WORKSHOP REPORT. In Support of the Updating of the Regional Programme of Action for the Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment from Land-based Activities. Reykjavik, Iceland

Abstract

"In 1998 the Arctic Council published the Regional Programme of Action for the Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment from Land-based Activities (RPA) as a regional approach to implementing the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Global Programme of Action (GPA). Many changes have occurred in the Arctic marine environment since the publication of the RPA. In 2006 the Working Group for the Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment (PAME) was tasked by Senior Arctic Officials and Arctic Council Ministers to review, update and expand the RPA as necessary to respond more effectively to the rapidly changing circumstances in the Arctic. Taking account of a rapidly changing Arctic region is the overarching objective of the RPA update, and as such will be an important response to the 2004 Arctic Climate Impact Assessment (ACIA). In support of updating the RPA, Iceland hosted a one-day workshop on September 25, 2007, in Reykjavik. This workshop was well attended by experts from Arctic Council countries, Working Groups, Permanent Participants and Observers; as well as industry, NGOs and academia. The workshop opened with context setting presentations on the RPA and GPA, and continued with overviews on the state of the Arctic marine environment and socio-economic changes. Discussions continued through panel and break-out sessions focusing on the role of the RPA, priority issues and actions, governance and working with others." /.../