Australia's World Summit Partnerships
Environment Australia, September 2002
Contents
Oceans
High Seas Biodiversity Conservation Workshop: Partnership with the UK, US, New Zealand, Cambodia and international legal and wildlife and bodies to identify practical measures to conserve and manage the unique biodiversity of the deep oceans' hydrothermal vents, seamounts, deep ocean trenches and the abyssal plains. Workshop in Cairns, Queensland in April 2003.
Coral Reef and Fisheries Network: Partnership with Asia-Pacific governments, intergovernmental and regional organisations to set up a network to help coral reef organisations and related industries work for the health and sustainability of coral reefs.
Capacity building in the Pacific region on oceans policy implementation: Australia developed the world's first integrated oceans policy for its exclusive economic zone and will work closely with Pacific Island countries to help them develop oceans policies.
Migratory birds habitat conservation in the Asia-Pacific: Partnership with Japan and more than eight international and Japanese wildlife bodies to extend the Asia Pacific network of protected sites for migratory shorebirds; aiming to increase protection from 10 per cent to at least 25 per cent of significant habitats along their route. Sixteen countries will be invited to participate.
Arafura-Timor Seas Experts Forum: Partnership with East Timor, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea governments and research bodies to establish a new Forum to focus on the sustainable management of the Arafura-Timor Seas, looking specifically at cooperative research and arrangements to improve marine resource management.
Illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing has environmental, social and economic ramifications the world over. This partnership with the US will speed the implementation of international agreements to halt the depletion of fish stocks by looking at practical and achievable systems, the potential use of standards and independent documentation, verification and monitoring systems.
Water and coastal management: Partnership with the World Bank to highlight the importance of water and coastal zone management in development and poverty reduction. A Water and Coastal Resources Management Facility will give countries in the Asia-Pacific and Africa more access to expertise from planners, managers, scientists, engineers and community organisations.
Global Ocean Data Assimilation Experiment: Partnership with Canada, France, Japan, Norway, UK, US and six international and scientific organisations to set up new systems to collect and analyse data for the marine environment, to inform safer and more efficient ocean operations and improve the scientific basis for decision-making.
Climate Change
South Pacific Vulnerability and Adaptation Initiative: Partnership with Pacific Island countries to adapt to the future impact of climate change, climate variability and sea-level rise, with vulnerability studies, pilot projects and institutional strengthening.
Enhanced applications of climate prediction in Pacific island countries. Partnership with Pacific Island countries to help improve national meteorological services so that villagers can plan for climatic events and prepare for tides, floods and erosion.
Health
Partnership with Asian and Pacific Island countries and intergovernmental organisations, where low HIV prevalence rates mask serious localised epidemics (especially in China and India), to building capacity to address HIV/AIDS. This initiative contributes to the UN Joint Program on HIV/AIDS through the Asia-Pacific Leadership Forum.
Energy
APEC Energy Working Group: Partnership with Mexico and APEC members of the Energy Working Group and research and business groups to identify impediments to energy exploration and development in developing countries and investigate ways to increase the uptake of alternative fuels.
Clean Energy Initiative: Partnership with the US to look at how savings from energy efficiency in developing countries can free up resources for health, education and other essential services while combating air pollution and increasing access to modern energy services.
Sustainable Agriculture
Sustainable land management: Partnership with South Africa to deliver community-based Landcare projects in South African rural communities, aiming to improve long-term food security and protect South Africa's environment. An international Landcare meeting and workshop will be held in Australia in April 2003 to promote Landcare as a model for rural development.
Air Pollution
Global Partnership for Cleaner Fuels for Cleaner Air: Partnership with a range of bodies including the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the International Fuel Quality Centre, automobile associations from Europe and Japan, and health organisations to combat air pollution and its effect on health in developing countries by phasing out lead in gasoline, reducing sulfur in diesel and gasoline, and introducing vehicle and emission control technologies to reduce emissions.
International activities
Key
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