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The second meeting of the Drin Core Group (DCG) took place in Ohrid, FYR Macedonia, on 3 November 2010, as part the Drin Dialogue activities for the establishment of a Shared Vision for the management of the extended Drin Basin. (For more info click here)
The meeting was organized with the support and collaboration of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the Global Water Partnership-Mediterranean (GWP-Med), the Lake Ohrid Watershed Commission and the Mediterranean Information Office for Environment, Culture and Sustainable Development (MIO-ECSDE), with the financial support of the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency.
The presentations and discussions of the meeting focused on the:
- Outcomes of the National Consultation that took place in Ohrid (2 November 2010);
- Preparation of the Drin Situation Analysis: progress achieved, and next steps;
- Developments regarding management activities in the Drin sub-basins;
- Preparation of a Project Identification Form for a GEF supported project for the management of the Drin Basin;
- Upcoming activities within the Drin Dialogue.
In the morning session of the meeting an opening brief statement was made by Mr. Milan Vogrin, Member of MIO-ECSDE’s Executive Bureau, in which he emphasized on MIO-ECSDE’s commitment, made at the 1st Drin Core Group, to support the dialogue at regional level, to contribute in establishing a common understanding and shared vision and in enhancing the ability and capacity of its NGO members and other collaborating NGOs in order to act in an effective and constructive way.
Later on, in the intervention made by MIO-ECSDE representative Ms. Thomais Vlachogianni, MIO-ECSDE’s plan towards a coordinated and effective involvement of NGOs in the Drin Dialogue was presented. Specifically, MIO-ECSDE within its annual work programme of 2010 & 2011 has foreseen the following activities:
Organization of a regional workshop “Sustainable management of river and lake basins: Empowering NGOs for a coordinated effective involvement”, Ohrid, 4th November 2010. (for more info click here)
Organization of workshops in 2011 back-to-back with the national consultations and Core Group meetings.
Communication and awareness raising actions through circulars on the developments regarding the Drin Dialogue via its extensive contact lists; dedication of one issue of MIO-ECSDE’s quarterly newsletter Sustainable Mediterranean to a feature on the Drin Dialogue; reference of the Drin Dialogue in various knowledge products such as 2011 publications/web applications on public participation in the Mediterranean; presentations at meetings.
Enhancement of synergies and impact of MIO-ECSDE’s actions in support of the Drin Dialogue by making the direct link with two major Mediterranean initiatives, in which MIO-ECSDE is a key partner:
The UNEP/MAP-GEF Strategic Partnership for the Mediterranean Large Marine Ecosystem (the MedPartnership), where MIO-ECSDE is responsible for the meaningful participation of civil society in the implementation of the project and the overall strengthening of civil society in the Mediterranean. (www.themedpartnership.org)
The ENPI Horizon 2020 Capacity Building/Mediterranean Environment Programme (CB/MEP) which focuses on environmental integration and capacity building and aims through targeted activities within the partner countries to increase the capacities of all stakeholders (administrations – national, sub national, local authorities – NGOs, private sector, etc.) so as to effectively contribute to the de-pollution of the Mediterranean by 2020.