The Aarhus Convention Reporting Mechanism

National Implementation Reports 2011General Remarks

Aphrodite Smagadi, Aarhus Convention secretariataphrodite.smagadi@unece.org

Objective

Inform and support Aarhus NFPs in the preparation of the NIRs for the 2011 cycle

Submission deadline 8 December 2010

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

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.

MOP Decisions

Decision I/8 (2002): main process and format (annex)

followed up by: Decision II/10 (2005) Decision III/5 (2008)

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

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

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

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

When?

Submit an updated version in advance of each MOP

180 days in advance of MOP

DEADLINE for MOP 4:8 December 2010

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)

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.

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