO was created following the Earth Observation Summit which
took place in Washington on July 31 2003 at the Inauguration
Session of 1-2 August in Washington. The session was summoned by
the White House Office for Scientific and Technology Policies.
Italy participated in these meetings thanks to representatives from
MATT and MIUR.
GEO’s objectives are:
- To coordinate the strategies and earth observations systems, to
coordinate initiatives aimed at involving and assisting developing
countries and their contribution to observation systems as well as
giving them access to these systems, on the spot information
exchange, via air or via satellite networks;
- The preparation of a ten-year implementation plan based on
existing systems and operations. The infrastructure will need to be
available for the Ministerial Conference on Earth Observation in
Tokyo, planned between May-August 2004, while the actual plan will
need to be available for the Ministerial Conference that will take
place in an EU country between September and December 2004.
Many developing countries which are part of OECD (Organisation
for Economic Co-operation and Development) as well as the European
Commission, the US and other international organizations (ESA,
GCOS, GOOS, GTOS, IOC, FAO, UNESCO, UNEP, UNFCCC, IBRD, WMO, etc.)
are part of GEO.
As recommended by MATT APAT has been chosen as a single point
of contact, acting as Co-president within the User Requirements
sub-group. APAT has also been singled out as Italy's
representative for the International Secretariat by
MATT.
The second GEO meeting was hosted by Italy in Baveno on 28-29
November 2003, just after the 4th GMES (Global
Monitoring for Environment and Security) Forum.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change -
IPCC
IPCC was created by the World Meteorological
Organization (
WMO) and
UNEP for the research into scientific,
technical and socio-economic information on the risks connected to
man-induced climate changes. These assessments are important
documents which are used in deciding policies at international and
national level during the Conferences of the Parties for the
Framework Convention on Climate Change.
As requested by MATT APAT has coordinated reviews of
IPCC’s Special Report Drafts on Land-Use Change, Forestry and
Emissions Scenarios as well as the Third Assessment Report draft.
These documents have been used as the starting point for intense
negotiations and in depth scientific debates that have taken place
to try and reach an agreement during the subsequent Conferences of
the Parties.
