

Governance Note by Elena Petkova with Peter Veit
This note aims to identify the broader implications of the Aarhus Convention and to influence the
debate over disclosure policies by international and global institutions. The new (1998) Aarhus
Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice
in Environmental Matters represents an important development in global environmental governance,
as it commits signatory governments--thirty nine countries and the European Community (EC)--to
open and inclusive environmental decision-making processes, as opposed to the specific
environmental outcome orientation of most previous multilateral environmental agreements.
The note will inform a broader audience beyond the United Nations Economic Commission
for Europe and will support the implementation of the Aarhus principles in regions other than
Europe.
May 2000 /
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