News 2008

6 th Meeting of ICSU Regional Committee for Asia and the Pacific

The 6 th Meeting of ICSU Regional Committee for Asia and the Pacific was convened on 26-27 November 2008 in Guilin, China.  It was hosted by the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST). In attendance were Prof. Motonori Hoshi, Prof. Mingsarn Kaosa-ard, Prof. Ali Akbar Moosavi Movahedi, Prof. Zhang Kan, Prof. Derek Gardiner, Prof. Muhammad Awang, Dr. Patricia Ocampo-Thomason, and Prof. Mohd Nordin Hasan.

At this meeting the Regional Committee for Asia and the Pacific agreed on a road-map to develop fully the potential of the Regional Office in the next three years. It was also suggested that the ICSU explores the use of the action plan matrix developed by the Regional Office for its science plan on hazards and disasters as a template to initiate work on the recently launched ICSU programme on Integrated Research on Disaster Risks (IRDR).  A half-day forum on sustainable energy in Asia and the Pacific, with a special focus on China (the host country), was held in conjunction with the meeting. Scientists from the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, and the Guangzhou Institute Energy Conversion (both belonging to the Chinese Academy of Sciences), the China Association for Science and Technology, and ICSU ROAP participated in the forum.

3 rd MEETING OF ICSU ROAP SCIENCE PLANNING GROUP ON SUSTAINABLE ENERGY IN KUALA LUMPUR

The 3 RD Meeting of ICSU ROAP Science Planning Group on Sustainable Energy was held in Kuala Lumpur on 14 and 15 November 2008. The group is at the stage of compiling and furnishing the required information on each topic in the science plan. In attendance were Derek Gardiner as Interim Chair (ICSU ROAP Regional Committee Member), Momir Djurovic, Yoshino Hiroshi, Sukanta Roy, Ajith de Alwis, Atul Raturi, Arun Kumar, S. Dasappa and Nordin Hasan ( Ex-officio ). One other member of the planning group, Richard Corkish was unable to attend.

• MISA4 Announcement

ICSU ROAP SPG on Ecosystem Change Meets in Kuala Lumpur

The ICSU Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific Science Planning Group (SPG) on Ecosystem Change met in Kuala Lumpur on 16 and 17 October 2008. The Group is chaired by Dr Doris Capitrano, Senior Fellow, Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines. Present were Distinguished Professor Kamaljit Bawa, President of the Ashoka Trust for Research on Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Professor Lu Yonglong of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Associate Professor Toshimori Takahasi of Utsunomiya University, Japan, Professor Muhamad Awang of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia, Ms Tran Thi Le Anh the Deputy Director, Integrated Coastal Zone,Marine and River Basin Management Division, Vietnam Environment Protection Agency (VEPA), and Professor Mohd Nordin Hasan, Director of ICSU ROAP. Professor Thomas Elmqvist of Stockholm University was unable to attend. The Group discussed inter alia plans for enhancing research on ecosystem change in Asia and the Pacific region, and how to make more effective use of knowledge about ecosystems in the interface between science and society towards achieving a more sustainable and equitable development.

• Sustainability and Human Well Being: Can We Meet the Challenge ?

Hazards and disasters science plans for Asia and the Pacific

ICSU ROAP released today two science plans for work in hazards and disasters in Asia and the Pacific. The first, Science Plan on Hazards and Disasters: Earthquakes, Floods and Landslides focuses on the knowledge on earthquakes, floods and landslides needed to prevent hazards from becoming disasters in Asia and the Pacific. Loss of lives and property from earthquakes, floods and landslides is highest in Asia and the Pacific compared to other parts of the world. The second, Science Plan on Hazards and Disasters: Special Vulnerability of Islands addresses the need to highlight the special vulnerability of islands in the Pacific to hazards and disasters. Many of these islands are found along active tectonic plate boundaries, and have a high probability of being exposed to tropical cyclones. Both reports can be downloaded from Resource Centre page

Ecosystem Change and Human Well-being – Research and Monitoring Priorities Based on the Findings of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment

The ICSU-UNESCO-UNU ad hoc Group on follow-up activities to the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) was tasked with developing a science agenda based on experiences from the MA. This group of experts with relevant natural and social science disciplinary competence representing experiences from the MA as well as the relevant sub-global assessments, was convened with the following Terms of Reference:

1. Based on the outcomes of MA in general, and subsequent literature that has been developed [1] , identify key knowledge gaps that should be filled through additional scientific research;
2. Prioritize research needs and indicate, whenever possible, the need for research at global versus regional scales;
3. Consider whether scientific progress will best be achieved through a decentralized bottom-up approach, regional foci through research/assessment projects, and/or an internationally coordinated research effort;
4. Suggest ways by which a research agenda could be further developed to address the identified priority knowledge gaps; and
5. Discuss and agree on possible mechanisms for implementing research to fill targeted knowledge gaps.

The report of the work of this group is now available for download . The research that this report and other publications will stimulate can provide a firm scientific basis for a possible second assessment of how ecosystem services contribute to, and depend on, human well-being.

[1] Carpenter, S. R., R. DeFries, T. Dietz, H. A. Mooney, S. Polasky, W. V. Reid and R. J. Scholes. (2006). "Millennium Assessment: research needs." Science 314 : 257-258; Mooney, H. A., J. Agard, D. Capistrano, S. R. Carpenter, R. DeFries, S. Diaz,  T. Dietz, A. K. Duraiappah, A. Oteng-Yeboah, H. M. Pereira, C. Perrings, W. V. Reid, J. Sarukhan, R. J. Scholes and Anne Whyte.  Submitted.  “Research for global stwradship: Building on the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment.  PNAS (submitted). .

Strengthening ties with the National Member from Philippines

ICSU ROAP visited the National Research Council of Philippines (NRCP http://www.nrcp.dost.gov.ph/ ) on 19 October 2008 to follow-up on earlier discussions with the President of the Council, Dr Jamie C. Montoya on strengthening ties and enhancing collaboration between ICSU ROAP and the NRCP. In conjunction with the visit, a presentation was made to the Governing Board of the NRCP on the future directions of ICSU and potential areas where relations between ICSU ROAP and the NRCP may be strengthened and improved. The NRCP, established in 1933, is the oldest science council in Asia. The Philippines, it should be noted, has been a member of ICSU since the establishment of the NRCP.

ICSU ROAP meets Lao PDR National Science Council (NSC)

 The National Science Council of Lao PDR was established in 2002 to promote the development of scientific research activities in Laos. It was anticipated that such activities would be gradually upgraded to include activities at the international level. In December 2007 Laos established the National Authority of Science and Technology (NAST). This is a major boost for the development of science in Laos and ICSU can have a significant role to play, through its Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, in enhancing the ability of scientists from Laos to participate in research programmes in the region that will benefit Laos. Details of the Lao National Policy on Science and Technology may be accessed from the following link (Lao National Science and Technology Policy .pdf) However Laos is not yet a member of ICSU.

Invitation to participate: Spring School on Fluid Mechanics and Geophysics of Environmental Hazards (19 Apr – 2 May 2009)

The Spring School on Fluid Mechanics and Geophysics of Environmental Hazards that will teach the mechanical fundamentals of geophysical fluid dynamics, and on geophysical hazard and risk in the atmosphere and ocean, will be held at the Institute of Mathematical Science, National University of Singapore. It will focus on four specific environmental hazards:

1. typhoons and tropical cyclones;
2. monsoons and flooding;
3. tsunamis;
4. pollution of atmosphere, ocean and the urban environment.

The objectives of the School is to promote active and collaborative research activity among the participants. Its long-term objective is to initiate a network of young scientists in countries of Asia and the Pacific who will be committed to work in this interdisciplinary area, and to launch a program of research addressing these problems.

The School is promoted jointly by two of the International Scientific Unions of ICSU (the International Council for Science): IUTAM (the International Union of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics) and IUGG (the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics). The School is supported also by ICSU's Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific Region, based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and it contributes to two of ICSU's priority areas: Natural and Human-Induced Environmental Hazards and Disasters and Building Scientific Capacity .

Graduates in mathematics, physics or engineering, and who wish to undertake research in this broad area are encouraged to apply .

Interested candidates may obtain the application form and further details from http://www.ims.nus.edu.sg/Programs/09fluidss/index.htm

or write to:

Secretary
Institute for Mathematical Sciences
National University of Singapore
3 Prince George's Park
Singapore 118402
Republic of Singapore

or email to imssec@nus.edu.sg .

The 3rd UNEP Eco-Peace Leadership Program Participants Recruitment

The UNEP Eco-Peace Leadership Center is offering a year-long Program to enhance international cooperation in the field of the environment. The aim to enable participants to have the capacity to independently develop solutions to environmental problems that they face in their own country through participation in the programme. Training will be available in 7 different topics which are ‘ Peace & Cooperation ' , ‘ Urban Ecology Environment ' , ‘ Water & Dam ' , ‘ Desertification & Forest ' , ‘ Local Community Revival ' , ‘ Environment & Culture ' and ‘ Renewable Energy ' . EPLC will provide successful participants with a grant of USD2,000 for completion of the program, in addition to meals, accommodation and air ticket for travel to Korea.

Those interested should submit all required documents to EPLC by 30 September. More details may be obtained from the documents linked to this announcement and the EPLC website www.unep-eplc.org .

• Programme Information
• Application Instruction
• Application Material Forms
  

Announcement: The 11 th Pacific Science Inter-Congress in conjunction with 2 nd Symposium on French Research in the Pacific

France, French Polynesia, and the Pacific Science Association announced the 11th Pacific Science Inter-Congress, which is oriented around the theme of “Pacific countries and their ocean facing local and global changes”. The meeting will be held in Papeete, French Polynesia from 2 to 6 March 2009.

The inter-congress will be divided into 5 sessions that includes

•  Ecosystems, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development;
•  Climate Change and Ocean Acidification;
•  Health Challenges in the Pacific: Infectious disease, non-communicable disease and health workforce;
•  Culture and Politics: The stake of modernity; and
•  Governance and the Economy: Future challenges for the Pacific.

The official language of the Inter-Congress is English. A simultaneous translation French–English will also be organized. M ore information on the Inter-Congress can be found on the official website http://www.psi2009.pf

• The 11th Pacific Science Inter-Congressin conjunction with
  2nd Symposium on French Research in the Pacific
  

The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity

“The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity is about addressing “the value of nature” challenge, and making a comprehensive and compelling economic case for conservation of ecosystems and biodiversity.” – Pavan Sukhdev, Study Leader for the project.

 Part of Executive Summary:
Nature provides human society with a vast diversity of benefits such as food, fibres, clean water, healthy soil and carbon capture and much more. Though our well-being is totally dependent upon the continued flow of these “ecosystem services”, they are predominantly public goods with no markets and no prices, so are rarely detected by our current economic compass. As a result, biodiversity is declining, our ecosystems are being continuously degraded and we, in turn, are suffering the consequences.

Taking inspiration from ideas developed in the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, the German Federal Ministry for the Environment and the European Commission, with the support of several other partners initiative, The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB), aims to promote a better understanding of the true economic value of ecosystem services and to offer economic tools that take proper account of this value. We are confident that the results of our work will contribute to more effective policies for biodiversity protection and for achieving the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

TEEB is in two phases and this interim report summarizes the results of Phase I. It demonstrates the huge significance of ecosystems and biodiversity and the threats to human welfare if no action is taken to reverse current damage and losses. Phase II will expand on this and show how to use this knowledge to design the right tools and policies.

• Full report on The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity
  

Programmes of BICTAM for 2008-2010

The Beijing International Center for Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (BICTAM) announced its programmes for 2008-2010. The programmes include two symposia and two summer courses in 2008, one symposium and one workshop in 2009, and one workshop in 2010.

There are seven highlighted areas that will take place in various parts in China. The areas titles are:

1. Surfaces and Interfaces in Solid Matters,
2. Multi-Field Coupling Theory and Smart Materials,
3. International Symposium on Computational Mechanics of Materials,
4. Mechanics and Biomimetics of Biomaterials and Animal Locomotion,
5. Multi-Phase Flows in ABL: Wind Erosion, Dust Storms and Snow Drift,
6. Meshfree/Meshless and Particle Methods, and
7. Mitigation of Earthquake Hazards.

Target participants will be researchers, engineers, and students in Asia and the Pacific and other countries. BICTAM will provide some financial support to students in Asia and the Pacific participating in these activities. Priority will be given to students recommended by the IAP members of BICTAM, and the societies of theoretical and applied mechanics and the relevant societies in the region.

All international students approved and accepted by BICTAM will get free registration and accommodation. A total of 40 students will be supported by BICTAM for year 2008.

For further information on the activities, please visit http://www.bictam.org.cn/Activities.asp and further enquiries can be forwarded to the Secretariat of the BICTAM: Ms. Yang Liu, liuyang@cstam.org.cn or Ms. Yanan Tang, yntang@cstam.org.cn .

ICSU ROAP SCIENCE PLANNING GROUP ON SUSTAINABLE ENERGY MEETS IN KUALA LUMPUR

The Science Planning Group on Sustainable Energy met in Kuala Lumpur on 23 and 24 April 2008. It is the third Science Planning Group established by ICSU ROAP. The ICSU ROAP science plans aim to identify areas of research that needs to be promoted in Asia and the Pacific. The Group on sustainable energy will plan the research agenda on sustainable energy in Asia and the Pacific. In attendance were Derek Gardiner as Interim Chair (ICSU ROAP Regional Committee), Momir Djurovic (Montenegrin Academy of Science and Art), Richard Corkish (University of New South Wales, Australia), Sukanta Roy (Naional Geophysical Research Institute, India), Ajith de Alwis (University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka) and Nordin Hasan (ICSU ROAP – Ex-officio ). Two other members of the planning group, Shuza Murakami and Donghwan Kim) were unable to attend.

The Planning Group deliberated the definitions of sustainable energy in use at present, and possible sources of sustainable energy of prime importance to the region. It is envisaged that the plan will focus on seven energy sources i.e. wind, solar, geothermal, hydro, biomass, ocean energy and energy from waste. It will take into consideration the energy availability in the region, current and emerging technologies and potential applications.

The science plan will guide the work of the ICSU Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific in the next three to six years towards enhancing understanding of the sustainable energy needs and potential in Asia and the Pacific especially in areas where there are significant gaps in our knowledge. Additional members of the Science Planning Group on Sustainable Energy are being sought to strengthen the group.Should you have an interest in contributing to the development of the science plan for the sustainable energy, please contact us at secretariat@icsu-asia-pacific.org .

A total of 37 participants attended including participants who attended the First SGA Follow-up Meeting organised by the United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies (UNU IAS), researchers from local universities and research institutes, representatives of government departments, and other international organizations such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) s.

Dr A. Duraiappah of the Ecosystem Services and Economics Unit of UNEP Head Office in Nairobi, Kenya made a presentation of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment in the context of assessing and understanding the implications of change in ecosystems and their implications to human well being. This was complemented at the start of the workshop by a presentation by Dr B. Chambers of the United Nations University, Institute of Advanced Studies (UNU IAS) on the Millennium Assessment (MA) follow-up strategies and the Sub-Global Assessments (SGA). These presentations shared past experience of the SGA from the MA and provided participants with the latest developments in the MA Follow-up programme. Primarily this involves the establishment of the MA Follow-up SGA Secretariat at the UNU IAS and follow-up with the catalogue of SGA worldwide.

Presentations were made by local researchers of the background to the main areas of thrust for a proposed Malaysian SGA. Each presenter discussed the sectoral and disciplinary aspects of the assessments they propose to conduct. A high-level panel discussion examined the cross-cutting issues. These included how the assessment will be structured, governance of the assessment, the potential for associate assessments and the roles and responsibilities of researchers.

The workshop ended on an enthusiastic note. Many researchers were interested in developing proposals with funding requirements that will form the basis for the Malaysian SGA. The Workshop was closed by Prof Mazlin Mokhtar, the Director of the Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI) of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

ICSU ROAP HOST MA SUB-GLOBAL ASSESSMENT MEETINGS

ICSU ROAP has just completed co-hosting three meetings related to the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Sub-Global Follow-up Programme, as part of the activation of its work in its ecosystems priority area. The first was a four-day meeting organized by the UNU Institute of Advanced Studies (IAS), on 10 to 13 April that aimed to re-establish the MA sub-global assessment (SGA) network, in order to present and discuss the rationale, objectives and scope of the sub-global assessment activities as part of the broader strategy of MA follow-up. It also informed participants of new assessments that were not part of the original set of MA SGAs. This meeting was attended by around 80 participants from all over the world and Malaysian participants.

The second meeting held on 14 and 15 April was jointly organized by the United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC). It discussed the structure and content of the MA Methodology Manual with a view to identifying primary needs and receiving sub-global case study material for inclusion in the Manual, and for identifying authors from the sub-global assessments to prepare various chapters of the Manual.

• MA Follow-up and SGAs
• Assessments Understanding Change

Roundtable Discussion On Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Sub-Global Follow-Up In Malaysia - 11 March 2008

ICSU ROAP and its partners the United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies (UNU IAS), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI) and the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) will be convening on 11 March 2008 at the Hotel Equatorial Bangi, a Roundtable discussion (RTD) on follow-up activities to the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA). This is the first step towards developing MA follow-up activities in Malaysia .

Ecosystems is a priority area of work of ICSU ROAP and the dialogue will provide the opportunity for researchers to hear the views of key stakeholders on ecosystems changes in Malaysia and their implications from cultural, political and policy perspectives. Presentations by UNI IAS, the Economic Planning Unit of the Prime Ministers Department, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry, and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Malaysia Office, will be making presentations.

The RTD will:

•  Provide an update on the status of knowledge and research in ecosystems;
•  Share practical experiences on the current governmental strategies for development
    that aims to ensure the sustainability of ecosystems services; and
•  To identify future research activities needed to strengthen understanding of the
   linkages between ecosystems services and human wellbeing for sustainable
   development

• Millennium Ecosystem Assessment
• MA Follow-up and SGAs March2008
• Sub-Global Assessment Japan SGA March08

Sixth Continent Initiative Fellowships (6CI)

The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), a subsidiary body of ICSU, has announced the launch of its 2008-09 Fellowship programme. This year they are advertising SCAR/IPF/IAI/UNEP Sixth Continent Initiative Fellowships - for postgraduate and/or post-doctoral researchers from within the 34 SCAR Member countries, or from non-traditional polar countries, to undertake research and development activities in the Antarctic. 

The Sixth Continent Initiative (6CI) - "Capacity Building in Antarctic Scientific Research” is an approved International Polar Year (IPY) activity supported by SCAR, the International Polar Foundation (IPF), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the International Antarctic Institute (IAI). The aim of 6CI is to widen the exposure of researchers from non-traditionally polar countries to the culture of international scientific cooperation in Antarctica, and its relevance to the global community. 

The Fellowship Programme is designed to encourage the active involvement of early career scientists and engineers in Antarctic scientific research, and to strengthen international capacity and cooperation in Antarctic research.

Further details and application forms may be obtained from the following URL: http://www.scar.org/awards/fellowships/ . The deadline for submissions is 15 May 2008.

The Second GEOSS Asia-Pacific Symposium, 14 – 16 April 2008

Announcement

The 2nd GEOSS AP Symposium is being organized by the GEO Secretariat with the support of the government of Japan , and its goal is to exchange information and enhance common understanding for realizing GEOSS as a tool for sustainable development. The Second GEOSS Asia-Pacific Symposium will focus on the role of Earth Observations in Tackling Climate Change. Under this theme, the 2nd GEOSS AP Symposium will discuss strengthening of observation system and compile a report to recommend in the forthcoming G-8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit in Japan . It will provide parallel sessions on observation and prediction of climate change, impact of climate change on water resource management and impact of climate change on ecosystems and biodiversity. The symposium will take place at Center for The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, Tokyo . For more information go to