UN Probes Urgent Palestinian Environmental Issues

JERUSALEM, Israel, July 17, 2002 (ENS) - The environmental needs of the Occupied Palestinian Territories will be investigated by a United Nations team headed by the same person who led the Balkans Task Force after the Kosovo conflict.

Pekka Haavisto (Photo courtesy UNEP Balkans Task Force)

"The common understanding is clearly that urgent attention and action is needed to address environmental needs in the region," said Toepfer today as he wound up a four day visit to the region at the invitation of Israeli Environment Minister Tzachi Hanegbi and Minister Yousef Abu Safieh of the Palestinian Higher Agency for the Environment.

During his visit, Toepfer, a former German environment minister, met with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and also with Palestinian Chairman Yassir Arafat.

UNEP Executive Director and UN Under Secretary General Klaus Toepfer (Photo courtesy IISD)

"My visit to the region will start the desk study on the environmental situation in the Occupied Palestinian territories as decided by the Governing Council of UNEP in February 2002," Toepfer explained. "This will be an objective process, in close cooperation with both parties concerned, and with the clear aim of listing priorities and proposing recommendations to solve environmental problems."

The study will identify major areas of environmental damage requiring urgent attention. The team will include experts to address environmental issues such as water, waste management, soil protection, and environmental administration.

The desk study will be finalized in November 2002 and presented to the Governing Council of UNEP in February 2003.