Side Event: The LAC Declaration on Principle 10

Eleven governments of Latin America and the Caribbean: Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay signed the Declaration on the implementation of Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development. The Declaration has launched a process to create a regional instrument to promote transparency, inclusiveness and accountability in environmental decision-making, a move with huge implications for the rights of Latin American and Caribbean citizens.

This Declaration is an important outcome of the Rio +20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development that took place in June 2012 in Brazil.

In November 2012 the Government of Chile and the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), in its role as Technical Secretariat of the process, organized the First Meeting of the focal points appointed by the signatory governments. The governments’ focal points present in this meeting reaffirmed their commitment to elaborate a LAC Instrument on Principle 10 and agreed on a Roadmap that defines the next steps of the process. The governments also appointed the governments of Chile, Dominican Republic and Mexico to a Panel that will coordinate the process.

Objectives of the Side Event:

• To inform interested governments and stakeholders on the LAC process regarding a regional instrument on P10.
• To inform interested Latin American and Caribbean governments about this initiative willing to sign the Declaration and participate in the process leading to a P10 LAC Instrument.

Agenda

Welcome and Introduction of the LAC Process

• Mr. Julio Cordano, Head of the Department of Sustainable Development, Ministry of Foreigns Affirs of Chile

Road Map 2012-2014

• Mrs. Tirsis Quezada, Director of Planning and Development, Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources, Dominican Republic

The LAC Principle 10 Instrument: Options and Objectives

• Dr. Marcos Orellana, Director, Environmental Health Program, Center for International Environmental Law

Modalities for Public Participation in the Regional Process

• Mrs. Carole Excell, Senior Associate, The Access Initiative, World Resources Institute

Closing Remarks

• Mr. Alejandro Rivera Becerra, Director of Environmental Governance, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico

Q&A