Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution

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UNECE Weekly	Updated on a weekly basis, what is happening in the UNECE.
Convention News
Gothenburg Protocol to enter into force! With Portugal becoming the 16th Party to deposit its instrument of ratification on 16 February, the Protocol is due to enter into force on 17 May 2005. See press release ECE/ENV/05/P02 for more information.
Newsletter for the Convention coming soon!! The secretariat is preparing the first edition of a newsletter which it will e-mail to all those involved or interested in its work.
The Task Force of ICP Vegetation of the Working Group on Effects had its eighteenth meeting in Spain on 1-4 February 2005. The first maps on ozone fluxes to vegetation in Europe were presented, with a preliminary uncertainty analysis. The nitrogen content in mosses was discussed, in connection with preparations for 2005/6 survey of heavy metals in mosses. More information: next newsletter and http://icpvegetation.ceh.ac.uk/.
Fifteenth ratification of Gothenburg Protocol brings entry into force closer. With Spain's ratification of the Gothenburg Protocol on 28 January 2005, only one more ratification is required for the Protocol to enter into force.
The Expert Group on Techno-economic Issues held its seventh meeting in Austria on 19 January 2005, back to back with the RAINS workshop (see below). The main focus was to assess progress with its techno-economic database, ECODAT, that contributes to the RAINS model.
Workshop on review of the methodology used in the Regional Air Pollution Information System (RAINS) model was held in Austria on 20-21 January 2005. A group of peer reviewers reported that RAINS was an indispensable, scientifically relevant tool, but it could be developed further. More information will be available in the next newsletter and at www.iiasa.ac.at/rains/meetings/
"Clearing the Air". The book on "25 years of the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution", prepared for the 25th anniversary celebrations, is now available from the secretariat. With forwards by the UN Secretary-General and the UNECE Executive Secretary, the book is a history and a vision for the future of the Convention. With contributions from 60 people involved in the Convention now and in the past, the book is a unique record of 25 years of success!
Executive Body, the 22nd session was held on 29 November - 3 December 2004. The report of the session is now available and a summary will appear in a newsletter planned for 2005. The special event to celebrate the 25th anniversary, held on 1 December, has its own web page where presentations, ministerial statements and publications can be found.