Environmental Information Network in Asia and the Pacific (ECO ASIA NET)

Second International Workshop on
Environmental Information Network
in Asia and the Pacific
(ECO-ASIA NET)


3-4 February 1998
Tokyo, Japan

CHAIRPERSON'S SUMMARY


  1. The Second International Workshop on Environmental Information Network in Asia and the Pacific (ECO ASIA NET) was held in Tokyo, Japan from 3 to 4 February 1998. It was organized by the Environment Agency of Japan and was attended by 28 participants from 17 countries and 7 organizations (see Participants List). The workshop was chaired by Dr. Hidefumi Imura.

  2. The objectives of the workshop were to share updated information on development of environmental information networks by participating countries and organizations, and to develop the Guidelines for the Configuration of ECO ASIA NET, based on the discussions of the First Workshop, held in October 1996.

  3. Experts from China, Thailand, Indonesia, India, UNEP-IETC, GEC, SPREP, UNU and UNEP-EAP/AP made presentations about the current status and issues relating to environmental information networks in their respective countries/organizations. Their presentations highlighted the varying levels of development of environmental information systems, some being already sophisticated; and the diversity of the system designs.

  4. An active discussion was held about the Guidelines based on the draft, and revisions made accordingly, the attached "Guidelines for the Configuration of ECO ASIA NET" were adopted by the participants.

  5. Main points of the discussions were:
    6. The Environment Agency of Japan announced that it would report the outcome of this workshop and the progress to date in establishing ECO ASIA NET to the ECO ASIA'98 Congress to be held in September. It was suggested that the next steps for implementation of ECO ASIA NET include review and improvements, as appropriate.

    7. Participants expressed their appreciation to the Environment Agency of Japan for hosting the workshop, and to Dr. Imura for his excellent chairing of the workshop.

The Second International Workshop on
Environmental Information Network
in Asia and the Pacific
(ECO ASIA NET)


AGENDA


3 and 4 February 1998, Tokyo, Japan

10:00-10:15 - Opening

10:15-10:45 - Introductory Information of the ECO ASIA NET and the Objectives of the Second Workshop

10:45-11:00 - Coffee Break

11:00-12:30 - Current Situation and Issues of the Environmental Information Network in the Asia-Pacific
12:30-14:00 - Lunch

14:00-15:00 - Introduction of the ECO ASIA NET (prototype) and the draft Guidelines for the

15:00-15:15 - Coffee Break

15:15-17:00 - Discussion on the Guidelines

18:00- - Reception

Day 2 (4 Feb. 1998)

09:30-11:00 - Discussion on the Guidelines (conclusion)

11:00-11:30 - Coffee Break

11:30-12:00 - Consideration and Adoption of the Chair's Summary

12:00 - - Closing

15:00-16:00 - 10. Summing-up

- 11. Closing



List of Participants



Second International Workshop on Environmental Information
Network for Asia and the Pacific (ECO ASIA NET)
3-4 February 1998
Four Seasons Hotel
Tokyo, Japan


AUSTRALIA
BANGLADESH


CAMBODIA

CANADA

CHINA

FIJI

INDIA

INDONESIA

MALAYSIA

MONGOLIA

MYANMAR

NEPAL

PHILIPPINES

SINGAPORE

THAILAND

U.S.A

INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

ITTO

SPREP

UNEP-EAP/AP

UNCRD

UNU

UNEP/IETC

GEC

JAPAN

SECRETARIAT