The aim of the ROPME  Environmental Prize is to promote all forms of activities designed to construct a desired atmosphere for Conservation, Protection, Enhancement and Understanding of the Marine Environment of the Region, as embodied in the “Kuwait Regional Convention for Co-operation on the Protection of the Marine Environment from Pollution” and its Protocols.

2.PRIZE

a)The Prize shall not be divided, save in exceptional circumstances, and shall be awarded to an individual, a group of individuals or an institution for outstanding  contribution and achievement in conservation, protection, enhancement or understanding of the Marine Environment of the Region.

b)The Prize shall be awarded every three years.

c)The Prize shall be worth US$. 20,000/-. 

d)The Prize shall be awarded for an indeterminate  duration. The decision to cease awarding the Prize is vested with the ROPME Council.

 

3.FUND

The Environmental Prize and its related activities will be financed by ROPME and voluntary contributions made by Member States, Institutions and Individuals. 

4.DESIGNATION OF LAUREATES

The laureates shall be designated by the Executive Secretary of ROPME on the basis of recommendations submitted by the Jury.

5.JURY

The Jury shall consist of five members of which four would be from the Member States, and the fifth would be one who has attained international repute and recognition in the field of environment.

The members of the Jury shall be appointed by the Executive Secretary of ROPME for each Prize.  This may be renewed for additional term(s).

6.CRITERIA FOR AWARDING OF THE PRIZE

The laureate shall not be subject to any kind of discrimination on the grounds of nationality, race, sex or age. He/she should have distinguished  himself/herself through outstanding and regionally recognised  activities in the  fields of:

i)implementation, at regional or national level, of  programmes and activities designed to strengthen environmental education by enlisting the support of public opinion;

ii)promotion of public awareness of the problems of marine pollution,  through  the media and other effective  channels;

iii)launching of important activities contributing to prevention and control of marine environmental  pollution  and degradation;

iv)identification of the quality of the marine environment by undertaking basic or applied environmental research programmes; and 

v)other activities carried out in accordance with the spirit of the Kuwait Regional Convention and its Protocols.

7.NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES

a)Member States of ROPME, regional intergovernmental organizations, regional non-governmental organizations, national institutions and ROPME Secretariat may nominate an individual, a group of individuals, or an institution considered to merit the distinction of this Prize by virtue of their activities.

b)The closing date for the submission of nominations shall be fixed by the Executive Secretary.

 

8.SELECTION OF THE LAUREATE AND DATE FOR THE AWARDING OF THE PRIZE

The Jury shall meet during the three months following the closing date for the submission of nominations to make its recommendations to the Executive Secretary concerning  the selection of the laureate (s).  The awarding of the Prize shall take place  on the Environment  Day of the Region (24 April).

A prize-giving  ceremony shall be organised by the ROPME Secretariat.  The addresses delivered on that occasion shall be published by ROPME. 

RULES OF PROCEDURE OF THE JURY FOR THE ROPME ENVIRONMENTAL PRIZE

1.MEMBERSHIP

The Jury shall consist of five personalities appointed by the Executive Secretary of ROPME on  personal capacity, in accordance with Article 5 of the General Rules Governing  the Prize.

2.CONVOCATION

The Executive Secretary shall convene meetings of the Jury normally the first week of January.  The Jury meeting shall be convened when at least two qualified nominations are received. 

3.VENUE OF MEETINGS

The meetings of the Jury shall normally be held at ROPME  Headquarters in Kuwait.

4.MANDATE

The Jury is mandated to evaluate nominations for the ROPME Environmental Prize and to make recommendations to the  Executive Secretary concerning the designation of the laureate or laureates.  Exceptionally the Prize can be awarded posthumously. 

5.ORGANISATION OF WORK

i)ELECTION OF OFFICERS

At the beginning of every meeting, the members of the Jury shall elect from among themselves a Chairman and a Rapporteur. 

ii)QUORUM

Three members shall constitute a quorum. 

iii)RECOMMENDATIONS

Recommendations addressed to the Executive Secretary shall be adopted by consensus.  However, at the request of one member, recommendations may be put to the vote.  In this case the decision shall be taken by the majority of the members of Jury present and voting.  In case of an even  tally, the side which includes the Chairman would merit consideration.

iv)REPORT TO THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY

After each meeting, the Chairman of the Jury submits to the Executive Secretary a report on the work of the  meeting prepared by the Rapporteur, within one week.

6.NOMINEE’S FILES

Prior to the meeting, the Executive Secretary  shall make available to the members of the Jury a summary of the files of nominees to the ROPME Environmental Prize.

7.SECRETARIAT 

The Jury shall be assisted by a member of the ROPME Secretariat who shall be assigned to that effect by the Executive Secretary.

8.CONFIDENTIALITY 

All discussions and recommendations of the Jury shall be kept strictly confidential.

 

GUIDELINES FOR THE JURY, ROPME  ENVIRONMENTAL PRIZE

Selection Criteria:

The Laureate should be selected on the basis of the following criteria:

1.Scope of the activity:The significance of the activity at the Community, National and Regional levels.

2.Specification:Specific to Environmental Public Awareness, Environmental Education, Control of Pollution, Understanding the Quality of the Environment.

3.Publications:Important publications or documents produced on the Marine Environment of the Region.

4.Experience:Length of experience/establishment (in the Region) and previous recognition.

5.Benefits:Practical utility of the task performed and future  potential.

Benefits of the task accomplished, (whether it was significant and/or original contribution) in the protection of Marine Environment.

Rating:Each item on the selection criteria could be given a maximum score of 10.  The nominees’ accomplishments/achievements could then be rated against this score and given due weightage.