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International Year of Biodiversity
In 2002, recognizing the crucial role that biodiversity
plays in supporting every aspect of human life, Parties
of the UN Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) set
an ambitious goal – to achieve by 2010 a significant
reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss at the
global, regional and national level as a contribution to
poverty alleviation and to the benefit of all life on Earth.
This goal was subsequently endorsed by the World
Summit on Sustainable Development and the United
Nations General Assembly.
To mark the target year, 2010 has been designated as
the “UN International Year of Biodiversity” – an oppor-
tunity to reflect on what has been achieved to date.
The 10th Conference of Parties of the CBD will gather
in October 2010 in Nagoya, Japan. One of the tasks
will be to establish new targets that will motivate the
global society to redouble efforts to ensure that sus-
taining biodiversity is a high priority both on the in-
ternational agenda, and in the minds and actions of
citizens globally.
GRID-Arendal will be adding our own voice to motivate
and inform our constituents. As an “Impact Monitoring
Centre” we will continue to explore how environmental
information can lead to more considered decisions. We
use the experiences of our work to learn and adapt our
products, pushing the boundaries to find new and inno-
vative ways to communicate messages that can bring
the best available science to decision makers and the
Outlook 2010
public. To celebrate the International Year of Biodiversi-
ty in 2010, we will promote biodiversity issues through
our four main areas of work: Polar & Cryosphere, Ma-
rine, Communications, and Capacity Building & As-
sessments and thereby strengthen our collaboration
and synergy with our “sister” organization, the World
Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC).
New team structure
2010 is the start of a transition for GRID-Arendal to a
new, team-based structure. We believe that working
through a number of dynamic and evolving teams will:
Increase the incentive for creativity and new ideas;
Promote the empowerment of staff and evolution of
in-house skills;
Increase focus on strategic areas, in particular the
thematic areas of the UNEP Programme of Work; and,
Foster greater efficiency and flexibility.
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