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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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“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
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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)
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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.
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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.
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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.
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