the second network workshop of the regional … report-5th ren annual... · the fifth annual...

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The Fifth Annual Workshop of the Regional Enforcement

Network for Chemicals and Waste (REN)

Meeting Report

8-9 November 2016

United Nations Conference Center,

Bangkok, Thailand

United Nations Environment Programme Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific

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1. Brief Introduction

The 5th REN workshop was organized by UN Environment in the United Nations Conference

Centre on 8-9 November 2016. The workshop was attended by 14 customs officers and 14

environmental officers from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, China Hong Kong, Lao

PDR, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and

Vietnam, as well as 20 representatives from international organizations and partner agencies

including the Swedish Embassy, the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm

Conventions, the Basel Convention Regional Centres (China and Iran), the World Customs

Organization Regional Intelligence Liaison Office for Asia and the Pacific (WCO RILO A/P), the

International Network for Environmental Compliance and Enforcement (INECE), the European

Union Network for the Implementation and Enforcement of Environmental Law (IMPEL), Basel

Action Network (BAN), BAN TOXICS, Pesticide Action Network for Asia and the Pacific

(PANAP), Crop Life Asia, UNIDO, UNITAR and UN Environment.

The meeting was held back to back with the Regional Workshop on the Minamata Convention

organised by UNIDO and Government of Switzerland.

The objectives of the workshop are:

To update on recent REN activities;

To update global and regional trends in illegal trade in chemicals and waste;

To discuss challenges and opportunities for information and intelligence sharing, synergy building and repatriation of illegal shipments;

To update on partners and participating countries’ recent efforts to control illegal trade in chemicals and waste;

To promote effective cooperation at a regional level

Introducing the gender sensitive aspects

The workshop was divided into different sessions including:

Opening Session

Session 1. Updates on Global and Regional Trends

Session 2. Strengthening Enforcement, update on REN activities and exchanges with

REN countries and partners

Session 3. Working better together, dialogue on challenges and opportunities for

strengthened enforcement in the region.

Session 4. Sustainability of REN, continuing the dialogue on a sustainable future of REN

A Group discussion was organized in the second afternoon of the workshop on ideas for future

operation of REN

2. Opening session

The opening session was moderated by Mr. Andy Raine from UN Environment. Isabelle Louis,

Acting Regional Director and Representative of UN Environment Asia Pacific welcomed the

participants, thanked the support of partner agencies to this project. She highlighted the

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necessity for the REN project in the region, to combat illegal transboundary shipments of

Chemicals and Waste which causes pollution to the water, the air and the food in the Region.

Therefor a sustainable way of cooperation is highly needed, the enforcement needs to be

strengthened, best practices shared to understand the illegal trade and she pointed out that

gender is also an important focus of this workshop.

His Excellence Ivo Sieber gave his opening remarks and welcomed the participants on behalf of

the Government of Switzerland which are strongly supporting the promotion of the Minamata

Convention. Gabriela Eigenmann from UNIDO stressed the importance of the workshops and to

build on existing structures and expertise.

3. Session 1. Updates on Global and Regional Trends

The view from Geneva

Ms. Juliette Kohler, Legal and Policy Advisor, the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam, and

Stockholm Conventions, presented an update of activities aimed at preventing and combating

illegal traffic of wastes including in the context of the Environmental Network for Optimizing

Regulatory Compliance on Illegal Traffic (ENFORCE), the Implementation and Compliance

Committee (ICC), technical assistance and development of guidance. Examples of guidance

under development include guidance on the provisions dealing with Illegal traffic and guidance

on insurance, bond and guarantee. She also said that the Basel Convention COP13 would

consider whether to develop guidance on transit issues. She informed participants that additional

efforts were being made to promote synergies among the three conventions to prevent and

combat illegal trade and traffic of hazardous chemicals and wastes.

She also reminded participants that the Basel Convention COP 12 had adopted, on an interim

basis, technical guidelines on the transboundary movements of e-waste which cover, among

other things:

• Guidance on the distinction between waste and non-waste

• Guidance on transboundary movements of e-waste

• Guidance on the enforcement of provisions regarding transboundary movements of

e-waste and used equipment- Distinction between hazardous and non-hazardous waste

• Guidance to facilities for conducting failure analysis, repair and refurbishment

The view from partners

Ms. Lisa Au, Regional Intelligence Liaison Office for Asia and the Pacific (RILO A/P) introduced

RILO AP Activities for Combating Hazardous Waste & Chemicals. She gave an update on

Operation Sky Hole Patching. RILO AP will continue to coordinate regional and global operations

and projects, and promote the usage of CENcomm as a communication tool. Even though it’s

recognized that seizures in the region of, for example, ODS are not reported in the CENcomm

tool but were covered by the media. The rates of seizures are there for much higher than the

figures in CENcomm shows. Seizures presented on illegal waste were mainly related to e-waste,

the most common modus operandi is -mis-declaration. Promotion of cooperation and

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improvement of communication between Environmental authorities and Customs is highly

needed. RILO supports the improvement of this cooperation, also in the light of the follow up

after seizures are made.

Mr. Kevin Mercieca, Representative of the European Union Network for the Implementation and

Enforcement of Environmental Law (IMPEL updated the progress of this network. The IMPEL

members have continued their very successful project Enforcement Actions in 2015 and 2016.

Most violations detected under this project were on illegal waste shipments which were destined

for other EU countries. It was stressed that the inspections under this project are just a small part

of the activities and inspections in EU to combat illegal shipments. Under Enforcement Actions

an online visualization tool is developed which gave an overview of the transport routes of the

inspected waste streams as well the detected illegal waste shipments reported under this project.

One of the main streams where Enforcement Actions is going to be focused are the so called ‘dry

recyclables’. Under Basel will this type of waste being considered as household waste. It was

recognized that the definition for most kind of waste, included mercury, is the same in the Basel

Convention.

Mr. Henk Ruessink, Representative of the International Network for Environmental Compliance

and Enforcement (INECE) gave an overview of the recent activities of this network. The history

of the project Seaport Environmental Security Network (SESN) was presented as well as the

recent activities under this project which are mainly focused on training on practical inspection

and collaboration.

The key challenges according INECE SESN are collaboration on a domestic, regional and

international level, capacity building and the exchange of information.

Country Exchanges on key developments (1)

Mr. Nguyen Duy Hung, Vietnam Environmental Administration explained the current regulations

on chemicals and waste. Shipments of scrap are allowed as long as they are being destined for

recycling in a licensed facility. A huge amount of scrap is being re-exported. A key issue is the

illegal import of chemicals from China into Vietnam these are being used as fertilizer and as food

additive. It’s hard to control this for the Vietnamese authorities due to lack of knowledge and

capacity. The chemicals are sometimes expired and Vietnam is looking for assistance.

Further it was repeated that there still are more than 5000 containers in the ports for many years

and which are not being claimed by the importers or other involved party.

Mr. Kenneth S Y Tang, representing Hong Kong Customs presented the relevant legislation and

the procedures adopted by HK Customs. In 2015 were 40 illegal shipments detected and in 2016

(Jan-Sept) already 36. Most of the cases are illegal shipments of e-waste. Several case studies

were presented; all cases were concerning e-waste with the origin in Middle America and the

Asian region. It was mentioned that detected illegal waste shipments are being repatriated to the

country of origin by the Environmental Protection Department in cooperation with the Shipping

Lines and in line with the Basel Convention. Costs for these repatriations are more than $1000,-

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per container. These costs are for the involved companies and/or the Shipping Line. Customs is

taken care of the follow up like the prosecution and informing other stakeholders. Most of the

seized shipments have the origin in the Middle East.

4. Session 2: Strengthening enforcement

Update REN

Mr. Huib van Westen from UN Environment reported the update of REN activities in 2016.

• The REN Enforcement handbook was translated in Chinese, Bahasa Indonesian and

Vietnamese

• Training workshop for Indonesian Customs and Environmental authorities was

organized in July 2016 in Jakarta and in cooperation with Indonesian Customs and the

EU Environmental Technical Assistance and Information Exchange Facility (TAIEF)

• Attendance at RILO AP NCP meetings in July in Cambodia and November in Seoul

• Supported INECE training workshop Thailand in August

• Training workshop for Malaysian Customs and Environmental authorities in

September 2016 in Malacca in cooperation with Malaysian Customs and the EU

Environmental Technical Assistance and Information Exchange Facility (TAIEF)

• Implementing Gender sensitive approach in the REN project

• Development of new enforcement tools

• Supported and conducted Intelligence exchange in several illegal waste shipments in

the region and between the region and the EU.

It was also noticed that more and more illegal shipments of waste and chemicals are detected in

the region, it also is known that the origin of the waste is more often another country in the AP

region. In several countries illegal exports towards Africa are detected. The main challenges to

improve the enforcement in the region are low awareness, vague regulations, low penalties,

weak enforcement and to less capacity.

Conducted and successful enforcement operations like e.g. China’s Green Fence in 2012 leads

to a change in the transport routes, destinations, modus operandi, etc.

To avoid and combat that illegal trade will move to countries with a weaker enforcement there is

a high need to improve to collaboration and exchange of information and intelligence.

Mr. Georg Karlagnis from UNITAR explained the role of UNITAR and the Chemicals and Waste

Program. They undertake a broad range of activities, in support of the multilateral environmental

agreements and the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM). They

help countries with training and implementation with for example the implementation of the BAN

amendment.

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The view from civil society

Mr. Jim Puckett from the Basel Action Network displayed a video where trackers were placed in

electronic waste to follow where the waste actually was ending up. The main reason for this

investigation was to find answer on the question ‘Does the American public still need to fear that

their e-waste, when delivered to a charity or to a recycler, will have a strong likelihood of being

exported to a developing country instead of being recycled in the United States?’

The waste where the trackers were placed in was hazardous waste according Basel Convention

and all devices were made economical un-repairable. The result of this project was that indeed

34% of the waste was exported illegally out of the US. Further it showed that almost all waste was

exported to developing countries in mainly the Asian region. The main destination was Hong

Kong, followed by mainland China, Chinese Taipei and Pakistan. Investigation in Taiwan showed

fraud with the collection system there and in Hong Kong illegal storage and dismantling on 48

sites in the New Territories was proven.


Ms. Sirinart Pongyart, representative of the Thai Waste and Hazardous substance management

bureau, pollution control department shared the national implementation of the Basel Convention

and the procedures in the by the National Environment Board in 2013 approved guideline on

take back. Further the challenges for a successful take back were shared by a case study. It

showed that this successful take back costs almost two years from the moment the shipment

arrived, the investigation carried out, actions taken and till the moment the containers in reality

left Thailand.

Mr. Purwasto Saroprayogi, representative of the Indonesian Ministry of Environment showed that

a major source of release and emission of mercury in Indonesia is from Artisanal Small Scale

Gold Mining. Indonesia has taken some efforts to stop this such as a proposal to include mercury

under banned and restricted commodities. Some enforcement successes were reported such as

the confiscation by the Police of a truck involved in the illegal distribution of mercury and

Customs seized a shipment of mercury destined for export. The next challenge to achieve is to

handle the seized mercury. There no technology available in Indonesia which can deal with such

amounts of mercury.

5. Session 3. Working better together


Mr.Wang Tao Representative of the Anti-Smuggling Bureau of China Customs listed the

comprehensive measures China Customs has taken against smuggling of waste and chemicals.

For example there is a blacklist of suspicious companies, inspections by x-ray, enhanced risk

profiling, improved laboratory analysis and enhanced cooperation at a domestic and international

level. The statistics of detected illegal shipments between 2006 and 2015 were showed,

including the results of operations like Green Fence.

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Cases are being followed up, some waste is being repatriated and others is disposed in Chinese

facilities, suspects an companies are being brought by court and all of them are sentenced and

fined.

The view from partners

Dr. Alireza Shiri Garakai, Basel Convention Regional Centre Iran gave emphasis to treat the

waste in the country of origin. He presented the key factors for illegal trade in waste. The high

costs for disposal and strict regulation in developed countries versus high demand for resources

in developing countries in combination with low awareness, inadequate legislation, weak

enforcement, low penalties and weak collaboration on a domestic and international level seems

to be the key elements for illegal trade.

One of the other topics discussed was the trend in the EU to consider waste no longer as a

waste after it reached several criteria. It’s been transformed than to raw material which implicates

that it’s no longer under the rules of Basel Convention unless the country of destination have a

different opinion and consider it still as waste.

Another interesting point which was mentioned was the connection given to poverty. The

question was raised ‘Is it better to live in poverty or having an income and give up your life to

work in the hazardous waste trade.’ Suggested was to initiate a ‘cost of inaction’ report for Asia

and Pacific.

In EU one of the key goals is to break the link between increased economic growth and

increased waste generation.

Ms. Xue Liu, Basel Convention Regional Centre China gave an overview of the work and

projects BCRC is working on. The projects are:

Combating Illegal-Traffic of E-waste under the Framework of Environment Ministerial

Conference of Korea, Japan and China, 2011-, Ministry of Environmental Protection of

China.

Annually projects have been carried out to support cooperation in this field, which

including activities of:

information sharing on e-waste transboundary movement flow among the three

countries;

research on the e-waste management status in the three countries.

EU-China Customs cooperation on waste monitoring, 2015-, General Administration of

Customs of China.

Development Of Tools to Counter illegal Management and trade of Waste, 2016-2017,

United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute.

After some case studies were presented the conclusion of BCRC China is that the situation of

e-waste smuggling from developed to developing countries is still prevailing. Main smuggling

methods are: concealment, fake declaration, no declaration, bypassing customs locations,

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forging documentation, trading or defrauding import permit, etc. such as, mixing e-waste in scrap

metal, transporting household waste under the name of waste plastics or waste papers.

E-waste is usually smuggled in the name of UEEE, scrap metal, equipment parts, etc.

Routes of illegal waste transboundary movement are becoming more bizarre than before due to

strengthened customs supervision of countries.

Hong Kong SAR is the main transit or trans-shipment harbor in AP region.

The way forward must be information exchange in waste import and export management among

countries in AP region and at global level.

Joint operations to tackle transboundary movement at national, regional and international level,

to promote synergy on aspects such as intelligence sharing and coordinated investigation.

Enhancing capacity building of enforcement officers, in inspection and waste identification ability,

intelligence analysis ability, understanding on international legislation and trade trends, etc.

A standardized guideline for E-waste and UEEE classification is anticipated by countries with

different interest to reach a consensus on E-waste transboundary movement management. (For

example, what should a device be considered if it’s fully functional but no one wants it? Must it be

than considered as E-waste or as Used Electrical and Electronic Equipment (UEEE)?

The possibility of concerted e-waste inventory at regional level could be considered to strengthen

E-waste transboundary movement management at regional level. (May be the next work focus of

the E-waste guideline under development by the Synergy Secretariat).

Synergies with other conventions

Ms. Artie Dubrie, UN Environment gave an overview of the Montreal protocol including the latest

updates on the Kigali Amendment. The Kigali Amendment is an amendment to the Montreal

Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. It was adopted by the 28th Meeting of

Parties to the Montreal Protocol on 15 October 2016 in Kigali, Rwanda. The Amendment adds

powerful greenhouse gases hydro fluorocarbons (HFCs) to the list of substances controlled

under the Protocol to be phased down. The Kigali Amendment will enter into force on 1 January

2019, provided that it is ratified by at least 20 parties to the Montreal Protocol. If that condition is

not met by that date, the Amendment will become effective on the 90th day following the date of

ratification by the 20th party.

The WCO welcomes 'New Deal' to phase out HFCs under the Montreal Protocol:

“As the phase-out of HFCs progresses in the coming years, the vigilance and dedication of

Customs officers will be heavily relied upon to facilitate legal trade, and to combat illegal trade. In

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this regard, the WCO, in its continued effort to fight global warming, will continue to support

Customs officers around the world through its Green Customs”

Besides that the awareness was raised to the use of refrigerants on vessels and in particular

vessels used in the fishing industry. Concerning the competence on these vessels it was shared

that the flag state is the competent authority.

Ms. Annette Wallgren, UN Environment introduced the Gender element to the REN project.

Chemicals and waste do not only risk the environment but also human health and particularly

towards the most vulnerable populations, like women, children, elderly, indigenous people,

minorities and persons with disabilities in our societies.

The exposure to harmful chemicals and hazardous waste is high among those who are working

in the waste and agricultural industry. In our region, these are often people outside the formal

employment, with few other options for income, and often we see women and children doing this

work as additional income to poor households. This might impact women’s reproductive health.

In terms of children, certain chemicals restrict and interfere in human development and can

impair children’s both physical and mental growth, as well as ability to learn.

The exposure pathways of chemicals may also impair critical ecosystem services such as clean

water and safe food, where the poorest typically have the fewest options.

The session was to highlight the consequences that illegal dumping and illegal use has to the

most vulnerable in our countries. And it aims to increase our awareness to why enforcement is

important to avoid harmful consequences of chemicals and waste on people. Some chemicals

have an impact of women’s reproductive health and it’s important to try to increase the

participation of women to raise awareness.

Ms. Deeppa Ravindran, Pesticide Action Network Asia and the Pacific (PANAP) presented the

role of women in agriculture and the impact of chemicals on women’s health. She explored how

trends show that men are migrating to cities and women are more becoming more involved in

agriculture. Often workers don’t know what pesticides they are spraying- pesticides that cause

huge health implications. It’s common for personal water source to become polluted which

increases indirect exposure to the harmful impacts. Also, it’s been reported that if employees get

pesticide poisoning, they lose their jobs.

One of the issues is regulating chemicals because some are banned in certain countries but

legal in others, such as Paraquat. Deepa’s message is that Women should be included in the

process of conventions and there should be a list of banned pesticides.

Interesting point: There have been reported cases where pesticide bottles are recycled into

mineral water.

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Ms. Juliette Kohler, Secretariat for the BRS Conventions presented an overview of their gender

related activities. She explained that the BRS secretariat has established a Gender Task Team

and a Gender Coordinator to promote gender equality. The vision developed is ‘Gender equality

is an integral part of the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions,

including the Secretariat activities.’ The Secretariat also developed an Action plan which

contains the following: Ensuring that the Secretariat’s programs and projects are planned and

implemented from the gender equality perspective; Promoting the consideration of gender issues

in hazardous chemicals and wastes management at the national and regional levels; Developing

a baseline on gender-related issues and measuring progress and supporting staff in achieving a

sustainable work-life balance.

The methodology used for mainstreaming gender issues into the program of work of the

conventions was also presented along with examples of activities: a pilot project in Nigeria and

Indonesia (starting end of 2016); staff training; invitation to Parties to take into account gender

balance considerations when nominating candidates for election in BRS bodies; development of

a publication: “Gender Heroes: from grassroots to global action. A collection of stories featuring

gender perspectives on the management of hazardous chemicals and wastes” (during 2015

COPs side event).

The view from the industry

Mr. Sianghee Tan, Regional anti-counterfeiting Steering Committee, Crop Life Asia give a

presentation on the risk for the food chain, the environment and human health when

counterfeited seeds and pesticides are used.

Several cases in the Asia region were counterfeit seeds and pesticides were or seized or illegally

used resulting in damage to the crops and the environment.

It was concluded by Mr. Sianghee Tan that counterfeiting and the trade of illegal products have

become borderless and more organized. Thus, there is the need for: enhanced capability to

counter these crimes and for more research and online investigation tools. Further cooperation

between the government and the industry is needed.

6. Session 4. Sustainability of the REN project

Update on REN sustainability strategy

Mr. Huib van Westen, UN Environment gave an overview about the REN achievements and the

steps moving forward.

The main drivers for illegal trade in waste and chemicals were defined by the REN project as:

Increasing demand for raw materials in developing countries, high profits with illegal trade, vague

regulations and weak enforcement in the region, low environmental awareness and limited

knowledge and capacity within the enforcement community.

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REN organized or supported more than 20 capacity building and training workshops

More than 1200 officers trained more than 500 illegal shipments of waste and chemicals

intercepted by the participating countries.

A strengthened enforcement partnership continued that brings together 25 participating

countries' enforcement agencies (customs, police and MOE), regional and international

organizations working on combatting environmental crime. Including: World Customs

Organization (WCO), Regional Intelligence Liaison Office (RILO AP), WCO Regional Office for

Capacity Building, INTERPOL, UNODC, INECE, IMPEL, Human Environment and Transport

Inspectorate (ILT) of the Netherlands and US EPA;

REN being accepted as an addition member of ENFORCE under the Basel Convention.

The lessons which can be learned from other networks are: funding in another way than just rely

on funding from one donor, co-funding of certain activities can be a good solution. Some

networks just cover the travel and hotel costs and offer all meals for participants of workshops

and meetings but don’t pay DSA. Organize an exchange program for frontline officers to

strengthen the network. Working together in real time enforcement operations strengthens the

network, raises awareness and reduces illegal shipments. There is a lack of exchange of

day-to-day information in the region and with partners outside the region, this need to be

improved because the need for this is very high. Without proper funding a network cannot exist.

The REN project offers a lot to the region such as: A strong enforcement network with National

Contact Points in 25 countries in the Asian/ Pacific region; Practical hands on training workshops

for Custom officers and environmental authorities on Enforcement of illegal Chemical and Waste

shipments; Development of practical guidance tools for enforcement officers; Technical

assistance offered on demand.

Stimulating cooperation between Customs and Environmental authorities to combat illegal

shipments of chemicals and waste and will also focus on the follow up after illegal shipments are

detected; Support enforcement operations and exchange of information and intelligence.

Implementation of other main important related topics like e.g. gender mainstreaming

The REN team produced as SWOT analysis about their work. This will part of ‘the Strategic

Analysis Report for Long-term Regional Enforcement Networking document’.

The next steps are also promoting (and expand) information and intelligence exchange; set up

training expert tool and develop training on different levels; identify key partners; maintaining and

expand high profile on key events; closer cooperation with key partners and more cooperation

with other partners as well as seeking for partners in the trade chain.

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Seeking for more sustainable financial mechanism, besides a donor contribution also try to

normalize UN Environment contribution and promoting partner and country contribution in the

Region.

Panel discussion on financial sustainability of effective networks

A panel discussion was organized on the financial sustainability of effective networks. The

panel list is composed of Ms. Lisa Au from RILO AP, Mr. Henk Ruessink from INECE and Mr.

Kevin Mercieca from IMPEL. They explained and discussed with participants on how the several

networks are organized and funded. Mr. Huib van Westen moderated the discussion. For RILO

AP it means that the host country, at the moment South Korea Customs is taken the costs for

hosting RILO. The seconded officers are being paid by their home organizations, this includes

also the costs for travels.

INECE is mainly funded by the US EPA and the Netherlands Human Environment and Transport

Inspectorate (ILT) but has also some co-donors for certain initiatives.

The INECE Secretariat plays a very important role; it’s approximately 1.5 to 2 people on a daily

basis. They are supporting the executive committee, who meets at least once a year. They

prepare the meetings and materials. The Secretariat also looks after the INECE website (one of

the ground jewels). They also support the projects with the logistics and administrative work.

They also have the task of preparing budgets and reports- most of which appears on the website,

available for free as its government funded.

IMPEL is for 70% funded by the EU Commission and 30% by members which is a membership

fee between three thousand and five thousand euros per year. Sometimes also others like the

Basel Convention sometimes provide some funding. There is also a Secretariat which takes care

of all administrative work and support of the 25 projects which are running yearly, only on waste

they have 5 projects per year. The personnel costs are being paid by the member organizations,

IMPEL pays only for travel and hotel costs.

7. Group discussion

Ideas for future operation of REN

The group discussion on the future operation of the REN project was introduced by Mr. Huib van

Westen, UN Environment. The participants were divided in four groups; every group had a

resource person as facilitator. The facilitator’s were Ms. Juliette Kohler, Ms. Deeppah Ravindran,

Mr. Kevin Mercieca and Mr. Henk Ruessink. Every group was asked to discuss the four

questions.

1) Is an Asian Network needed?

Group 1: Yes:

- because illegal chemical / waste trade need to be controlled

- In order to improve cooperation between countries and information sharing

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- To develop capacity, especially on human resources

- To save the environment and ensure human rights

Group 2: Yes, since:

- Many of the waste imports happen in Asian countries

- Individual enforcement may bear its fruits, but it may also lead to ballooning

effect which means that illegal trade find its way to places in the region with less

or less strict control. An enforcement network will help to reduce this.

Group 3: Yes, in order to:

- Enhance cooperation between customs and environment agency

- Implement and enforce environmental legislations effectively

Group 4: Yes, for:

- The exchange of information and intelligence through direct National Contact

Point

- Coordination between customs and environmental authorities

- Development of a basic coordination mechanism involving other entities of the

governments

- The development of tools for frontline custom officers and environmental

inspectors and organising workshops to raise awareness, improve knowledge

and strengthening the enforcement network.

2) What future activities would you like to see from the REN network?

Group 1:

- Designate a REN focal point in each participating country

- Training for Global Harmonised System

- Set-up an information sharing network

- Capacity building activities (technical and technological)

Group 2:

- Organize or support an enforcement operation

- Organize training workshops

- Set-up or support the exchange of experts

- Develop or host a secure communication application

Group 3:

- Exchange program for enforcers and implementers between countries

- Organize training workshops

Group 4:

- Developing tools and organizing workshops

- Coordination role for REN as a hub for enforcement operation

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- Exchanging models of coordination mechanisms including the take-back

- Role of REN to discuss or find incentives towards improved communications

between Customs and between Customs with Environmental authorities.

3) If there is no REN funding to UN Environment anymore what could your country do to

continue REN?

- We will put a word to our administration to spare some funds to contribute to

REN activities

- To impose levy to the importers – the funds would be channeled to REN

- Some country ‘donating’ officers to run the Regional program to coordinate (ex.:

IMPEL, etc.)

- Difficult to convince governments to fund – but it is important that REN organizes

activity that target the government in order to show environmental, social and

economic benefits

- Find commitment to mutual cooperation and feedback

- Segment of RILO meeting or other regional meeting dedicated to environment

(BCRC China)

- Seek for commitment from countries to organize such meetings

- Online communication

4) What theme would you like the 2017 REN Annual Workshop to have?

- Making synergies with partners

- To link with the Sustainable Development Goals

- Network and results

8. Closing session

Mr. Andrew Raine from UN Environment appreciated the active participation of all participants

and thanks for all their contribution and inputs which made make the meeting fruitful. He said he

is looking forward to have close cooperation the upcoming year and hope to have a successful

implementation of gender equality and human rights in the project.

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Annex I Agenda

Regional Enforcement Network for Chemicals and Waste (REN)

Fifth Annual workshop

Theme: Working together sustainably – strengthening enforcement and exploring the

future sustainability of the Regional Enforcement Network

8-9 November 2016, Room H of the United Nations Conference Center, Bangkok, Thailand

Time Topic Note

Day 1 Tuesday 8 November 2016

08:30 – 09:15 Registration

09:15 – 09:30 Welcome remarks

Isabelle Louis, UN Environment

H.E. Ivo Sieber, Embassy of Switzerland

Gabriela Eigenmann, UNIDO

Facilitator: UN

Environment

09:30 – 10:15 Group Photo and Coffee Break

session one - the big picture: Key global and regional trends and developments in illegal

trade in chemicals and waste

Facilitator: UN Environment (REN Coordinator)

10:15 – 10:45 The view from Geneva - update from the BRS Secretariat

- Juliette Kohler, Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam, and

Stockholm Conventions

10:45-12:00 The view from partners - key trends on illegal trade in

waste and chemicals in Asia and the Pacific and globally

- Lisa Au, Regional Intelligence Liaison Office (RILO) for

Asia and the Pacific

- Kevin Mercieca, European Union Network for the

Implementation and Enforcement of Environmental Law

(IMPEL)

- Henk Ruessink, International Network for Environmental

Compliance and Enforcement (INECE)

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12:00-13:00 Country exchanges session one: key developments and

current issues –focus areas: (a) take-back/repatriation; and

(b) transit and transhipment issues

- Nguyen Duy Hung, Vietnam Environment Administration,

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment

- Kenneth S Y Tang, Hong Kong Customs

13:00 – 14:00

LUNCH

SESSION TWO – STRENGTHENING ENFORCEMENT: updates from and exchanges with REN

countries and partners

Facilitator: UN Environment (Regional Legal Officer and Environmental Governance Coordinator)

14:00-14:30 Update on REN activities

- Huib Van Westen, REN Coordinator, UN Environment

14:30– 15:30 The view from civil society - key trends on illegal trade and

enforcement in waste and chemicals in Asia and the Pacific

- Jim Puckett, Basal Action Network

15:30-16:00 Coffee break

16:00 – 17:00 Country exchanges session two: key developments and

current issues –focus areas: take-back/repatriation; and (b)

transit and transhipment issues

– Sirinart Pongyart, Waste and Hazardous Substance

Management Bureau, Pollution Control Department,

Thailand

– Purwasto Saroprayogi, Ministry of Environment,

Indonesia

Day Two – Wednesday 9 November

SESSION THREE – WORKING BETTER TOGETHER: dialogue on challenges and

opportunities for strengthened enforcement in the region

Facilitator: UN Environment (REN Coordinator)

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09:00 – 09:30 Country exchanges session three: key developments and

current issues – focus areas: (a) risk-profiling; and (b)

internal and external partnerships

– Wang Tao, Anti-Smuggling Division of ASB, China

Customs

09:30-10:00 The view from partners - key trends on illegal trade in

waste and chemicals in Asia and the Pacific and globally

Update from Basel Convention regional Centres (BCRCs)

– Dr. Alireza Shiri Garakai, BCRC Iran

– Xue Liu, BCRC China

10:00- 10.30 Synergies with other Conventions

– Artie Dubrie, UN Environment

10:30 – 11:00 Coffee break

11:00 – 12:30 Exploring synergies and new ideas for effective

enforcement. Focus areas: (a) gender and human rights;

and (b) anti-counterfeiting

- Annette Wallgren, UN Environment

- Deeppa Ravindran, Pesticide Action Network, Asia and

the Pacific

- Juliette Kohler, Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam, and

Stockholm Conventions

- Sianghee Tan, Regional Anti-Counterfeiting Steering

Committee, CropLife Asia (note: private sector

participants invited for this session only)

12:30 – 14:00

LUNCH AND MEETING OF THE ADVISORY GROUP

SESSION FOUR – SUSTAINABILITY OF REN: Continuing the dialogue on the future

sustainability of REN

Facilitator: UN Environment (Legal Officer)

14:00 – 14:30 Update on REN sustainability strategy

- Huib Van Westen, UN Environment

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14:30 – 15:15 Panel discussion on financial sustainability of effective

networks

Moderator: Huib Van Westen, UN Environment

Participants:

- Lisa Au, RILO AP

- Henk Ruessink, INECE,

- Kevin Mercieca, IMPEL

15:15-15:45 Coffee break

15:45 – 16:45 Group discussion – ideas for future operation of REN

- Participants form groups, discuss questions below (20

minutes) and report back to plenary (40 minutes)

1. Is an Asian Enforcement Network needed?

2. What future activities would you like to see from REN

(e.g. enforcement operations support, training

workshops, coordination efforts with focal points,

information exchange etc.)?

3. If there is no REN funding to UN Environment what could

your country do to continue REN?

4. What theme would you like the 2017 REN Annual

Workshop to have?

16:45 – 17:00 Conclusions and closing remarks

- Representative from UN Environment

17:00-20:00 Networking event hosted by UNIDO and Government of

Switzerland

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Annex II List of Participants

ENVIRONMENTAL AUTHORITY

BANGLADESH

Mr. Salman Chowdhury Shawon

Assistant Director

Monitoring and Enforcement Wing

Department of Environment

Ministry of Environment and Forest

Dhaka, Bangladesh

Tel: +8801712178882

Email: [email protected]

CAMBODIA

Mr. Long Rithirak

Deputy Director General

Ministry of Environment

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Tel: +855 12 927 001


INDONESIA

Mr. Purwasto Saroprayogi

Head of Subdirectorate

Implementation of the Hazardous Substance

Convention, Directorate for Hazardous

Substance Management, DG for Solid Waste,

Hazardous Substance and Waste

Management, Indonesia

Tel/Fax: +62 21 8590 5639


IRAN (Republic of)

Mr. Sasan Shirkhani

Senior Expert of Department of the

Environment, Water & Soil Office,

Environmental Research Center

Department of the Environment

Tehran, Iran

Tel: +9821-42781190

Fax: +9821-88233237


LAO PDR

Mr. Somlith Phannavong

Deputy Director - General

Pollution Control Department

Ministry of Natural Resources and

Environment (MoNRE)

Vientiane, Lao PDR

Fax: 856 21 2430700

Email : [email protected]

MALAYSIA

Thahirah Kamarulzaman (Ms)

Principal Assistant Director

Hazardous Substances Division


Ministry of Natural Resources & Environment

Putrajaya, Malaysia

Tel: +603-8871 2115

Fax: +603-8888 6120


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MALDIVES

Mr. Hassan Azhar

Assistant Director

Ministry of Environment and Energy

Male, Maldives

Tel: +(960) 301 8306

Fax: +(960) 301 8301


MONGOLIA

Mr. Tulga Mendjargal

Ministry of Environment and Tourism

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Tel: +976-99108167,

+976-11310317

Email: [email protected],

[email protected]

SRILANKA

Mr. Senarath Mahinda Werahera

Assistant Director/Environmental Pollution

Control and Chemical Management

Ministry of Mahaweli Development and

Environment, Battaramulla, Sri Lanka

Tel: 94-71-8323096


[email protected]

THAILAND

Mr. Suwan Nanthasarut

Deputy Director General

Pollution Control Department (PCD)

Ministry of Natural Resources and

Environment, Bangkok, Thailand

Tel: (66-2) 298-2753

Fax: (66-2) 298-5378

Email: [email protected];

[email protected];

[email protected]

THAILAND

Mr. Manorat Rittem

Environmentalist, Professional Level

Waste and Hazardous Substance

Management Bureau,


Bangkok, Thailand

Tel: +66 2298 2426


THAILAND

Ms. Wassana Jangprajak



Management Bureau


Bangkok, Thailand

Tel: +66 2298 2497


THAILAND

Mrs. Sirinart Pongyart



Management Bureau


VIETNAM

Mr. Nguyen Duy Hung

Officer

Waste Management and Environment

Improvement Department

Vietnam Environment Administration

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Bangkok, Thailand

Tel: +66 2298 2414


[email protected]

Ministry of Natural Resource and Environment

Hanoi, Vietnam

Cell: +84 982584960


CUSTOMS

BHUTAN

Mr. Tandin Wangchhen

Joint Collector

Customs & Excise Division, Department of

Revenue & Customs, Ministry of Finance

Thimbhu, Bhutan

Tel: +975 17601657


CAMBODIA

Mr. Tech Siek Ngorn

Deputy Director

Prevention & Suppression Department

Cambodia Customs and Excise

Tel: +855 16 533 543 / 11 634 963


CHINA

Mr. Wang Tao

Bureau of Anti-Smuggling

General Administration of Customs China

Beijing, China

Tel: +861065194953


CHINA, HONG KONG

Mr. Tang Sau-yin

Intelligence Bureau

Hong Kong Customs

Tel: +852 2675 1773


LAO PDR

Mr. Thongsith Chounlamountry

Lao Customs Department

Vientiane, Lao PDR

Fax: 21223521


MALDIVES

Mr. Ismail Hilmy

Superintendent

Maldives Customs Service

Male, Maldives

Tel: +9607968860


[email protected]

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MONGOLIA

Ms. Altantuya Chunag

Customs officer

Customs Control, Enforcement Department

Customs General Administration of Mongolia

Tel: +976 11 353541

Fax: +976 11 350057


[email protected],

[email protected]

NEPAL

Mr. Lekha Nath Khatiwada

Assistant Chemist

Department of Customs

Kathmandu, Nepal

Tel: +977 9841817332


[email protected];

[email protected]

PAKISTAN

Mr. Khaleel Yousfani

Additional Collector Customs

MCC Appraisement

Custom House

Karachi, Pakistan

Tel: +922199214719

Cell: +923332092322


PHILIPPINES

Major Paul Ocampo Ditona

Officer-In-Charge, Environmental Protection

Unit (EPU), Enforcement and Security Service

Manila, Philippines

Tel: +63 2 527 46 43

Cell: +63 9173163358


[email protected]

THAILAND

Mr. Niwat Suksri

Customs Technical Officer (Professional

Level), Investigation and Suppression Bureau

The Customs Department

Bangkok, Thailand

Tel: +6626677771


THAILAND

Ms. Khemika Thongpraphan




Bangkok, Thailand

Tel: +662 667 7771


THAILAND

Ms. Korakoch Thiensongsang




Tel: +662 667 7771

Fax: +662 667 6977


VIETNAM

Mr. Pham Van Bang

Official, Anti-smuggling & Investigation Dept,

General Department of Vietnam Customs,

Ministry of Finance, Hanoi, Vietnam

Tel: +844 977766173

Fax: +844 39440623


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RESOURCE PERSON

BAN

Mr. Jim Puckett

Executive Director

Basel Action Network (BAN)

Seattle Washington USA

Tel: +12066525555


BAN

Mr. Teddy G. Monroy

Head of Policy Development and Research

Ban Toxics

Tel: +632-791-8691, +632-239-4451


BCRC CHINA

Ms. Xue Liu

Program Officer

Basel Convention Regional Centre for Asia

and the Pacific

Beijing, China

Tel: +861062794351


BCRC IRAN

Dr. Alireza Shiri Garakani

V.P. Director

BCRC/SCRC

Tehran IRAN


BRS

Ms. Juliette Voinov Kohler

Legal and Policy Advisor

Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and

Stockholm Conventions, UNEP

Tel: +41229178219

Mob: +41796990377


CROP LIFE ASIA

Mr. Siang Hee, TAN (Ph.D)

Executive Director

Singapore 089762

Tel : +65-6221 1615 Ext 101

Fax: +65-6222 1615


IMPEL

Mr. Kevin Mercieca

Head Ambient Quality

Environment & Resources Authority


INECE

Mr. Henk Ruessink

The Netherlands, Human Environment and

Transport Inspectorate (ILT)


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PANAP

Ms. Deeppa Ravindran

PAN Asia Pacific

Penang, Malaysia

Tel: +604-6570271 or +604-6560381

Fax: +604-6583960


RILO AP

Ms. Lisa Au

Project Manager

WCO RILO AP

Tel: +82-2-510-1936

Fax: +82-2-2015-7874


[email protected]

RILO AP

Mr. Wang Liang

Intelligence Analyst

WCO RILO AP

Tel: +82 2 510 1931

Fax: +82 2 2015 7874


[email protected]

UNEP

Dr. Wanhua Yang

Legal Officer

Law Divisions, UN Environment

Tel: +254 20 762 4246


OBSERVER

LEBANON

Mr. Ali Sabra

Ministry of Environment (MoE)

Beirut, Lebanon

Tel: +9611976555 / Ext 568

Cell: +961 3 050447


SWEDISH EMBASSY

Ms. Louise Hermann

First Secretary, Senior Program Manager-

Environment & Climate Change

Development Cooperation Section - Regional

Asia, Embassy of Sweden

Tel: +66 (0)2 263 72 52


UNIDO

Ms Gabi Eigenmann

Minamata Policy Coordinator Expert

Emerging Compliance Regimes Division


Tel: +43 (1) 260 26 38 86


UNITAR

Mr. Georg Karlaganis

Senior Advisor

Chemicals and Waste Management

Programme

Tel: +41 79 415 99 62


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UNDP

Ms. Tomoko Furusawa

Programme Specialist

Montreal Protocol Unit/Chemicals

UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub

Tel: 662 304 9100 Ext 2718


UNEP/ROAP

Mr. Andy Raine

Legal Officer and Regional Coordinator for

Environmental Governance

Law Division

UN Environment Asia Pacific Office

Tel: +662 288 1877

Fax: +662 280 3829


Mr. Huib van Westen

REN Coordinator


Tel: +662 288 1874

Fax: +662 280 3829


Ms. Artie Dubrie


Bangkok, Thailand

Tel: +662 288 2128


Ms. Annette Wallgren

Gender and Environment Officer


Tel: +662 288 2125


Ms. Eva Grison


Bangkok, Thailand

Ms. Phoebe Russell


Bangkok, Thailand

Ms. Saranya Rojananuangnit

Programme Management Assistant

Law Division


Tel: +662 288 2608

Fax: +662 280 3829


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