NOWPAP Coordinator participated in the 34th Session of the Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection (GESAMP) held in Paris, France on 8-11 May 2007. Representatives from UNEP Regional Seas Programme, Large Marine Ecosystem Projects and Regional Fisheries Management Bodies were invited in order to explore three issues:
1) existing regional expert networks (to be used to build GESAMP pool of experts);
2) how GESAMP can help regional organizations; and
3) role of GESAMP in regional capacity building.
In response to these questions, information on DINRAC web-database of experts and networks of experts of all NOWPAP Regional Activity Centres (RACs) was provided.
Mutual interest was also indicated regarding possible NOWPAP involvement in two future GESAMP activities:
- Atmospheric input of chemicals to the ocean (to be lead by World Meteorological Organization);
- Assessment of trends in global pollution in coastal environment (to be led by International Atomic Energy Agency).