The environment sector has been a priority area of concern for the Tumen Programme since the five member countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Environmental Principles in 1995, pledging cooperation in environmentally sound and sustainable development in Northeast Asia and the Tumen Region.
The GEF project
The most significant environmental project in the last couple of years has been the Tumen River Strategic Action Programme (also known as the TumenNet project), a US% 5 million project supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The two-year project will be completed in the second part of 2002.
The Transbundary Diagnostic Analysis, a scientific analysis of the root causes of environmental degradation in the region and a major project component, has already been completed. The member countries have established Strategic Action Programme Task Forces to guide the next stage, namely formulation of national strategies to protect transboundary biodiversity and international water resources in the region. Information about the project is available online in national languages and English-please visit www.Tumennet.org.
From end-of-pipe treatment to clean production
As a first step in cleaning up the Tumen River and reducing the damage to vulnerable downstream wetlands and coastal reserves in Russia, the Finnish government has provided a grant of US$ 148000 for the pre-feasibility study on modernization of two state owned pulp and paper mills in Yanbian Prefecture, China. The Study, implemented by JP-Development Ltd. (Jaakko Poyry Group), Finland, is expected to provide concrete recommendations on how the two mills can become environmentally and commercially viable.
In September 2001, a fact-finding mission to the Musan iron ore mine in North Hamgyong Provinc,e DPRK, was conducted by TumenNet to assess the environmental degradation caused by tailings that leak into the Tumen River. The mission reviewed the mine's technical equipment, work practices and production processes, assessed investment scenarios, and recommended undertaking a pre-feasibility study. The prefeasibiltiy study is expected to commence in July 2002.
Other projects
The Tumen Programme has supported the translation and English publication of a collection of research papers on the environmental state of the southwestern part of Peter the Great Bay and the mouth of the Tumen River. This area supports a unique ecosystem of global importance, which appears to be changing. A number of tests have been conducted to determine the qualitative composition of pollutants transported by the Tumen River and their effects on the fresh-water and marine life. The three-volume publication, prepared by the Russian Academy of Sciences, has established a solid foundation for further assessment, monitoring and mitigation of environmental impact in the area.
In parallel with the Tumen Programme and other initiatives, the ROK government is funding three environmental promects in the Tumen River Area:
1. establishment of a Water Resources Use and Management Plan for the Tumen Watershed
2. feasibility study on Establishment of a Trans-Boundary Biosphere Reserve in the Lower Tumen River Area
3. workshop for the Tumen Programem Member Countries on Integrated Water Quality Management of the Tumen River Basin
A new environmental initiative in Northeast Asia is the Ecopeace Network, which aims to tackle environmental problems in the region through new partnerships between governments, academics and non-governmental and intergovernmental organizations. For further information, please contact Ms. Shim Suk-Kyung, programme Specialist, Korean Naitonal Commission for UNESCO: skshim@unesco.or.kr
The 1995 Memorandum of Understanding on Environmental principles can be viewed on www.tumenprogramem.org under 'focus sectors-environment.'.