1. Consultative Group of Experts OTHER INFORMATION CONSIDERED RELEVANT TO THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THE OBJECTIVE OF THE CONVENTION Julia Martinez Workshop on the Use of the Guidelines for the Preparation of National Communications from non-Annex I Parties Port Louis, Mauritius 8-11 April 2003

2. Consultative Group of Experts EXPERIENCES AND LESSONS LEARNED BY NON-ANNEX I PARTIES IN USING THE UNFCCC GUIDELINES CONTAINED IN THE ANNEX TO DECISION 10/CP.2 THEY WERE VERY USEFUL FOR REPORTING INFORMATION ON EDUCATION, TRAINING AND PUBLIC AWARENESS AND INFORMATION AND NETWORKING for Initial National Communications

3. Consultative Group of Experts INTRODUCTION The guidelines were very useful in assisting non-annex I Parties in the preparation of information in a consistent, transparent and comparable ways. To facilitate the process of preparation, compilation and consideration of the communications. To ensure these Parties that the Conference of the Parties has sufficient information to assess the implementation of the Convention

4. Consultative Group of Experts EXPERIENCES AND LESSONS LEARNED The CGE reviewed 81 Initial National Communications submitted to the Secretariat and received comments from many non-Annex I Parties that have yet to submit theirs (FCCC/SBI/2002/15) For many Parfties, the issue of Climate Change was new to them, and so their efforts in education, training and public awareness Unavailability of experts and limited financial resources caused difficulties in organizing materials for education, training and public awareness Integration of Climate Change issues into educational curricula was recognized as crucial for the future Minimal awareness and education on climate change issues among public at large, NGO´s and policy makers Many parties indicated that in order to address Climate Change issues in a multidisciplinary and an efficient way, they would require additional financial and technical resources to develop and train a critical mass of human resources in inventories, vulnerability and adaptation. The scope of training on Climate Change issues should be widened, to include data and uncertainty abalysis and vulnerability and adaptation assessments at basic and advanced levels

5. Consultative Group of Experts CGE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING THE PROCESS OF PREPARATION OF NATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS BY NON-ANNEX I PARTIES EDUCATION, TRAINING AND PUBLIC AWARENES Non-Annex I Parties should be encouraged to undertake assessment of their capacity and needs for research, education, training and public awareness Training of national experts on climate change issues such as national GHG inventories, vulnerability and adaptation assessments, and GHG mitigation analysis should be carried out continuosly The scope of training on Climate Change issues should be widened, to include data and uncertainty abalysis and vulnerability and adaptation assessments at basic and advanced levels

6. Consultative Group of Experts NEW GUIDELINES Parties are encouraged to provide information on activities relating to climate change education, training and public awareness Information sharing among Parties could be a useful way to achieve part of the goals