Hanoi, Vietnam - December 4-5, 2006

On December 4-5, 2006, in Hanoi Vietnam, AECEN held its 2006 Regional Forum to present results from 2006 activities and to share best practices and experiences on compliance and enforcement in the region. Hosted by the Vietnam Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE), participants included 100 senior environmental officials, policymakers, judges, lawyers and experts from People’s Republic of China (PRC), India, Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam

In particular, the AECEN Secretariat presented results of program assessments from India, Sri Lanka and the People’s Republic of China (specifically the city of Chongqing), including common challenges for each assessment focus area. Representatives from each of these countries discussed the priorities and principal solutions for their environmental compliance and enforcement programs.

The AECEN Secretariat presented draft regional principles for consideration by members as a potential framework for strengthening enforcement and compliance programs throughout Asia . The draft principles are based on international law and national experiences from within Asia and worldwide, and provide a basis for cooperation on AECEN activities. While the principles are universal, the emphasis and approach is tailored to the challenges facing Asia.

To support AECEN's core mission, the Secretariat organized small-group discussions to identify three common priority challenges and innovative solutions facing Asian environmental agencies; they include: (1) economic instruments and other incentive-based approaches; (2) compliance promotion capabilities; and (3) public involvement. Based on results of the sessions, AECEN will work with members to develop such activities as pilot projects, training and toolkits.

The AECEN Secretariat also presented outputs of earlier workshops on the development of environmental compliance and enforcement performance indicators, including different country approaches and similarities among indicators. In addition, the Secretariat presented potential regional common indicators, such as indicators related to improved compliance assurance, enforcement action, behavioral change, and actual environmental benefit.

During the 2006 Forum, the AECEN Secretariat organized a poster and exhibit session to portray and share vivid information on country achievements in the areas of environmental compliance and enforcement, and to present developments on AECEN initiatives in each country.