1. 2nd Workshop on the Implementation of the Aarhus Convention Tsakhkadzor, 15-17 November 2001

2. Workshop on the Implementation of the Aarhus Convention Current Status and development of the Convention 1.Status of ratifications 39 countries and the European Union have signed the Convention By today, 17 countries have ratified, accepted, approved or acceded to the Convention: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Denmark, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Tajikistan, FYR of Macedonia, Turkmenistan and Ukraine 2.Entry into force The Convention entered into force on 30 October 2001 after deposit of the sixteenth instrument of ratification.

3. Workshop on the Implementation of the Aarhus Convention Current Status and development of the Convention 3.Preparations for the first meeting of the Parties 4.Working Groups Working Group on Rules of Procedure and Compliance Draft decisions are available. Second meeting in two weeks Major outstanding issues Working Group on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers Preparation of protocol on PRTR to be adopted at the Kiev Conference, May, 2003

4. Workshop on the Implementation of the Aarhus Convention Current Status and development of the Convention Working Group on Genetically Modified Organisms Background: The Aarhus resolution which accompanied the adoption of the Convention in June 1998 Task: Further the application of the Convention in decisions on GMOs Two approaches: Guidelines on public participation in decision-making concerning GMOs Amendment of the Convention One meeting has taken place in October 2001 Second meeting scheduled for February 2002

5. Workshop on the Implementation of the Aarhus Convention Current Status and development of the Convention 5.Task Forces Task Force on Electronic Tools Task: Further the implementation of the Convention by means of electronic tools Task Force on Access to Justice Task: Assist in the implementation of the third pillar of the Convention

6. Workshop on the Implementation of the Aarhus Convention Current Status and development of the Convention 6.The Aarhus Convention in a global context Rio Declaration, Principle 10 World Summit for Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, 2002 (Rio + 10) UNEP Regional meeting, Bangkok, December 2001