NATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS RECOMMENDATIONS
PACNEWS AUG 5, 2000
APIA (Pacnews): A workshop on Climate Change for member States of
the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) had concluded with
participants agreeing that the country team approach had resulted
in measurable improvements in the way they collect and
disseminate data on climate change.
Participants however stressed the need to have this team approach
formally institutionalised for purposes of continuity.
The 2nd AOSIS workshop on Climate Change Negotiations, Management
and Strategy also noted that human resource development and
institutional capacity building were critical requirements for
the further development of the country team approach.
They also noted that the project by project basis of funding,
which has been the mode of operation in the past should be super
ceded by a systematic approach to capacity building within which
the national communications processes could be an integral part
of sustainable development.
Participants recalled the decision of the second Conference of
the Parties (COP) to Climate Change Convention on guidance to the
financial mechanism of the Convention (Global Environment
Facility - GEF), which among other things called on GEF to
provide financial resources, upon request to developing country
Parties to implement priority projects identified in their
national communications.
They urged AOSIS member States to include such projects in their
national communications and seek subsequent funding from the GEF.
A number of concerns were also raised at the workshop on
coordination and capacity building, particularly as they relate
to expertise and the sustainability of the policy frameworks
process at the level of the national institutions.
Participants recommended that through SIDSNet and relevant
regional organisations, skills banks be established to facilitate
the exchange of information and best practices and the
development of structured training efforts to be undertaken.
Another concern highlighted that the Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines were not entirely appropriate to
AOSIS member States.
Participants said there is a need to consult with the IPCC, AOSIS
and regional organisations on the development of guidelines which
are more sensitive to the needs of AOSIS member States.
These guidelines would include the development of local emissions
factors as well as regional climate scenarios to cover specific
areas and sectors, as well as overall socio-economic assessments.
Participants say the three organisations should explore the
possibility of developing alternative assessment methods for
vulnerability studies which will help AOSIS to better understand
the nature and extent of adaptation issues facing them.
Another recommendation is the development of easy-to-understand
guidelines which can assist AOSIS member States in the use of
IPCC methodologies.
Participants from some regions expressed concern that they were
not receiving the same level of support as others.
They say there is a need for a regional support mechanism for
those regions.
Based on the success of the South Pacific Regional Environment
Programme (SPREP) in the Pacific, the workshop recommended that
in principle, the AOSIS member States from the African and Indian
Ocean regions should consider establishing similar formal
mechanisms which will allow for a supporting framework for
effective support, coordination and financial assistance and
training.
For AOSIS member States in the Caribbean, the workshop
recommended a process of assessment and identification abilities
that would allow for a similar coordination effort to be put in
place.
Delegates from AOSIS 43 member States attended the two-week
workshop in Samoa's capital, Apia. (Ends)
SOURCE: Pacnews
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