1. Session 3: Advancing National Action and Capacity Development
National Implementation of the Bali Guidelines:
Opportunities for Capacity Development Support
Achim Halpaap (UNITAR) and Alexander Juras (UNEP) 1

2. Different Nature and Objectives of Public Participation2

3. UNEP/UNITAR Principle 10 and Bali Guidelines Capacity Development Initiative
Series of regional workshops on P 10 and Bali Guidelines
Bali Guideline Implementation Guide
Global Joint Programme to Support National P10 Implementation
National Capacity Development and Legal Reform Projects
Global Support Services
Engagement with countries in programme design
Partnership with United Nations Development Partner (UNDP)
Global programme document and joint fund-raising 3

4. Programme Area 1: National Capacity Development and Legal Reform Projects
Output 1: Fast Track Learning Support and Legal Advice
Skills development linked to institutional objectives
On demand legal analysis and advice
Output 2: National Capacity Assessments and Strategy Development
National Principle 10 Profiles
Priority Setting Workshops
National Action Plan Development¨
Output 3: Principle 10 Implementation Action
Legal reform (e.g. support of regulation development)
Implementation action in key sectors/thematic areas (e.g. forestry, green economy) 4

5. National Principle 10 Capacity Assessment and Action Plan Development5

6. Central America Africa
Past Support of National Profile and Action Plan Development to Implement Principle 10
Central America
Costa Rica
Honduras
Dominican Republic
Panama
Guatemala
El Salvador
Nicaragua
Africa
Botswana
Democratic Republic of Congo
Mali 6

7. 7

8. Lessons Learned from National Principle 10 Capacity Development Projects
Significant interest by Government to prepare a Principle 10 National Profile and Action Plan
Reveals that Principle 10 implementation needs capacity in civil society and Government (technical, legal, etc.)
Civil society actively participated in the government coordinated processes (some 400 stakeholders in 6 countries)
Processes created opportunity for Governments to cooperate with civil society to prepare situation analysis and set priorities
Bali Guidelines helpful in creating benchmarks for national capacity development (not available at the time)
UNITAR currently revising methodology within framework of UNEP/UNITAR collaboration (input from countries welcome) 8

9. Desertification Convention (1992)
Multilateral Environmental Agreements and Principle 10 Implementation: Key Linkages
UNFCCC (1992)
Biodiversity Convention (1992) and Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (2003)
Desertification Convention (1992)
Rotterdam Convention (2004) and Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (2004)
Others (Montreal, GHS, etc) 9

10. National Profile Process: Features and Principles
Comprehensive and systematic documentation of national situation and capacities related to Principle 10
Country driven process and ownership (“by county-for country”)
Multi-sectoral approach- engagement of all relevant ministries
Multi-stakeholder approach: engagement of civil society such as academia, private sector, media, trade unions, etc.
Ensure linkages with and support relevant national environmental policy processes (e.g. MEA implementation) 10

11. Suggested Structure and Content of the National Profile
Chapter 1: Introduction to the political system and state institutions
Chapter 2: Access to environmental information
Chapter 3: Public participation in environmental decision-making
Chapter 4: Access to justice in environmental matters
Chapter 5: Analysis for environmental sectors and problem areas
Chapter 6: Non-governmental groups and civil society
Chapter 7: Evaluation of existing capacities and capacity constraints
Chapter 8: Opportunities for taking action 11

12. National Action Plan for Principle 10 Implementation
Based on national priorities and capacity building requirements
Features goals, objectives, activities, expected outcomes, resources and time lines for implementation
Endorsed by both government and non-governmental groups
Informs decision-making and activities of all parties towards strengthening democratic environmental governance
Implementation support for priority projects 12

13. Programme Area 2: Global Support Services
Output 4: Global Learning Services and Support
Training material development
Curriculum development and instructional design support
etc
Output 5: Legal Support Desk
Research on good legal practices
Ad hoc legal support advice
Output 6: Global Knowledge Sharing and Coordination
Global website
Development of knowledge products
Linkages with environment, democracy and sustainable development initiates 13

14. Questions for Discussion
Is the proposed approach appropriate?
What additional elements should be considered?
Is there country demand for capacity development support?
Official request from Government indicating openness to engage civil society and major groups 14

15. Contacts UNITAR: Achim.Halpaap@unitar.org UNEP: 15