The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) convened its first Technical Advisory Group (TAG) meeting for the Global Environment Monitoring System/Water Programme (GEMS/Water) in Burlington, Canada on September 29 to October 1, bringing together technical and scientific experts from 11 UN counterparts and other partners.

The purpose of the TAG is to examine in detail a wide range of technical aspects of, and projects for GEMS/Water, with a view to improving global water quality monitoring.
The meeting discussions led to the accomplishment of three central objectives: 1) agreement and support for the direction and four core activities articulated in the new strategic business plan, from a scientific and technical perspective; 2) ideas and new projects to develop alone or in partnership with other organizations – especially new technologies and data sources; and 3) identifying and strengthening communications and networking opportunities. Participants worked on key themes such as global coverage, access to data, emerging issues, the role of water quality in IWRM and in the international policy agenda, and opportunities for developing country capacity building. Details and plans for fulfilling the objectives are the substance of the group’s first Technical Advisory Paper, the main product of the meeting.
The next TAG meeting is tentatively scheduled for spring 2005, at a location to be determined. The UNEP GEMS/Water Programme is a multi-faceted water science centre oriented towards knowledge development on inland water quality issues throughout the world. For more information visit: http://www.gemswater.org or contact: gems@ec.gc.ca