Aarhus Parties to promote Convention's principles in international environment-related forums

On 24-25 November 2005 a task force mandated by the Parties to the Convention broadly agreed to a plan of consultation with relevant international forums regarding Guidelines adopted by the Parties in May 2005 on promoting application of the principles of the Convention – access to information, public participation and access to justice in international forums dealing with environmental issues. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

At the first meeting of the Task Force on Public Participation in International Forums, experts from governments, NGOs and regional organizations agreed upon the draft plan of consultation. The process is expected to elicit information on selected international forums’ experiences regarding access to information, public participation in decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters. This will assist Aarhus Parties in implementing their obligation to promote the principles of the Convention in international forums, and at the same time to provide feedback on the applicability of the Guidelines in other international environment-related forums.