2005-IGM-SPG 10.pdf - Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change ...

IGM/10/10
SPG/10/10
Policy-makers, scientists, from countries in the region, and international
representatives participated in these activities.
3. Major activities organised under the theme of coastal zones and marine systems
include the 5th International Conference on Asian Marine Geology, and the 1st
Annual meeting of IGCP475 DeltaMAP project and the APN Mega-Delta project in
Bangkok and Ayudhaya, Thailand; and the 2nd SEAGOOS Consultative Meeting
Interim Working Group (IWG) in Hangzhou, China. During the 1st Annual
meeting of IGCP475 DeltaMAP and the APN Mega-Deltas, scientists were given
the opportunity to exchange ideas on and discuss the mega-deltas in the Asia
Region. During the second quarter of fiscal 2004, there was an initiative to setup
a Southeast Asia Global Ocean Observing System (SEAGOOS). The terms of
reference was drafted by Dr. Liew Soo Chin. This activity was part of an initiative
of IOC and will be funded by the EU.
4. There was also an activity on integrated assessment under the topic of Monsoon
Asia Integrated Regional Study (MAIRS) where SARCS members and local
experts discussed integrated regional studies on the Rapid Assessment Project
(RAP) for Southeast Asia. Currently, chapter outlines, a list of contributors and
author review literature are being developed. This MAIRS study is also supported
by the APN.
5. Two governmental and non-governmental policy relevant activities, which
addressed the topic of sustainable development, were organised within the
region. The ESCAP subcommittee on environmental and sustainable development
1 st session in Bangkok, Thailand and, the 3 rd IUCN world conservation congress in
Bangkok, Thailand. During the 1 st session of ESCAP, conference policy-makers at
national, regional and global levels participated and addressed the promotion of
sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific. Almost 1,000 of the world’s
leading scientists and over 200 business representatives attended the IUCN
conference.
6. A major global event – the 10 th ASEAN Summit was organised in Vientiane, Lao
PDR. During the session, ASEAN leaders addressed issues on environmental and
natural resource protection and sustainable development.
7. On 26 th December 2004, an underwater earthquake, off the Coast of Indonesia,
triggered the Tsunami that took the lives of over 156,000 people and affected the
livelihoods of over 5 million people throughout the following 11 countries:
Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, Malaysia, Maldives, Burma, Somalia,
Bangladesh, Kenya and Tanzania. The catastrophe attracted attention from
countries in the region on disaster management and relief operations which led to
building regional collaboration. So far the APN’s role in this area within the
region is still limited. It is suggested that the APN increases its role in developing
awareness of disaster management and mitigation at national and regional levels.
It should, however, be noted that the APN organised and convened a joint public
forum, with the WHO, on ‘climate calamities and human health’ at the recent
World Disaster Reduction Conference in Kobe in January 2005. A follow-up
activity is currently being developed and will be presented, for approval, at the
APN’s 10 th Inter-Governmental Meeting in Kobe in April 2005.
Workshops and Meetings:
19-21 April 2004. The 2nd SEAGOOS Consultative Meeting Interim Working
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