REGIONAL TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP ON EIA:

GUIDELINES FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

February 24, 2016 Yangon, Myanmar

MPE Goal and ApproachMPE supports constructive engagement among governments, business and civil society for more informed decisions to ensure responsible development in the Mekong region.

Our approach centers on Partnerships, Participation, and access to Information

Support for Regional Cooperation on EIA?

3

1) An EIA standard or guideline should begin as voluntary cooperation among countries

2) Any regional standard or guideline must build on principled agreement among government, civil society, business

3) There must be a link for ownership at the national level for any regional level agreement

4) A regional working group, convened with champions and influential individuals can move a common agenda

Members of the RTWG on EIA

4

Developing Regional Guidelines

• Approved action plan being followed-consensus decision making

• Zero draft of the guidelines in process- draw from international standards and practice

• National advisors to provide technical expertise- open recruitment

• Public consultations on draft guidelines

5

Regional Leaders Support a Sustainable Future

6

“…consider social and environmental consequences, including the use of environmental impact assessment…in infrastructure investments [and we believe that] …strengthening regional capacity for sustainable development [to] include public participation will increase regional cooperation on trans-boundary impacts.”

- LMI Joint Statement August 2015

UNHRC Report of Special Rapporteur

“…ASEAN should consider the development of a framework agreement… for [EIA]. The framework could set out guidelines to identify projects that would require such assessments and provide minimum standards for public participation.”

7

Business Support and Engagement• Participate in public consultations

• Review the draft guidelines and provide comment

• Present practical experiences to the RTWG

• Establish and participate in national EIA working group

• Integrate the guidelines into company practice

• Spread the message of regional collaboration for EIA

8

Thank you!

Christy OwenCowen@pactworld.or

g