International law has traditionally been defined as the corpus of law which guides the relationships and actions of sovereign states in the international legal system. Since the 1970s, international environmental law has evolved as an subset of international law and is administered through hard law and soft law mechanisms. Obligatory and legally binding agreements that constitute hard law can be implemented by a national or international body, whilst rules and principles that are non-binding and which aim to enhance states’ respect of certain norms and rules of behavior are categorized as soft law. The appropriate and adequate implementation of international environmental law is critical for ensuring that legislative frameworks and instruments achieve their objectives.

The Regional Training Workshop on the Implementation of International Environmental Law for West Africa was conducted between 1 and 5 October, 2001. Twenty-eight participants representing the Environment Ministries and Universities of 8 African countries were involved in the Workshop.

Objectives
 Strengthen the national human resources and legislative capacities of West African countries for the implementation of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs).
 Raise awareness about African and international environmental legislation related to biological diversity, world heritage, wetland protection, climate change and hazardous wastes.

Outcomes
 Increased knowledge of national, regional and international environmental legislation and the issues surrounding its implementation.
 Development of negotiation skills amongst participants for the effective management of environmental resources.

Partners
 Faculty of Law and Political Science and the Francophone Centre of Legal Studies of the University of La Rochelle
 French Ministry of Foreign Affairs
 International Solidarity-Local Solidarity
 Mayor of La Rochelle
 Swiss Federal Office for the Environment FOEN