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Tools and guidelines
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In many countries of Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia (EECCA), the use of up-to-date information
technologies by environmental monitoring authorities needs to be expanded. These technologies may substantially improve
environmental data handling, exchange and supply to public authorities and the public.
The Working Group on Environmental Monitoring and Assessment has established a task force, with the Russian Federation as
lead country, to review the collection of meta information on available sources of environmental information and activities in EECCA
countries and to develop practical tools and instruments, using modern information technologies, to improve the use and exchange
of information in these countries, and to harmonize their approaches with those applied within EEA networks.
The first workshop of the Task Force (7-8 February 2002, Obninsk).
Workshop report 
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The second workshop of the Task Force (9-11 December 2002, Obninsk).
Programme .
Workshop report
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With the support of EU/Tacis funds further activities will include:
- Creation of national reference institutions on electronic tools in EECCA countries
- Provision of national reference institutions with computer equipment and access to Internet
- Creating a harmonized meta-database with data sources and data sets, institutes, reports and other information products
- Training of national experts of EECCA countries on methodologies, standards and formats for environmental information exchange developed by EEA
- Development or expansion of national metadata bases on sources of data and data sets, institutes, reports and other information products in EECCA countries
- Development of national web sites on the basis of EEA guidelines and uploading the national meta information
The training workshop (2-3 June 2003, Obninsk).
Programme
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Workshop report
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Development of Ecological Networks and Information Systems in EECCA
countries
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The eEIONET work conference was held on 18-19 September
in Sofia in order to promote, explain and discuss the EIONET approach
towards harmonised, electronic collection, handling and provision of data
reported on the European environment with member countries and cooperating
countries.
Conference agenda
Conference report
A review was prepared of the current situation in EECCA regarding electronic environmental networking, data management and reporting. An electronic catalogue was developed containing more than 1,500 descriptions of environmental data sources in EECCA, including governmental agencies, reports and databases, and providing electronic links to many of them. An electronic database was also prepared containing the details of some 150 officials responsible for the main environmental data flows and information systems. Another database, EcoReporting is a database with the access to EECCA national environmental reports and their submissions to international bodies.
The Workshop on Electronic Databases for Environmental Reporting (13-14 May, 2004, Moscow ). Documentation and presentations
For further information: monitoring.wgem@unece.org