PLANET Workshop
    -Initiatives by the United Nations Centre for Regional Development

Activities on waste management done by the United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD) were presented for the participants to learn from similar initiatives. Under the theme of “Promoting 3R in Developing Countries: Current and Future Activities of UNCRD”, Mr. Ken Shimizu, Researcher of Environment Unit, UNCRD, explained about the history, objectives and structure of UNCRD. UNCRD provides advisory services to government agencies, NGOs, etc., promotes exchange of experiences, information and expertise and facilitates cooperation and collaboration at local, national and international levels through research, training and projects.

Among the three key activities of UNCRD’s environment group, Mr. Shimizu focused his presentation on the promotion of 3R and sustainable production and consumption (SPC) in Asia. After a brief review on 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle), he introduced the UNCRD’s strategy in 3R promotion and shared major findings from the Needs Assessment Mission conducted in 10 Asian countries in 2004. In the four fundamental issues about 3Rs and/or SPC found by the Mission, he mentioned the limited awareness of public, media and industry to be addressed by PLANET for awareness rising. He introduced also the concept of 5 Rs- Refuse, Return, Reuse, Repair, and Recycle.

He then introduced three pilot 3R demonstration projects in Viet Nam, Indonesia and Bangladesh. They first conduct a needs assessment/ analysis which forms the baseline for the project activities and strategy, and work with a national stakeholders working group consisting of government, civil society and other organisations who provide direct input into the formulation of National 3R strategies and demonstration activities, and ensure local waste issues, perceptions, etc. are taken into account. UNCRD’s work in developing National 3R strategies and demonstration projects could also result in research studies/ papers on economic incentives to promote 3Rs. Lastly he expressed the organization’s keen interest in partnerships and collaboration for future activities in the context of regional development.

UNCRD Initiatives on 3R (432KB)