Environmental enforcement officials from more than 80 countries, international organizations, and NGOs concluded a week of workshops and meetings on enforcement and compliance by announcing its "Call to Action" in a Co-chair Conference Statement released April 19 in San Jose, Costa Rica.

The statement calls for a reaffirmation of the global commitment to strengthening enforcement and compliance as an essential component of sustainable development efforts, and appeals to developed countries to provide resources and technical assistance to increase enforcement capacity in other parts of the world. The statement also calls for INECE to continue its support of regional enforcement and compliance empowerment networks and to undertake projects to support and enhance its mission to raise public awareness and strengthen institutional capacity around the globe.

The enforcement conference is the Sixth Conference sponsored by the International Network for Environmental Compliance and Enforcement, a global organization dedicated to the use of environmental compliance and enforcement networks to protect the environment and public health throughout the world. It commenced with a Pre-Conference workshop held on April 13th, organized by environmental law professionals from Costa Rica, which focused on training, networking, and raising awareness concerning local environmental issues and the need for enforcement.

INECE chose Costa Rica, a country of myriad natural resources and a developed respect for environmental stewardship among its citizens and its government, as the site to discuss how to improve environmental enforcement and compliance with national and international environmental laws. Enforcement officials were joined at the conference by a number of non-governmental organizations and academics at the invitation-only gathering that was supported by the Costa Rica Ministry of Environment attracted nearly 170 participants.

The conference provided the opportunity for participants to take field visits to many parts of Costa Rica to view both the challenges and successes achieved by the Costa Rican people and their government. These visits showed INECE conference participants that, although the country has much to achieve regarding environmental enforcement and compliance, there is a valuable role for INECE to play in helping Costa Rica protect its natural riches.

Gerard Wolters, Inspector General of the Inspectorate of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment, The Netherlands, stated in his closing remarks April 19 that the local conference held Saturday April 13 reflects INECE's intention to contribute back to the Costa Rican people who have been such friendly and gracious hosts. "We also are delighted to see that Costa Rica has appointed its new Minister of Environment, Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, who was one of the our key participants in our conference," Wolters said.

"We are confident that he will be a strong champion of Enforcement and Compliance. The Tico Times described him today as a `no nonsense defender of nature who is well aware' of this country's environmental problems. We are honored to have him take part in the INECE conference and offer him both our congratulations and support," Wolters said.

The release of this Conference Statement culminates six days of presentations by enforcement officials, inspectors, and trainers, including workshops and field visits. The statement outlines the Conference findings, the Co-chairs' vision for INECE's contribution to the continuing dialogue on environmental law enforcement at the World Summit on Sustainable Development to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa, and future initiatives in which INECE will lead or play a supporting role. A press conference and simultaneous web cast was broadcast from the Real Intercontinental Hotel in San Jose.

The Co-Chair Conference Statement recounts the mandate for governments, enforcement and compliance professionals, and non-governmental organizations such as INECE to strengthen efforts to improve environmental compliance and enforcement. It also states the intention of INECE to expand its efforts to assist compliance and enforcement initiatives through its worldwide network of enforcement professionals and Internet resources.

The Co-chairs issued the following statements earlier in the week:

Gerard Wolters, Inspector General of the Inspectorate of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment, The Netherlands, stated: "The world is waking up to past failures to enforce environmental law and to the need to make enforcement and compliance a priority for the 21st Century." Sylvia Lowrance, Acting Assistant Administrator for enforcement and compliance at US EPA, added "It is crucial in today's world that violators of environmental laws face the consequences of strong enforcement. Through INECE and this conference we continue to build on and strengthen the existing networks of environmental agencies to police our global environment." Wolters and Lowrance are Co-Chairs of INECE, along with Charles Sebukeera, Director, Information and Monitoring, at the National Environment Management Authority in Uganda.

Sebukeera emphasized:"Most people recognize that enforcement and compliance is cost-effective at the macro level. It brings more benefits to society, in terms of improved public health and more secure ecosystems, than it costs. But what is not as well known is that improved enforcement and compliance also is cost-effective at the firm level in most cases. Enlightened business leaders now understand that good environmental performance enhances their international competitive position. It also is an important factor in attracting foreign direct investment, especially in developing countries."

Durwood Zaelke, President and founder of the Center for International Environmental Law, is the Director of the INECE Secretariat. Zaelke stated that "the conclusions from the Sixth Conference will provide valuable input to the World Summit on Sustainable Development" scheduled for Johannesburg in August. With the assistance of the Costa Rica Ministry of Environment, the Sixth Conference is supported by the Dutch Ministry, USEPA, and the European Commission, as well as the World Bank Institute, the United Nations Environment Program, and Environment Canada. Other supporters include NAFTA Commission for Environmental Cooperation and the International Fund for Animal Welfare. The Conference Agenda, Past Conference Proceedings, and Documents from the conference are being posted daily on the INECE web site (www.inece.org). For more information, contact Peyton Sturges, Carolina Mauri at 506-228-8564, or the INECE Secretariat at 202-249-9607.