CENN Weekly Digest – September 28, 2005

Caucasus Environmental NGO Network
(CENN)
Weekly Digest
September 28, 2005
NEWS FROM GEORGIA
Georgia: First Poverty Reduction Support Operation
Source: Ein News, September 15, 2005
The following project was approved today by the World Bank’s Board of
Executive Directors:
IDA Credit amount: US$13.5 million
Terms: Grace period =3D 10 years; Maturity =3D 40 years
Grant amount: $6.5 million
Project description:
<; more Ten Years Left on MDGs, Poverty Still a Concern Source: The Messenger, September 19, 2005 Five years after signing the Millennium Development Goals, Georgia has accomplished little progress against poverty, the senior UN development official in Georgia said on Friday. <; more MCG Establishes Consultant Committee Source: "24 Saati" (""24 Hours), September 20, 2005 The consultant committee of Millennium Challenges Georgia (MCG) will be created until the end of month. Committee will be the tool for the representatives of private sector, non-governmental organizations, local and regional government to express and submit their recommendations on the implementation of MCG projects. <; more Agricultural lands' privatization begins Source: the Messenger, September 21, 2005 The government is preparing for yet another massive privatization initiative. The sale of the majority of agricultural lands remaining in state possession will begin from October 2005, bringing to the budget an estimated GEL 80 million in revenues. <; more World Bank sets Georgia strategy for 2006-2009 Source: The Messenger, September 21, 2005 In Tbilisi on September 18, the government of Georgia and the World Bank signed a financing agreement for the country's first Poverty Reduction Support Operation (PRSO) provided for in the new World Bank strategy for Georgia. <; more Cracks revealed in BTC oil pipeline Source: UPI Energy Correspondent: By Andrea R. Mihailescu, Published September 21, 2005 One of the most expensive pipeline systems in the world, the $3.6 billion Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, will fill its first tanker in less than two months and the pipeline is already showing cracks, but Georgian officials assert they pose no ecological threat. <; more The Unique Forests of Borjomi are under the Danger of Extinction Source: "Sakartvelos Respublika" ("Georgian Republic"), September 21, 2005 As NGOs declared due the influence of Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline in Borjomi forests the fir-tree groves are withering. <; more NEWS FROM Azerbaijan Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan have solved almost every question on inter governmental agreement on BTC Source: Our Century, September 25, 2005 "Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan have completed discussion of almost all questions related to intergovernmental agreement required to fill in the Baku -Tbilisi -Ceyhan oil pipeline with the Kazakhstan oil. This meeting was held <; more BTC WORKING GROUP HOLDS SITTING Source: AzerTag, September 26, 2005 A regular sitting of the inter-governmental working group formed in connection with Kazakhstan's joining the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan main oil pipeline / BTC MEP/ took place in Almaaty. A delegation of Azerbaijan <; more "SHAHDENIZ" PROJECT ACTIVITIES PROGRESSING AHEAD OF SCHEDULE Source: AzerTag, September 26, 2005 The construction works for the "Shahdeniz" project are 55 percent complete. The works are progressing 6 percent ahead of schedule. With four production wells drilled in the field one more test hole is to be drilled. The platform will include <; more News From Armenia COMSUP COMMODITIES PLEDGES 21 MILLION DRAMS TO MUNICIPALITY Source: ARMENPRESS, September 19, 2005 The owners of a copper and molybdenum plant in the southern Armenian Agarak, near the border with Iran, have pledged to release 21 million Armenian drams <; more UNICEF's PARTNERSHIP WITH MILLENNIUM ARMENIAN CHILDREN'S VACCINATION FUND HELPS SAVE CHILDREN'S LIVES Source: ARMENPRESS, September 19, 2005 Partnering with Armenian Diaspora organizations such as the Millennium Armenian Children's Vaccination Fund (MACVF) is crucial for successful implementation of programs benefiting children, UNICEF said today, speaking of the importance of the vaccination program in Armenia. <; more ARMENIA'S SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY DISCUSSED IN YEREVAN Source: Pan Armenian News, September 20, 2005 Growth of Productivity and Competitive Ability: Strategy of Sustainable Development of Armenia forum, organized by Armenia 2020, opened in Yerevan today. During the opening ceremony Armenian President's Advisor for Economic Issues Vahram Nersisyan read R. Kocharian's message to the forum participants. <; more OSCE TO SUPPORT ARMENIA IN ECOLOGY INITIATIVES Source: ARMINFO News Agency, September 23, 2005 "We and our Planet" educational and environmental program was presented today at the Yerevan Museum of Armenia's Nature. The program has been initiated and implemented by "Khazer" environmental and cultural NGO with the support of the OSCE Office in Yerevan and the Aarhus Center. <; more International News EPA and LDEQ Report Potential Health Risks from Sediments Source: Environmental Protection Agency, September 16, 2005 (9/16/05) Eighteen sediment samples from across the New Orleans area were collected by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) on September 10, 2005 and analyzed for bacteria and chemicals. <; more ENVIRONMENT: Pollution Takes a Backseat in Congo Source: Inter Press Service News Agency (IPS): by Anjan Sundaram, September 17, 2005 Yellow flames from oil rigs light up the night sky, helping Richard Vuadi guides his boat as he sets out to cast his nets along the Democratic Republic of Congo's coast. Oil rigs that dot the horizon have polluted the water, so much that fishermen say they pose health risks. <; more MIDWEST BLAZES ENERGY EFFICIENCY TRAIL: 2ND ANNUAL INSPIRING EFFICIENCY AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED Source: World Wire, September 19, 2005 The Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA) announced its 2005 winners of the Inspiring Efficiency Awards. These awards recognize innovators for their dedicated work in developing and applying energy efficient technologies, programs and policy initiatives. <; more A Global Strategy for Protecting Health & the Environment from Chemicals Risks Source: UNEP Press Release, 19 September, 2005 Representatives of the world's governments, intergovernmental organizations and other stakeholder groups are meeting here this week to finalize arrangements for the launch of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM). <; more EU to Re-Launch Air Quality Initiative with Changes Source: Planet Ark, September 21, 2005 Brussels - The European Commission will re-launch a package of measures on Wednesday aimed at improving air quality after cutting anticipated annual costs by about 5 billion euros ($6.08 billion), according to EU officials. <; more ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTIGATION AGENCY Source: Environmental Investigation Agency Press Release, September 21, 2005 Environmentalists Call on European Countries to Stop Producing Ozone-Destroying Chemicals as Ozone Hole Approaches Record Size <; more EU Tackles Air Pollution in Multi-Billion Euro Plan Source: Planet Ark, September 22, 2005 Brussels - Wide-ranging proposals to clean up Europe's polluted air won approval from the European Commission on Wednesday after a debate over the package's multi-billion euro price tag threatened to scupper it. <; more Seminars, conference and meetings International Symposium - Yerevan, Armenia Source: <; NGOC, September 14, 2005 Location - American University of Armenia (AUA) Armenia Marriott Hotel Dates & Time Monday, October 10, 2005, 14:00 to 19:30 Tuesday, October 11, 2005, 15:00 to 19:30 Wednesday, October 12, 2005, 15:00 to 19:30 Thursday, October 13, 2005, 9:00 to 13:00 and 18:00 to 21:00 <; more Announcement Explore Georgia with Caucasus Travel - Mtiuleti and Khevi Provinces Source: The Messenger, September 16, 2005 We will experience the Mtiuleti and Khevi Provinces, situated on the slopes of the Caucasus mountain range: =07 Have the opportunity to enjoy the scenery on horseback. Sheep, well protected by brave Caucasian sheep dogs, may interrupt your voyage. =07 Try the local dish Khinkali - boiled minced meat in dough. =07 Spend a nice evening in the quite cozy atmosphere of the Panotama Hotel. <; more INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN CORRIDOR CONFERENCE Source: Mountain Forum - Global, September 21, 2005 International Mountain Corridor Conference will be held from 24 to 31 October 2005 Les Planes de Son, Spain (24-27) Vitoria, Spain (27-29) Cantabria, Spain (29-31) <; more Job Announcements The USAID funded Program for Institutional and Regulatory Strengthening of Water Management in Armenia started in October 2004 and is being carried out by PA Government Services Inc. The anticipated completion date of the Program is 2008. The Program is designed to provide assistance to the development of the National Water Program, the improvement of the legal framework of the water sector, and the strengthening of selected agencies with responsibilities in water management. Because of broadening and deepening of our activities, the following specialists will strengthen our team: 1. A communication/training specialist; 2. A water resources monitoring specialist; 3. A groundwater monitoring specialist; 4. A river basin planner/IWRM specialist; 5. A database programmer. <; more Eurasia Foundation Vacancy Announcement Source: Georgian Office of the Eurasia Foundation, September 26, 2005 The Georgian Office of the Eurasia Foundation announces vacancy Title: PMDI Program Coordinator Under the supervision of the Country Director, the Program Coordinator is responsible for developing and managing the Pipeline Monitoring and Dialogue Initiative (PMDI). PMDI is a new Initiative implemented by Eurasia Foundation in cooperation with BP, UNDP, IFC for building capacity of Georgian NGOs in Monitoring Methods for Pipeline Construction & Operations. PMDI supports a series of activities aimed at developing monitoring skills amongst NGOs and their members, providing an effective channel for increased public dialogue related to pipeline-oriented issues. <; more Ecology and Economy in Harmony Source: The Messenger, September 26, 2005 We believe we can have a real, measurable and positive impact on the biodiversity of the world. If you are a non-governmental organization (NGO) or an environmental agency who thinks the same way, please read on:Building on last 3 years' success BP is pleased to announce the fourth Georgia Biodiversity Competition. The competition, which is a part of BP's Biodiversity Strategy in Georgia, support our commitment to undertaking a serious of species biodiversity initiative in the countries and areas where we operate. This year competition will conduct on 2 categories: 1. Biodiversity projects; 2. Biodiversity article and video materials. <; more ******************************************* ********************************* Subscribing Information CENN lists are created to maintain e-mail discussions of Caucasus Environmental NGO Network members. CENN has been distributing information since 1998. All the published digests and bulletins issued in both English and Russian languages present incredibly rich environmental information base that give the reader the whole picture of the environmental process taking place during the recent 5 years in the South Caucasus region as well as abroad. To subscribe or unsubscribe from CENN mailing list service, please send an email to [email protected] and place the “subscribe”
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