Proposed Workplan of the Regional Forum (August )

Transcription

1 Regional Forum on Environment and Health in Southeast and East Asian Countries Proposed Workplan of the Regional Forum (August ) Presented at the Extraordinary High-Level Officials Meeting of the Regional Forum on Environment and Health in Southeast and East Asian Countries August 2014 Bangkok, Thailand 1

2 1.0 Background This Workplan for the Regional Forum on Environment and Health in Southeast and East Asian Countries ( ) is developed in reference to the Kuala Lumpur Declaration and the Framework for Cooperation of the Regional Forum on Environment and Health adopted at the Third Ministerial Regional Forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In reference to the Kuala Lumpur Declaration, member countries of the Regional Forum: Agree to cooperate to develop and implement national environmental health action plans (NEHAPs), or equivalent plans, that aim to put sustainable environment and health at the centre of development, result in sustainability and improvements in environmental quality, enhance public health, and ensure the health of the future generations in the region; Agree to work for the development and implementation of mechanisms to enable more effective sharing of information between the health and environment sectors and other sectors through the Environmental Health Country Profiles (EHCP) and Environmental Health Data Sheets (EHDS); Agree to study ways and means to create within the region an environmental health capacity-strengthening programme through research, training, and sharing technologies and other resources and leading examples; Resolve to strengthen our cooperation to improve inter-agency, multisectoral, bilateral, regional and international cooperation, coordination and planning through capacity-building, and also to improve the management of common and trans-boundary and cross- border issues; Correspondingly, the Report on the Governance, Impact, Partnerships, and Sustainable Financial Mechanisms of the Regional Forum on Environment and Health proposes that the Secretariat shall identify priority areas and develop associated work plans with clear indicators and targets so as to affect positive outcomes and impacts for the benefit of Member Countries. The aforementioned statements are the basis for the formulation of the proposed work plan ( ) of the Regional Forum. Scientific presentations, outcomes and documents adopted at the Third Ministerial Regional Forum, together with the speeches of Malaysian Prime Minister and member countries Environment and Health Ministers, have all provided guidance and direction for the development of the workplan. In this regard, the Regional Forum shall focus on the following strategic actions: 2

3 1) Strengthen the National Environmental Health Action Plans; 2) Develop Environmental Health Country Profiles (EHCP) and Environmental Health Data Sheets (EHDS); 3) Enhance and strengthen environmental health capacity of the Member Countries; and 4) Improve regional and international cooperation, coordination, fellowships, and partnerships. To meet the above four strategic focus, the workplan is developed based on the following principles of cooperation of the Regional Forum as outlined in the Framework for Cooperation of the Regional Forum: a. Mutual beneficial to all member countries of the Regional Forum; b. Active engagement of the health, environment and other sectors to improve environmental health situation in countries as well as in the region; c. Provides platform for coordination amongst different stakeholder; and d. Enable synergies and avoidance of duplication and competition with other regional initiatives. NOTE: This workplan was presented at the Extraordinary High Level Officials Meeting held on August 2014 in Bangkok, Thailand. It has incorporated comments and recommendations made during the meeting. It was recirculated in September 2014 to obtain final inputs and comments from Member Countries before the workplan is adopted. 3

4 2.0 Workplan to Strengthen the National Environmental Health Action Plans or Similar Plans Rationale: One of the strategies for improving policy and regulatory framework to improve environmental health conditions is to promote member countries to develop the National Environmental Health Action Plans (NEHAP) or similar plans. The Regional Forum served as catalyst for the development of NEHAP or similar plans at the highest level of the government in many Member Countries of the Regional Forum. The Kuala Lumpur Declaration agreed for Member Countries to cooperate to develop and implement national environmental health action plans (NEHAPs), or equivalent plans, that aim to put sustainable environment and health at the centre of development, that results in sustainability and improvements in environmental quality, enhance public health, and ensure the health of the future generations in the region. Objectives: The objective is to further strengthen NEHAP or similar plans processes at the country and regional level. Some Member Countries are at the early stage of NEHAP development whilst other Member Countries are at the advance stage to strengthen or revise the plans; and some may require external supports in the implementation of activities in NEHAP. Summary of Activities: Two activities are proposed as follows: 1. National Workshops or Consultations on NEHAP Revision or Updates or Implementation; 2. Regional Workshops on NEHAPs Expected Outputs to be Presented at the Fourth Regional Forum in 2016: 1. National Updates of NEHAPs or similar plans. 4

5 Activity/Description Dates/Milestones Outputs/Outcomes Point of Contact/Partners/Resources 2.1 National Workshops or Consultations on NEHAP Revision or Updates or Implementation 1. NEHAP or similar plans is important to promote policy dialogue at the country level. 2. This activity is for member countries to develop, revise, update or improve NEHAP or similar plans. 3. Member countries should also indicate if they need support to strengthen or implement 2.2 Regional Workshops on NEHAPs Suggestions made in Kuala Lumpur for the Secretariat (UNEP and WHO) to organize regional workshop or training about NEHAP amongst the national focal points to share Prior to mid-2015 High Level Officials Meeting In 2015 and it can be back-to-back with other activities of the Regional Forum such as TWG meetings or the 8 th High Level Officials Meeting. Outputs: 1. Member countries conducted workshops or consultations to implement or update NEHAP or similar plans through inter-agency collaboration; 2. Member countries have prepared a plan to revise/update/monitor NEHAP implementation or revision; Outcome: 1. Member countries have national policies, regulations or laws about NEHAP; 2. Member countries can update good practices of NEHAPs or similar plans. Outputs: 1. Member country officials participate in a regional workshop to learn and share NEHAP formulation processes. 2. Regional guidelines or action plans on formulating or revising or updating NEHAPs are developed. Point of Contact: National Focal Points in each member country s agencies in charge of environment and health to update the Secretariat of meetings or new policies, regulations or laws related to NEHAP or similar plans; Partners/Secretariat: UNEP and WHO to facilitate monitoring of NEHAP or similar plans implementation or revisions and good practices about NEHAP; 1. Member countries should supports themselves development or revision of NEHAP at the country level; 2. UNEP and WHO should consider providing supports to Member Countries who request for assistance. Point of Contact: 1. UNEP/WHO Secretariat for technical support and funding 2. National Focal Points in each member country s agencies in charge of environment and health 5

6 Activity/Description Dates/Milestones Outputs/Outcomes Point of Contact/Partners/Resources knowledge and practices among countries. Outcomes: Member country officials have wider view and gained new perspectives on NEHAP formulation process from other countries. Guidelines can be adopted and adapted by countries who want to set or improve their NEHAP formulation process. 1. Member countries should supports themselves; 2. UNEP and WHO should consider providing supports to Member Countries who request for assistance 3.0 Workplan to Develop Environmental Health Country Profiles (EHCP) and Environmental Health Data Sheets (EHDS) Rationale: The Kuala Lumpur declaration agreed for member countries to work for the development and implementation of mechanisms to enable more effective sharing of information between the health and environment sectors and other sectors through the Environmental Health Country Profiles (EHCP) and Environmental Health Data Sheets (EHDS). The EHCP and EHDS will provide an overview picture of the existing situation, challenges and issues related to environment and health programmes at the country level as well as at the Regional Level. In addition, EHCP and EHDS reports could also be used for priority setting, policy dialogue and stakeholder engagement for inter-ministerial collaboration and cooperation at the country level. At the regional level, EHCP and EHDS will help delineate common environmental and health issues and challenges, which will establish background information for inter-country cooperation and collaboration, including provision of technical assistance and support. EHCP and EHDS serve as a valuable resource for member countries and the regional forum to enhance and strengthen the multisectoral collresponse to environmental health issues. 6

7 Objectives: 1. The objectives of the Environmental Health Country Profiles are proposed as follows: a. to make accessible in terms of the important environmental risks and hazards, policy and regulatory frameworks governing environmental and health programmes, institutional infrastructure, and national environmental and health programmes, capacities and activities; b. to facilitate challenges and gaps in the policy, institutional and capacity requirements related to environment and health interactions to be identified; 2. The objective of the Environmental Health Data Sheet is to provide relevant information and data about the socio-economic and environmental and health aspects for each of the member countries of the Regional Forum. Summary of Activities: Three activities are proposed as follows: 1. Development of EHCP and EHDS templates; 2. EHCP and EHDS country report; 3. Final Report of EHCP and EHDS Expected Outputs to be Presented at the Fourth Regional Forum in 2016: Country profiles and data sheets and overall synthesis report will be made available in the Fourth Ministerial Regional Forum, scheduled in 2016 in the Philippines. A draft of the synthesis report will also be made available in 2015 at the meeting of high level officials. Note: Annex 1 provides the concept note of EHCP ad EHDS Activity/Description Dates/Milestones Outputs/Outcomes Point of Contact/Partners/Resources 3.1 Development of EHCP and EHDS templates To provide standard formats for all member countries on Environmental Health Country August 2014: 1. Experts were engaged by the Secretariat to work closely with member countries Outputs: EHCP and EHDS templates provided to member countries National Focal Points for compilation of data and information to develop EHCP and EHDS. Point of Contact: 1. Secretariat 2. High Level Officials attended the August 2014 Meeting in Bangkok 7

8 Activity/Description Dates/Milestones Outputs/Outcomes Point of Contact/Partners/Resources Profiles and Environmental Health Data Sheet 3.2 EHCP and EHDS country report To provide each of the Regional Forum member countries' Environmental Health Country Profiles and Environmental Health Data Sheets to develop EHCP and EHDS including agreement on the templates. 2. The draft templates were presented at the Extraordinary High Level Officials Meeting on August 2014 for comments /finalization Dec 2014: Countries to collect data and information based on the agreed templates and to submit the data and information to the secretariat for compilation; May, 2015: Outputs: 1. Member countries compile EHCP and EHDS templates and share them with Secretariat. 2. WHO WPRO prepares summary draft report to be presented to the 2015 High Level Officials Meeting for discussion and inputs. Finalize Draft Report to be presented at the High Level Officials Meeting in 2015; or others as authorized by member countries 1. Member countries should bear their own costs for collection of data or organization of consultation meeting; 2. UNEP and WHO will support of engaging the experts; 3. UNEP and WHO should consider providing supports to Member Countries who request for assistance. Points of Contact: 1. Secretariat + experts 2. National Focal Points designated by each member country to be incharge of EHCP and EHDS 1. Member countries should bear their own costs for collection of data or organization of consultation meeting; 2. UNEP and WHO will support of engaging the experts; 3. UNEP and WHO should consider providing supports to Member Countries who request for 8

9 Activity/Description Dates/Milestones Outputs/Outcomes Point of Contact/Partners/Resources 3.3 Final Report of EHCP and EHDS To produce the final EHCP and EHDS of member countries and also a regional synthesis report. Fourth Ministerial Regional Forum 2016 Outputs: Final Report to be presented at the 2016 Ministerial Regional Forum. Outcomes: Based on EHCP, EHDS, and final summary report, the region s environmental issues and priorities can be identified for the definition of the work plan. assistance. Points of Contacts: 1. Secretariat + experts 2. National Focal Points designated by each member country to be incharge of EHCP and EHDS 1. Member countries should bear their own costs for collection of data or organization of consultation meeting; 2. UNEP and WHO will support of engaging the experts; 3. UNEP and WHO should consider providing supports to Member Countries who request for assistance. 9

10 4.0 Workplan to Enhance and strengthen environmental health capacity Rationale: In the Third Ministerial Meeting held in Kuala Lumpur, Member Countries highlighted the need strengthen national and institutional capacity in addressing and improving environmental health issues and priorities at the country level and also at the regional level. The Kuala Lumpur declaration agreed to strengthen capacity of member countries to through research, training, and sharing technologies and other resources and leading examples. Issues highlighted by member countries include risk assessment in particular Health Impact Assessment (HIA); Environmental Exposures (Air Quality, Water and Sanitation, Radiation); Environmental Health Risks on Population (Climate Change and Health, Children s Environmental Health); Laboratory Support to Respond to Environmental Health Emergencies; Occupational Health (Environmental Exposure at Workplace, Toxicology in Relation to Mining). Member countries also proposed mechanisms to improve capacity of member countries in addressing these issues and challenges. These include sharing of evidence and knowledge; networking; and strengthen platforms and mechanisms for sharing experiences and best practices. It is proposed to strengthen the existing Thematic Working Groups (TWGs) as the platform to support activities of the workplan. The functions of these TWGs as defined in the Framework for Cooperation, should support the development and implementation of relevant national and regional plans, policy briefs, reports or scientific meeting. These TWGs should also tackle priority issues or areas of importance in the region. Objectives: The objective is to strengthen capacity of member countries to manage priority environmental risks and issues. Summary of Activities: 1. Health Impact Assessment 2. Air Quality 3. Climate Change and Health 4. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene 5. Chemicals and Waste 6. Environmental Health Emergencies Expected Outputs to be Presented at the Fourth Regional Forum in 2016: The Point of Contact or Chair of these TWGs will make a presentation of the activities at the Fourth Ministerial Regional Forum in

11 Activity/Description Dates/Milestones Outputs/Outcomes 4.1 Health Impact Assessment HIA is a basis of policy tool to address health issues in national economic development and projects. Capacity building is necessary to address other sectors to meet Environmental Health goal 2015 to early 2016 Outputs: TWG-HIA 1. On-line network and collection of relevant national HIA guidelines and tools via TWG-HIA Website; 2. TWG HIA meeting (proposed back to back with High Level Officials meeting in 2015) focused on capacity development of participants including on mainstreaming HIA in national planning; 3. TWG meeting outputs: a) Report of mainstreaming HIA into the multisectoral and sectoral policy and planning development process; b) Document recommendations for member countries to apply HIA within their countries. Point of Contact/Partners/Resources Points of Contacts: 1. Thailand (Chairs of the TWG); 2. UNEP/WHO Secretariat for technical support Partners: ADB, Academia(Curtin University, University of New South Wales, University of Otago, KhonKaen University, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soon Chun Hyang University) Cost-sharing basis between countries chairing of TWG-HIA and member countries 4.2 Air Quality In reducing one of the biggest health burden, setting up a regional framework on air pollution and health is essential 2015 to early 2016 Outputs: TWG-Air Quality 1. Regional Framework on Air Pollution and Health developed with expert guidance and inputs Points of Contacts: 1. Republic of Korea/Thailand (Co- Chairs of the TWG) 2. UNEP/WHO Secretariat for technical support 11

12 Activity/Description Dates/Milestones Outputs/Outcomes Point of Contact/Partners/Resources 2. Framework aims to (i) better engage the health and environment sectors in air pollution and health issue to become stronger advocates; (ii) translate scientific findings for policy development and identification of priority policy dialogues to reduce health impacts of air pollution especially for vulnerable groups; 3. A chapter on Air Quality in the Environmental Health Country Profiles; 4. TWG-Air inputs and engagement in Joint Forum on Atmospheric Environmental issues in Asia and the Pacific and the Governmental Meeting on Urban Air Quality in Asia; Partners: ASEAN, Clean Air Asia, NIER, CCAC, EANET. UNEP/Asia Pacific Clean Air Partnership to support a joint regional assessment to review the status of air pollution, its impact on health, and potential high impact measures. Cost-sharing basis between Countries Chairing of TWG-Air Pollution and Health, member countries and Secretariat 5. TWG-Air inputs and engagement in in development of Guidance Framework for Better Air Quality in Asia which will include guidance on how to address key issues in urban air quality management in Asia presented at the Governmental Meeting on Urban Air Quality; 6. TWG member countries to engage with Forum Secretariat, the Asia- Pacific Clean Air Partnership and CCAC and Joint Forum to identify 12

13 Activity/Description Dates/Milestones Outputs/Outcomes synergies and concrete areas of engagement Point of Contact/Partners/Resources 4.3 Climate Change and Health To strengthen national and regional programmes on climate change impacts on health. This is also to support the WHO-WPRO and WHO-SEARO Regional Framework for Action to Protect Human Health from Effects of Climate Change in the Asia-Pacific Region. Second half of 2015 to early 2016 Outputs: TWG - Climate Change and Health 1. Regional workshop for the training of officers from member agencies on: a) GEF proposal formulation and other funding opportunities b)vulnerability assessments for risk mapping c) mainstreaming NEHAPs including in national adaptation plans. 2. Side event at the 2014 Asia Pacific Adaptation forum in KL. 3. Mapping of institutions and international/national agencies dealing with related issues. Points of Contacts: Indonesia (Chair of the TWG) UNEP/WHO Secretariat for technical support Partners: GIZ, Coordination with air quality activities, GEF, CCAC Cost-sharing basis between Countries Chairing of TWG- Climate Change and Health, member countries and Secretariat 4. Presentation on TWG at ASEAN WG on Climate Change by the TWG chair 4.4 Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Provide guidance for the development of water safety plans for Member Countries. Second half of 2015 to early 2016 Outputs: TWG- WSH 1. Guidelines on the WSH Regional Analysis Report Points of Contacts: Philippines (Chair of the TWG) UNEP/WHO Secretariat for technical support 2. National WSH mapping undertaken Partners: 13

14 Activity/Description Dates/Milestones Outputs/Outcomes 3. Guidelines on organizing EASAN Conferences including role of TWG 4. TWG WSH Strategic Plan ( ) Point of Contact/Partners/Resources UNICEF, WSSCC, ADB, WB-WSP Cost-sharing basis between countries chairing of TWG-WSH, member countries and Secretariat 4.5 Chemicals and Waste Major reduction of environmental health risk can be achieved by good management practice of chemical and waste. Second half of 2015 to early 2016 Mid September, 2014 Output: TWG Chemicals and Waste TWG members participate in capacity development training workshops related to: a) POPs global monitoring plan and b) ratification and implementation of the Minamata Convention. TWG member to find synergies with3r forum and other initiatives Healthcare Waste Conference Korea to share information on 9th workshop information workhouse 10 countries Maximized use of electronic distance learning tools and toolkits on chemical risk assessment Points of Contacts: Thailand/Japan (Co-Chairs of the TWG) UNEP/WHO Secretariat for technical support Partner: South Korea, UNEP Basel Convention Regional Center for Asia (Proposed, as continuation of chair of the solid and hazardous waste TWG) Chulabhorn Research Institute Cost-sharing basis between countries chairing of TWG-Solid and Hazardous Waste, member countries and Secretariat 14

15 Activity/Description Dates/Milestones Outputs/Outcomes 4.6 Environmental Health Emergencies The preparedness of each Member Country to address environmental disaster can reduce impact and aftermath health risk. Capacity Building and other activities Second half of 2015 to early 2016 Outputs: TWG - Environmental Health Emergencies Situational Risk assessment; Laboratory support for environmental health emergencies. Point of Contact/Partners/Resources Points of Contacts: Philippines (Chair of the TWG) UNEP/WHO Secretariat for technical support Partners: Member Countries to propose Cost-sharing basis between countries chairing of TWG-Environmental Health Emergencies, member countries and Secretariat 5. Improve regional and international cooperation, coordination, fellowships, and partnerships. Rationale: The adopted Kuala Lumpur declaration resolved to strengthen collaboration between member countries to improve inter-agency, multisectoral, bilateral, regional and international cooperation, coordination and planning through capacity-building, and also to improve the management of common and trans-boundary and cross- border issues. The document also calls to explore and enhance regional and international cooperation as well as partnerships on environmental health issues in the region and beyond. Objectives: The objective is to enhance and improve regional and international cooperation, coordination, fellowships and partnerships of member countries to manage common and trans- boundary and cross- border issues. Summary of Activities: 1. Symposium with other Environment and Health Initiatives 2. Establishment of Research Fellowships Collaboration 15

16 Expected Outputs to be Presented at the Fourth Regional Forum in 2016: The Point of Contact will make a presentation or updates of the activities at the Fourth Ministerial Regional Forum in Activity/Description Dates/Milestones Outputs/Outcomes Point of Contact/Partners/Resources 5.1 Symposium with other Environment and Health Initiatives Sharing of information and experiences with the European Environment and Health Conference, the African Regional Environment and Health Conference, and others Early 2016 or back to back with 4 th Ministerial Regional Forum Output: Secretariat convenes regional Environment and Health Initiatives. Outcome: a. Lessons learnt from other Environment and Health initiatives. b. Establish a base for synergy and knowledge sharing with other regions. Point of Contact: UNEP/WHO Secretariat (to coordinate with HQ and other regional offices) Partners: the European Environment and Health Conference, the African Regional Environment and Health Conference, and others Cost sharing between UNEP and WHO and partners. 5.2 Establishment of Research Fellowships Collaboration On-going Output: 1. Research and publications on environmental health priorities. Point of Contact: UNEP/WHO Secretariat To sponsor research on environmental health priorities 2. Materials for capacity building of officers in charge of environment and health issues. Partners: National Agencies and Universities Chulabhorn Research Institute Respective Institution 16