1. The Aarhus Convention Reporting Mechanism
National Implementation Reports 2011
General Remarks
Aphrodite Smagadi, Aarhus Convention secretariat

2. Objective
Inform and support Aarhus NFPs in the preparation of the NIRs for the 2011 cycle
Submission deadline 8 December 2010

3. OVERVIEW The Convention’s provisions on reporting MOP Decisions
Process (Who? What? How? When?)
The role of the secretariat
The role of the Compliance Committee
Format

4. Convention Provisions – Art.10 par.2
The Parties shall:
Keep under continuous review the implementation of the Convention on the basis of regular reporting by the Parties
Review the policies for and legal and methodological approaches to access to information, public participation in decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters, with a view to further improving them.

5. MOP Decisions Decision I/8 (2002): main process and format (annex)
followed up by:
Decision II/10 (2005)
Decision III/5 (2008)

6. Who? Parties to the Convention: required
Signatories and other States: may report on measures taken, pending ratification and/or accession
International organizations engaged in programmes or activities providing support to Parties/States in the implementation may report on activities and experience

7. What? Parties are requested to submit report on
The legislative, regulatory or other measures taken to implement the provisions of the Convention
Their practical implementation

8. How?
Prepare reports through a transparent and consultative process involving the public
Plan in advance
in accordance with the format set out in the annex to this decision

9. How? (con’d) Submit reports to secretariat electronically and on paper
In one of the official languages, as well as in the language(s) of the Party

10. When? Submit an updated version in advance of each MOP
180 days in advance of MOP
DEADLINE for MOP 4:
8 December 2010

11. Role of the Secretariat
Prepares synthesis report for each MOP
summarizing the progress made
identifying significant trends, challenges and solutions
Arranges for translation into other official languages and circulates as part of official documentation (currently under review)

12. Role of the Compliance Committee
Decision I/7 on review of compliance paragraph 13(c)
The Committee shall monitor, assess and facilitate the implementation of and compliance with the reporting requirements under article 10, paragraph 2, of the Convention.

13. Reporting Format In form of a questionnaire
Only concerns articles of Convention for national implementation
Each article dealt with through separate set of questions
Revised format adopted by WGP-11 to incorporate GMO amendment ->
for preparation of reports for MOP-4