MUSIC [MUSIC] Hello. The active participation of non-State actors in how a shared freshwater resource is managed and protected is a major development in resource management. This evolution bears witness to the need to expand management beyond a State framework and to extend it to the community of actors dependent on the water resources. This approach helps to ensure that the standards set to preserve the resource are better received and applied and as such, this helps to protect shared waters from significant damage. As part of this sequence, we will look at the experience of the the International Joint Commission between United States and Canada. The International Joint Commission is a remarkable example of how non-State actors can be involved in the management of shared resources both in terms of tools for participation as well as reach. The International Joint Commission was established by the Boundary Waters Treaty established between Canada and the United States in 1909. The Commission has two main responsibilities. These are: to regulate the use of the waters common to both States, and to investigate cross border issues with a view to recommending appropriate solutions. It should be noted that the International Joint Commission is a unique example of a basin commission as it covers more than one shared watercourse. It covers a number of shared watercourses. Public participation in the International Joint Commission takes many forms. Classically, participation involves three aspects: public information, public participation in decision-making and access to justice. Our presentation is limited to cover public participation in the decision-making process which, in my view, is more relevant to the practice of the International Joint Commission. The need to involve the public in the decision-making process of water management was already highlighted by the preamble of the 2012 Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. It stated that even if the Parties are responsible making the decisions, the engagement and involvement of the general public is vital to be able to successfully achieve management and protection objectives. In the 2012 agreement, "general public" is defined as individuals and organizations such as public interest groups, researchers as well as companies and other non-governmental entities. So, a heterogeneous set of actors, all of whom are non-State actors. The way that these actors participate can vary greatly. They can be directly involved in the process of developing standards or decisions, either as an expert or through public consultations. Participation as an expert can be through the Great Lakes Science Advisory Board. The Advisory Board is responsible for advising the Commission on all science related matters. According to Article 8, paragraph 1 of the 2012 Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, the Advisory Board, is made up of representatives of the Parties, representatives from Great Lake research programs and experts on water quality problems in large lakes and other related topics. You can find more specific information on the organisation's website. A distinction can be made between those working for governmental organisations and those working for non-governmental organisations. Finding a balance between governmental and non-governmental representatives is a specific objective pursued by the Commission. As a result, external actors are fully involved in the development of water protection standards of large lakes, in the same way as national experts. This remarkable approach reinforces the participation of non-State actors in the process, although participation is supervised by the International Joint Commission. They are appointed by the Commission subject to consultation with the competent governments. Public consultations are also another way of involving the public in the decision-making process. These public consultations enable the Commission to collect the opinions and proposals of the local communities on issues related to the management and the protection of water resources. The particularity of these consultations stems from the fact that they involve the participation of as many people as possible. It is interesting to note that the 2012 Agreement states that the public consultations are an obligation that the Commission must regularly undertake. The obligation to consult regularly covers two aspects. One aspect is consultation on water quality issues, lakes and ways to restore and protect the water and, the other aspect is a consultation for the general public to be able to raise any issues of concern, provide advice and recommendations to the Commission and the Parties. This approach clearly establishes a permanent dialogue and exchange between the Commission and the public. In addition to participation and development of resource protection standards, the public are also involved in the process to implement these standards by the Parties. The 2012 Agreement requires the Parties to report publicly on the progress they have made in protecting the waters of the Great Lakes. In this respect, Article 5, paragraph 2, letter E of the agreement states that Parties must prepare a report to document the actions taken nationally and bi-nationally and detail this to the general public and the Commission. In order to facilitate this process, the Commission makes available (with the authorization of the Parties) all the advice and recommendations it has given to the Parties. Public comments on the progress of States are then summarized in the evaluation report given by the Commission to the Parties. Importantly, Parties are required to take into account these comments in order to adopt the relevant actions. The opportunity for the public to be involved in these standards strengthens the decisions taken by the International Joint Commission. In conclusion, public participation within the framework of the International Joint Commission is an evolved form of environmental democracy. Public participation in the decision making process manifests not only as the right to participate in the process leading to the adoption of shared water protection measures in Canada and the United States, but also as the right to monitor the application of these protection measures. Thank you. MUSIC