REPORT OF THE 6TH MEETING OF WORKING GROUP 10: ENVIRONMENT AND EWASTE MANAGEMENT, HELD FROM 21ST TO 25TH SEPTEMBER 2015, AT EACO
HEADQUARTERS, KIGALI, RWANDA
1.0
Attendance
Four member countries of EACO namely; Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania were
represented in the meeting. Apologies were received from Mr. Erasmo Mbilinyi, Mr.
Alexis Sinarinzi, Mr. Dickson Kwesiga and Mr. James Kivuitu. The meeting was also
attended by four (4) observers. The list of participants is appended herein as Annex I.
2.0
Introductory Remarks
The meeting was opened by Mr. Juma Ooro, the Chairperson of Working Group 10
(WG10). In his opening remarks he welcomed the participants to the 6th WG10 meeting.
In this meeting, we had two new members; Mr. Walter Mariki from Tanzania
Communications Regulatory Authority and Ms. Rachel Kiondo from Communications
Authority of Kenya. The other new member, Mr. Dickson Kwesiga from Uganda
Communications Commission, sent an apology.
The Chairperson recognised the presence of observers; Ms. Vicky Onderi from East
Africa Compliant Recycling (EACR), Kenya, Mr. David Ongarora from Maseno
University, Kenya and Mr. Guantai Erick from Recykla International, Kenya.
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3.0 Agenda and Work Programme
The meeting reviewed and adopted the agenda and work programme. The detailed
Work Program and Agenda are appended herewith as Annex II and Annex III.
4.0
Review of previous meeting report
Members reviewed the report of the meeting held in Kigali from 23rd – 24th, April, 2015
and noted that the report was presented and adopted by the Assembly of Regulators
and Congress in a meeting that took place in Kampala, Uganda in June 2015.
4.1
Matters arising from the previous report
4.1.1 The WG10 to consider expanding the scope to include Electromagnetic
effects.
Noted:
The WG reviewed the recommendation of the Assembly of Regulators for WG10 to
consider expanding the scope to include Electromagnetic effects
Agreed
The WG10 deliberated and concluded that it had no capacity to handle this and
communicated to the previous Assembly/Congress. EACO secretariat shall handle
accordingly.
4.1.2 The WG to consider sensitive data traces in the memory components of
electronic devices that are redisposed.
Noted
The WG reviewed the recommendation of the Assembly of Regulators for WG10 to
consider sensitive data traces in the memory components of electronic devices that are
redisposed.
Agreed
The WG10 deliberated and concluded that this issue is out of its scope and
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communicated to the previous Assembly/Congress. EACO secretariat shall handle
accordingly.
4.1.3 Dissemination of EACO model framework on e-waste management
Noted
The model has not been shared with EAC.
Agreed
EACO Secretariat will share the E-waste model with EAC by 31st December, 2015.
4.1.4 Country Status on e-waste management template
The WG reviewed the template on the Country status on e-waste management as per
Annex IV.
5.0 WG10 Action Plan
The group updated/formulated its Action Plan for the current 2-years cycle as per
Annex V.
6.0 EACO Action Plan on e-Waste Management & Budget
Noted
The WG reviewed the EACO Action Plan on e-waste management as per Annex VI.
Agreed
The funding for the Action Plan shall be further discussed by the yet to be established
EACO and National Steering Committees.
7.0 E-waste Steering Committees
Noted
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The WG reviewed and maintained the ToR for the National Steering Committees as per
Annex VII.
Some countries have some committees in place on similar issues. In such cases, it is
recommended that the member states should join such committees and ensure that
EACO e-waste agenda is progressed
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
Kenya is in the process of establishing a similar National Steering
Committee and there is need to request the same to incorporate EACO ewaste agenda by October 2015.
Uganda has similar committee (Taskforce).
Tanzania has planned to hold the first stakeholders meeting on 30 th
September 2015.
Rwanda has already established a similar committee.
Burundi has not yet established
Agreed
i.
ii.
iii.
All countries to establish National Steering Committees by November,
2015
The member countries to work together with EACO Secretariat in
organizing the first meetings of the Steering Committees including
sponsorship for the same. Tanzania has scheduled their meeting for 30th
September, 2015
To inaugurate the EACO Steering Committee during the last week of
November, 2015 or the first week of December, 2015
8.0 E-waste Project Proposal Team
Noted
The need to have a team to spearhead the preparation of proposals on e-waste
management projects. The WG selected the team to handle this.
Agreed
i.
ii.
The WG agreed on the following areas for support:a. Legal and Regulatory Framework
b. Collection Points
c. Capacity building for Steering Committees
d. Education and Awareness
e. National e-waste survey
f. Support for e-waste treatment technology
The format and a draft of the project concept note was developed as per
Annex VIII
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iii.
iv.
9.0
A final draft will be circulated to WG members for comments
The team will work on detailed concept note to seek for funding by 15 th
October 2015
Capacity building on Green ICTs and e – waste management
Noted
The training scheduled for September 2015 was not undertaken due to
unavailability of the identified trainer and resource challenges.
WG reviewed the content, training options and the best period for the training.
Agreed
i.
ii.
Training to be conducted back to back with WG10 meeting in March 2016,
(proposed to be held in Bujumbura, Burundi). The EACO Secretariat will
request Burundi to host the next WG meeting. Alternatively, the meeting
will be in Kigali if Burundi will not be ready.
EACO Secretariat to extend invitation to member states and the host
country will extend invitation to stakeholders within their countries.
iii.
Members to refine the content of the training by 31st October 2015. A
proposed content for the training is available as Annex IX.
iv.
Proposals for trainers were provided and EACO Secretariat is requested
to work with the stakeholders in identifying a suitable trainer.
10.0 Review of Best International Practices on Green ICTs
The WG reviewed the format of the draft zero information paper on Green ICTs (Annex
X).
Agreed
i.
ii.
iii.
The draft paper shall be prepared by June 2016.
Country status on Green ICTs will be provided after having the draft paper
in place
EACO Secretariat was requested to sponsor one member of WG10 to
attend the 5th Green Standards Week in Bahamas from 14th-18th
December 2015, in order to help the WG enhance capacity to develop the
draft paper on Green ICTs.
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11.0
E-waste management Awareness workshop
Noted
The WG need to increase awareness on e-waste management and to this effect
identified three options in order to achieve the goal:i.
Identifying EACO workshops and get a slot to make a presentation
ii.
WG to organise a workshop
iii.
Through Media and Publicity
Agreed
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
The EACO Secretariat is requested to seek a slot for presentation in the
upcoming workshop on Legal and Regulatory Framework in March, 2016
in Kampala, Uganda
EACO Secretariat is requested to request the EXCOM to consider having
the e-waste workshop back to back with the Assembly in June 2016
Have the workshop in Tanzania, in September 2016 in case we are
unable to have it back to back with the Assembly.
The theme and topics of the workshop will be communicated by
December 2015
The group will develop a Media and Publicity strategy on awareness
12.0 Survey on e-waste management
Noted
There is still need for the survey on e-waste management to be conducted.
Agreed
i.
The e-waste management Action Plan has recognized this as one of its
action items. The WG maintained that this will be done by individual
countries. The EACO secretariat will send formal communication to
Regulators on the decision of the Congress that the e-waste survey needs
to be conducted by individual countries between January and June 2017.
For uniformity, the Terms of Reference (ToR) as per Annex XI, together
with the template on the country status on e-waste should be attached to
those communication.
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ii.
iii.
The Chairperson will draft the communication on the same for
consideration by EACO Secretariat
The Project Concept note being drafted by the WG shall include a
component on e-waste survey.
13.0 Partnership on E-waste Management
Noted
i.
The WG discussed on the need to expand partnership on matters related
to e-waste management at the regional and international levels.
ii.
The WG will involve relevant stakeholders in its e-waste management
activities.
Agreed
i.
ii.
To re-categorize the stakeholders depending on their level of involvement
in e-waste management by 31st October 2015
Member states to update the list based on above categories and submit
to EACO Secretariat by 31st December, 2015.
14.0 Consideration of Liaison Statements
The WG reviewed the liaison statement from WG1 requesting inputs into the Model ICT
Policy for EACO members as per Annex XII and submitted to EACO Secretariat for
further action.
15.0 Contributions to the work of ITU and other regional/International
organizations
Noted
i.
The WG reviewed the work of ITU-D and ITU-T which were found to be
relevant to the work of WG10 especially (Q8/2): Strategies and policies for
the proper disposal and re-use of telecommunications/ICT waste
materials. Mr. Erasmo Mbilinyi, who is a member of WG10 and is
requested to continue following the work of ITU-D and advise,
ii.
The WG will continue to follow the work of Study Group 5
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Agreed
Members of WG10 should make comments on the current work of Q8/2 and
send to Mr. Erasmo Mbilinyi for submission to ITU-D2.
16.0 Presentation on e-waste facility
During WG10 meeting, Rwanda made a presentation through RRECPC on the e-waste
facility in the process of being established in Rwanda as a way of sharing knowledge on
e-waste management.
17.0 Preparation and Review of meeting report
The WG prepared and reviewed the report of the meeting.
18.0 Proposed date and venue for the next WG 10 meeting
The WG proposed to hold its next meeting in the last week of March 2015, in Burundi. .
AOB
The observers thanked EACO for allowing them to participate in this meeting and
affirmed their commitment to participation in future activities.
___________________
Juma Ooro
Chairperson
________________________
Walter Mariki
1st Rapporteur
25th September 2015
Date
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Annexes
Annex I
List of
Participants.docx
Annex II
Programme for WG
10 Environment Ewaste Management meeting 21-25 Sep 2015 Final.doc
Annex III
Agenda for WG 10
on Environment Ewaste Management meeting 21-25 Sep 2015.doc
Annex IV
Status of e-Waste in
EACO member states - FORMAT.docx
Annex V
Action Plan for
Working Group 10-Environment and e-Waste Management-Final.docx
Annex VI
EACO e-waste
Action Plan and Budget.doc
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Annex VII
ToR for EACO
E-waste National Steering Committee.docx
Annex VIII
Draft format of
project concept note.docx
Annex IX
Training
Content.docx
Annex X
Information paper on
GREEN ICT draft0 - 23-Sept 2015.docx
Annex XI
TORs of e-waste
survey.docx
Annex XII
Liaison Statement to
WG1.doc
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