Milestones

YEAR	ACTIVITY
2020	SACEP and World Bank are collaborating to formulate and implement a US$ 40 Million, regional International Development Association (IDA) project on ‘Plastic free Rivers and Seas for South Asia (P171269)
2019	6 November - SACEP Strategy 2020 – 2030 6 November - Roadmap for Sustainable Waste Management and Resources Circulation in South Asia 6 November - Resolution on Sustainable Public Procurement 6 November - Regional Marine Litter Action Plan for South Asia 6 November - Regional Marine and Coastal Biodiversity Strategy for the South Asian Seas Region 3 - 6 November 2019, Dhaka, Bangladesh - Fifteenth Governing Council Meeting of SACEP 16 - 17 September 2019, Colombo, Sri Lanka - SACEP/IGES-CCET : Third Sub Regional workshop on Preparation of Status Report and Sub-regional Roadmap for Implementing the Global Waste Management Goals towards Addressing SDGs in South Asia 15 - 17 July 2019, Dhaka, Bangladesh - SACEP/IGES-CCET : Second Sub Regional workshop on Preparation of Status Report and Sub-regional Roadmap for Implementing the Global Waste Management Goals towards Addressing SDGs in South Asia 25 – 26 March 2019, Kathmandu, Nepal - SACEP/IGES-CCET : First Sub Regional workshop on Preparation of Status Report and Sub-regional Roadmap for Implementing the Global Waste Management Goals towards Addressing SDGs in South Asia 26 - 27 September 2019, Bangkok, Thailand - SACEP in collaboration with ADB organized a Sub-Regional Workshop on Advancing Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in South Asia 10 – 12 July 2019, Dhaka, Bangladesh - SACEP in collaboration with IMO organized the First Regional Workshop on Promotion of the London Protocol (LP) in the SAS Region to sensitize relevant authorities to the benefits and implications of ratifying, implementing and enforcing the LP 18 - 20 June 2018, Malé, Maldives - SACEP in collaboration with IMO organized the 2nd Regional Workshop on the Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention: Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement (CME), Risk Assessment and Port Biological Baseline Surveys (PBBS) to assist the Administrations of the South Asia region in preparing for ratification and implementation of the BWM Convention 2018 - 2019 : First Phase of the project focused on land-based sources of pollution (solid, wastewater and nutrient) in the Maduru Oya watershed in Sri Lanka and as the Second Phase the Regional Stakeholder Meeting addressing on Sustainable Nutrient Management to reduce soil, water and coastal pollution in the SAS region was held from 1-2 April 2019 in Colombo, Sri Lanka to demonstrate the outcomes of the Desk Reviewed Pilot Study. March 2019 - The Resolution on Sustainable Nitrogen Management was adopted by UNEA-4 while giving recognition to SACEP for initiating the process. 2019 - SACEP became a partner in the South Asian Nitrogen Hub in collaboration with the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology and many other organizations across the UK and South Asia and the Kick-off Meeting was held in Kathmandu, Nepal from 25 - 27 February 2019
2018	SACEP developed the National Biodiversity Clearing House Mechanism (CHM) for Sri Lanka and at the CoP14 of the CBD held in Egypt in November 2018, Sri Lanka received the Silver Award for National CHM developed by SACEP. October 2018 - SACEP joined the GloFouling Project of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) as a Regional Coordinating Organization (RCO) for the SAS Region which is a sub- activity of the Ballast Water Management (BWM) strategy. 12 – 13 September 2018, Male', Maldives - Regional Workshop on Finalizing the Marine and Coastal Biodiversity Strategy in South Asian Seas region 11 September 2018, Male', Maldives - Commemorated the International Year of Coral Reef (IYOR) - 2018 12 May 2018 - MoU on Co-operation on the Response to Oil Spill and Chemical Pollution in the South Asia Seas Region was signed by SACEP and Government of India 5 - 6 April 2018, Mumbai, India - The Draft Regional Marine Litter Action Plan prepared based on the National Status Reports produced by the SAS Member States to combat marine litter pollution and measures for marine litter prevention and reduction was validated at a Regional Workshop 28 March 2018 - Government of Sri Lanka, the host country of SACEP awarded a plot of land to SACEP, as per the Article 9 (i) of the Articles of Association of South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme during the 14GC-SACEP to construct the building of the secretariat. 26 - 28 March 2018, Fourteenth Governing Council Meeting of SACEP, hosted by Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, held in Colombo, Sri Lanka SACEP became a key implementing partner of the Healthy Landscapes Project : Managing Agricultural Landscapes in Socio-ecologically Sensitive Areas to Promote Food Security, Well-being and Ecosystem Health in Sri Lanka.
2017	12 - 14 September 2017, Male', Maldives - Regional Workshop on ‘Capacity development for the national authorities to formulate Nitrogen Management Policy and its implementation at national and regional level’ in South Asian Seas (SAS) Region September 2017 - Commemoration of the International Coastal Cleanup day was organized by SACEP in the SAS member states with the aim of encouraging to adopt 3R Initiative to manage plastic litter through plastic re-cycling and as a gesture a Plastic Crusher Machine was handed over to the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA), Government of Sri Lanka. March 2017 - MoU signed between SACEP and Basel Convention Regional Center for Training and Technology transfer for the Asia & the Pacific Region based China to strengthen cooperation 2016-2017 - Based on the outcomes of UNEA 2, a Pilot Project on promoting synergies among the biodiversity conventions and linking Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was implemented in Sri Lanka in collaboration with UNEP
2016	22 – 24 November 2016, Male, Maldives – Policy Dialogue and Workshop on Sustainable Tourism: Mainstreaming Sustainable Consumption and Production in Tourism Policies in South Asia and Maldives National Dialogue on Sustainable Consumption and Production 7 – 18 November 2016, Kandy, Sri Lanka - SACEP/UN Winter School on Sustainable Consumption and Production in South Asia October 2016, Chilaw, Sri Lanka – Regional Training on Mainstreaming Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) in Policies and the First meeting of the South Asia Forum on SCP October 2016, Chilaw, Sri Lanka – Policy Dialogue on Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) in Tertiary Curriculum 22-25 August 2016, Male, Maldives - Regional Workshop for updating the Regional Oil and Chemical Spill Contingency Plan and its Annexes for South Asian Seas Region
2015	03 – 05 November 2015, New Delhi, India – SACEP / UNEP / SWITCH-Asia – Meeting on the South Asia Forum on Sustainable Consumption and Production 02 - 06 November 2015 in Colombo, Sri Lanka - A Regional Training & Exercise for Oil Spill Preparedness and Response under ‘Enhancing Regional Co-operation Mechanisms on Marine Pollution Preparedness and Response in the SACEP Region’ was organized. 2015-2014 – Five National Workshops were held in the five SASP member states with the objective of updating and finalizing the national oil and chemical spill contingency plan together with further recommendations for updating the SACEP Regional Oil and Chemical Spill Contingency Plan September - Celebration of the 30th Anniversary of International Coastal Clean-up Day 27 – 28 February, Negombo, Sri Lanka: SACEP / UNEP - Preparatory Meeting for the Establishment of the South Asia Forum on Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) and 10 Year Framework of Programmes on SCP
2014	24 – 25 February, Colombo, Sri Lanka: SACEP / IMO – First Meeting of the Regional Task Force and Workshop to Develop a Regional Strategy and Action Plan for Ballast Water Management (BWM) in South Asia 26 – 28 February, Colombo, Sri Lanka: SACEP / IMO – Project to enhance regional cooperation mechanisms on marine pollution preparedness and response in the SACEP region 21 – 22 May, Colombo, Sri Lanka: SACEP/ UNEP/ FAO / BoBLME – Scoping Study of Nutrient Pollution on the Coastal and Marine Systems of South Asia 26 June – Post 2015 South Asia Development Agenda Report was prepared by SACEP in collaboration with UNEP 17 December – MoU on Co-operation on the Response to Oil Spill and Chemical Pollution in the South Asia Seas Region was signed by SACEP and Government of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka SACEP / UNEP / BoBLME – Preparation of a Regional Marine and Coastal Biodiversity Strategy (MCBS) for the South Asian Seas Region
2013	Preparation of Report on good practices for the reduction of air pollution in South Asia under Phase IV of the Malé Declaration Developed a Regional Biological Diversity Clearing House Mechanism for South Asia August – MoU was signed between SACEP and International Maritime Organization (IMO) to organize a regional meeting of relevant national authorities dealing with oil spill preparedness and response and to discuss the way forward to finalize the Regional Strategic Plan for the full implementation of the Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention in South Asia 5 November, Islamabad, Pakistan – Thirteenth Governing Council Meeting of SACEP 5 November, Islamabad, Pakistan – Fifth Intergovernmental Meeting of Ministers of South Asian Seas Programme
2012	9 – 10 February, Colombo, Sri Lanka: SACEP / UNEP – Inception and Training Workshop on Establishment of Environmental Data and Information Management System for South Asia 29 – 30 May, Mumbai, India: IMO – South Asia Regional Ballast Water Management Strategy Development Meeting recommended SACEP to be the Institutional Framework to support and formulate the Regional Strategy and ensure the execution of the Action Plan 3 – 6 June, Negombo, Sri Lanka: SACEP / TRAFFIC Int’l – Regional Workshop on South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network 16 – 19 July, Colombo, Sri Lanka: SACEP / UNEP-WCMC – South Asia Capacity Building Workshop on Indicators as part of National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) updating October – SACEP in collaboration with UNEP initiated in Promoting Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) in South Asia
2011	May – SACEP became the Sub Regional Secretariat for South Asia to the International Partnership for Expanding Waste Management Services of Local Authorities (IPLA) of the United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD) 26 – 28 August Ahmedabad, India – Organized a Sub-Regional EST Training Workshop-cum-Policy Dialogue in South Asia in collaboration with UNCRD 4 – 6 December, New Delhi, India – SACEP Co-organized the Sixth Regional Environmentally Sustainable Transport (EST) Forum in Asia in collaboration with UNCRD 12 – 16 December, Dehradun, India: SACEP / UNEP-CBD – Sub-regional Capacity-building Workshop for South Asia on the Clearing-House Mechanism
2010	March – Introduced the Blue Flag Beach Conservation Programme to the South Asian Seas Region in collaboration with Foundation for Environment Education (FEE) / UNEP 27- 29 April, Goa, India: 30th Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology & Conservation 3 May – MOU under Phase IV of Implementation of Malé Declaration on Control and Prevention of Air Pollution and its Likely Transboundary Effects 22 July – MoU on Co-operation on the Response to Oil Spill and Chemical Pollution in the South Asia Seas Region was signed by SACEP and Government of Islamic Republic of Pakistan September – Celebration of the 25th Anniversary of International Coastal Clean-up Day 27 September – MoU for Co-operation on the Response to Oil Spill and Chemical Pollution in the South Asia Seas Region was signed between SACEP and Government of People’s Republic of Bangladesh October – Complied the Chapter for South Asia for the report from the Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans for the Marine Biodiversity Assessment and Outlook Series 3 November – Twelfth Governing Council Meeting of SACEP SACEP and the United Nations Center for Regional Development (UNCRD) agreed to promote Environmentally Sustainable Transport (EST) in South Asia
2009	21 – 22 May, Negombo, Sri Lanka: National Symposium on Invasive alien Species 18-22 September, India: SACEP / UNEP – Training Workshop on Marine Resources Sampling and Data Collection and Interpretation for South Asian Seas. Government of India provided the research vessel–Sagar Kanya for the training Programme 13 October – MoU for Co-operation on the Response to Oil Spill and Chemical Pollution in the South Asia Seas Region was signed between SACEP and Republic of Maldives
2008	9 – 12 March, Lucknow, India: Project Formulation Workshop on Climate Change and its Impact on Flora in collaboration with National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) 28 – 30 April, Colombo, Sri Lanka: SACEP / UNEP /UNESCO / GEF : National Training Programme for Capacity Building of Convention on Biological Diversity and Bio-safety Protocol through Clearing House Mechanism 22 May, Jaipur, India: Eleventh Governing Council Meeting of SACEP 22 May, Jaipur, India: Fourth Intergovernmental Meeting of Ministers of South Asian Seas Programme 22 May – Endorsed the Statement on South Asia Wildlife Trade Initiative as the ‘South Asia Initiative for Combating Illegal Trade in Wildlife’, and adopted it as the ‘Jaipur Declaration at 11GC-SACEP 5 – 7 November, Gujarat, India: Workshop on Managers Exchange Programme of Marine and Coastal Protected Areas (MCPA) 25 November – SACEP celebrated the International Year of the Reef (IYOR) and issued a commemorative Stamp Preparation of Regional Communication Strategy for Coral Reef Management in South Asia and Regional Strategy for Coral Reef Management in South Asia Government of India contributed to the Corpus Fund of SACEP SACEP became a partner of PCFV (Partnership for Clean Fuels & Vehicles) of UNEP
2007	10 January, Colombo, Sri Lanka: Scoping Exercise on Adaptation to Climate Change 25 January, Kathmandu, Nepal: Tenth Governing Council Meeting of SACEP SACEP celebrated its 25th Anniversary January, Chennai, India: Workshop on Livelihood Application under the SACEP – ICRAN Regional Resource Co-ordination and Mobilisation Workshop on Long Term Management and Conservation of Marine and Coastal Protected Areas in South Asia March, Colombo, Sri Lanka: SACEP and Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS) organized the ‘Capacity Building for the Clearing House Mechanism of the Convention on Biological Diversity in South Asia, through informing the Public and Training Post Graduate Students: A Case Study for Sri Lanka’ 16 July, Colombo, Sri Lanka: Soba Sankalpana – School Environment Awareness Programme and Panel Discussion on Adaptation Strategies to Sea Level Rise in South Asia 25-27 July, Colombo, Sri Lanka: SACEP/ UNEP-GPA – Second Regional Coordination workshop South Asia MCPA Project and Establishment of South Asia Coral Reef Task Force (SACRTF) 20-21 September, Chennai, India: International Workshop on Gulf of Mannar biosphere reserve : and Ecological model for bio-diversity conservation, livelihood and sustainability 21 September, New Delhi, India: Scoping Exercise on e-waste Management of South Asia September – SACE{ / UNEP-GPA: Preparation of the Report of Marine Litter of the South Asian Seas Region
2006	16 – 20 January – Colombo, Sri Lanka : SACEP / IMO Regional Seminar/Workshop on Ratification and Implementation of The OPRC-HNS Protocol, The AFS Convention And Identification and Establishment of PSSA’s 9 May – MOU under Phase III of Implementation of Malé Declaration on Control and Prevention of Air Pollution and its Likely Transboundary Effects 27 July – EU Project on Long Term Management and Conservation of Marine and Coastal Protected Areas in South Asia – MOU signed with UNEP-GPA 9 August – MOU between SACEP and IUCN World Conservation Union Asia Region on Complementary and Mutual Support 18 – 28 August, Colombo, Sri Lanka: South Asian Games – Waste Management Campaign September, Colombo, Sri Lanka: SAS / IMO OPRC – LEVEL 2 Training Course for Oil Spill Commanders and Oil Spill Supervisors 18 September – Observance of Coastal Cleanup Day under the Marine Litter Project 27 – 28 September, Colombo, Sri Lanka: SACEP / ICRAN – Regional Resource Co-ordination and Mobilisation Workshop on Long term Management and Conservation of Marine and Coastal Protected Areas in South Asia 27 November to 1 December – Basel Convention COP 8 Decision on Establishment of a Regional Centre at SACEP
2005	25 August. Thimphu, Bhutan: Ninth Governing Council Meeting of SACEP 25 August, Thimphu, Bhutan: Third Intergovernmental Meeting of Ministers of SASP 3 – 6 October, Chennai, India: IMO / SACEP – Regional Workshop on measures to collect, handle, treat and dispose of waste generated in applying AFS 5 – 7 October, Colombo, Sri Lanka: UNEP/SACEP/FIELD – South Asia Workshop for MEA Negotiators 22 November, Colombo, Sri Lanka: Signing of MOU with World Meteorological Organization 16 December, London, UK: Signed a Letter of Agreement with International Maritime Organization (IMO) ensuring maximum co-ordination of work and activities of common Interests
2004	4 June – MOU under Phase II of Implementation of Malé Declaration on Control and Prevention of Air Pollution and its Likely Transboundary Effects 8 July Colombo & Kathmandu: SACEP and South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) signed a MoU on cooperation for the protection of environment of the region Registration of SACEP with United Nations Under Article 102 of the Charter as a Multilateral Organization
2003	21 January, Colombo, Sri Lanka: Second Special Session of SACEP-GC 8 7 February, Nairobi, Kenya: MoU on UNEP and SACEP co-operation in the field of environment was signed by Executive Director of UNEP and the Director General of SACEP 30 June – 4 July, Colombo, Sri Lanka: SACEP / IMO – Regional Training Course on MARPOL 73/78 Implementation and Enforcement 7-10 April Chennai, India: SACEP / UNEP-GPA / IWMI – Workshop on Integrated Coastal Area and River Basin Management in the South Asian Seas Region 28-30 April Colombo, Sri Lanka: Regional Workshop on Implementation of the UNEP Global Plan of Action (GPA) in South Asia 14 – 19 September, Colombo, Sri Lanka: SACEP / UNEP – Asia Pacific Regional Workshop on Compliance with and Enforcement of Multilateral Environmental Agreements 6 November, Colombo, Sri Lanka: Third Special Session of SACEP-GC 8 6 November – Approved SACEP Strategy and Work Programme recommended by the Review of SACEP
2002	27 – 28 February, Kathmandu, Nepal: UNEP /SACEP – High Level Consultative Meeting on the South Asian Action Plan on ‘Environmental Education & Training 2002 – 2007’ 1 July, Colombo, Sri Lanka – First Special Session of SACEP-GC 8 1 July, Colombo, Sri Lanka: Second Intergovernmental Meeting of Ministers of South Asian Seas Programme 11 – 15 November, Colombo, Sri Lanka: SAS / IMO OPRC – LEVEL 2 Training Course for Oil Spill Commanders and Oil Spill Supervisors An external review of SACEP was commissioned SACEP took a part in preparing the South Asian Regional Position Paper on Sustainable Development to present at the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, South Africa Published State of Environment Reports of SACEP member States and the State of Environment Report for South Asia in collaboration with NORAD/UNEP and the member states
2001	29 September, Colombo, Sri Lanka: Eighth Governing Council Meeting of SACEP Preparation of National Environmental Legislation Institutions in South Asia
2000	March – Meeting of National Focal Points to Review and Endorse Capacity Building In Development and Operation of National Oil Spill Contingency Planning 1999-2000 May – June – IMO-SAS-UNEP – Assessment Mission on Port Reception Facilities in the South Asian Seas Region 15-16 June, Colombo, Sri Lanka: ESCAP / SACEP – National Workshops on Integrating Environmental Considerations into Economic Policy Making Processes for Sri Lanka 31 July – 3 August, Dhaka, Bangladesh: SACEP / NORAD – Workshop on Assessment of Floral Diversity and Preparation of Action Plan for South Asia 21 – 25 August, Colombo, Sri Lanka: IMO / SACEP – Workshop on Port Reception Facilities (Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Pakistan & Sri Lanka) 4 – 6 December, Colombo, Sri Lanka: Second Meeting of Senior Officials to consider the Draft South Asian Regional Oil Spill Contingency Plan
1999	26 March: First Intergovernmental Meeting of Ministers of the South Asian Seas Programme (SASP) 22 – 23 September, Dhaka, Bangladesh: UNEP/SACEP/NORAD National Workshop on Environmental Law and Sustainable Development 14 – 16 December, Colombo, Sri Lanka: SACEP / IMO – First Meeting of Senior Officials to consider the Draft South Asian Regional Oil Spill Contingency Plan
1998	22 April Malé, Maldives: Seventh Governing Council Meeting of SACEP 22 April Malé, Maldives: Adoption of the Malé Declaration on Control and Prevention of Air Pollution and its Likely Transboundary Effects July, New Delhi, India: South Asian Forum on Environmental Co-operation between Government and the Private Sector August – Review of Strategy and Programmes I & II of South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme 3 – 10 September: Malé, Maldives – First Training Course for the South Asian Seas Countries on Integrated Management of Coastal and Marine Protected Areas with Technical Assistance from Great Barrier Marine Park Authority, Townsville, Australia 21 – 23 September, Bangkok, Thailand: Regional Workshop for Establishing the Asia Pacific International Network on Environmental Compliance & Enforcement (ASPA – INECE) 28 September – 2 October, Islamabad, Pakistan: Two Environmental Management Seminars for South Asia
1997	January – South Asian Seas Programme (SASP) was formally adopted at a Meeting of Plenipotentiaries held in New Delhi, India on 24 March 1995 and the Action Plan came into force when government of Bangladesh ratified the Final Act 1 – 6 April, Maldives: Regional Workshop for Countries in South Asia on Strengthening Legal and Institutional Arrangements for Implementing Major Environmental Conventions 4 – 6 July, Colombo, Sri Lanka: Regional Symposium on the Role of the Judiciary in Promoting the Rule of Law in the Area of Sustainable Development 20 – 23 August, Colombo, Sri Lanka: Workshop on Implementation of the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities in the South Asian Seas Region 12 – 16 December, Calcutta, India: Workshop for Training of National Co-ordinators in Connection with SACEP / NORAD /BSI on Assessment of Floral Biodiversity in The South Asian Region
1996	22 – 24 February, Ahmedabad, India: Final Review and Evaluation Meeting for Assessment of Environmental Training Needs and Opportunities in the South Asia Region 16 – 27 September, Bentota, Sri Lanka: First Environmental Management Seminar for South Asia 20 – 23 October, Maldives: Final Workshop on Assessment of Faunal Biodiversity
1995	24 March, New Delhi, India: South Asian Seas Action Plan was adopted by the maritime nations of SACEP at the meeting of plenipotentiaries 24 March – SACEP was designated as the Secretariat for implementation of the South Asian Seas Action Plan May – South Asia Regional Report on the Issues and activities associated with Coral Reefs and related ecosystems 12 – 19 June, Calcutta, India: Training Workshop for the Selected National Co-ordinators on Assessment of Faunal Biodiversity 16 – 20 July in Malé, Maldives: Regional Workshop of National Consultants for Assessment of Environmental Training Needs and Opportunities in the South Asia Region
1994	Nepal ratified the Articles of Association of SACEP and thereby became its eighth member state Preparation of National and Regional State of Environment Reports were initiated May – Establishment of SACEP Environment and Natural Resources Information Centre (SENRIC) 17 – 19 May, New Delhi, India: ESCAP/UNEP/SACEP Intergovernmental Meeting on Capacity Building in Coastal Environmental Management in the South Asian Seas Region 1 September, Islamabad, Pakistan – Sixth Governing Council Meeting of SACEP 23 – 25 November, Colombo, Sri Lanka: Third Meeting of National Focal Points on the Development of an Action Plan for the Protection and Management of the South Asian Seas Region
1993	20 – 23 December, Colombo, Sri Lanka: ESCAP/UNEP/SACEP Workshop on Management Strategies for the Protection of the Coastal and Marine Environment in the South Asian Seas Region
1992	Preparation of the First Strategic Plan for SACEP for the period of 1992 – 1996 and implementation was facilitated by NORAD 27 September, Colombo, Sri Lanka: Fifth Governing Council Meeting of SACEP
1991	10 – 14 June, Colombo, Sri Lanka: Workshop on Coastal Resources Management Planning in SACEP Region
1990	5-8 February Bangkok, Thailand: Meeting of Legal and Technical Experts to Review the Proposed Legal Framework of the Action Plan for the South Asian Region
1989	SACEP initiated a programme for the establishment of a Regional Environment and Natural Recourse Centre for South Asia (RENRIC) with the technical and financial assistance of Asian Development Bank (ADB) November – December, Bangkok, Thailand: UNEP / IMO Workshop on South Asia Marine Pollution Emergency Action
1988	8 March – Commemoration of the South Asian Day of the Trees under SACEP Year of the Trees Celebrations 25-26 April, Kabul, Afghanistan: Fourth Governing Council Meeting of SACEP
1987	12-13 January, New Delhi, India: Third Governing Council Meeting of SACEP 15 – 16 January, New Delhi, India: SACEP/UNDP – International Workshop on Environmental Legislation Mission by IMO to the Marine Member States of South Asia regarding an Oil Spill Contingency Plan 7-11 December, Bangkok, Thailand: Second Meeting of National Focal Points on the Development of an Action Plan for the Protection and Management of the South Asian Seas Region
1986	October – Survey of Environmental Legislation and Institutions in the SACEP Countries was done 5 – 11 November, Colombo, Sri Lanka: Workshop on Integrated Mosquito Control using Community Participation and Environmentally Acceptable Techniques for South Asian Countries 2-5 December, Bangkok, Thailand: Meeting of Experts on establishment of the South Asian Seas Regional Programme
1985	17-18 April, Dhaka, Bangladesh: Second Governing Council Meeting of SACEP Afghanistan ratified the Articles of Association of SACEP and became its seventh member state
1984	19-21 March Bangkok, Thailand: A National Focal Point meeting of the five maritime nations of SACEP committed themselves to the development of an action plan to protect and manage the marine environment of the South Asian Seas region
1983	27-29 January, Colombo, Sri Lanka: First Governing Council meeting approved the 15-priority subject areas identified by SACEP with necessary support from UNEP and UNDP 21 – 25 August, Dhaka, Bangladesh: ESCAP / SACEP – Regional Symposium on Environmental Management of Mangrove, Coral and Island Ecosystems
1982	SACEP became a legal entity in 1982, by ratification of the Articles of Association of SACEP by Bangladesh , Bhutan (1981), India, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka (1981)
1981	21 – 25 February , Colombo, Sri Lanka: A Ministerial level meeting approved the Colombo Declaration and the Articles of Association for the initiation of South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP)
1980	10 – 15 March – An intergovernmental experts group meeting was organized by UNEP of the South Asian countries was held in Bangalore, India, to identify and discuss the common ecological problems of the region. The meeting unanimously adopted that it would be mutually beneficial to establish a sub-regional organization, devoted for protection and management of the environment