Download GESAMP The Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of

GESAMP
The Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific
Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection
an inter-agency advisory body of the United Nations system
Why GESAMP?
There is no single UN body responsible for the oceans; many such as IMO,
IOC, FAO and UNEP have substantial maritime and ocean interests
Sustainable governance of the marine environment requires a
multidisciplinary, scientific understanding of marine ecosystems and
human activities that affect them; this is an increasing concern for the UN
as a whole
GESAMP ensures that its sponsoring organizations:
• Identify areas of common scientific interest (to reduce duplication)
• Reduce costs by co-sponsoring
• Receive consistency in the advice provided
• Place their specialised activities in a broader perspective
Why GESAMP?
Ocean sustainability requires a policy approach that is:
• Cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary
• Based on scientific understanding of marine ecosystems and human
activities that affect them
Practical need for UN Agencies to:
•
•
•
•
Reduce duplication
Identify areas of common interest
Foster consistency in received advice
Place their specialised activities in a broader perspective
GESAMP – Mission statement
‘To provide authoritative, independent, interdisciplinary scientific advice
to organizations and governments to support the protection and
sustainable use of the marine environment.’
Achievements
GESAMP Reports and Studies
Ongoing evaluations and reviews
• Evaluation of Hazardous Substances carried in bulk by ships (EHS),
WG 1 (IMO)
• Review of applications for ‘active substances’ to be used in ballast
water management systems, WG 34 (IMO)
Organizational structure
NOMINATION OF EXPERTS
PARTNERS
UN SPONSORS
FAO
IAEA
IMO
UN-DOALOS
UNDP
UNEP
UNESCO-IOC
UNIDO
WMO
SPONSORSHIP
Executive
Committee
GESAMP
Working
Working
group
1
Working
group
34
Working
group
37
Working
group
38
group 39
POOL
OF
EXPERTS
Governments
IGO’s
Regional
organisations
Industry
Scientific bodies
NGO’s
SPONSORSHIP
GESAMP Office
Based at IMO (reconfirmed by the Sponsoring Agencies in 2007)
• Administrative Secretary of GESAMP: Director of MED
The Chairman of the Executive Committee,
responsible for GESAMP to the sponsoring agencies
• Technical Secretary for IMO: Mr Edward Kleverlaan
Responsible for the Office - IMO’s voice in GESAMP
GESAMP Working Groups
•
Terms of Reference proposed by the lead organization
and approved by GESAMP
•
•
WG’s are supported by a lead agency and co-sponsors
Reports are considered for publication in GESAMP
Reports and Studies, after rigorous, external peer
•
•
review and final approval by GESAMP
Studies often published in open, peer-reviewed literature
At GESAMP sessions, the progress of all WG’s
is reviewed
Current Working Groups
WG1
(Standing, since 1974):
Evaluation of harmful substances carried by ships in support
of Annex II of Marpol 73/78 (850 substances..)
WG34
(Standing, since 2006):
Review of active substances for use in ballast water
management systems in support of the Ballast Water
Convention
WG 38: Atmospheric input of chemicals to the ocean
WG 39: Global trends in pollution of coastal ecosystems:
retrospective ecosystem assessment
WG 40: Microplastics in the oceans
New & emerging issues
•
•
•
•
•
Ocean hypoxia and
endocrine disruption
Biomagnification in top
predators
Disinfection by-products
Marine Environmental
Quality Standards
Submarine Tailings
Disposal
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
New issue proposed
by members or
agency
Scoping study by
members
Open Workshop to
explore the
boundaries of the
issue
Working group (UN
agency or outside
sponsoring)
Publication as a
GESAMP report
www.gesamp.org
Office: [email protected]
Thank you for listening