Some more information on current environmental policy events and
actions.
Stefanie Rixecker
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Date sent: 17 Sep 1994 18:31:40 -0600
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From: Preston Hardison <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Summit of the Americas - Proposal for WHC
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The following comes from the EcoNet/IGC conference env.summitamer.
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Written: Aug 19, 1994 by dcaudubon in igc:env.summitamer */
PROPOSAL FOR REVITALIZATION OF THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE CONVENTION
The environmental community has been asked to submit
proposals to the Office of Environmental Policy for inclusion in
the official agenda for the Summit of the Americas. Biodiversity
and conservation issues are often marginalized in discussions and
in actions taken under the sustainable development framework.
However, these issues are important in their own right and should
be a critical element of the Summit for the Americas. The
Convention on Nature Protection and Wildlife Preservation in the
Western Hemisphere, commonly known as the Western Hemisphere
Convention, provides an appropriate structure for conservation and
protection of biodiversity on a regional level for the following
reasons:
% first, the treaty has been signed by twenty-two states
-- it is in full force and effect and does not require
renegotiation, and its broad language allows for modern
environmental perspectives to be included in treaty
implementation;
% second, the Convention on Biological Diversity calls on
signatories to the Convention to develop regional mechanisms
to implement its terms--the Western Hemisphere Convention
could be readily used to accomplish this goal;
% third, the Convention offers a comprehensive yet
flexible legal framework for creating regional solutions to
problems relating to the conservation of wildlife,
migratory birds and their habitats;
% fourth, much of the international NGO community would
enthusiastically support the revitalization of the treaty
and would contribute considerably to these efforts; and
% fifth, an increasing number of signatories to the
Convention have shown a serious commitment to revitalizing
the Convention.
Thus, just as regional trade agreements provide the framework
for an economic union extending from Patagonia to the Arctic, so
too does the Western Hemisphere Convention provide a comprehensive
framework for addressing conservation and biodiversity issues that
are unique to our hemisphere, as well as the flexibility to deal
with changing social priorities.
The United States should consider the following as means to
address this issue at the summit:
1) A joint announcement by the heads of state of a meeting
of the environmental ministers of each country as a follow-up to
the Summit. This meeting could take place in Latin America and
its agenda could include a revitalization of the Convention and
other biodiversity-related issues.
2) A joint declaration by the heads of state announcing a
renewed commitment to implementation of the Western Hemisphere
Convention.
3) An announcement by the United States of specific expanded
commitments to implement the Western Hemisphere Convention,
including funding for environmental education, training programs
for park managers, improved management of protected areas,
of NGOs and relevant government institutions.
4) An announcement by the Organization of American States
that it will undertake certain functions under the treaty, such as
education and technology exchange.
5) An announcement by the Inter-American Development Bank
("IDB") that it will accept funding proposals for implementation
of the treaty. The IDB might also consider creation of a new
biodiversity fund for the Western Hemisphere.
6) Announcements by heads of state regarding the creation of
national parks and protected areas under the Western Hemisphere
Convention.
7) [For nonsignatory countries] Announcements by heads of
state that they will sign and ratify the Western Hemisphere
Treaty.
The National Audubon Society
The Nature Conservancy
The Environmental Law Institute
International Council for Bird Preservation
Natural Resources Defense Council
Sierra Club
Conservation International
The Humane Society
National Wildlife Federation
Defenders of Wildlife
Center for International Environmental Law
Healing Forest Conservancy
Interamerican Dialogue on Water Management
For information contact:
Kathleen Rogers Catherine Scott
National Audubon Society The Nature Conservancy
(202) 547-9009 (703) 841-7439
fax (202) 547-9009 fax (703) 841-7400
Susan Bass
Environmental Law Institute
(202) 939-3809
fax (202) 328-5002
