Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Trade-related MEAs have also established consultative and coordinating mechanisms
at the regional and global levels, with national focal points identi
ed in environmental
agencies. Until recently there was little appreciable interaction between trade-related
policy advisors and MEA focal points, which echoed the situation in multilateral forums.
However, networks fostered by national trade and environment committees and current
negotiations before the WTO regarding the standing of trade-related MEA secretariats
before the CTE have helped to increase the exchange of information and dissemination
of views between these institutions. The 2007 CAMRE resolution reiterating support for
national trade and environment committees in the Arab region speci
fi
cally recommends
that the national focal points of the trade-related MEAs serve as members of these
national committees.
8
Part of the di
fi
culty of establishing institutional mechanisms for trade and environ-
ment decision-making stems from the fact that governments in the Arab region often
change, as is the case in many developing countries with parliamentary systems. Changes
at the ministerial level often result in associated shifts in responsibility for trade and envi-
ronment
les. This dynamic situation increases the time allocated to capacity-building
and priority-setting among new counterparts, and reduces resources available for sub-
stantive policy analysis and formulation among senior sta
fi
ff
.
ective institutional lines of communication also impede consultation with
counterparts on trade and environment issues. The situation reduces the ability of nego-
tiators to solicit policy positions and supporting technical input from relative stakehold-
ers in a timely manner. For example, reports prepared by national missions to the WTO
participating in CTE sessions in Geneva are usually submitted to the ministries of trade
or foreign a
Slow or ine
ff
airs in country capitals, which do not necessarily forward these documents
to environmental agencies; outcomes from meetings of trade-related MEAs are also not
necessarily shared with trade counterparts. While national committees on trade and envi-
ronment are gradually helping to reduce these information transaction costs through
more regular debrie
ff
ng mechanisms and formal and informal networking arrangements,
the strengthening of formal communication channels and consultative arrangements is
necessary to facilitate greater policy coordination and policy coherence in the region.
9
fi
The policy-making process
Today most policy advisors in the Arab region understand that trade and environment
policy linkages are part and parcel of the sustainable development policy framework and
need to be addressed in an integrated manner in order to deal with new emerging issues
presented by increased globalization and trade liberalization. However, the process of
policy integration remains a challenge.
The policy-making process involves a variety of steps that begin well before a policy
objective is identi
fi
ed. Indeed, when addressing a relatively new area of policy formula-
tion, the
rst stage often involves raising awareness and increasing understanding about
the policy context. In the case of trade and environment policy-making, this begins with
garnering support for integrated sustainable development policy. While important
advances have been made in encouraging integrated thinking about sustainable develop-
ment topics in Arab countries through the development of national and regional strate-
gies for sustainable development and associated action plans, the design, implementation
and monitoring of policy instruments remains di
fi
cult. The process is also often subject
