June 30, 2015 Subject: Accepting APPLICATIONS for non-government representatives to the Regional Technical Working Group on Environmental Impact Assessment Dear Interested Parties, Pact and the Mekong Partnership for the Environment are currently accepting applications for non-governmental representatives to the Regional Technical Working Group (RTWG) on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) from the Mekong countries of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. Responding to demand from the Mekong countries, the RTWG on EIA is being formed in order to provide a platform for regional collaboration to strengthen the policy and practice of EIA in the Mekong countries and to enhance cooperation for inclusive and sustainable development of the region. Comprised of representatives from government agencies and non-governmental organizations from across the Mekong region, the RTWG will: develop regional guidelines for public participation in EIA; promote information sharing on best practices in EIA; and promote and mainstream the regional guidelines and best practices of public participation in EIA processes in the Mekong countries and ASEAN. Details on the RTWG are provided in the attached Terms of Reference, as well as a short background document (attached, and available here). The specific details of the functioning and operations of the RTWG will be determined by its members and supported by the Mekong Partnership for the Environment and the Asian Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Network (AECEN) for the period from July 2015 – July 2017. To support the formation and implementation of the RTWG, applications are now being accepted for non-government representatives from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. Interested applicants are requested to complete the application form (attached, in fillable PDF version) detailing how the following membership criteria are met, and to submit it by 12.00 noon Bangkok time on July 31, 2015 to: Dr. Vong Sok, vsok@pactworld.org Membership Criteria The following membership criteria are identified in order to facilitate an efficient and effective process of selection and participation of non-government representatives to the RTWG. Interested applicants should:

• Have technical knowledge of and experience in EIA and/or public participation in development processes (including addressing gender issues and/or marginalized groups);

• Be an acknowledged representative of a local non-governmental organization as well as a wider network(s);

• Have a strong collaborative and partnership mindset, including working with different stakeholders;

• Be available and committed to actively participating in all RTWG tasks and meetings (approximately 2-3 meetings per year over the July 2015 – July 2017 period);

• Have reading, writing, and speaking competency in English, as well as respective national language(s);

• Be a citizen of a Mekong country (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, or Vietnam). • Interested women candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application and Selection Process Interested applicants should complete the application form (attached) demonstrating how the membership criteria above are specifically met by the candidate, along with a current curriculum vitae (CV) and profile of the applicant’s organization, and to submit it by 12.00 noon Bangkok time on July 31, 2015 to: Dr. Vong Sok at vsok@pactworld.org Interested organizations are encouraged to convene, coordinate, and discuss at the national level to identify prospective representatives and candidates that best meet the membership criteria and represent the wider community. Only one application per organization can be accepted. A selection committee will be convened by the Mekong Partnership for the Environment to screen applicants and determine those that most closely meet the profile described by the membership criteria. After selection is completed, applicants will be notified of the outcome by August 7, 2015. For successful candidates, further logistical arrangements will be provided for the first formal RTWG meeting, tentatively being planned for the end of September 2015. For any inquiries or questions, please contact Dr. Vong Sok at vsok@pactworld.org We greatly appreciate your support for this important regional initiative and look forward to receiving your application. Sincerely,

Ms. Christy Owen Chief of Party Pact/Mekong Partnership for the Environment Attachments:

1. RTWG Terms of Reference 2. Background document on RTWG 3. NGO Application Form

APPLICATION FORM for

Non-government representatives to the Regional Technical Working Group on Environmental Impact Assessment

*Please complete and submit this form, along with a CV and profile of the applicant’s organization, viaemail to: Dr. Vong Sok, vsok@pactworld.org

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: by 12.00 noon 31 July 2015

Applicant Information:

* Only one application per organization can be accepted.

Please briefly describe and demonstrate, in no more than three (3) pages, how you meet or exceed the following membership criteria, as identified in the RTWG Terms of Reference:

1. Have technical knowledge of and experience in EIA and/or public participation in developmentprocesses (including addressing gender issues and/or marginalized groups);

2. Be an acknowledged representative of a local non-governmental organization as well as a widernetwork(s);

3. Have a strong collaborative and partnership mindset, including working with differentstakeholders;

4. Be available and committed to actively participating in all RTWG tasks and meetings(approximately 2-3 meetings per year over the July 2015 – July 2017 period);

5. Have reading, writing, and speaking competency in English, as well as respective nationallanguage(s);

6. Be a citizen of a Mekong country (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, or Vietnam).

In addition, please also provide a short description of your organization, including the type of organization, nature of its activities, targeted beneficiaries and geographic reach, key partners and collaborating organizations, and particular experience with EIA.

Name: Country: Sex: Male Female Organization:* Position/Job Title: Full address:

Telephone: Work: Personal: E-mail: Work: Personal:

*Please complete and submit this form, along with a cover letter, supporting information and CV, viaemail to: Dr. Vong Sok, vsok@pactworld.org

By 12.00 noon 31 July 2015

Terms of Reference for Regional Technical Working Group (RTWG) on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

1. BACKGROUND In recognition of the need for more effective social safeguards and environmental protection in the context of increased investment and trade under the emerging ASEAN Economic Community, as well as noting the ongoing reform efforts related to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)1 across the region, representatives of the Mekong countries of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam have recommended the establishment of a Regional Technical Working Group (RTWG) on EIA. The RTWG is a panel of government and non-government/civil society representatives collaborating to strengthen the policy and practice related to EIA in the Mekong countries in order to enhance cooperation for inclusive and sustainable development of the region. In December 2014 and May 2015, the Mekong Partnership for the Environment (MPE)2 together with the Asian Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Network (AECEN) 3 and partners hosted regional workshops on EIA in the Mekong region, bringing together government and civil society representatives and EIA practitioners. These events helped advance discussions on regional collaboration and inform the details of the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the RTWG described here in this document. 2. GOAL AND OBJECTIVES The overall goal of the RTWG is to strengthen regional cooperation on EIA to contribute to sustainable development in the Mekong region countries of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam and the broader ASEAN region. The specific objectives of the RTWG are to:

• Develop regional guidelines for effective public participation in EIA; • Promote information sharing on best practices in EIA; and • Promote the mainstreaming of the regional guidelines and best practices of public participation

in EIA processes in the Mekong countries and ASEAN.

1 Environmental Impact Assessment is defined here as ‘the process of identifying, predicting, evaluating and mitigating the biophysical, social, and other relevant effects of development proposals prior to major decisions being taken and commitments made’ and is inclusive of social and health impact assessment (International Association of Impact Assessment, 1999): Principles of Environmental Impact Assessment Best Practice. http://www.iaia.org/publicdocuments/special-publications/Principles%20of%20IA_web.pdf 2 http://www.pactworld.org/local-updates/mekong-partnership-environment 3 http://www.aecen.org/events/environmental-impact-assessment-policy-and-practice-mekong-region-safeguarding-sustainable-de; and http://www.aecen.org/node/1224

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3. TASKS The specific tasks of the RTWG are to:

1. Develop specific TOR for development of regional EIA guidelines on public participation; 2. Review technical inputs from external experts to inform regional EIA guideline development; 3. Review and revise draft guidelines; 4. Introduce draft guidelines through national-level consultation(s) to facilitate feedback from

relevant stakeholders; 5. Finalize draft guidelines incorporating stakeholder inputs; 6. Identify relevant opportunities to introduce and promote the regional guidelines once the draft

is finalized; 7. Introduce and promote the final draft guidelines at relevant national and regional (e.g. ASEAN)

fora; 8. Support implementation and institutionalization of EIA public participation guidelines at the

national and potentially regional (e.g. ASEAN) level; 9. Share and exchange best practices in public participation in EIA processes; and 10. Other tasks and activities as determined by the RTWG.

4. KEY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF RTWG MEMBERS • Actively contribute to RTWG functioning to deliver on the goal and objectives. • Provide overall oversight and direction for development of regional guidelines for public

participation in EIA. • Actively contribute to drafting and finalization of the regional guidelines on public

participation in EIA following international best practice standards. • Initiate and support mainstreaming of the regional guidelines at the national and potentially

regional (e.g. Mekong, ASEAN) levels. • Contribute to supporting implementation of the regional guidelines at the national and

potentially regional (e.g. Mekong, ASEAN) levels. • Inform and communicate with relevant stakeholders in the country and at the regional level

about the work of the RTWG. • Collaborate with RTWG members through providing advice and sharing experiences and

strategies, particularly in reference to public participation in EIA. • Other roles and responsibilities as determined by the RTWG.

5. MEMBERSHIP Members of RTWG shall be determined by nomination from government agencies, or selection through an application process for non-government members, as recommended based on consultation with the respective national authorities and relevant organizations. The total membership of RTWG shall not exceed five (5) members per country, or 25 members total, and shall include from each country: three (3) representatives from government [two (2) from the national EIA department, and an additional one (1) from a national planning or investment agency] and

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two (2) non-government representatives from national NGO/civil society organizations or academia. Efforts will be made to achieve an equitable gender balance among members.

Prospective government members of the RTWG are envisioned to demonstrate the following qualifications:

• Have a deep understanding of EIA and/or public participation processes (e.g. ideally approximately 3-5 years of experience related to EIA and preferred experience in public participation);

• Be in a mid-level management position or higher, and preferably actively working on EIA-related issues;

• Have a strong collaborative and partnership mindset, including working with different stakeholders;

• Be available and committed to actively participating in all RTWG tasks and meetings (approximately 2-3 meetings per year over the July 2015 – July 2017 period); and

• Have reading, writing, and speaking competency in English, as well as respective national language(s).

Prospective non-government members of the RTWG are envisioned to demonstrate the following qualifications:

• Have technical knowledge of and experience in EIA and/or public participation in development processes (including addressing gender issues and/or marginalized groups);

• Be an acknowledged representative of a local non-governmental organization as well as a wider network(s);

• Have a strong collaborative and partnership mindset, including working with different stakeholders;

• Be available and committed to actively participating in all RTWG tasks and meetings (approximately 2-3 meetings per year over the July 2015 – July 2017 period);

• Have reading, writing, and speaking competency in English, as well as respective national language(s);

• Be a citizen of a Mekong country (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, or Vietnam). 6. WORKING ARRANGEMENT AND DELIVERABLES The RTWG will determine its own methods of work, including preparation of its agenda, establishment of special groups, keeping of records and other documents and reporting on its activities and findings. RTWG members may agree on the consideration of documents, reports, etc. through electronic channels. Members of the RTWG will inform their respective governments, network members, and constituencies of the activities of the RTWG. The expected deliverable will be actionable, regional guidelines on public participation in EIA, along with other tasks as determined by the RTWG members.

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7. EXTERNAL ADVISORS External advisor(s) will be available to support the RTWG through the provision of technical support and advice on relevant topics, such as theoretical frameworks, strategic direction, international best practices in EIA, institutionalization, etc. The roles of external advisor(s) and their commitments will be subject to discussion and agreement by the RTWG. The RTWG may seek external advisor(s) who:

• Are academics, researchers, scientists, or other recognized professional experts in environmental, social or health impact assessment and public participation; and/or

• Represent international organizations, development partners, and communities of practice (e.g. ASEAN, UN agencies, US Environmental Protection Agency, multilateral development banks, International NGOs, academic institutes, etc.)

The external advisor(s) will: • Provide independent viewpoints and expert advice related to EIA. • Be reputable, respected individuals/organizations with potential connections to policy makers

in the region. • Have strong skills in facilitation, communication, mediation, negotiation and/or capacity

building. • Have demonstrated experience in national/regional policy processes. • Have knowledge and experience in the social, economic, political, and cultural context of the

Mekong and/or ASEAN regions. 8. FUNDING Pact, as lead implementer of the Mekong Partnership for the Environment, in collaboration with AECEN will support the costs associated with formal RTWG meetings and related activities, including meeting costs and travel and per diem expenses of RTWG members. Pact and AECEN will provide administrative and secretariat services required by the RTWG, including meeting facilities, maintenance of records, and preparation and distribution of documents, within available resources and subject to prior approved budget. Additional technical and logistical support, where required, will be provided by Pact and AECEN managers and program staff. For relevant national-level meetings, basic meeting costs such as venue and refreshments may also be supported by Pact and may be convened at the office of a government agency, the office of non-governmental organization partners, and/or Pact’s country office, as agreed to by the RTWG members in country.

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Why Regional Cooperation on EIA?

The emerging ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) is expected to boost a single regional market and production base, increase competitiveness for the region, promote equitable economic de-velopment, and further integrate its ten member states into the global economy. The AEC Blue-print1 highlights an urgent need to simplify, harmonize, and standardize trade and customs pro-cesses and procedures to facilitate the free flow of goods, services, investment, capital and skilled labor across the region. However, without effective social and environmental safeguards in place, increased investments and trade may result in unintended consequences leading to accelerated deterioration of the region’s rich natural capital, loss of livelihoods, and other impacts in the short and long-run. Through a series of foundational research and assessments, the Mekong Partnership for the Envi-ronment (MPE)2 has found strong support among government and non-governmental stakehold-ers alike for strengthening of national Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) procedures, in-creased public participation, and development of regional EIA standard guidelines. A key tool to mitigate social and environmental impacts, EIA is implemented in all five lower Mekong countries and is therefore a useful entry point for advancing regional collaboration. While there is a growing awareness of the importance of good EIA policy and practice, comments from multiple stakeholder groups highlights that critical gaps still remain in its effective imple-mentation. This, along with the increasing investments in large-scale regional development projects, reveal new opportunities to advance EIA policy and practice and address the increasingly regional dimensions of investments and their impacts.

Regional Technical Working Group (RTWG) on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA):

Background

Mekong Partnership for the Environment is a four-year project led by Pact, an international non-governmental organization, along with a consortium of partners, including Internews, Stockholm Environment

Institute, Wildlife Conservation Society, East West Management Institute, and others. Part of the Lower Mekong Initiative,

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socially and environmentally responsible development decision-making processes in the Mekong region. We

work with partners in Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. Our primary donor is the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The contents are the responsibility of Pact and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United

States Government.

For more information on MPE:

Pact Thailand Tel: +66 2 254 7066-8 www.pactworld.org/mpe

Email: infompe@pactworld.org

At a subsequent regional workshop in Hanoi in May 2015, government and civil society representatives dis-cussed concrete ways to help advance regional collabo-ration through the formation of the RTWG on EIA, in-cluding informing the details of a Terms of Reference (TOR) and membership criteria for the RTWG.4 The TOR consists of eight concise sections: background, goal and objectives, tasks, key roles and responsibilities, working arrangements and deliverables, member-ship, external advisors, and funding for the establish-ment and functioning of the RTWG. The TOR will be distributed widely together with the membership criteria for government and non-government representatives. Selection of RTWG mem-bers will occur during July 2015 and will be based on nominees from government agencies and applications from NGOs received by MPE, following a process out-lined by attending government and non-government representatives at the Hanoi workshop.

Additional information can be found at: www.pactworld.org/mpe

1 http://www.asean.org/archive/5187-10.pdf 2 http://www.pactworld.org/local-updates/mekong-partnership-environment 3 http://www.aecen.org/events/environmental-impact-assessment-policy-and-

practice-mekong-region-safeguarding-sustainable-de 4 http://www.aecen.org/node/1224 5 http://lowermekong.org/

Regional Technical Working Group on EIA In December 2014 and May 2015, MPE convened government and non-government representatives from the lower Mekong countries of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. As an outcome of the discussions at these events, participants recommended the establishment of a Regional Technical Working Group (RTWG) on EIA, in or-der to provide a platform for regional collaboration to strengthen the policy and practice of EIA in the Mekong coun-tries to enhance cooperation for inclusive and sustainable development of the region. In December 2014 in Bangkok, MPE together with the Asian Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Network (AECEN) and partners hosted a regional workshop on “Environmental Impact Assessment Policy and Practice in the Mekong Region” bringing together nearly 50 government and civil society representatives and EIA practitioners. The event helped to identify priorities for regional cooperation on EIA, including exploring the potential for establishing a regional framework at the ASEAN level, developing standard guidelines for meaningful public participation and stake-holder engagement in EIA, and fostering a regional community of practice to expand cooperation and strengthen public participation in EIA processes as a means to contribute to sustainable development.3