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CEP's Year in Review
The Caribbean Environment Programme has been influential in promoting scientific and technical exchange among the national institutions of the region. In several instances, this has resulted in the adoption of common methodological approaches for monitoring and managing environmental problems in the region. Relevant examples include the monitoring of marine pollution and procedures for combating oil spills; identifying, establishing and managing marine protected areas, all of which are in support of CEP's legal framework - the Cartagena Convention and its Protocols.
In the first issue of CEPNEWS in 1999, we would like to take the opportunity to briefly highlight some of our main achievements in the past year. In 1998, considerable scientific data and publications have been directly or indirectly generated through our various activities. The Programme has been moderately successful in mobilizing financial resources inside and outside the region to support environmental projects. The principal financial conduits have been the Caribbean Trust Fund and counterpart contributions provided by partner organizations such as IDB, USAID and SIDA.
During the biennium 1997-1998 CEP implemented activities to increase the awareness and understanding of the Cartagena Convention and its Protocols. The finalization of the Protocol on Land-Based Sources of Marine Pollution will provide the legal framework for these activities. Its expected adoption in 1999 will send a clear signal to the donor community of the commitment of individual countries in the region to improve the environmental status of their common sea through international cooperation to prevent, reduce and control pollution from land-based sources and activities.
The Protocol on Specially Protected Areas and Wild
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