Environmental situation in the OPT – Decision adopted – UNEP Governing Council decision

Decision adopted by the twenty-second session of the UNEP Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum, 7 February 2003, Nairobi, Kenya.

Environment in the Occupied Palestinian Territories

The Governing Council

Recalling its decisions 20/2 of February 1999,21/16 of 9 February 2001 and GCSS.VTT/7 of 15 February 2002 on the environmental situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories,

Gravely concerned over the continuing deterioration and destruction of the environment in the Occupied Palestinian Territories,

Having considered the report of the Executive Director as contained in documents UNEP/GC.22/6/Add.6 and UNEP/GC.22/INF.31,

Noting that the Executive Director visited the area in July 2002 where he met with the two parties concerned and established a framework and the modalities of the desk study requested by the Governing Council,

Noting further that the Executive Director designated a team of UNEP experts to prepare the desk study outlining the state of the environment in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and identifying major areas of environmental damage requiring urgent attention,

1. Welcomes the desk study outlining the state of environment in the Occupied Palestinian Territories presented by the Executive Director, including the recommendations contained therein,

2. Expresses its appreciation to the team of experts for their invaluable efforts in the preparation of the desk study, and to the environmental authorities in the area for their constructive co-operation with UNEP,

3. Requests the Executive Director, within the mandate of UNEP, to implement recommendations of the desk study,

4. Also requests the Executive Director to make UNEP available to act as a facilitator, and also an impartial moderator when requested by both parties, to assist in solving urgent environmental problems with a view to achieving common goals,

5. Further requests the Executive Director to continue coordinating the activities of UNEP in the area, including:

a)   facilitate identifying technical and financial solutions to implement the recommendations;

b)  promote capacity building programmes;

c)   encourage technology transfer;

d)   promote the participation of the Palestinian Authority in relevant meetings and processes of multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs),

6.    Calls upon governments and international organizations to support the rehabilitation of the environment and reconstruction of damaged environmental infrastructure, and to thus assist the environmental authorities concerned in their efforts to address urgent environmental needs in the Occupied Palestinian Territories,

7.    Invites all the parties concerned to cooperate with the Executive Director in the implementation of this decision,

8.   Requests the Executive Director to report on the implementation of this decision to the Governing Council at its twenty-third regular session.

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