Law Working Group of the PIRT Pacific Network for Environmental Law (PaNEL) Progress Report of the Working Group

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1 Law Working Group of the PIRT Pacific Network for Environmental Law (PaNEL) Progress Report of the Working Group

2 Brief update on activities since Annual PIRT Meeting 2015 Administration: Established at the 18 th Pacific Islands Roundtable for Nature Conservation Annual Meeting, 9-10 July 2015, in Suva. Chair Maria-Goreti Muavesi (IUCN) Secretary BJ Kim (EDO (NSW)) Terms of Reference finalised in February 2016 PIRT Prepatory Meeting (13 July 2016) & Annual Meeting (15 July 2015) PaNEL Drop Box Folder and Listing created for Information Sharing. Membership 20 members (IUCN PCEG, SPREP, EDO (NSW), ELAs of PNG, Solomon Islands, Fiji and Vanuatu, PILON, US State Department, UNESCAP, Government Environment Departments of Vanuatu & PNG, private legal practitioners (Fiji and NZ). Draft Action Plan (to be completed by end of September 2016).

3 Terms of Reference PaNEL: We are a network of organisations and individuals with an interest in protecting the environment by strengthening systems, institutions, organisations and individuals concerned with environmental law in the Pacific region. Main Purpose: is to encourage and support collaboration and coordination on environmental law issues across the Pacific region, principally by participating in Pacific Islands Roundtable for Nature Conservation where we will serve as the Environmental Law Working Group and seek to collaborate with other PIRT working groups. Alignment to Framework: PaNEL s purpose aligns with Objective 6 of the Framework for Nature Conservation and Protected Areas in the Pacific Islands Region: Build capacity and partnerships that strengthen synergies between science, policy, local knowledge systems and indigenous sciences and enhance local and international agreements, to effectively mobilise resources to achieve Objectives 1 5 [of the Framework].

4 Terms of Reference (cont.) Aichi Target under Objective 6: Aichi Target 18: By 2020, the traditional knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and their customary use of biological resources, are respected, subject to national legislation and relevant international obligations, and fully integrated and reflected in the implementation of the Convention with the full and effective participation of indigenous and local communities, at all relevant levels. Core Functions: PaNEL s core functions will be to: Serve as a regional hub for discussion, networking and exchange of knowledge and experience, Offer a peer review function for significant regional reports, plans, policies and draft laws, Identify information gaps, emerging issues, opportunities and priorities for action, Facilitate collaborative funded activities, Provide a collective advocacy and endorsement forum for environmental law issues, and Provide recommendations to PIRT.

5 Terms of Reference (cont.) Memberships: PaNEL membership is open to interested and committed representatives of CROP/regional agencies, donors, IUCN and Commissions, NGOs, BINGOs, environmental law associations, countries/territories, individuals, representative of other working groups (eg. Pacific Invasive Partnership, Protected Areas Working Group and Species Working Group) and other networks. Commitments by members: we acknowledge that work in the region is demanding on people s time therefore member contributions to PaNEL will be as part of existing jobs. Meetings: PaNEL Prepatory Meeting for PIRT Annual Meeting and PaNEL Annual Meeting. Action Plan: development of an Action Plan to identify priority activities, timing and nominated lead persons. Actions will be focused, targeted and achievable, and will be presented at the annual PIRT meetings and revised accordingly.

6 Brief update on activities since Annual PIRT Meeting 2015 (cont.) Progress of Environmental Law Associations: IUCN has supported the establishment of ELAs in Vanuatu, PNG and the Solomon Islands. EDO NSW has received CEPF program funding to support SIELA, PELA and VELA with financial management, governance and project management. SIELA has received CEPF seed funding. PELA and VELA will also be seeking CEPF funding this year. FELA continues to be the leading ELA operating in the region. The development of ELAs is significant for the Pacific and it may be possible to develop ELAs across the region. Activities of Members of PaNEL: Access and Benefit Sharing Regional Project (SPREP); Environmental Law and Policy Awareness Training in the Solomon Islands (SIELA); Paper on inshore fisheries policy and law in Fiji (FELA and EDO NSW); Report on Integrated Ocean Policy for Fiji (FELA); Review of Legislation, Policies, Strategies and Plans Relating to the Development of Marine Protected Areas in Fiji (IUCN PCEG); and Literature review on environmental laws, policies and programs in the Solomon Islands (IUCN PCEG).

7 Brief update on activities since Annual PIRT Meeting 2015 (cont.) World Environmental Law Congress: The first World Environmental Law Congress was held under the auspices of IUCN in collaboration with UNEP and organized by the Brazilian Association of Judges, the Supreme Court of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the Brazilian Judicial School (ENM), and the Association of Judges of the State of Rio de Janeiro (AMAERJ). The Congress was held over four days with pre-event and post-event colloquiums. There were two main outcomes: World Declaration on the Environment Rule of Law. The declaration s objective is to build the environment rule of law as the legal framework for environmental justice and global ecological integrity. It contains 17 Principles. The Declaration attempts to capture the wide range of views of participants at the IUCN World Congress on Environmental Law. It does not represent a formally negotiated outcome, nor does it necessarily capture all the individual views or represent country or institutional positions, or consensus on all issues. Global Judicial Institute for the Environment. The Institute is established as a new autonomous international organisation to work with national courts and national judicial institutes to assist in advancing their capacity to handle environment law cases. It will work in partnership with national court systems and their administrative officers, to organise the programs that judges wish to have provided. The Institute will be governed by a committee of judges and judicial institute representatives, and selected environmental law experts, nominated by appropriate international authorities, that the judges will confirm.

8 WAY FORWARD!!!

9 VINAKA!!!