The RCU is the nerve centre and command post of the NOWPAP activities. It has overall and practical responsibilities for the implementation of the NOWPAP Members' decisions regarding the operation of the Action Plan. The RCU also maintains close contact with and supervises the work of the Regional Activity Centres (RACs). At the Sixth Intergovernmental Meeting, the NOWPAP Members agreed in principle to establish a co-hosted NOWPAP RCU in Toyama, Japan, and in Busan, Republic of Korea. NOWPAP members reached an agreement regarding office responsibilities for both the Toyama and Busan Offices at the Seventh Intergovernmental Meeting. Also, the Host Country Agreement for the establishment of the RCU was made between each of UNEP, the Government of Japan, and the Government of the Republic Korea. The RCU Toyama Office and Busan Office were opened in November, 2004. (The Regional Seas Programme of UNEP functioned as the interim secretariat for NOWPAP until the establishment of the RCU in November 2004.)

[ NOWPAP RCU TOYAMA Office ]: 5-5 Ushijimashin-machi, Toyama City 930-0856, Japan; Tel:+81-76-444-1611, Fax: +81-76-444-2780

[ NOWPAP RCU BUSAN Office ]: 408-1 Shirang-ri, Gijang-up, Gijang-gun, Busan 619-902, Republic of Korea; Tel: +82-51-720-3000, Fax: +82-51-720-3009