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AARHUS CONVENTION

Convention on Access to Information,
Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice
in Environmental Matters
Eleventh meeting of the Working Group
Tenth meeting of the Working Group
Ninth meeting of the Working Group
Eighth meeting of the Working Group
Seventh meeting of the Working Group
Sixth meeting of the Working Group
Fifth meeting of the Working Group
Fourth meeting of the Working Group
Third meeting of the Working Group
Second meeting of the Working Group
First meeting of the Working Group

Expert Group on Public Participation

Working Group of the Parties to the Aarhus Convention

The Working Group was set up by the Meeting of the Parties at its first session (October 2002) by virtue of decision I/14 (E F R). The Working Group is established to oversee the implementation of the work programme and furthermore to prepare the meetings of the Parties; oversee and direct the activities of subsidiary bodies established by the Meeting of the Parties; keep under review the need for amending the Convention; make such proposals and recommendations to the Meeting of the Parties as it considers necessary for the achievement of the purposes of the Convention; and undertake any other duties as requested by the Meeting of the Parties. It is the officers and the Bureau of the Meeting of the Parties who serve also as officers and Bureau for the Working Group.

Eleventh meeting of the Working Group

The eleventh meeting of the Working Group will take place from 8 to 10 July 2009 in Geneva. The Working Group will focus on the follow-up to the third session of the Meeting of the Parties and other relevant topics for the inter-sessional period.

The Working Group is expected to consider a draft decision on the terms of reference for a future task force on public participation in decision-making, taking into account the comments from the Ad-hoc Expert Group on Public Participation. It is also expected to consider a draft decision on the establishment of an expert group on strategic communications, as well as a draft proposal on financial arrangements. The Working Group will also be invited to consider a discussion paper on national reporting and a draft revision of the format for national reporting on implementation, to incorporate reporting on implementation of the amendment to the Convention.

The Working Group is further expected to review reports on ongoing work in the areas of access to justice, capacity-building, genetically modified organisms, electronic information tools and the clearinghouse-mechanism.

         

Provisional agenda for the eleventh meeting
ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2009/1

PDF ENG FRE RUS

Provisional timetable for the eleventh meeting

    - -

Report of the eleventh meeting of the Working Group of the Parties
ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2009/2

       

Proposal for terms of reference for a task force on public participation
ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2009/L.1

PDF
ENG FRE RUS

Draft revised reporting format
ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2009/L.2

PDF
ENG FRE RUS

Informal discussion paper on financial arrangements

PDF
ENG - -

Draft procedure for developing a communications strategy
ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2009/L.4

PDF
ENG FRE RUS

Report on expert meeting on genetically modified organisms
ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2009/3

PDF
  RUS

Report of the task force on electronic information tools
ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2009/4

PDF
ENG FRE RUS

Report on workshop on access to justice
ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2009/5

PDF
ENG FRE RUS

Discussion paper on national reporting mechanism
ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2009/6

PDF
ENG FRE  

Report on capacity-building
ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2009/7

PDF
ENG FRE RUS

Report on implementation of the work programme 2006-2008, including financial reporting on 2008
ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2009/8

PDF
ENG    

List of Participants

   
Tenth meeting of the Working Group  

The tenth meeting of the Working Group took place from 8 to 10 June 2008 in Riga, Latvia. The Working Group conducted final preparatory negotiations regarding the documents that would be discussed during the third session of the Meeting of the Parties.

The Working Group focused on outstanding issues with respect to draft decisions on the conditions for entry into force of amendments, public participation in international forums, access to justice, electronic information tools and the clearinghouse-mechanism, financial arrangements, a new strategic plan and the draft “Riga Declaration”.

The secretariat presented the synthesis report on the status of implementation. The Working Group took note of the report and considered implications for the discussion of the report by the Meeting of the Parties.

The Working Group also reviewed the report of the Compliance Committee to the Meeting of the Parties, including the addenda containing findings and in some cases recommendations with respect to compliance by specific Parties.

The Chairperson of the Working Group presented draft decisions on reporting requirements and on the work programme for 2009–2011, prepared by the Bureau, as well as draft decisions on general issues of compliance and on compliance by specific Parties. The Working Group reviewed these draft decisions, revised them as necessary, and forwarded them for consideration by the Meeting of the Parties.

The Working Group also reviewed the status of nominations for election to the Compliance Committee.

Title English Français Русский
Provisional agenda for the tenth meeting (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2008/6) PDF PDF PDF
Report of the tenth meeting of the Working Group of the Parties (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2008/7)      
Ninth meeting of the Working Group  

The ninth meeting of the Working Group took place from 13 to 15 February 2008 in Geneva. The Working Group reviewed a new draft long-term strategic plan for future consideration by the Meeting of the Parties, as well as draft decisions on conditions for entry into force of amendments, public participation in international forums, access to justice, electronic information tools and the clearinghouse-mechanism and financial arrangements. The Working Group discussed and/or revised the draft decisions and forwarded them for future consideration by the Meeting of the Parties, inviting written comments for several draft decisions prior to forwarding them.

The Working Group also reviewed the preparations for an international expert meeting on access to information, public participation and access to justice in the field of genetically modified organisms, scheduled to take place in Germany immediately following the Meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol. In addition, the Working Group continued its discussion of elements for the third Meeting of the Parties, scheduled for 11-13 June 2008, in Riga, Latvia.

Documents for the ninth meeting
Title English Français Русский
Provisional agenda for the ninth meeting (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2008/1) PDF PDF PDF
Provisional timetable for the ninth meeting Word DOC - -
Report of the ninth meeting of the Working Group of the Parties (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2008/2) PDF PDF PDF
Draft provisional agenda for MOP-3 (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2008/L.1) PDF PDF PDF
Draft Riga Declaration (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2008/L.2) PDF PDF PDF
Draft statement for special session on the Protocol on PRTRs (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2008/L.3) PDF PDF PDF
Draft decision on conditions for entry into force of the amendment on GMOs (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2008/L.4) PDF PDF PDF
Comments from UNOLA on the draft decision on conditions for entry into force of the amendment on GMOs (ECE/EHLM/NONE/2008/1) PDF PDF PDF
Report of the third meeting of the task force on public participation in international forums (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2008/3) PDF PDF PDF
Draft decision on public participation in international forums (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2008/L.5) PDF PDF PDF
Draft decision on access to justice (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2008/L.6) PDF PDF PDF
Report of the task force on electronic information tools (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2008/4) PDF PDF PDF
Draft decision on electronic information tools (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2008/L.7) PDF PDF PDF
Report of the workshop on public participation in strategic decision-making (PPSD) (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2008/5) PDF PDF PDF
Summary report on PPSD workshop prepared by Austria PDF - PDF
Draft decision on long-term strategic plan (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2008/L.8) PDF PDF PDF
List of Participants PDF
Eighth meeting of the Working Group  

The eighth meeting of the Working Group took place on 31 October to 2 November 2007 in Geneva. The meeting reviewed a draft of a long-term strategic plan and invited written comments from delegations to revise it as necessary, and discussed a draft decision on financial arrangements for future consideration by the Meeting of the Parties.

The secretariat reported on the implementation of capacity-building activities since the previous meeting.

The Working Group also took note of the preparations for the workshop on public participation in strategic decision-making scheduled to take place in Sofia in December 2007 and had a first discussion of elements for the third Meeting of the Parties, scheduled for 11-13 June 2008, in Riga, Lativa.

Title English Français Русский
Provisional agenda for the eighth meeting (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2007/4) PDF PDF PDF
Report of the eighth meeting of the Working Group of the Parties (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2007/5) PDF PDF PDF
Report of representatives of international forums dealing with matters related to the environment (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2007/L.8) PDF
PDF
PDF
(ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2007/L.9) - Cancelled Document cancelled
Report of the 2nd meeting of the task force on access to justice (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2007/L.10) PDF PDF PDF
Report of the workshop for high-level judiciary on access to justice (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2007/L.11) PDF PDF PDF
Draft long-term strategic plan (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2007/L.12) PDF PDF PDF
Secretariat's note on draft long-term strategic plan (English only) word n/a
Draft decision on financial arrangements (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2007/L.13) PDF PDF PDF
Elements for the provisional agenda of the 3rd Meeting of the Parties (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2007/L.14) PDF PDF PDF
Draft programme for the mini-conference "Agenda 21 and the Information Society" (English only) word n/a
Provisional agenda for the sixth meeting of the Task Force on Electronic Information Tools word - -
List of Participants PDF
Seventh meeting of the Working Group  

The meeting took place 2-4 May 2007 in Geneva. You can find the official documents for the meeting in the table below.

Title English Français Русский
Provisional agenda for the seventh meeting (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2007/1) PDF PDF PDF
Report of the seventh meeting of the Working Group of the Parties (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2007/2) PDF PDF PDF
Report on the second meeting of the Task Force on Public Participation in International Forums (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2007/L.1) PDF PDF PDF
Report on the second meeting of the Task Force on Public Participation in International Forums: Corrigendum (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2007/L.1/CORR.1) PDF n/a n/a
Synthesis Paper on Public Participation in International Forums (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2007/L.2) PDF PDF PDF
Addendum to the Synthesis Paper (Rules, procedures and practices on Access to Justice) (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2007/L.2/Add.1) PDF PDF PDF
Addendum to the Synthesis Paper (Rules, procedures and practices on Public Participation) (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2007/L.2/Add.2) PDF PDF PDF
Addendum to the Synthesis Paper (Current and Future workplans) (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2007/L.2/Add.3) PDF PDF PDF
Addendum to the Synthesis Paper (Challenges) (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2007/L.2/Add.4) PDF PDF PDF
Addendum to the Synthesis Paper (Comments on Almaty guidelines) (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2007/L.2/Add.5) PDF PDF PDF
Report of the fifth meeting of the Task Force on Electronic Information Tools (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2007/L.3) PDF PDF PDF
Addendum to the Report of Task Force on Electronic Information Tools (Questionnaire on implementation of Decision II/3) (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2007/L.3/Add.1) PDF PDF PDF
Addendum to the Report of Task Force on Electronic Information Tools (Summary of Responses to Questionnaire) (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2007/L.3/Add.2) PDF PDF PDF
Guidance on Implementation of reporting requirements for the 3rd meeting of the Parties (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2007/L.4) PDF PDF PDF
Capacity-building activities (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2007/L.5) PDF PDF PDF
Financial arrangements (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2007/L.6) PDF PDF PDF
Financial Report for 2006 (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2007/L.7) PDF PDF PDF
List of Participants PDF
Sixth meeting of the Working Group  

The meeting took place on 5-7 April 2006 in Geneva. You can find the official documents for the meeting in the table below. Unofficial documents and presentations follow this table.

Title English Français Русский
Provisional agenda for the sixth meeting (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2006/1) pdf pdf pdf
Report of the sixth meeting of the Working Group of the Parties (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2006/2) pdf pdf pdf
Work plan, including plan of consultation on the application of the principles of the Convention in international forums - as adopted (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2006/2/Add.1) pdf pdf pdf
List of international forums - as adopted (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2006/2/Add.2) pdf pdf pdf
Report of the 1st meeting of the Task Force on Public Participation in International Forums (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2006/3) pdf pdf pdf
Draft work plan, including plan of consultation on the application of the principles of the Convention in international forums (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2006/3/Add.1) pdf pdf pdf
Draft list of international forums (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2006/3/Add.2) pdf pdf pdf
Report of the 1st meeting of the Task Force on Access to Justice (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2006/4) pdf pdf pdf
Report of the 4th meeting of the Task Force on Electronic Information Tools (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2006/5) pdf pdf pdf
Draft guidance for national nodes of the clearinghouse mechanism (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2006/5/Add.1) pdf pdf pdf
Proposed actions in the field of public participation in strategic decision-making (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2006/6) pdf pdf pdf
Report on capacity-building activities (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2006/7) pdf pdf pdf
Financial report for 2005 (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2006/8) pdf pdf pdf
Breakdown of expected expenditures and income with provisional list of meetings under the work programme 2006-2008 (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2006/9) pdf pdf pdf
Procedure for preparing long-term strategic plan (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2006/10) pdf pdf pdf
List of Participants word    

In addition to the official documents, the following unofficial documents and presentations have been prepared for the meeting:

The Note from the Secretariat on Operational Aspects of the Work Plan, including Plan of consultation on the application of the Principles of the Convention in international forums

Informal corrigendum of Annex I to the Breakdown of Expected Expenditures and Income with Provisional List of Meetings under the Work Programme for 2006-2008
Aarhus Clearinghouse Progress Report (ppt) and
Aarhus Clearinghouse Capacity Building (ppt)

Fifth meeting of the Working Group  

The fifth meeting of the Working Group took place on 22- 23 May 2005 in Almaty prior to the Second meeting of the Parties. You can download the agenda for the meeting in English, French or Russian.

Fourth meeting of the Working Group  

The fourth meeting of the Working Group took place on 1-4 February 2005 in Geneva. You can download copies of the documents from the table below.

Title English Français Русский
List of participants word    
Provisional agenda for the fourth meeting (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2005/1) pdf pdf pdf
Report of the fourth meeting of the Working Group of the Parties (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2005/2) pdf pdf pdf
Draft Agenda for the 2nd meeting of the Parties (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2005/3) pdf pdf pdf
Addendum: Organisational issues for the 2nd meeting of the Parties (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2005/3/Add.1) pdf pdf pdf
Draft Declaration (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2005/4) pdf pdf pdf
Report of the 4th meeting of the Working Group on GMOs (MP.PP/AC.2/2004/4) pdf pdf pdf
Draft Decision on GMOs (MP.PP/AC.2/2004/4/Add.1) pdf pdf pdf
Report of the 3rd meeting of the Task Force on Access to Justice (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2005/5) pdf pdf pdf
Draft decision and recommendations on Access to Justice (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2005/5/Add.1) pdf pdf pdf
Alternative text for recommendation on Access to Justice decision (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2005/6) pdf pdf pdf
Draft Decision on Electronic Information Tools (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2005/7) pdf pdf pdf
Report of the 2nd meeting of the Expert Group on Public Participation in International Forums (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2005/8) pdf pdf pdf
Draft guidelines on the public participation in international forums (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2005/8/Add.1) pdf pdf pdf
Note on draft guidelines on the public participation in international forums (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2005/8/Add.2) pdf pdf pdf
Report on Implementation of the Work programme (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2005/9) pdf pdf pdf
Draft Decision on Work Programme for 2006-2008 (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2005/10) pdf pdf pdf
Draft Decision on Long-Term Programme of Work (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2005/11) pdf pdf pdf
Draft Decision on accession of non-ECE member States (ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2005/12) pdf pdf pdf
Third meeting of the Working Group  

The third meeting of the Working Group took place on 1-3 November 2004 in Geneva. You can download copies of the documents from the table below.

Title English Français Русский
Provisional agenda for the third meeting (MP.PP/WG.1/2004/8) pdf pdf pdf
Report of the third meeting of the Working Group of the Parties (MP.PP/WG.1/2004/9) pdf pdf pdf
Draft Agenda for the 2nd meeting of the Parties (MP.PP/WG.1/2004/10) pdf pdf pdf
Report of the third meeting of the Task Force on Electronic Information Tools (MP.PP/WG.1/2004/12) pdf pdf pdf
Draft decision on Electronic Information Tools (MP.PP/WG.1/2004/12/Add.1) pdf pdf pdf
Report of the first meeting of the Expert Group on the public participation in international forums (MP.PP/WG.1/2004/13) pdf pdf pdf
Draft decision on Financial Arrangements (MP.PP/WG.1/2004/14) pdf pdf pdf
Draft decision on the Work programme for 2006-2008 (MP.PP/WG.1/2004/15) pdf pdf pdf
Strategic Planning for the Convention (MP.PP/WG.1/2004/16) pdf pdf pdf
Second meeting of the Working Group  

The second meeting of the Working Group took place on 3-4 May 2004 in Geneva. You can download official documents for this meeting from the table below.

Title English Français Русский
Provisional agenda for the second meeting (MP.PP/WG.1/2004/1) pdf pdf pdf
Report of the second meeting (MP.PP/WG.1/2004/2) pdf pdf pdf
Sharing information and experience on public participation in strategic decision-making (MP.PP/WG.1/2004/5) pdf pdf pdf
Overview of contributions and expeditures 2003 (MP.PP/WG.1/2004/6) pdf pdf pdf
First meeting of the Working Group

The first meeting of the Working Group took place on 3-4 May 2004 in Geneva. You can download official documents for this meeting from the table below.

Title English Français Русский
Provisional agenda for the first meeting (MP.PP/WG.1/2003/1) pdf pdf pdf
Report of the first meeting (MP.PP/WG.1/2003/2) pdf pdf pdf
Report of the first meeting of the task force on access to justice (MP.PP/WG.1/2003/3) pdf pdf pdf
Report of the first meeting of the task force onelectronic information tools (MP.PP/WG.1/2003/4) pdf pdf pdf
Public participation in strategic decision-making (MP.PP/WG.1/2003/5) pdf pdf pdf
Public participation in international fora (MP.PP/WG.1/2003/6) pdf pdf pdf
Assessment and prioritization of extrabudgetary activities in the 2004-2005 work programme (MP.PP/WG.1/2003/7) pdf pdf pdf