English - UNITAR

UNITED NATIONS 

United Nations 

Environment 

Programme 

Distr. 

GENERAL 

UNEP/ROWA/Syria/1 

1 September 2004 

EP 

ORIGINAL: English 

Regional Workshop Promoting The Coordinated Implementation Of The 

Basel, Rotterdam And Stockholm Conventions 

In The Middle East And Northern Africa 

DAMASCUS, SYRIA, 19-21 JULY 2004 

I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..................................................................................................... 2 

II. Objectives............................................................................................................................... 2 

III. Attendance ............................................................................................................................ 3 

IV. Opening Session ................................................................................................................... 3 

V. Agenda and Presentations ...................................................................................................... 4 

VI. Proceedings and Discussion ................................................................................................. 4 

VII. Recommendations and Outcomes ....................................................................................... 5 

VIII. List of Participants ............................................................................................................. 8 

VIIII. Workshop Agenda .......................................................................................................... 17 

1

I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

1. The Regional Workshop Promoting The Coordinated Implementation Of The Basel, 

Rotterdam And Stockholm Conventions In The Middle East And Northern Africa was held 

in Damascus, Syria on 19-21 July 2004. 

2. The Workshop was organised by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), 

with support from the Geneva Environment Network, financed fully by the Swiss Agency 

for the Environment, Forests and Landscape (SAEFL), the Syrian Ministry of Local 

Administration and the Environment (MOLAE) and the Public Commission on 

Environmental Affairs (PCEA) of Syria. The Workshop convened under the Patronage of 

His Excellency Eng. Helal Al-Attrash, Minister of MOLAE. 

3. The Workshop addressed the objectives of the three conventions (Basel, Rotterdam and 

Stockholm, MEAs) , the obligations that they impose on Parties, and how they are meant to 

work at the national level. Also, it discussed how can the three conventions be mutually 

supportive and complementary and how together provide a coherent framework for 

managing the life cycle of chemicals. 

4. 70 participants representing most countries of the region (MENA), including governmental 

and non-governmental agencies and regional centres. 

5. The Workshop, throughout its working groups and plenary sessions, evaluated the practical 

coordinated implementation of MEAs in the region, and the countries’ experiences in this 

regard. 

6. At the end of the Workshop, the participants issued a set of Recommendations for the 

continuing promotion of MEAs clustering and coordinated implementation, indicating 

conditions, needs and priorities in the region. 

II. Objectives 

7. The main objectives of this Regional Workshop were to develop an understanding of the 

pertinent MEAS and their coordinated implementation; and to discuss and exchange 

experiences on how to: 

• Promote an integrated approach to implementing the three conventions at the national 

and regional levels. 

• Promote cooperation and coordination amongst convention focal points and identify 

opportunities for developing pilot projects for the environmentally sound 

management of hazardous chemicals and wastes. 

• Identify options for supporting and enhancing cooperation and joint implementation 

of the three conventions. 

2

8. To this end, country representatives provided presentations on the situation in their own 

countries, outlining: 

• What is the status of signing, ratification, acceding and implementation efforts 

and plan concerning the three MEAs in each country; and how is it compared to 

other member states in the region 

• What are the main constraints and challenges 

• Where have been the key areas of progress achieved 

• What are the current and future needs to further promote integrated approach and 

coordinated implementation nationally and regionally 

• How can countries benefit from each other’s experiences and lesson learned, and 

how can efforts be integrated and complemented in the region 

• What is needed from international organizations, conventions secretariats and 

donors 

III. Attendance 

9. The 70 participants in the Workshop represented eighteen (18) countries in the MENA 

region; of which 68 governmental representatives from various DNAs (e.g., 

Environmental, Agricultural Health and/or Foreign Affairs Ministries) and 15 female 

colleagues. 2 NGOs and 5 international & regional organizations were presenting the 

workshop. The List of Participants is provided in Annex 1. 

IV. Opening Session 

10. The Workshop was held under the Patronage of under the Patronage of His Excellency 

Eng. Helal Al-Attrash, Minister of Local Administration and the Environment (MOLAE) in 

Syria. 

11. The Opening Ceremony was attended by HE Minister Al-Attrash, HE Eng. Emad Hasoun, 

Deputy Minister of MOLAE, Dr. Akram Khory, DG of PCEA, OIC of the Swiss Embassy 

in Damascus, several representatives of the Diplomatic Missions of participating countries 

accredited to Syria, The Executive Secretaries of three MEAs (Ms. Sachiko Kuwabara- 

Yamamoto: Excutive Secretary of the Basel Convention, and Mr. James B. Willis: 

Executive Secretary of the Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions), among other 

dignitaries. 

12. HE Deputy Minister Hasoun chaired the opening ceremony. The following statements 

were made: 

a. HE Minister Al-Attrash welcomed the participants on behalf of the Syrian Government. 

He stated that Syria is pleased to host this regional Workshop, emphasized the 

importance of the MEAs, and highlighted the Syrian experience in this regard. He also 

thanked UNEP and SAEFL on their contributions. 

3

. Attorney Gabriela Esther Low, representative of SAEFL also welcomed the participants 

and thanked UNEP and the Syrian government on their efforts and cooperation. 

c. Mr. Basel Al-Yousfi, Regional Industry Officer, welcomed the participants on behalf of 

UNEP. He emphasized the importance of the three MEAs in developing integrated 

management approach of chemicals and wastes in the region based on LCA. He urged 

member states to consider coordinated implantation of the MEAS on regional level. He 

thanked the organizing partners and wished the participants success in fulfilling the 

Workshop objectives. 

V. Agenda and Presentations 

13. Simultaneous translation English-Arabic and visa versa was provided throughout the 

Workshop. 

14. The 3-day Agenda for the Workshop was extensive, including presentations from most 

countries, alongside technical presentations on the three MEAS from the Conventions 

Secretariats, as well as regional offices (UNEP/ROWA, UNEP-DTIE-Chemicals and 

UNEP-IUC). A copy of the Workshop Agenda is enclosed in Annex 2. 

15. The first day was predominantly a technical session, outlining the requirements of the 

MEAs and providing guidance in implementation. 

16. Most countries represented at the Workshop provided presentations, delineating the overall 

national picture and experiences concerning the three conventions. 

17. Three Working Groups, met in three discussion sessions to address the issues of 

coordinated implementation of the MEAs and provide insights and input to the plenary 

Sessions (5 in total). 

18. The Closing Session was Chaired by Dr. Akram Khory, DG of PCEA, and composed of 

plenary discussion, conclusions and recommendations. Representatives of the organizing 

consortium provided closing remarks. 

19. Copies of all presentations are available on CD from UNEP/ROWA upon request. 

VI. Proceedings and Discussion 

20. In-depth discussion of a strategy for the further promotion of sound mangemnt of 

chemicals and wastes in the region prevailed throughout the meeting. Consensus on the 

integrated approach of coordinated implemntaion of the three MEAs were clearly reached, 

arising from the presentations and country reports. The discussion and conclusions were 

constructive, and collectively the Workshop was successful in satisfying the objectives. 

4

21. The major points of discussion concentrated on: 

• How to help member states coordinate the MEAs implementation nationally, utilizing 

synergies and avoiding duplications. 

• The roles of all stakeholders, including governments, NGOs, regional and international 

organizations and the streamlining and responsiblities of the various Designated 

National Authorities (DNAs). 

• How to integrated and complement national efforts in this field (e.g., regional networks, 

bilateral/regional cooperation, financial mechanisms) 

• How a regional Approach on MEAs implementation can bridge the global strategy with 

the national programmes, considering similar circumstances, needs, priorities, obstecles 

and opprtunities. 

• How to ensure the involvment of the regional offices and centers in catalyizing such 

efforts technically (consultancy, training, capacity building) with backstopping support 

of the MEAs Secretriates and UN HQs and relevant Divisions. 

22. On the Local & National Levels: 

VII. Recommendations and Outcomes 

♦ Forming a National Committee in every member state composed of all governmental 

stakeholders and Designated National Authorities (DNAs) in order to assist and facilitate 

the tasks of the MEAs’ NFPs. 

♦ Convening regular and ad hoc meetings between the pertinent NFPs in order to: 

o Cooperate on implementing the inspection and auditing plans. 

o Cooperate in developing coordinated work-plans and unified activities (with due 

consideration to the financial mechanisms). 

o Cooperate in launching joint awareness raising campaigns (for decision makers, 

the public, industry and other relevant groups). 

o Implement joint inventories and surveys. 

o Exchange information and experience. 

o Review relevant legislation to initiate incorporating new requirements and 

commitments under the MEAs and their annexes, and to recommend 

modifications as needed to avoid duplication and contradiction. 

o Tackle wastes related issues in accordance with the requirements and implications 

of all three MEAs. 

o Implement various joint activities, workshops and seminars. 

o Work to ensure the delivery of financial support for this coordination. 

o Achieve integrated management systems of hazardous materials and wastes, by 

establishing internal networking and communications systems to exchange 

information, records and experiences that are necessary for the coordination 

efforts. 

5

23. On the Regional Level: 

♦ Establishment of a Regional Center under Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, to 

achieve the following: 

o Exchange of information among member states in the region. 

o Exchange of experiences. 

o Training and capacity building. 

o Facilitate transfer of technologies. 

o Develop a regional financial mechanism. 

o Implement projects on the regional level. 

o Establish mechanisms to attract and utilize international funds. 

o Activate the role of the Arab Technical Team concerned with the three MEAs 

under the League of Arab States’ (LAS) umbrella. 

o Construct a regional network based on information and databases available 

regionally and internationally. 

o Develop regional standards and guidelines on the requirements of importing and 

exporting Chemical materials. 

o Establish regional integrated programmes and joint projects among member states 

in the region to collectively mange and dispose of hazardous wastes. 

24. On the International Level: 

♦ Call upon international organizations and MEA Secretariats in: 

ο Facilitating the dissemination of information via international publications and 

reports, the international network as well as other available sources. 

ο Facilitating technology transfer. 

ο Facilitating the disposal of hazardous wastes in countries capable of handling them 

soundly. 

ο Facilitating the delivery of financial support. 

ο Ensuring that countries implement international legislation and establish 

comprehensive mechanisms, which apply to all countries in the world. 

ο Establishing a penalty-based mechanism as a punitive measure against member states 

that are parties to these MEAs, but violate their commitments and obligations (such as 

dumping of hazardous wastes in international water). Also, supporting the 

Secretariats of Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions to prevent and control 

illegal trade and smuggling in hazardous chemicals and wastes. 

ο Continuing to organize workshops, symposiums and conferences. 

ο Exchanging experiences in preparing international procedures and reports. 

ο Ensuring support for national and regional cadres and capabilities with the 

international database and information network INFOCAP. 

6

25. Miscellaneous Recommendations from various Member States’ Delegations: 

♦ Due to the exceptional prevailing circumstances in Iraq and Palestine, these nations are 

not currently able to become party to these MEAs. Therefore, it is desired to allocate 

technical and financial support to assist them in adopting and implementing the principles 

of the MEAs and encourage their accedence’s in the future. (Iraq, Palestine) 

♦ Support active involvement of UNEP-ROWA in the implementation of MEAs and 

participation in the MEAs COPs and other important meetings, to utilize its intimate 

knowledge of the region, especially the conditions relevant to GCC countries. (United 

Arab Emirates, UAE) 

♦ Emphasize the importance of adopting new criteria under the GEF financing mechanism 

of MEAs in order to allow GCC countries utilize such available funds, and call upon 

UNEP-ROWA to further advocate this recommendation. (UAE) 

♦ Stress the importance of Arab member states participation in and coordination during the 

three MEAs meetings and COPs. (UAE) 

♦ Accentuate the necessity of holding such technical meetings, workshops and seminars in 

order to train professionals and facilitate the implementation of these MEAS in the 

respective countries. (UAE) 

7

VIII. List of Participants 

8

Algeria 

Mr. Fateh Kouri 

Diplomatic consulle 

Ministry of Foreign Affairs 

Algiers, Algeria 

Tel: 213 21 504545 

Fax: 213 21 504335 

fotkou5@hotmail.com 

Ms. Samia Abderrezak 

Deputy Director of hazardous chemicals 

and wastes 

Ministry of Land Management & 

Environment 


Tel: 213 21 43 28 04 

Fax: 213 21 43 28 97 

Mr. Barkahoum Al Amir 

Director General 

Ministry of Health 


Tel: 213 21 970058 

Fax: 213 21 964184 

cnt@ibnsina.ands.dz 

Bahrain 

Mr. Fadhel Marhoon 

Agricultural Technician 

Ministry of Municipalities Affairs 

and Agriculture 

P.O.Box 251, Manama, Bahrain 

Tel: 973 17691251 

Fax: 973 17695734 

Mr. Abdul Mohsin Al-Mahmood 

Head of Waste Management Section 

General Directorate of Environment & Wild 

Life 

P.O.Box 32657, Manama, Bahrain 

Tel : 973 17875163 

Fax : 973 17786102 

mohsin.602000@yahoo.com 

http://www.environment.gov.bh/ 

Dr. Afaf Al-Sho'ala 

Director of Environmental Control 

General Directorate of Environment & Wild 

Life 

P.O.Box 32657, Isa Town, Bahrain 

Tel: 973 17875175 

Faz: 973 17786102 

ashola@bahrain.gov.bh 

Egypt 

Mr. Adel Shafei Mohamed Osman 

NFP for Basel Convention - Egypt, Director, 

Hazardous Waste Department 

Ministry of Environment 

31 Misr - Helwan Rd., 11728 Maadie, Cairo, 

Egypt 

Tel: 202 5260588 

Fax: 202 5260588 

adel221261@yahoo.com 

HZwaste@eeaa.gov.eg 

Eng. Tarek Eid El Ruby NFP For POPs + 

PIC 

Director of Hazardous Substances Dept. 

Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency 

(EEAA) 

30 Misr Helwan El Zyrae Rd. Maadi, 

Cairo, Egypt 

Tel : 202 5260588 

Fax : 202 5260588 

tarek_elruby@yahoo.com 

http://www.eeaa.gov.eg/ 

Mr. Mohamed Naguib Fakhry 

First Secretary + Env.+Sustatanable Dev. 

Affairs 


Cairo, Egypt 

Tel : 202 5747847 

Fax : 202 5747847 

mohamedfakhry@hotmail.com 

9

Iraq 

Mr. Emad Jasim 

Legal Consultant 


Karada Kharij / Al andalus Sq., behind 

Sheik Zayed Hospital 

Baghdad, Iraq 

Tel: 790 1490502 

moen_iraq@yahoo.com 

Mr. Mohsin Ali Rajab 

Attache 


Baghdad, Iraq 

Tel: 9641 5373070 

marajab_rajab@yahoo.com 

Ms. Hanaa Mohammed 

Chief Chemist 


Karada Kharij / Al andalus Sq., behind 

Sheik Zayed Hospital 

Baghdad, Iraq 

Tel: 964 7470406 

moen_iraq@yahoo.com 

Iran 

Ms. Maryam Meschi 

Expert 

Plant Protection Organization 

P.O.Box 4568, Evin, Tabnak Ave. 

Tehran, Iran 

Tel: 98 21 2402712 

Fax: 98 21 2403197 

Maryam_meschi160@hotmail.com 

Mr. Mohammad Alizadeh 

Deputy for the Human Environment Affairs, 

Department of Environment of the Gilan 

Province 

Department of Environment 

Resalt Ave., Rasht 

Tehran, Iran 

Tel : 98 131 8824626 

Fax : 98 131 8829561 

alizabeh_76@hotmail.com 

Dr. Taghi Dbadi 

Director General For the Soil & Water 

Pollution and Waste Bureau 


Tehran, Iran 

Tel: 98 21 8267992 

Fax: 98 21 8264003 

tebadi@yahoo.com 

Mr. Mohammad Khatibi 

Deputy to the head of the Soil & 

Water Pollution and Waste Bureau 


Tehran, Iran 

Tel: 98 21 8267992 

Fax: 98 21 8264003 

khatibi_117@hotmail.com 

Jordan 

Eng. Hajar Majar 

Chemical Engineer 


P.O.Box 1408 

Amman, Jordan 

Tel: 962 65350149 

Fax: 962 65350084 

hajarma2004@yahoo.com; moenv.gov.jo 

Ms. Kholoud Aranki 

Ministry of Agriculture 

P.O.Box 961043-2099 

Amnam, Jordon 

Tel: 962 6 5656151 Ext. 311 

Fax: 962 6 5650920 / 5686310 

moa_pest@moa.gov.jo; 

kh_aranki@yahoo.com 

10

Mr. Maher Shehadeh 

Biochemist, Department of Chemical Safety, 

Directorate of Environmental Health 


P.O.Box 86 

Amman, Jordan 

Tel : 962 6 662080 

Fax : 962 6 5666147 

maher967@hotmail.com 

Dr. Ziad Abu Kaddourah 

Project Assistant (POPs) 


P.O.Box 1408 

Amman, Jordan 

962 77 323690 

962 6 5344678 

z_iad1@yahoo.com, z_iad@hotmail.com 

Kuwait 

Eng. Abdul Rahman Al-Jameel 


Environment Public Authority 

P.O.Box 24395, Safat Code 13104 

Kuwait City, Kuwait 

Tel: 965 4821284 

Fax: 965 4821284 

aaljameel@hotmail.com 

Eng. Reem Al-Masoud 





Tel : 965 4820595 

Fax : 965 4821724 

arreem_kwt@hotmail.com 

Eng. Al-Jazi Al-Mansour 

Civil Engineer 




Tel: 965 4820595 

Fax: 965 4821724 

Lebanon 

Ms. Sana Hamady 

Project Manager for the project 

"Development of NIPs for the Management 

of POPs 


P.O.Box 70-1091, Antelias 

Beirut, Lebanon 

Tel: 961 4 522222 Ext. 475 

Fax: 961 4 418918 

shamady.moe@gov.lb 

Dr. Naji Kodeih 

Expert - Service of Prevention from 

Technological Impacts and Natural Disasters 




Tel: 961 4 522222 Ext. 412 

Fax: 961 4 525080 

nkodeih@moe.gov.lb 

Dr. Hanna Bou-Habib 

Expert - Service of Prevention from 

Technological Impacts and Natural Disasters 




Tel: 961 4 522222 Ext. 437 

Fax: 961 4 525080 – Mob. 961 3 - 150225 

h.habib@moe.gov.lb 

Mauritania 

Mr. Sidi Ould Taleb Boubacar 

Expert 


Nouakchott, Mauritania 

Tel : 222 6411167 

Fax : 222 5258386 

11

Morocco 

Ms. Laila El Founti 

Administrator, Department of Environment 


Rabat, Morocco 

Tel: 212 64079129 

Fax: 212 37 772658 

lelfounti2675@yahoo.fr 

Mr. Mustapha El Hor 

Officer of Sustainable Development Dept. 

Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Cooperation 


Tel : 212 66 430901 

Fax : 212 37 660091 

melhor@maec.gov.ma 

Mr. Ahmed Jaafari 

Engineer, Master 

Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development 

and Fisheries/ DPVCTFR/P.O BOX 1308 


Tel : 212 37 690375 / 299193 

Fax : 212 37 297544 

ahmedjaafari@hotmail.com 

Oman 

Ms. Moza Al-Jahwari 

Head of Permits and Records Section 

Ministry of Regional Municipalities, 

Environment and Water Resources 

P.O.Box 323, PC 113 

Muscat, Oman 

Tel: 968 692417 

Fax: 968 692928 

Ms. Suad Al-Lawati 

Environmental Inspector 



P.O.Box 323, PC 113 

Muscat, Oman 

Tel: 968 692550 

Fax: 968 692928 

suad806@hotmail.com 

Mr. Ahmad Al-Zadjali 

Environmental Technician 



P.O.Box 323, PC 113 

Muscat, Oman 

Tel: 968 692550 

Fax: 968 692928 

Palestine 

Eng. Atef M. H. Jaber 

Director of Solid and Hazardous Waste 

Directorate 

Environment Quality Authority 

Gaza 

Tel: 970 8 2823000 . Fax: 970 8 2847198 

Mobile: 970 59 730157 

environment@gov.ps 

Eng. Walid Mustafa Ahmad 

Deputy Director General of Environmental 

Protection 

Environment Quality Authority 

Ramallah 

Tel: 970 59 219704 

Fax: 970 2 2403494 

walidmus@yahoo.com 

Qatar 

Eng. Mohammad Al-Ibrahim 

Head of Chemical Management Section 

Supreme Council for the Environment and 

Natural Reserves 

P.O.Box 7634 

Doha, Qatar 

Tel: 974 4350504 

Fax: 974 4415246 

mgibrahim@qatarenv.org.qa 

12

Eng. Hassan Al-Khowar 

Head of Pollution Control Section 



P.O.Box 7634 

Doha, Qatar 

Tel: 974 4437171 Ext. 278 

Fax: 974 4415246 

hmkhuwar@gatarenv.org.qa 

Mr. Ali Al Marri 

Chemical Researcher 



P.O.Box 7634, Doha, Qatar 

Tel: 974 5000686 

Fax: 974 4415246 

alfheady@hotmail.com 

Saudi Arabia 

Mr. sulaiman M. Al-Zaben 

Presidency of Meteorology and 

Environment Protection 

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia 

P.O BOX: 9257 

JEDDAH 21413 

Ext. 2676 

Tel: 966 2 6512312 

Fax: 966 2 6511424 

E. mail: smz2002@hotmail.com 

Mr. Abdullah A. Bjaili 

Presidency of Meteorology and 

Environment Protection 

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia 

P.O BOX: 22773 

Seddah: 21416 

Ext: 2672 

Tel: 966 2 6512312 

Fax: 966 2 6517832 

E. mail: Abjaili@hotmail.com 

Sudan 

Mr. Ali Mohamad Ali Mahmoud 

Project Coordinator (POPs enabling activity) 

Higher Council for Environment and 

Natural Resources 

Khartoum, Sudan 

Tel : 249 11 777160 / 784279 

Fax: 249 11 787617 

hcenr@sudanmail.net 

Mr. Abdel Rahim Mohamad Osman 

Head of Pesticides Department 

Plant Protection Directorate 

Khartoum North, Sudan 

Tel: 249 9129 99269 

Fax: 249 11 337423 

binnawi@yahoo.com 

Mr. Amir Ahmed El Mardi 

Minister Plenipotentiary 


Khartoum, Sudan 

Tel : 249 83784804 

elmardi@hotmail.com 

Syria 

Eng. Afraa Nouh 

Head of Section of Agriculture - directorate 

of Land Safety 

Ministry of Local Administration and 

Environment 

Damascus, Syria 

963 11 4464796 

963 11 1162658 

nouh@shuf.com 

Dr. Nader Ghazi 

Director of Chemical Safety Department 


Environment 

P.O.Box 3773, Damascus, Syria 

13

Tel: 963 11 4443729 

Fax: 963 11 4443729 

env-min@net.sy 

Eng. Fouad El-O'k 


Environment 

P.O.Box 3773 


Eng. Khaled Fashtouk 

Chemical Engineer - Directorate of 

Chemical /Safety 


Environment 

P.O.Box 3773 


Tel: 963 11 4443729 

Fax: 963 11 4443729 


Eng. Imad Hassoun 


Environment 

P.O.Box 3773 



Environment 

P.O.Box 3773 


Tel: 963 11 4443729 

Fax: 963 11 4443729 


Eng. Ahmed Kamel 


E.S.C. Environmental Center Studies 

Researchers on Air Pollution 

Chemical Analysis and Waste Management 


963 11 6115719 

963 11 6622309 

esrc@mail.sy 

Dr. Bassam Abou-Alzahab 

Head of Occupational Health Division 



Tel: 963 11 3339601 

Fax: 963 11 3338964 

Eng. Fares Reda 

Department of Plant Protection 

Ministry of Agriculture 


Tel: 963 11 2215143, 963 11 5615614 

E. mail: f-reda@scs-net.org 

Mr. Ali Al-Jwyed 

Director of Environment Affairs in Hama 

Directorate of Environment Affairs, Hama 

Gov. 

Hama City, Adia St., P.O.Box 981, Syria 

Tel: 963 33 242531 

Fax: 963 33 516274 

env-hama@myway.com 

H.E. Naeem M. Kaddah 

Chairman of Environmental Protection & 

Sustainable Development Society 


Dr. Barquil Sophie 

Environmental Protection & Sustainable 

Development Society 


Mr. Suleiman Kalo 

Director of Environmental Affairs in Homs 


Environment 

P.O.Box 331, Homs, Syria 

Tel: 963 31 510336 

Fax: 963 31 510334 

kalo@net.sy 

Eng. Hassan Murjan 

Director of Environment 

Directorate of Environment, 

Tartous Government 

Syria 

Tel : 963 43 321916 

Fax:963 43 321217 

14

Eng. Raghda Malas NGOs 

Environmental Protection & Sustainable 

Dev. Society 

P.O Box : 5995 

E. mail: raro2001@scs-net.org 

Damascus – Syria 

Tel: 963 11 3324585 

Fax: 963 11 3343762 

Dr. Mahmoud Krayem 

Director of Env. And Chronic Diseases. 


Damascus – Syria 

Tel/Fax: 963 11 3319804 

Ms. Siba Hatim 

Arab Labor Organization 

Arab Institute for occupational Health & 

Safety 

P.O.Box: 5770, Damascus, Syria 

Tel: 963 11 3122616 

Fax: 963 11 3122617 

United Arab Emirates 

Eng. Khaled Al Hossani 

Head of Plant Protection 

Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries 

P.O.Box 1509 

Dubai, U.A.E. 

Tel : 971 4 2026638 

Fax : 971 2 957766 

alhossani-maf@uae.gov.ae 

Dr. Jaber Al-Jabri 

Director Env. Protection Division 

Environmental Research & Wildlife 

Development Agency 

P.O.Box 45553 

Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. 

Tel: 971 2 6934618 

Fax: 971 2 6815010 

jaljaberi@erwda.gov.ae 

Dr. Mahboob Saleh 

Environmental Researcher 

Federal Environmental Agency 

P.O.Box 8820 

Dubai, U.A.E 

Tel: 971 4 3965888 

Fax: 971 4 3962113 

uaefea@emirates.net.ae 

Yemen 

Mr. Salem A. Baquhaizel 

Focal Point of Rotterdam Convention - PIC 

Environment Protection Authority 

P.O.Box 19719, Sana'a, Yemen 

Tel: 967 1 207816 

Fax: 967 1 207327 

sbaqu@y.net.ye 

Mr. Ali A. Al-Dobhani 

Focal Point of Basel Convention 


P.O. Box 19719, Sana'a, Yemen 

Tel: 967 1 207816 

Fax: 967 1 207327 

dobhani2822@yahoo.com 

Dr. Gamal Allozy 

POPs Focal Point 


P.O. Box 603, Aden, Yemen 

Tel: 967 2 240607 

Fax: 967 2 240615 

gallozy@y.net.ye 

Organizers and speakers 

Dr. Mortada El Aref, Director 

Basel Convention, Regional Centre for 

Training and Technology Transfer for the 

Arab States 

Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt 

Tel: 202 5719688 / 5674838 

Fax: 202 5717565 

15

elaref@baselegypt.org, 

afarouk@baselegypt.org 

elaref2000@yahoo.com 

Ms. Sachiko Kuwabara-Yamamoto 

Excutive Secretary of the Basel Convention 

International Environment House, Geneva 

11-13 ch des Anémones, 1219 Châtelaine, 

Switzerland 

Tel: 41 22 917 8213 

Fax: 41 22 797 3454 

E. mail: Sachiko.kuwabara@unep.ch 

Ms. Gabriela Esther Low 

Senior Scientific Advisor, International 

Chemicals 

Swiss Agency for the Environment, Forests 

and Landscape 

CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland 

Tel: 41 31 3229386 

Fax: 41 31 3230349 

gabriela.loew@buwal.admin.ch 

Mr. Michael Williams 

Head, Information Unit for Conventions 

United Nations Environment Programme 

(UNEP/IUC) 


11-13 ch des Anémones 

1219 Châtelaine, Switzerland 

Tel: 41 22 917 8242 

Fax: 41 22 797 3464 

Michael.Williams@unep.ch 

Mr. James B. Willis 

Executive Secretary of the Rotterdam and 

Stockholm Conventions 



11-13 ch des Anémones 

1219 Châtelaine, Switzerland 

Tel: 41 22 917 8192 

Fax: 41 22 797 3460 

Jwillis@chemicals.unep.ch 

Dr. Basel Al-Yousfi 

Regional Industry Officer 

Regional Office for West Asia 


(UNEP/ROWA) 

Manama, Bahrain 

Tel: 973 17 812777 

Fax: 973 17 825110/1 

Basel.Alyousfi@unep.org.bh 

Mr. Grigorios Patilis 

Administrative Officer 



(UNEP/ROWA) 


Tel: 973 17 812777 

Fax: 973 17 825110/1 

Ms. Nadeya Mohamed Al-Merbati 



(UNEP/ROWA) 


Tel: 973 17 812777 

Fax: 973 17 825110/1 

Nadia.Al-murbati@unep.org.bh 

16

VIIII. Workshop Agenda 

17

Regional workshop promoting the coordinated implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and 

Stockholm Conventions in the Middle East and Northern Africa 

REGIONAL WORKSHOP PROMOTING THE COORDINATED 

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BASEL, ROTTERDAM AND STOCKHOLM 

CONVENTIONS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NOTHERN AFRICA 

19 – 21 July 2004 

Meridien Hotel, Damascus, Syria 

Programme for the workshop 

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) 

Swiss Agency for the Environment, Forests and Landscape (SAEFL) 

Ministry of Environment, Syria 

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Introduction 

This workshop will build on previous regional workshops on the Basel, Rotterdam and 

Stockholm Conventions. These earlier events were designed to explain the objectives of the 

three conventions, the obligations that they impose on Parties, and how they are meant to 

work at the national level. The three conventions are clearly mutually supportive and 

complementary and together provide a coherent framework for managing the life cycle of 

chemicals. 

Participants 

The participants will include Government Focal Points for the three Conventions as well as representatives from 

Ministries of Foreign Affairs or the equivalent. A representative of the Basel Convention Regional Centre in 

Cairo will also be invited. The Executive Secretaries of the three Conventions as well as selected experts will give 

presentations intended to stimulate working group discussions. 

Objectives 

The objectives of the workshop will be to discuss and exchange experiences on how to: 

• Promote an integrated approach to implementing the three conventions at the 

national and regional levels. 

• Promote cooperation and coordination amongst convention focal points and identify 

opportunities for developing pilot projects for the environmentally sound 

management of hazardous chemicals and wastes. 

• Identify options for supporting and enhancing cooperation and joint implementation 

of the three conventions. 

Approach 

The organizers expect the workshop to be highly participatory and invite participants to take full 

part in the discussions, both in plenary and in the working groups. 

Documents 

Doc 1 – Agenda 

Doc 2 – Provisional list of participants 

Doc 3 – Terms of Reference for Working Group I 

Doc 4 – Terms of Reference for Working Group II 

Doc 5 – Overview of ratification status of Middle Eastern and North African Countries 

Doc 6 – The November 2002 Cotonou workshop – summary and conclusions 

Doc 7 – The September 2003 Pretoria workshop – summary and conclusions 

Doc 8 – The January 2004 Montevido workshop – summary and conclusions 

Doc 9 – The April 2004 Riga (Latvia) workshop – summary and conclusions 

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PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME 

Monday, 19 July 

8h30 

9h30 

Registration 

Plenary I – Opening 

Chair – HE Eng. Imad Hassoun, Deputy Minister of Local Administration and 

Environment, Syria 

- Welcome address by H.E. Eng. Helal Al-Attrash, Minister of Local 

Administration and Environment, Syria 

- Welcome address by Gabriela Löw, International Affairs Division, Swiss 

Agency for the Environment, Forests and Landscape (SAEFL) 

- Welcome address by Basel Al-yousfi, Regional Industry Officer, UNEP 

Regional Office for West Asia (include introduction to workshop objectives 

and programme) 

- Introductions by participants of their expectations 

10h30 Coffee & tea break 

11h 

Plenary II – An introduction to the Conventions 

Chair – HE Eng. Imad Hassoun, Deputy Minister of Environment, Syria 

- The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), by Jim 

Willis, Executive Secretary 

- The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of 

Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, by Sachiko Kuwabara-Yamamoto 

- The Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Pocedure for 

Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, by 

Jim Willis, Executive Secretary 

- Discussion 

12h30 

14h 

Lunch 

Plenary III – The integrated management of chemicals and wastes 

Chair – Dr. Akram Khouri, Director General, G.C.E.A., Syria 

- Analysis of advance questionnaires submitted by workshop participants, by 

Michael Williams, UNEP’s Information Unit for Conventions 

- Coordinating the implementation of the three conventions, by Sachiko 

Kuwabara-Yamamoto, Executive Secretary of the Basel Convention 

- Syria’s environmental laws and by-laws, by HE Eng. Imad Hassoun, Deputy 

Minister of Local Administration and Environment, Syria 

- Syria’s national experience with integrated management, by Nader Ghazi 

- Bahrain’s national experience with integrated management, by Afaf Al- 

Shola 

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- Yemen’s national experience with integrated management, by Gamal Al- 

Louzi 

- Discussion 

16h 

Coffee & tea break 

16h30 Plenary III continued – The integrated management of chemicals 

and wastes 

Chair – Dr. Akram Khouri, Director General, G.C.E.A., Syria 

- -The Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), 

by Jim Willis, Executive Secretary of the Rotterdam and Stockholm 

Conventions 

- The role of the Basel Convention Regional Centre for Training and 

Technology Transfer for Arab States, by Dr. Mortada Murad El Aref, 

Interim Director, BCRC Cairo 

- The role of UNEP’s Regional Office for West Asia (ROWA), by Basel Alyousfi, 

Regional Industry Officer, UNEP/ROWA 

- Lebanon’s national experience with integrated management, by Naji Qudaih 

- Egypt’s national experience with integrated management, by Tarek Eid 

- Discussion 

- Presentation of the assignment for Working Group I, by Michael Williams, 

UNEP/IUC 

18h30 Close 

19h30 Dinner hosted by the Governments of Switzerland and Syria 

Tuesday, 20 July 

9h Working Group I discussions (participants assigned to groups A, B & C) 

10h30 Coffee and tea available 

12h30 Lunch 

14h Plenary IV – Reports of Working Group I and discussion 

Chair – Dr. Suliman M. Al-Zaben, D.G., Chemicals, Safety & Hazardous Wastes, Saudi 

Arabia. 

15h 

Plenary IV continued – National Implementation Plans (NIPs) 

Chair – Dr. Taghi Ebadi, D.G. of Soil & Water Pollution and 

Waste Bureau, I.R. of Iran. 

Use of National Implementation Plans (NIPs) under the Stockholm Convention to assist 

or complement the implementation of the three conventions, by Jim Willis, Executive 

Secretary of the Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions 

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National experiences with developing and implementing NIPs and similar programmes – 

two speakers to be determined 

Discussion 

Presentation of the assignment for Working Group II, by Michael Williams, UNEP/IUC 


17h 

18h30 

Working Group II discussions 

Close 

Wednesday, 21 July 

9h 

Working Group II discussions – continued 


11h 

Plenary V – Reports from Working Group II and discussion 

Chair – Dr. Gamal Allozy, D.G., EPA, Aden Branch, Yemen. 

12h30 Lunch 

14h 

Plenary V continued – Discussion of final workshop conclusions 

Chair – Dr. Naji Kodeih, Head of Chemical and Waste Management, 

Lebanon. 

15h30 Final remarks and close 

17h 

Walking Tour of old Damascus 

20:30 Dinner at Zaman Al Kheir Resturant hosted by H.E. Minister of Local 

Administration and Environment and UNEP . 

*** 

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