The First Session of the IPBES

The first session of the Plenary of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES-1) was held in Bonn, Germany from 21 to 26 January 2013.  Trinidad and Tobago was represented by Dr Floyd Homer, Biodiversity Specialist at the Multilateral Environmental Agreements Unit of the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.

 At IPBES-1 the following issues (among other things) were discussed:

• Rules and procedures for the operations of the Plenary of the Platform
• Rules of procedure for meetings of the Plenary
• Initial work programme of the Platform 
•  Procedure for receiving and prioritizing requests put to the Platform 
•  Role of the Multidisciplinary Expert Panel 
•  Possible institutional arrangements for the implementation of the work programme
  

During the session there was also an election of Officers of the Bureau of the Plenary of the Platform. This resulted in two persons from each of the regions represented being elected. The Bureau members for the Latin America and Caribbean region were Dr. Leonel Sierralta (Chile) and Dr. Spencer Thomas (Grenada).

Additionally, an election for members to the 25 person Multidisciplinary Expert Panel resulted in the following representatives from the Latin American and Caribbean Region: Dr. Sandra Myrna Diaz (Argentina), Dr. Carlos Alfredo Joly (Brazil), Mr. Edgar Selvin Perez (Guatemala), Dr. Julia Carabias Lillo (Mexico) and Dr. Floyd Homer (Trinidad and Tobago).

Some of the Caribbean delegates at IPBES-1: L to R – representative from Alwin Dornelly (St Lucia), Delamine Andrew (Antigua & Barbuda), Floyd Homer (Trinidad and Tobago), Simone Lewis (Grenada) and Randolph Edmead (St Kitts & Nevis)

>> Further details on the IPBES-1 meeting can be found at:  http://www.ipbes.net/

1st LBS STAC Meeting

The First Meeting of the Scientific, Technical and Advisory Committee (STAC) to the Protocol Concerning Pollution from Land-based Sources (LBS) and Activities in the Wider Caribbean Region (LBS Protocol) was held from June 5 - 7, 2012 in Oranjestad, Aruba.    

Historically, this was the first technical meeting of national experts following the entry into force of the LBS Protocol in August 2010. This was indeed a key meeting for Trinidad and Tobago as we currently host one of the treaty's Regional Activity Centres (RAC) at the Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA). Trinidad and Tobago also served as a Vice Chair at this meeting through Ms Nalini Sooklal.

Trinidad and Tobago's delegation at this inaugural meeting comprised:

• Dr Amoy Lum Kong, Director of the Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA)
• Dr Daryl Banjoo, Officer in Charge/Senior Research Officer, Marine Chemistry Department, IMA
• Ms Nalini Sooklal, Waste Management Specialist, MEAU

Several objectives were met for this STAC meeting, including the evaluation of projects and activities implemented by the Secretariat and the LBS RACs within the Assessment and Management of Environmental Pollution (AMEP) sub-programme during the period 2010-2012. There was also a review of the status of ratification and/or implementation of the LBS Protocol in member countries. In these discussions, the role of the IMA as a RAC was highlighted and the commitment made by T&T to continue to support the Secretariat in this capacity as we move forward. 

Also at this technical meeting, the AMEP Workplan and Budget for the 2013-2014 Biennium was developed and finalized for approval by the 1st Conference of Parties to the LBS Protocol in October 2012. 

For further details on the happenings at the meeting, please visit: http://www.cep.unep.org/meetings-events/1st-lbs-stac