South Africa welcomes the outcomes of the 3rd Intergovernmental Review Meeting (IGR3) on the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment From Land-Based Activities held in the Philippines
27 Jan 2012
The Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities (GPA) was adopted by 108 governments and the European Commission at a diplomatic conference in Washington DC in 1995. The GPA provides a comprehensive yet flexible framework to assist governments in their duty to preserve and protect the marine environment from sewage, physical alterations and the destruction of habitats, nutrients, sediments mobilisation, persistent organic pollutants, oils, litter, heavy metals and radioactive substances.The GPA is reviewed every five years by governments, international and regional organizations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) under the auspices of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
Themed “Towards a Greener Coastal Economy” the IGR3 was preceded by a two day Global Conference on Land – Ocean Connections which reviewed key and emerging marine and coastal management issues and policy frameworks, to build consensus on improved coastal resources management for the benefit of coastal communities. The conference considered how coastal and marine ecosystems can contribute to a green economy taking into account the need for lower carbon inputs, more efficient use of resources, food and water security, adaptation to climate change and the need for improved water quality.
The objectives of IGR3 was to review progress made in the implementation of the GPA and identify future options for increased implementation at global, regional and national levels, to define the future programme of work for the GPA Coordination Office for the period 2012-2016 andto prepare input from the governments to the Rio +20 process concerning the contribution of marine and coastal resources towards a green economy and poverty eradication.
South Africa’s participation was led by the Department of Environmental Affairs. The Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi attended the high level segment aimed at mobilising political will and renewing the commitment of governments towards further implementation of the GPA.
The major outcome of IGR3 was the unanimous agreement by governments to increase efforts to tackle key land-based sources affecting coastal water quality, namely wastewater, marine litter and nutrients.
“South Africa supports the notion that the three priority pollutants be treated as ‘resources’ with a potential to support ‘green economic growth’. We need to find ways of putting excess nutrients, wastewater and litter to good use,” said Mabudafhasi.
Governments also adopted the Manila declaration aimed at furthering the implementation of the Global Programme of Action for the period 2012 – 2016, calling for the establishment of the global partnerships on the priority pollutants.
A total of 85 government representatives and the European commission attended the third session of the Intergovernmental Review Meeting on the Implementation of the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities.
For media enquiries:
Peter Mbelengwa
Spokesperson for the Deputy Minister
Cell: 082 611 8197
E-mail: mbelengwap@dwa.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Environmental Affairs
27 Jan 2012
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