Second Technical Advisory Group meeting for GEMS/Water Programme
UNEP convened the second meeting of its Technical
Advisory Group for GEMS/Water Programme from 2 to 4
May 2005. The meeting was hosted by IAEA in Vienna,
and brought together technical and scientific
experts from United Nations bodies and other
partners committed to environmental water quality
and sustainability. Deputy Secretary General Dr.
Burkhart of IAEA opened the sessions. Discussions
led to the accomplishment of three central
objectives:
1. Agreement and support for the direction and
core activities articulated in the programme of
work; that the approach is sound, from a
scientific and technical perspective.
2. Ideas and new projects to develop alone or in
partnership with other organizations – especially
new technologies and database sources.
3. Commitment to promote GEMS/Water through
networks and partners.
Highlights include GEMS/Water’s role in reaching
the World Summit targets by focusing on water
quality; improving data integrity; increasing global
data coverage; and building regional and local
capacity. Details and plans for fulfilling these
aims are being compiled in the Technical Advisory
Paper No.2: Goals and targets for global water
quality assessment, as the main product of the
meeting. Participants enjoyed the opportunity to
tour IAEA laboratories. IAEA should be commended for
its active cooperation. The third advisory meeting
is scheduled for autumn 2006. Visit
www.gemswater.org
for more information.
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