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CENN Daily Digest - July 25, 2005

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  • CENN Daily Digest - July 25, 2005

    CENN - JUly 25, 2005 Daily Digest
    Table of Contents:

    1.. Meeting with the Heads of "Madneul" and "Kvarciti"
    2.. Mainstreaming Environment beyond MDG 7
    3. Mehdi Safari and Armen Movsesian Highly Assessed Implementation
    of Joint Energy Projects4. Japanese Tourists Will Discover Armenia
    In 20065. EIA Reports6. Meeting on International experience
    and perspectives in Strategic Environmental Assessment





    1. Meeting with the Heads of "Madneul" and "Kvarciti"


    On July 20, 2005 by the initiative of Bolnisi Public Informational
    Center and Ecological Service of "Madneuli" meeting was held between the
    local non-governmental organizations and heads of "Madneuli" and
    "Kvarciti". D. Jinjolia adviser of the Economical Development minister
    in the enterprise privatization filed attended the meeting. The main
    issue of the meeting was enterprise privatization, the construction of
    cleaning means by the new owner, pollution of rivers Mashavera and
    Poladauri and the conducting of the ecological monitoring. There was
    mentioned that more than 20 companies are interested in privatization of
    "Madneuli". July 27, 2005 is the deadline for the submission of the
    statements. In September 2005 the winner company will be announced. The
    essential term for the participation in tender is to transfer 3.5
    million USA dollars on the special account of the National Bank. The
    representatives of the NGO consider that ecological aspects should be
    introduced in the terms of privatization.



    Director in corporate management A. Chargeishvili mentioned that during
    last years a lot of ecological and social problems have been
    accumulated. Also it was said that it is impossible to stop the
    enterprise because it will cause more pollution of the rivers. So the
    rational way out should be found. As Mr. Chargeishvili has declared,
    directorate of "Madneuli" and Ministry of Economical Development
    understand the great interest of local NGOs and community regarding the
    ecological issues. During the week information will be exchanging. After
    that the heads of enterprise will summarise all the submitted proposals.
    Following meeting will be dedicated to the analyzing of the certain
    proposals. After the summation of all the versions, Ministry of
    Economical Development will introduce the final terms in the
    privatization terms of "Madneuli".



    Prepared by CENN

    Public Informational Center of Bolnisi





    2. Mainstreaming Environment beyond MDG 7


    Source: UNEP, Press Release, 15 July, 2005


    The Division of Environmental Conventions convened a High-Level
    Brainstorming Workshop for MEAs on Mainstreaming Environment Beyond MDG
    7 on 13-14 July 2005 at UNEP Headquarters in Nairobi.



    In the context of the upcoming review of the Millennium Declaration at
    the 2005 World Summit, the Workshop aimed at identifying possible future
    common activities between UNEP, Secretariats of multilateral
    environmental agreements (MEAs) and development agencies in order to
    achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).



    Approximately 50 participants attended the Workshop, including heads and
    senior representatives of the Secretariats of global and regional MEAs,
    the UN Millennium Project, the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) and
    UNDP, as well as internationally recognized experts in the fields of
    environment and development.



    Following keynote presentations on the various aspects of the issues of
    mainstreaming environment into the MDGs and the development process by
    Guido Schmidt-Traub, UN Millennium Development Project, David Runnalls,
    International Institute for Sustainable Development, Mohan Munasinghe,
    Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and A.H. Zakri, Millennium
    Ecosystem Assessment and United Nations University Institute of Advanced
    Studies, participants engaged in open and constructive dialogue under
    the chairmanship of Gary Sampson, Former Senior Counselor at the World
    Trade Organization.



    Participants recognized that the environment is a precondition to the
    achievement of the MDGs and that these will not be met unless the
    sustainable use of ecosystem services is made an integral part of
    development strategies. It was agreed that the crucial question is how
    to operationalize environment in the MDG process.



    Participants identified several avenues to place environmental
    sustainability at the centre of the MDGs, including:



    discussions between MEA Secretariats, through an appropriate existing or
    new forum, to identify areas for synergies and better focus to
    contribute to the MDGs;



    bringing together national focal points of MEAs to work together and
    with development agencies on MDGs;



    using quick-win initiatives where environmental problems can be
    addressed while alleviating poverty;



    developing an inventory of best practices in the field of mainstreaming
    environment;



    establishing appropriate mechanisms for a two-way process to consider
    requests from countries for technical assistance on issues related to
    the environment and the MDGs; and increasing information, education and
    awareness raising efforts.



    Several short-, mid- and long-term follow-up activities were identified
    as set out in the Chairman's Conclusions. It was agreed that, for these
    activities, UNEP should play a coordinating role.





    3. MEHDI SAFARI AND ARMEN MOVSESIAN HIGHLY ASSESSED
    IMPLEMENTATION OF JOINT ENERGY PROJECTS Source: PanArmenian,Net, July
    20, 2005 Iranian Special Envoy for Caspian Affairs Mehdi Safari met
    Tuesday in Yerevan with Armenian Energy Minister Armen Movsesian. As
    reported by Irna news agency, the parties discussed prospects of the
    energy cooperation and the development of the Iran-Armenia multisided
    and mutually beneficial collaboration. They also highly assessed
    implementation of joint energy projects





    4. JAPANESE TOURISTS WILL DISCOVER ARMENIA IN 2006 Source:
    Azg, July 21, 2005 "Japanese tourist will be interested in all these
    that we saw in Armenia", representative of one of five Japanese tour
    operators visiting Armenia on July 16-20, Eiji Koyama, said. At a
    meeting with Armenian Agency for Tourism Development (AATD) yesterday
    the Japanese tour operators presented the aim of their four-day visit
    and the possible expectations. Representation of Armenia at JATA
    International Tourism Exhibition in 2002 and 2004 made Japanese turn
    their look to Armenia as a possible destination to attract Asian
    tourists. The AATD marketing expert said that the visit was of
    familiarizing character and aimed at introducing Armenia to Asia. Mr.
    Koyama said that the visit has changed their understanding of Armenia.
    Armenia, along with the other states of the region, is seen to the
    Japanese as a dangerous country. But Mr. Koyama stated that there is no
    trace of danger, that Armenia is an interesting country and that the
    Japanese will be interested in the history, production and daily life of
    Armenia. The Japanese tour operator was greatly impressed by the Mount
    Ararat, the Monastery of Geghard and the nature of Armenia. "It would be
    nice if there were better roads and less cows on the roads", Mr. Koyama
    said. He noted that he had visited Khor Virap, Noravank, Hakhartsin,
    Sanahin, Haghpat, Etchmiadzin, Matenadaran and the Cognac and Wine
    Factory. The Japanese guests greatly enjoyed the process of lavash
    (flatbread) baking in one of Armenian villages. Armenia, at any rate, is
    not a good option for Japan for one-way tourism in view of the long
    distance from Japan to Armenia. The Japanese tour operators will look to
    organizing regional trips including Armenia in the list with its
    neighboring countries. The group may comprise South Caucasian countries
    or may be a separate group of Armenia and Turkey. As a result of the
    newly launched cooperation first groups from Japan will visit Armenia in
    2006.



    5. EIA Reports



    Source: "24 Saati" ("24 Hours"), July 21. 2005


    In accordance with the Georgian legislation the following EIA reports
    are submitted to the Ministry of Environment of Georgia to obtain an
    environmental permit:



    1. "Ashkaveti" Ltd submitted the EIA report on the activity of the
    second category - Development of the Clay-Gypsum Deposit in Gardabani
    region village Martkopi for production of lime;

    2. "Koka -97" Ltd submitted the EIA report on the activity of the
    second category - Project on the Development of the "Dokhoras
    Chalk-stone" nearby Tkibuli;

    3. "Alavani" Ltd submitted the EIA report on the activity of the
    second category - The Technical-Economical Project on the Processing-
    Extracting of the Sand-Gravel Deposit on the territory of the River
    Mashavera nearby the Mtskneti Village, Bolnisi Region,

    4. "Satsarmouzrunvelkofa" submitted the EIA report on the activity
    of the second category - Project on the Development of the Career for
    Extracting Volcanic Slag in Tsalki Region "Gunia-Kala" Deposit, for
    using it as the Addition to Concrete;

    5. Community Healthcare Regional Center of Imereti submitted the
    EIA report on the activity of the first category - EIA Report on the
    influence of the Mini-Incinerator Used for the Utilization of the Wastes
    of Regional Epidemiological Monitoring Center of Imereti Community
    Healthcare Regional Center;

    6. "Avtogas" Ltd submitted the EIA report on the activity of the
    first category - EIA Report on the Natural Gas Station in Gurdgani
    Region Village Veliscikhe'

    7. "Avtogas" Ltd submitted the EIA report on the activity of the
    first category - EIA Report on the Natural Gas Station Nearby
    Samtreduia'

    8. "Kartuli Minerali" ("Georgian Minerals") Ltd submitted the EIA
    report on the activity of the second category - Resource-Audit and
    Processing of Tuff Deposit in Kherordzula Region

    9. Entrepreneur "Paata Sharashide" submitted EIA report on the
    activity of the first category - EIA Report on the Liquid Gas Pour Out
    Station in Ozurgeti;

    10. Entrepreneur "Omar Tsereteli" submitted the EIA report on the
    activity of the first category - - EIA Report on the Manganese
    Enrichment Mini-Enterprise of Chiatura Region.





    6. Meeting on International experience and perspectives in
    Strategic Environmental Assessment





    Meeting on International experience and perspectives in Strategic
    Environmental Assessment will be held on September 26-30, 2005 in Prague
    (CZ).



    IAIA plans to publish conference proceedings on CD-ROM following the
    conference. Preparation of a full paper is optional. If you choose to
    prepare a full paper, it will be included in the CD-ROM.



    For publication on the conference CD-ROM, materials must be submitted
    electronically. File format: MS WORD or PDF. E-mail the file as an
    attachment to [email protected] no later than 10 June 2005. Files received
    after 10 June will not be included in the proceedings. The following
    information must be included in the Subject line of the e-mail and
    should also be the name of the Word file: 1) Your paper or poster
    abstract number as previously provided to you by IAIA (in your
    preliminary notice of acceptance). This number is also available online
    or from your session chair; 2) Last name of presenting author, as
    originally submitted; 3) Full title of paper or poster. EXAMPLE: The
    "Subject" line of your e-mail and the name of the attached Word or PDF
    file would be: #107 Chan EIA in China.



    IAIA reserves the right to cancel production of the CD-ROMs if a
    sufficient number of papers are not received by the due date of 10 June.
    Watch the newsletter, web site, and e-news for updates and information
    about proceedings.



    Additional information available at
    www.iaia.org/Non_Members/Conference/conference.htm







    CENN INFO
    Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN)

    Tel: ++995 32 75 19 03/04
    Fax: ++995 32 75 19 05
    E-mail: [email protected]
    URL: www.cenn.org
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