Page 16 - EPLO ACTIVITY REPORT 2023

INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENTS

EPLO is awarded the Observer Status at the Espoo Convention and the SEA Protocol - UNECE
13 June 2023

The Working Group of the Espoo Convention and the SEA Protocol has unanimously
agreed on granting to the EPLO an observer status. The EPLO will therefore be able to
attend the WG meetings and the Meetings of the Parties (MOPs), as well as any other
meetings or events organized by any of these two UNECE (UN Economic Commission
for Europe) Multilateral Environmental Agreements.
UNECE has negotiated five environmental conventions, also known as multilateral
environmental agreements or MEAs. The Espoo Convention and the Sea Protocol are
among them. The Espoo (EIA) Convention is a key instrument for bringing together all
stakeholders to notify and consult each other on all major projects under consideration
that might have adverse environmental impacts across borders in order to prevent environmental damage before
it occurs.

Reform of the Protocol and Liaison Office – New Chief
7 April 2023

The Executive Committee has decided to reform and expand the remit of the Organization’s “Protocol and Liaison
Office” and rename it to “International Affairs, Protocol and Liaison Office”. It was further placed under a Chief
directly depending from the EPLO Director. As mentioned in the amended text, all matters of international affairs
and protocol related issues pertaining to the EPLO and its Director in particular, shall be dealt with by the
aforementioned Office. The Executive Committee further proceeded with the appointment of Ambassador (ret.)
Panos Kalogeropoulos as Chief of the International Affairs, Protocol and Liaison Office of the Executive Office of
the Director.

Memoranda of Understanding & Agreements

The Mediterranean Programme for International Environmental Law and Negotiation
(MEPIELAN) signed an MOU with EPLO
30 December 2022

The Mediterranean Programme for International Environmental Law and Negotiation
(MEPIELAN) is an international scientific, research and educational Non-Profit Civil
Organization (INGO), represented by its Founding and Executive Director, Evangelos
Raftopoulos, Professor of International Law and International Environmental Law,
Panteion University of Athens, signed an MOU with the EPLO represented by its
Director Professor Spyridon Flogaitis. The Parties shall work for the realization of
joint projects, activities and training programs. Cooperation extends to the
production of publications and European research and academic networking
projects.
Sierra Leone government signs MoU with EPLO
11 February 2023

The government of Sierra Leone through the Minister of
Development and Economic Planning Dr Francis Kai-Kai, has signed
a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the EPLO at a
ceremony which took place at the La Plaza Hotel in Brussels,
Belgium. The aim of the EPLO MOU is to promote universal values
through Law and Governance and cooperation activities with
particular emphasis on further development and enrichment of the
public goals and institutions of Sierra Leone in the best interest of its
People. The government of Sierra Leone, committed to Education
and the Rule of Law, wishes to collaborate with the EPLO to promote
education, research, training and institution building in every
Sierra Leone government signs MOU with EPLO
aspect of public life where the need will be prioritized by the
Government.

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