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Profiles

The UNEP - DTIE International Environmental Technology Centre

Established in April 1994, the International Environmental Technology Centre (IETC) is an integral part of the Division of Technology, Industry and Economics (DTIE) of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). It has offices at two locations in Japan - Osaka and Shiga.

The Centre's main function is to promote the application of Environmentally Sound Technologies (ESTs) in developing countries and countries with economies in transition. IETC pays specific attention to urban problems, such as sewage, air pollution, solid waste, noise, and to the management of fresh water basins.

IETC is supported in its operations by two Japanese foundations: The Global Environment Centre Foundation (GEC), which is based in Osaka and handles urban environmental problems; and the International Lake Environment Committee Foundation (ILEC), which is located in Shiga Prefecture and contributes accumulated knowledge on sustainable management of fresh water resources.

IETC's mandate is based on Agenda 21, which came out of the UNCED process. Consequently IETC pursues a result-oriented work plan revolving around three issues, namely: (1) Improving access to information on ESTs; (2) Fostering technology cooperation, partnerships, adoption and use of ESTs; and (3) Building endogenous capacity.

IETC has secured specific results that have established it as a Centre of Excellence in its areas of specialty. Its products include: an overview on existing information sources for ESTs; a database of information on ESTs; a regular newsletter, a technical publication series and other media materials creating public awareness and disseminating information on ESTs; Local Agenda 21 documents developed for selected cities in collaboration with the UNCHS (Habitat)/UNEP Sustainable Cities Programme (SCP); advisory services; Action Plans for sustainable management of selected lake/reservoir basins; training needs assessment surveys in the field of decision-making on technology transfer and management of ESTs; design and implementation of pilot training programmes for adoption, application and operation of ESTs; training materials for technology management of large cities and fresh water basins; and others.

The Centre coordinates its activities with substantive organisations within the UN system. IETC also seeks partnerships with international and bilateral finance institutions, technical assistance organisations, the private, academic and non-governmental sectors, foundations and corporations.

UNEP Division of Technology, Industry and Economics

The mission of the UNEP Division of Technology, Industry and Economics is to help decision-makers in government, local authorities, and industry develop and adopt policies and practices that:

The UNEP Division of Technology, Industry and Economics (UNEP DTIE), with the Division Office in Paris, is composed of one centre and five branches:

The International Environmental Technology Centre (Osaka), which promotes the adoption and use of environmentally sound technologies with a focus on the environmental management of cities and freshwater basins, in developing countries and countries in transition.

Production and Consumption (Paris), which fosters the development of cleaner and safer production and consumption patterns that lead to increased efficiency in the use of natural resources and reductions in pollution.

Chemicals (Geneva), which promotes sustainable development by catalysing global actions and building national capacities for the sound management of chemicals and the improvement of chemical safety world-wide, with a priority on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and Prior Informed Consent (PIC, jointly with FAO).

Energy and OzonAction (Paris), which supports the phase-out of ozone depleting substances in developing countries and countries with economies in transition, and promotes good management practices and use of energy, with a focus on atmospheric impacts. The UNEP/RISØ Collaborating Centre on Energy and Environment supports the work of the Unit.

Economics and Trade (Geneva), which promotes the use and application of assessment and incentive tools for environmental policy and helps improve the understanding of linkages between trade and environment and the role of financial institutions in promoting sustainable development.

Coordination of Regional Activities Branch, which coordinates regional delivery of UNEP DTIE's activities and ensures coordination of DTIE's activities funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

UNEP DTIE activities focus on raising awareness, improving the transfer of information, building capacity, fostering technology cooperation, partnerships and transfer, improving understanding of environmental impacts of trade issues, promoting integration of environmental considerations into economic policies, and catalysing global chemical safety.

For more information contact:
UNEP,
Division of Technology, Industry and Economics
39-43, Quai André Citroën 75739 Paris Cedex 15, France
Tel: 33 1 44 37 14 50; Fax: 33 1 44 37 14 74
E-mail: unep.tie@unep.fr; URL:http://www.uneptie.org/

The International Network on Water, Environment and Health (UNU/INWEH)

The International Network on Water, Environment and Health (UNU/INWEH) is a member of the United Nations University family of organizations. It was created by the United Nations University Governing Council in 1996 with core funding provided by the Government of Canada. Its purpose is to strengthen water management capacity, particularly of developing countries, and to provide on-the-ground project support.

UNU/INWEH takes a multi-disciplinary, ecosystem approach to water and watershed management. It fosters the application of appropriate technologies to meet water needs and assist environmental industries in developing countries to ensure the ongoing availability of affordable products and services.

UNU/INWEH is a global Network of water pollution and management experts, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, the United Nations and other multilateral bodies, and private sector companies. Resources available through the Network are applied to conceive, develop, implement and manage programs and projects that address water problems in developing countries.

Human resource development is a fundamental element of each project and program. UNU/INWEH is committed to training because one of the greatest needs in the developing world is to strengthen the capacity of people -- any country's most valuable resource. The educational programs of the UNU/INWEH include a core training curriculum in watershed management, customized project training and distance education. Emphasis is placed on the training of people from developing countries who, in turn, will teach others. In this way, countries can better meet ongoing needs with people skilled in such areas as environmental monitoring, regulatory development and enforcement, information collection and dissemination, and aquatic science.

The United Nations University International Network on Water, Environment and Health (INWEH)
McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4K1
Tel: +1-905-525-9140
Fax: +1-905-529-4261
Email: contact@inweh.unu.edu

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