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Chair's
Summary
Fifth
Inter-Governmental Meeting of the
Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research
(APN)
29-30 March 2000,
Islamabad, Pakistan
Summary Report of the Chair, Mr. Mahboob Elahi
and Vice Chairs, Dr. Subramaniam Moten and Mr. Kazunobu Onogawa
This Meeting was attended by representatives from
Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea,
Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka,
Thailand and the United States of America, and observers from Pakistan
and the International START Secretariat, and by the two Co-Chairs
of the APN Scientific Planning Group. The list of participants is
given in Attachment I.
1. Opening
The Director of the APN Secretariat, Mr. Hiroaki
Takagi, introduced Qari Thahir Mehmood who recited verses from the
holy Quran
The Director then welcomed the meeting participants
and expressed his thanks to Pakistan for hosting the meeting. He
gave some highlights from the previous year's events, and expressed
his belief that the next year would be a fruitful one, partly thanks
to an anticipated new contribution from Environment Australia to
the APN budget and an increased contribution from the Environment
Agency of Japan.
An opening address was given by His Excellency Omar
Asghar Khan, Minister for Environment, Local Government & Rural
Development and Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis. In his
speech he stressed the importance of inter-disciplinary research
as a means of solving the many global environmental problems that
affect the Asia-Pacific region. Such problems are not always considered
a high priority, but the true extent to which they underpin issues
such as economic development and food security is often ignored.
Structures for regional cooperation, such as the APN, are vital
to maximise the contribution countries can make to global change
research, but for such structures to be effective member countries
need to be as active as possible. He expressed his hope that Pakistan's
hosting of the 5th Scientific Planning Group and Inter-Governmental
Meetings would strengthen their future participation in APN.
2. Election of Officers
Mr. Mahboob Elahi of Pakistan was elected as Chair.
Dr. Subramaniam Moten of Malaysia and Mr. Kazunobu Onogawa of Japan
were elected as Vice-Chairs.
3. Adoption of Agenda
The agenda was adopted as proposed.
4. Report From the Secretariat
The APN Secretariat gave a review of the year's
achievements. The relocation of the Secretariat from Tokyo to Kobe
had been completed successfully with the support of Hyogo Prefecture.
Similarly the Secretariat staffing had been increased; a record
number of projects had been supported; the first APN Symposium and
Scoping Workshops had been held successfully; and there had been
positive developments in terms of membership inquiries, communications
and the appointment of two new APN Liaison Officers for Southeast
Asia and Oceania.
A summary of the 1999/2000 sponsored projects and
the APN Liaison Officer reports were distributed.
5. Financial Reports, 2000/2001 Budget and Strategic
Objectives
The Secretariat presented the Final 1998/99 Financial
Report for the fiscal year ending March 1999, the Draft 1999/2000
Financial Report and the Proposed 2000/2001 Budget and Strategic
Objectives. Delegates were asked to consider and approve each of
these.
The meeting commended the Secretariat on both the
dramatic increase in the overall budget in recent years and also
on the way that administration costs had been reduced to under 20%
of the overall budget. Concerns were expressed about the need to
maintain the effort to obtain funds from new sources such as the
private sector, and also to ensure that the increase in funds is
reflected in an increase in the number of projects funded.
During the ensuing
discussion delegates stressed the need for a coherent approach to scientific
priorities enabling
APN to focus on the issues of major importance and to maximise results.
This approach should be reflected across all aspects of APN's work.
6. Scientific Planning Group Report
Prof. Keiji Higuchi, Co-Chair of the Scientific
Planning Group (SPG), gave a summary of the results of the SPG Meeting.
He provided brief remarks for each topic of the summary report and
informed the meeting of the appointment of Dr. Graeme Pearman as
the new Co-Chair to succeed him.
7. APN Networking and Capacity Building Programme
The Secretariat presented a proposal for an APN
Networking and Capacity Building Programme, funded by the Environment
Agency of Japan, designed to increase the involvement of those countries
that have until now been least involved in APN activities. It is
proposed to target Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
and Vietnam in the first year, but to extend the trial period to
2 years with Mongolia and Nepal to be involved in the second year.
The programme was warmly welcomed and received strong support from
the members. It was clarified that the countries involved would
decide their own research priorities within their regional groups,
and that these discussions had already begun for the South Asian
countries. The delegates expressed their desire that this programme
be expanded to include a larger number of developing countries in
the longer term.
8. 2000/1 Funded Activities
Prof. Zhao, Co-Chair of the SPG, presented the procedures
used to recommend 16 projects out of 72 proposals received in the
2000/2001 APN proposals process. She outlined that the Small Group
and SPG had used the review ranking as the main basis for their
funding recommendations, but that other important factors such as
regional or thematic distribution, opportunities to build on past
successes, country involvement or previous performance had also
been considered. After discussion, the IGM participants approved
the SPG recommendation for APN funding for 16 projects, including
projects based in Korea and Sri Lanka for the first time.
9. Review of Proposals Process
The Secretariat reported the results of the review
of the APN Proposals Process commissioned by the 4th IGM. Recommendations
were made on a number of issues designed to improve fairness, efficiency
and quality of service to proponents. After some discussions about
detailed aspects of the pre-proposals system and the review process,
the recommendations, as amended by the SPG, were approved by the
IGM.
10. System for identifying Key Scientific Priorities
The
Secretariat introduced the proposed system for identifying Key Scientific Priorities.
It was recognised that the
system as proposed provided for a transparent and practical approach.
The system was adopted by the meeting, including an amendment suggested
by the SPG to introduce greater flexibility. It was clarified by
the Secretariat that for the next year the current priorities of
Human Dimensions and Climate Change & Variability would be retained.
11. CO2
Inter-Calibration Workshop
On behalf of Japan Mr. Onogawa introduced a proposal
for a workshop to promote efforts to improve the inter-calibration
of CO2 measurements which is essential to ensure fully
comparable data. These measurements are used to identify the origins
of CO2 emissions, an essential task to evaluate the success
of efforts to reduce anthropogenic emissions. He clarified that
the purpose of organising this meeting through the APN was to ensure
a broader participation by Asia-Pacific countries and for this reason
the Environment Agency of Japan proposed to provide a Special Fund
to the APN. He indicated that some SPG members had already approached
him over the possibility for involvement of the relevant agencies
in their countries, and encouraged IGM members to do likewise. His
proposal was welcomed by the meeting.
12. START Update
On behalf of START International Prof. Fuchs gave
an update on recent developments within the START system. He focused
in particular on START's catalytic role and its focus on capacity
building. He then suggested that APN and START should further explore
avenues for cooperation, in particular with regard to expanding
the role of Liaison Officers, database development and capacity
building.
13. APN Recognition Document
After an introduction by the Director, delegates
were asked to comment on the Secretariat proposal. They indicated
their desire to see the APN further develop, and gave their national
positions. The majority of delegates in principle supported the
proposal made by the Secretariat. It was suggested that in the longer
term the APN should keep in mind the need for a more systematic
document.
There followed extensive discussions on the precise
formulation of the document, and a drafting group was formed to
improve the draft. A revised version was presented to the meeting
and after further discussions on points of detail, final agreement
was reached on the second day of the meeting. The adopted document,
entitled 'Conclusion on the Further Development of the Asia-Pacific
Network for Global Change Research (APN)', is included as Attachment
II.
14. Next Meeting
The Director indicated that Korea was willing to
host the next SPG and IGM in March 2001. Mr. Won-Woo Shin and Mr.
Seung-Hwa Ko gave further details of their plan to hold the meeting
on Cheju island. This was welcomed by the meeting.
15. Other Business
A number of points were raised related to raising
public awareness through the media and raising the profile of the
APN and global change more generally.
16. Science Presentations
Two science presentations were given. Dr. Amir Muhammed
made a presentation on the major issues and the national approach
to global change research in Pakistan. Prof. Zhao introduced several
issues of global change. A short discussion on the importance of
free exchange of data followed.
17. Closing
The meeting expressed its appreciation to Pakistan
and the Ministry of Environment, Local Government and Rural Development
for hosting the 5th IGM, and to the Secretariat for their organization
of the meeting. The meeting also expressed appreciation to the Chair
and Vice-Chairs for their smooth management of the proceedings.
Prof. Higuchi's tremendous contribution to the APN and his long
service as Co-Chair of the Scientific Planning Group was applauded.
In his closing
remarks Mr. Elahi thanked the APN for the opportunity to host the SPG and IGM,
and expressed his hope
that this would help increase the involvement of Pakistan in the
APN. He also indicated his thanks to his colleagues in the Government
of Pakistan for all their assistance in arranging the meetings.
Attachment
I
List of Participants
AUSTRALIA
Dr. Stewart NEEDHAM
Assistant
Secretary
Environment Australia GPO Box 787
Canberra, ACT
2601, AUSTRALIA
Tel: +61-2-6274-2031
Fax: +61-2-6274-2028
Email: stewart.needham@ea.gov.au
BANGLADESH
Mr. Mohammad Nurul ISLAM
P. S. to Secretary (Senior
Assistant Chief)
Ministry of Environment & Forest
Room
#1309, Building #6, Bangladesh Secretariat,
Dhaka, BANGLADESH
Tel: +880-2-8611676
Fax: +880-2-8619210
Email: abin@bdonline.com
CAMBODIA
Mr. Sophark CHOU
Head of Office
Natural Resource
Assessment Office
Department of Natural Resource Assessment
and Environmental Data Management
Ministry of Environment
# 48, Samdech Preah Sihanouk
Tonle Bassac, Chamcarmon
Phnom Penh, CAMBODIA
Tel: 855-23-21-91-64
Fax:
855-23-21-91-64
Email: neap@forum.org.kh
CHINA
Mr. Xuedu LU
Deputy Director
Department of Rural
and Social Development
Ministry of Science and Technology 15-B
Fuxing Road
Beijing, 100862 P. R. CHINA
Tel:
+86-10-6851-4054
Fax: +86-10-6851-2163
Email: Lvxd@mail.most.gov.cn
INDONESIA
Ir. Aca SUGANDHY
Deputy Minister for Environment
Ministry of Environment
Jalan D. I. Panjaitan,
KAV 24 Kebon
Nanas,
Jakarta Timur INDONESIA
Tel: +62-21-851-8138
Fax: +62-21-858-0111
Email: sugandhy@cbn.net.id
JAPAN
Mr. Kazunobu ONOGAWA
Principal Research Coordinator
National Institute for Environmental Studies
16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba
Ibaraki-ken, 305-0053, JAPAN
Tel: +81-298-50-2302
Fax:
+81-298-51-2854
Email: onogawa@nies.go.jp
Mr. Kazutoshi HAYASHI
Official
International Science
Cooperation Division
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
2-2-1,
Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 100-8919 JAPAN
Tel:
+81-3-3580-3311 ext. 3133
Fax: +81-3-3597-7757
Email: kazutoshi.hayashi@mofa.go.jp
KOREA
Mr. Won-Woo SHIN
Director,
Global Environment
Office
Ministry of Environment
427-760, Government Complex-Kwacheon
KOREA
Tel: +82-2-504-9245
Fax: +82-2-504-9206
Email: wowshin@me.go.kr
Mr. Seung-Hwa KO
Director,
Environment Policies
Department
Cheju Provincial Government
#312-1, Yeon-dong,
Cheju-city 690-70
KOREA
Tel: +82-64-740-1424
Fax:
+82-64-740-1638
Email: cho3259@provin.cheju.kr
LAO P. D. R.
Mr. Chanthanet BOUALAPHA
Director,
Environment
Research Center
Science, Technology and Environment Agency
P. O. Box 2279
Vientiane, LAO P. D. R
Tel: +856-21-218737
Fax: +856-21-218737 / 213472
Email: wrcc@pan-lao.net.la
Mr. Phonethip PHETSOMPHOU
Government Officer
Science,
Technology and Environment Agency
P. O. Box: 2279 Vientiane,
LAO P. D. R.
Tel: +856-21-217650
Fax: +856-21-213472
Email: phet@steno.gov.la
MALAYSIA
Dr. Subramaniam MOTEN
Director
Malaysian Meteorological
Service
Jalan Sultan, 46667 Petaling Jaya
Selangor, MALAYSIA
Tel: +603-7569422
Fax: +603-7550964
Email: subra@kjc.gov.my
MONGOLIA
Mr. Tsohio ADIYASUREN
Counselor
Ministry of Environment
Government Building #3
Baga Toiruu
Ulaanbaatar-11, MONGOLIA
Tel: +976-99192160
Fax: +976-1-312320
Email: adyasurents@usa.net
Dr. Jamsran TSOGTBAATAR
Director,
Institute of
Geoecology
Ministry of Nature and Environment
Baruun Selbe-15
Ulaanbaatar-211238, MONGOLIA
Tel: +976-1-321862
Fax: +976-1-321862
Email: geoeco@magicnet.mn
NEPAL
Mr. Hari Datt PANDEY
Under Secretary
Ministry of Population
and Environment
Singha Durbar , Kathmandu
NEPAL
Tel: +977-1-241588
Fax: +977-1-242138
PAKISTAN
Mr. Mahboob ELAHI
Director General (Env.)
Ministry
of Environment, Local Government
and Rural Development
25-H St., F-6/3 Blue Area, Islamabad
PAKISTAN
Tel: +92-51-920-1145
Fax: +92-51-920-2211
Email: mahboob@isb.compol.com
Mr. Amjad Hussain Sial
Director
Ministry of Foreign
Affairs,
Constitution Ave. Islamabad
Tel: 021-9206149
Email: ah bsial @ yahoo.com
PHILIPPINES
Mr. Sabado BATCAGAN
Assistant Secretary
Department
of Environment and Natural Resources
Visayas Avenue, Quezon
City
PHILIPPINES
Tel: +63-2-926-8075
Fax: +63-2-920-1761
Email: astb@denr.gov.ph
SRI LANKA
Mr. Thosapala HEWAGE
Additional Secretary
Ministry
of Forestry & Environment
104A, Kitulawatte Road, Colombo
08.
SRI LANKA
Tel: +94-1-671164
Fax: +94-1-671406
Email: forest@sri.lanka.net
THAILAND
Mr. Suphavit PIAMPHONGSANT
Chief Inspector-General
Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment
Rama VI Road,
Bangkok 10400
THAILAND
Tel: +66-2-247-9696, 245-2498
Fax: +66-2-246-8106
Email: supavit.p@moste.go.th
U. S. A.
Mr. Louis B. BROWN
Chair,
Working Group on International
Research Cooperation
U.S. Global Change Research Program
c/o Directorate for Geosciences
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Blvd, Room 1070
Arlington, VA 22230, U. S. A.
Tel: +1-703-306-1516
Fax: +1-703-306-0091
Email: lbrown@nsf.gov
HONOURED GUESTS
Mr. Omar Asghar KHAN
Minister for Environment,
Local Government
and Rural Development
25-H St., F-6/3,
Blue Area, Islamabad
PAKISTAN
Tel: +92-51-9224578 / +92-51-9224174
OBSERVERS
South Asia START
Regional Committee (SASCOM)
Dr. Amir MUHAMMED
SASCOM Chair
Asianics Agro-Dev.
International
House 13, Street 49, F-6/4, P. O. Box 2316
Islamabad, PAKISTAN
Tel: +92-51-276424
Fax: +92-51-276492
Email: asianics@isb.comsats.net.pk
START
Prof. Roland FUCHS
Director,
International START
Secretariat
2000 Florida Avenue, NW, Suite 200
Washington
D. C. 20009, U. S. A.
Tel: +1-202-462-2213
Fax: +1-202-457-5859
Email: rfuchs@agu.org
APN Science Planning
Group Co-Chairs
Prof. Keiji HIGUCHI
Director, Nagoya City Science
Museum
2-17-1 Sakae, Naka-ku
Nagoya, 460-0008, JAPAN
Tel: +81-52-201-4486 (EX. 201)
Fax: +81-52-203-0788
Email: higuchi@ncsm.city.nagoya.jp
Prof. Zongci ZHAO
National Climate Center
China
Meteorological Administration
Baishiqiaolu No. 46, Beijing,
100081
P. R. CHINA
Tel: +86-10-6840-8576
Fax:
+86-10-6217-6804
Email: zhaozc@sun.ihep.ac.cn
PAKISTAN
Ms. Fareeha Yasmin Iqbal,
Consultant (Climate Change)
Sustainable Development Policy Institute
# 3 UN Boulevard, Diplomatic
Enclave I, G-5, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: 051-278134
Fax: 278135
Email: fari@sdpi.org
Mr. Attaullah Khan Afridi,
Deputy Secretary (E/A)
Ministry of Environment, Local Government and Rural Development
UBL Building, Jinnah Ave Branch, Islamabad
Tel: 9213353
Fax: 9202211
Mr. Amjad Zafar Khan,
Manager (Project Development)
LEAD-Pakistan
28-Margalla Road, F-8/3, Islamabad
Tel:
264742
Fax: 264743
Email: akhan@lead.org.pk
Mr. Azhar Qureshi,
Manager Fellows Program
LEAD-Pakistan
28- Margalla Road,F-8/3, Islamabad
Tel: 92-51-264742
Fax: 92-51-264743
Email: aqureshi@lead.org.pk
Mr. Munir Ahmad Bhatti,
Member (Science)
Pakistan
Science Foundation
Constitution Ave, Islamabad
Tel:
9203044
Fax: 9202468
Mr. Shahid Amjad
Director General
National Institute
of Oceanography
St 47 Block-1 Clifton, Karachi
Tel:
021-5860028 - 5860029
Fax: 5860129
Email niopk@cubexs.net.pk.
Mr. Jamil Masud,
Director
Hagler Bailly Pakistan
1,St. 15, F-7/2, Islamabad
Tel: 276113
Fax: 824484
Mr. Allaud-Din-Nur-Rehman Shah,
Section Officer(Technical-II)
Ministry of Environment, Local Government and Rural Development
UBL Building,Jinnah Avenue Branch, Islamabad
Tel: 9201468
Fax: 9202211
APN Secretariat
Mr. Hiroaki TAKAGI
Director
APN Secretariat
1-5-1 Wakinohama Kaigan Dori
Chuo-ku, Kobe
651-0073
JAPAN
Tel: +81-78-230-8017
Fax: +81-78-230-8018
Email: htakagi@apn.gr.jp
Ms. Kazuko WATANABE
Deputy Director
APN Secretariat
(See Address for Mr. Takagi)
Email: kwatanabe@apn.gr.jp
Dr. Gerhard BREULMANN
Programme Manager
APN Secretariat
(See Address for Mr. Takagi)
Email: gbreulmann@apn.gr.jp
Mr. James ROBERTSON
Programme Manager
APN Secretariat
(See Address for Mr. Takagi)
Email: jrobertson@apn.gr.jp
Attachment
II
Conclusion on the Further Development
of the Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN)
Representatives from 16 countries participating
in the 5th Inter-Governmental Meeting of the APN held in Islamabad,
Pakistan, on 29-30 March 2000:
Convinced that rapid economic development and population
growth, coupled with a unique combination of diverse social, agricultural
and environmental systems, make it particularly important to identify
and address the problems that may arise from global environmental
change in the Asia-Pacific region;
Believing that international cooperation among
governments and scientists will help increase the understanding of the complex
mechanisms, and impacts on ecosystems and human society, of global
environmental change in the Asia-Pacific region;
Reached the conclusion that:
The flexible and practical approaches
utilised by the APN are effective means of expanding global
change research activities throughout the Asia-Pacific region;
There is a vital need for more substantial
participation by the countries of the region;
Increased scientific, technical, financial
and other support are essential to maximise the effectiveness
of the APN;
The APN should actively encourage public
and private organisations to participate in its activities;
The APN needs to coordinate further its
activities with those of relevant international conventions,
initatives and organisations to ensure it is responsive to regional
needs, and to promote the applicable science-policy dialogue;
and
The APN Strategic Plan for the period
1999-2004 is a fully appropriate vehicle for advancing the APN's
goals and maximising outputs.
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