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Afghanistan

Training and consultation workshop on: Best practice for preparation of National Environmental Action Plans, and development of the first National Environmental Action Plan for Afghanistan

Kabul, Afghanistan: The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) will be supporting the National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA), responsible Government agency for environmental issues, to organise a 3- day "Training and Consultation Workshop on: Best Practices for Preparation of the National Environmental Action Plans and Development of the First National Environmental Action Plan for Afghanistan" in Kabul from 3-5 May 2009.

Article 9 Clause 14 of the Environment Law (2007) of Afghanistan requires preparation of a National Environmental Action Plan (NEAP) by the Government of Afghanistan within three years of promulgation. NEPA is the lead agency for preparation of the NEAP through nation-wide consultative processes. UNEP has been assisting NEPA to develop the First National Environmental Action Plan for Afghanistan, for which a draft has already been prepared that will be finalised through national consultations.

As the Government of Afghanistan will be responsible for preparation of NEAPs in the future, it is important that it should have the necessary tools. In this regard, UNEP has also prepared a simple step-by-step manual for preparation of NEAP bringing best practices from various parts of the world.

Training on the use of the Manual will be provided at the Workshop, and inputs will be requested from the participants. As a result of the Workshop, it is expected that NEPA and other key government agencies will be able to prepare future NEAPs.

A total of around 40 participants from NEPA and other key government agencies, and key supporting partners including UNEP, will be participating in the Workshop.

The United Nations Environment Programme is currently implementing a capacity building and institutional development programme for environmental management in Afghanistan funded by the European Commission.

For further information and interviews, please contact:

Tek Gurung
Programme Officer
United Nations Environment Programme
Kabul, Afghanistan

Tel: +93 (0)796 731 384
Email: tek.gurung@unep.ch