MEAs explained

In July 2010, FIELD organised a workshop in Trinidad and Tobago on Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) for representatives from several national ministries. The objectives of the workshop were to help participants understand the basic principles of international environmental law and familiarise them with several major MEAs.

The objectives of the workshop were to help participants understand the basic principles of international environmental law, familiarise them with several major MEAs.such as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Kyoto Protocol and the UN Convention on Biological Diversity and the domestic obligations under these MEAs, and provide a template for preparing briefings for MEA negotiations.

Developing countries around the world often lack the necessary staff resources and expertise to engage fully with complicated MEAs. FIELD has many years of experience of collaborating with negotiators from developing countries - providing information, giving advice and organising workshops on various international legal issues.

The new skills and knowledge left participants of the workshop with a better understanding of MEAs and will allow them to take a more active and informed part in international negotiations and implementation of MEAs at home.

FIELD takes on fee-paying work and can provide similar workshops for other countries. FIELD plans to expand its capacity building activities on MEAs and international environmental law. Please write to field@field.org.uk if you are interested in hearing more.