The Asia Pacific Regional Conference on Environmental Justice and Enforcement, organized by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, convened on 14-16 January 2008, in Bangkok, Thailand, bringing together judges, prosecutors and legal practitioners from about 40 countries in the Asia Pacific region.

The event was aimed at strengthening the role of judges and legal practitioners in environmental governance, enforcement and the rule of law. Participants discussed, among other issues: emerging trends in environmental jurisprudence and enforcement of environmental laws; the interface between international policy and legal frameworks and national legal systems; and ways to strengthen environmental justice to deal with major environmental challenges, including climate change. Several delegates noted that corruption and a lack of political will are slowing down efforts to enforce environmental laws in the Asia Pacific region.
Links to further information
UNEP ROAP News release, 14 January 2008
Bangkok’s Independent Nation, 15 January 2008