TERMS of REFERENCE for the Advisory Group on the Development of Common Methodologies for Integrated Coastal Zone Management

The Advisory Group on Advisory Group on the Development of Common Methodologies for Integrated Coastal Zone (AG ICZM) gives advice to the Black Sea Commission on proper management of the coastal zone and elaboration and implementation of regionally coordinated integrated coastal zone management strategies, methodologies and instruments in the context of sustainable development (Annex I, BS SAP, 1996).

Legal Status and Institutional Structure.

The Advisory Group on the Development of Common Methodologies for Integrated Coastal Zone is an integral part of the Black Sea Commission institutional structure and constitutes its subsidiary body:

a) The AG ICZM is comprised of the national focal points nominated by the member of the Black Sea Commission, a director of activity center and is responsible for facilitation of links between the Black Sea Commission, the relevant national authorities and regional and national scientific expertise; the national focal points are responsible for the accurate and timely delivered national information on ICZM as it deems necessary for the Black Sea Commission;

b) The Advisory Group on the Development of Common Methodologies for Integrated Coastal Zone is supported by the Activity Center on the Development of Common Methodologies for Integrated Coastal Zone which provides the necessary programmatic and technical support for the work of the AG ICZM. The Activity Center is based upon the one created following the Resolution of Bucharest Diplomatic Conference 1992 and with the assistance of BSEP and shall function with in-kind contribution by the Government of the Russian Federation with additional financial assistance from donors where possible and necessary. The members of the Advisory Group shall elect its chairperson among themselves for two years;

c) Following the Rules of Procedure of the BSC the AG ICZM may propose that any individual, able to provide expertise related to the ICZM and assist in producing the recommendations required by the BSC as well as assist the training activities within the work program of the Group, could be invited to the events within the work plan of the AG ICZM.

Main responsibilities

The AG ICZM acts in advisory and information capacities for the regional purposes of the Black Sea Commission by:

1. Drafting recommendations and policies for the Black Sea Commission for the following:

a) formulating the regional policies and proposing regional strategy and actions for Integrated Coastal Zone Management;

b) strengthening integration among different sectors at the local, national and regional levels, relevant institutions, governmental bodies and international organizations, the private sector and other stakeholders;

c) harmonization of already applied ICZM instruments at the regional level in the Black Sea coastal countries;

2. acting as the BSC consultative body for regionally important activities related to ICZM in close cooperation with relevant national authorities;

3. coordinating the regional scientific studies and training activities in ICZM as it deems necessary;

4. drafting proposals and advising the BSC in attracting the international financial assistance for solving regionally important environmental problems related to integrated coastal zone management;

5. developing and applying environmental decision support systems based on the GIS technologies.

Main tasks

Specifically, the ICZM group is responsible for preparation of recommendations and documents to be considered by the Black Sea Commission and the regional coordination of following tasks:

1. Preparation and revision of the Regional ICZM Policies and Strategies;

2. Preparation and revision of the Regional Coastal Code of Conduct;

3. Development of possible scenarios and assessment of their probable consequences concerning the most acute threats to Black Sea coasts

4. Development, analysis and definition of appropriate indicators for comprehensive description of the status of the Black Sea coast and for the efficiency of the ICZM process and activities;

5. Definition and dissemination on the regional level of the good practices and tools for the decision-making in the framework of ICZM;

6. Elaboration and promotion of ICZM implementation initiatives and projects on local level;

7. Identification of existing international programs of relevance for solving regionally important or transboundary problems of the Black Sea coastal zone management and drafting specific project proposals for these programs;

8. Support all activities or/and proposals for conservation of the coast in order to keep the target value of 20% for the intact coast and enlarged it to 30% percents;

9. Development and maintenance of the regional database on coastal environmental pressures and threats for Black Sea Information System.

Interaction within the Black Sea Commission Institutional Structure

1. The AG ICZM is directly subordinated to the Black Sea Commission and its Permanent Secretariat and shall report to the Black Sea Commission on annual basis. The general coordination is assigned by the Black Sea Commission to the Permanent Secretariat of BSC and to the Activity Centre on ICZM.

2. The AG ICZM shall closely cooperate with the all advisory groups of the Black Sea Commission in order to propose the coherent and cost effective measures for the protection and rehabilitation of the Black Sea ecosystem.

3. The AG ICZM shall cooperate with respective institutions in the region and joint groups that may be set up from time-to-time, particularly on such issues as land use planning, pollution assessment, environmental impact assessment, coastal erosion, sustainable development of tourism and fisheries, aquaculture, strategic environmental impact assessment, etc.

Cooperation with other conventions and stakeholders

In order to achieve tangible results and benefit from the international experience the AG ICZM, when authorized by the BSC and on its behalf, shall seek:

1. Twining projects and joint activities with the appropriate bodies of the relevant global and regional conventions and agreements.

2. Coherence and coordination of concurrent activities with international research programs, projects and bodies.

3. Cooperation and direct involvement of all the stakeholders off the Black Sea coastal zone to promote sustainable development.

4. Best use of expertise and institutional capacity within the region and, within its work plan approved on an annual basis by the Commission, cooperate on specific tasks with any institution or expert that it considers appropriate.

5. Strengthening and further development of the existing ICZM network.

6. Increased involvement of general public, NGOs and local communities in the ICZM activities.

Reporting requirements:

In order to facilitate the Black Sea Commission work and to lessen the burden of the national reporting to the Black Sea Commission the AG ICZM shall develop and implement a comprehensive reporting system on the ICZM related problems and activities, namely:

1. elaborate, regularly fill in and update questionnaire on the ICZM relevant issues to the implementation of the Black Sea Strategic Action Plan and impact of ICZM on the coastal environment,

2. prepare and submit its draft work plan to the BSC Permanent Secretariat two months prior the annual Black Sea Commission meetings for BSC approval and incorporation in the BSC Work Plan,

3. compile the annual report on current status of integrated coastal zone management and pressures on the coastal environment in a format approved by the Commission two months prior the regular Black Sea Commission meeting,

4. in cooperation with other advisory groups and the Permanent Secretariat prepare and submit a chapter on coastal pressures and threats to the State of the Environment of the Black Sea Report every five years six months prior the Meeting of the Ministers of Environment,

5. The AG ICZM shall convene a meeting at least once a year but no later than two months prior the Commission Meeting. More meetings could be convened upon availability of funds and urgency of the issue under discussion. The Minutes of each AG ICZM meeting should be delivered to the Permanent Secretariat not later than 10 days after meeting.

TOR Revision:

The AG ICZM shall review the Terms of References, propose necessary changes, as it deems necessary and submit it to the Secretariat two months prior the Commission meeting.