ID :
10976
Fri, 06/27/2008 - 22:36
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/10976
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WASTE MANAGEMENT CONFAB ENDS WITH BALI DECLARATION
Nusa Dua, Bali, June 27 (ANTARA) - The ninth Conference of Parties (COP-9) to the Basel Convention ended here on Friday with the issuance of so-called Bali Declaration.
But the declaration made no mention of crucial issues related to a ban on the import and export of hazardous waste or what among conference delegates is known as the BAN Amendment.
Indonesian Environment Minister Rachmat Witoelar in his capacity as president of the COP-9 to the Basel Convention said the Bali meeting had made one step forward with regard to the BAN Amendment.
After days of lobbying, 40 countries agreed to the formation of a working group tasked with discussing the BAN Amendment. Indonesia and Switzerland initiated the formation of the working group.
"After 15 years of deadlocked talks on the BAN Amendement, the Bali meeting has eventually made one step forward. With the formation of the working group, we will start discussing all practical issues relating to the BAN Amendment," Witoelar said.
Although the results of the Bali meeting fell short of expectations, Witoelar said he was satisfied.
"I am very satisfied about the results of the Bali conference. The Bali Declaration emphasizes the objectivity of the convention and the important role of countries including Indonesia in protecting human health and the environment from hazardous waste contamination," he said.
Executive Secretary of the Basel Convention Katharina Kummer Peiry said the Bali Declaration would pave the way for the formulation of the BAN Amendment.
"The results of the Bali conference go beyond my expectations. Moreover, the long-deadlocked BAN Amendment issue can now begin to brought forward," she said.
But the declaration made no mention of crucial issues related to a ban on the import and export of hazardous waste or what among conference delegates is known as the BAN Amendment.
Indonesian Environment Minister Rachmat Witoelar in his capacity as president of the COP-9 to the Basel Convention said the Bali meeting had made one step forward with regard to the BAN Amendment.
After days of lobbying, 40 countries agreed to the formation of a working group tasked with discussing the BAN Amendment. Indonesia and Switzerland initiated the formation of the working group.
"After 15 years of deadlocked talks on the BAN Amendement, the Bali meeting has eventually made one step forward. With the formation of the working group, we will start discussing all practical issues relating to the BAN Amendment," Witoelar said.
Although the results of the Bali meeting fell short of expectations, Witoelar said he was satisfied.
"I am very satisfied about the results of the Bali conference. The Bali Declaration emphasizes the objectivity of the convention and the important role of countries including Indonesia in protecting human health and the environment from hazardous waste contamination," he said.
Executive Secretary of the Basel Convention Katharina Kummer Peiry said the Bali Declaration would pave the way for the formulation of the BAN Amendment.
"The results of the Bali conference go beyond my expectations. Moreover, the long-deadlocked BAN Amendment issue can now begin to brought forward," she said.
