Issues Management

International Conference on Synergies and Coordination between Multilateral Environmental Agreements

UN University 14-16 July 1999

Brett M. OrlandoIUCN-The World Conservation Union

Overview

What is Issues Management (IM)?How has it evolved?The Role of MEAs and Civil SocietyExample: Climate Change

Towards the 21st Century

A packed environmental agendaOverlap in the system An increasing number of actors (e.g.

MEA processes, NGOs, the private sectors, etc.)

IM proposed as a way to address an increasing complex and diverse international system

What is Issues Management?

Mechanism to promote more cooperative management of environmental issues

Planning framework and priority setting thru Task Forces of UN agencies

Results-oriented approachA dynamic, not static, concept

Evolution of the Concept

UNCED “Working Parties”Inter-agency Committee on Sustainable

Development Identifies policy issues, gaps and

constraints Ensures a division on labor Task Managers have lead responsibility

with support from other agenciesIM represents a further evolution towards

improving the rationality, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness of the system

MEAs and Civil Society

How would it apply to MEAs? Memorandums of Understanding (CBD-

Ramsar, Desertification-CBD, etc.) Information exchange (e.g. between the

Biodiversity-related Conventions) Joint work programs (e.g. inland waters,

Ramsar-CBD)

MEAs and Civil Society

How would it apply to civil society? CSD Dialogue Sessions Convention constituencies (UNFCCC,

CBD, CCD, OZONE, CITES, etc.) “Partner Organizations” (Ramsar and

CITES) Ecosystem Management Group (WWF,

IUCN)

Example: Climate Change

Objective: Reduce emissions to allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change No one institution can achieve that goal Requires active cooperation amongst

UN agencies, Conventions, and NGOsTechnical bodies Financial mechanismsLocal implementation

Example: Climate Change

Activities: Providing analysis and research Raise awareness and build capacity Develop policies and strategies

Pre-requisites: A planning framework and priority setting Coordinated action

How IM could provide the organizational framework needs to be further explored