Capacity Building for Environmental Security: Green Customs Initiative Side Event at 25th Governing Council of UNEP

Nairobi, Kenya 17 February 2009 - In today's crisis-filled world there is no other option but to deliver capacity building programmes in a more coordinated and collaborative way", said Mr Karel Blaha, Deputy Minister of Environment of Czech Republic while opening a side event on the Green Customs Initiative at the 25th session of the UNEP Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum.

The event was attended by more than 40 participants from developed and developing countries, customs authorities and NGOs.

"Institutional approach to build capacity of customs officers on various chemical Multilateral Environmental Agreements is the most cost-effective approach. Nigeria would like to establish a centre of excellence for Green Customs with the help of UNEP", stated Mr H.M. Mundi, Deputy Controller of Nigeria Customs Services, in his opening remarks.

Other speakers included Mr Gilbert Bankobeza of Ozone Secretariat and Mr John Bisonga, Director of the World Customs Organisation Regional Office for Capacity Building, East and Southern Africa.

The event was organised by UNEP at the request of the Czech Republic which is currently holding the Presidency of the European Union and has a keen interest in delivering the chemical agenda with efficient coordination and cooperation. Ms Elizabeth Mrema (UNEP DELC) and Mr Rajendra Shende (UNEP DTIE OzonAction) also participated in the event, Mr Shende acted as facilitator for the event representing the Secretariat of the Green Customs Initiative.

For more information on the 25th Governing Council see: http://www.unep.org/gc/gc25/index.asp