INECE Helps Launch the Network for Environmental Compliance and Enforcement in the Maghreb

At a meeting of 60 environmental compliance and enforcement practitioners in February 2006 in Rabat, Morocco, INECE helped launch the Network for Environmental Compliance and Enforcement in the Maghreb (NECEMA).

During the meeting, participants discussed the need to cooperate in the field of environmental governance, and specifically environmental compliance and enforcement. Participants agreed that a regional network was essential for sharing experiences and building capacity in the region.

At a session chaired by Durwood Zaelke, Director of the INECE Secretariat, participants confirmed Mr. Brahim Zyani (from the Moroccan Ministry of Territory Planning, Water, and the Environment) as NECEMA's Chair, and Mr. Samir Kaabi (from Tunisian National Environmental Protection Agency) as NECEMA's Co-chair.  Mr. Mohammed Rida Derder (INECE Special Counsel for North Africa) was confirmed as the INECE Coordinator for NECEMA.

NECEMA builds upon the efforts of regional representatives at INECE's 7th International Conference, held in Marrakech, Morocco in April 2005, who originally conceived the need for the network.  Further progress was made during a meeting on Le droit de l’environnement, la bonne gouvernance et le développement durable développement durable – opportunités et perspectives in December 2005 in Tunis, Tunisia.