Update on Activities of the Joint Public Advisory Committee (JPAC) of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) of North America

Based on the input from these meetings, JPAC provided advice to the CEC Council (composed of the environment ministers of North America) on financing for sustainable development and transboundary environmental impact assessment, and discussed issues related to the CEC and JPAC activities.

Financing for Sustainable Development

A public workshop entitled Investing in North America's Future: Innovative Financing for Sustainable Development in North America was organized in collaboration with the Environment, Economy and Trade Program of the CEC. A discussion paper was commissioned by the CEC and distributed in advance of the meeting.

The purpose of the session was to generate ideas and approaches complementing several innovative projects already underway and to solicit commentary on the discussion paper that will serve as a background paper for an upcoming meeting of the CEC and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on issues related to financing and the environment.

The high quality of the presentations and resulting lively exchange with the public assisted JPAC in developing Advice to Council 02-13-Continuing Innovations on Work in Financing for Sustainable Development.

Transboundary Environmental Impact Assessment (TEIA)

In an effort to assist the Parties in fulfilling their obligations under Article (10)7 of the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (NAAEC), JPAC developed Advice to Council 02-12-Re-energizing the Transboundary Environmental Impact Assessment Negotiations.

Article 13 report Maize and Biodiversity: the Effects of Transgenic Maize in Mexico

A representative from the Secretariat and JPAC's member on the Advisory Group gave progress reports. It was evident from the exchanges that there is a perception of imbalance on the Advisory Group in favor of the biotechnology industry. The Secretariat also noted, in response to requests from NGOs, that a representative from the affected indigenous community would be added to the Advisory Group.

Farewell Statements by Outgoing JPAC Members

The White House notified the US JPAC members that their appointments would terminate on 31 December 2002. This was, therefore, their last meeting, as well as that of a Canadian colleague whose three-year term also expired at the end of December. New members should be appointed before the next JPAC meetings in March.

JPAC Chair for 2003

Gustavo Alanís-Ortega, of Mexico, has been elected JPAC chair for 2003. The position is a one-year term, rotating among the three countries.

Next JPAC Meetings

JPAC's next meetings will be held on 24-27 March 2003, in Mexico City, in conjunction with the CEC's second North American Symposium on Assessing the Environmental Effects of Trade. These will include a 24 March a public workshop on NAFTA Chapter 11 and a regular session on 27 March. More information is available on the CEC web site at <http://www.cec.org>.

The CEC was established by Canada, Mexico and the United States to build cooperation among the North American Free Trade Agreement partners in implementing NAAEC, the environmental side accord to NAFTA. The CEC addresses environmental issues of continental concern, with particular attention to the environmental challenges and opportunities presented by continent-wide free trade.

JPAC is a 15-member, independent, volunteer body that provides advice and public input to Council on any matter within the scope of NAAEC. JPAC is composed of fifteen members, five from each of the three NAFTA countries, and is responsible for providing advice to the CEC Council on any matter within the scope of NAAEC.

For more information on these meetings, please contact:

Related document(s)