Environmental issues and sustainable development

METHYL BROMIDE APPROVED FOR TEMPORARY USES

AFTER MONTREAL PROTOCOL PHASE-OUT DEADLINE

(Reissued as received.)

MONTREAL, 26 March (UNEP) -- An intergovernmental meeting here on the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer has granted limited “critical use exemptions” to 11 developed countries facing a year-end deadline for phasing out methyl bromide.

DEAD ZONES EMERGING AS BIG THREAT TO TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY FISH STOCKS

Eighth Special Session of Governing Council of United Nations

Environment Programme and Global Ministerial Environment Forum, 29-31 March 2004

(Reissued as received.)

Montreal Protocol Talks to Consider Exemptions From Methyl Bromide Ban

MONTREAL/NAIROBI, 23 March (UNEP) -- A three-day meeting of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer will consider granting exemptions to 12 developed countries so that they can use the pesticide methyl bromide for certain “critical uses” after its phase-out date of 1 January 2005.

Republic of Korea to Host Asia's first Global Ministerial Environment Forum

Water, Sanitation to Top Agenda;

Dead Zones in Oceans Highlighted as Major Emerging Threat

(Reissued as received.)

MARINE TURTLE AGREEMENT REVIEWS PROGRESS

Countries Showing Greater Commitment to Conservation;

At Least Three More States to Sign Up to Regional Plan

(Reissued as received.)

BANGKOK, 16 March (UNEP) -- An innovative regional agreement is beginning to turn the tide for the ancient mariners of the world’s oceans.

ARCTIC FACES DRASTIC CHANGE WITHOUT EUROPEAN UNION POLICY ACTION

(Reissued as received.)

BRUSSELS/COPENHAGEN, 15 March (UNEP/EEA) -- The Arctic’s unique environment and indigenous peoples are under increasing threat from industrial activities and the region is likely to change drastically unless decision-makers in the European Union and elsewhere address the challenges seriously.

BIOSAFETY PROTOCOL NOW OPERATIONAL AS GOVERNMENTS AGREE

ON DOCUMENTATION RULES FOR GMO TRADE

(Reissued as received.)

BARCELONA, UNIVERSAL FORUM OF CULTURES TO HOST WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 2004;

THEME:  ‘WANTED!  SEAS AND OCEANS -– DEAD OR ALIVE?’

(Reissued as received.)

NAIROBI/BARCELONA, 24 February (UNEP) -- The city of Barcelona, known for its commitment to culture and urban renewal, will be hosting World Environment Day 2004, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) announced today.

STOCKHOLM CONVENTION ON PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS

TO ENTER INTO FORCE 17 MAY 2004

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA/NAIROBI, 18 February (UNEP) -- The 2001 Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) will become legally binding on 17 May 2004, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) announced today.

GOVERNING BODY OF CARTAGENA PROTOCOL ON BIOSAFETY TO HOLD

FIRST MEETING IN KUALA LUMPUR, 23 - 27 FEBRUARY

(Reissued as received.)