UN agency to study environment of Palestinian territories

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) today said it will study the Palestinian territories to outline the state of the ecosystem and identify major areas of environmental damage requiring urgent attention.

The announcement came after UNEP Executive Director Klaus Toepfer completed a recent visit to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories in preparation of the environmental desk study, which will be based on review of available, relevant studies and interviews with officials and experts.

Mr. Toepfer said the process would be an objective one undertaken in close cooperation with both parties with the aim of listing priorities and proposing recommendations to solve environmental problems.

"The common understanding is clearly that urgent attention and action is needed to address environmental needs in the region," he said.

The desk study will be finalized in November and presented to the UNEP Governing Council next February.