7 / 96
7
The work plan set out for GRID-Arendal in the 2012-2013
Programme Cooperation Agreement with the Norwegian
Ministry of Foreign Affairs was wide in its scope and
potentially important in its impact. This report on
programme delivery over the biennium demonstrates
that GRID-Arendal has met its institutional commitments
and demonstrates evidence of the multiple benefits being
reaped from this programme.
UNEP makes use of the capacities of many institutions
around the world, such as GRID-Arendal, to expand the
depth and breadth of its support to member countries.
Specifically, GRID-Arendal helps position UNEP as a
strong science-based organization able to respond in a
timely and relevant way to the needs of governments and
international policy processes.
This report shows how GRID-Arendal is continuing to
develop its reputation as a facilitator of objective dialogue
on the local, national and regional levels, expanding and
strengthening its partnerships within Norway and around
the world. The international, multi-disciplinary staff is
well equipped to support networking amongst public
institutions, NGOs, indigenous communities, the private
sector, and civil society across cultures, geographic and
demographic borders, and disciplines.
The core business and centre of the partnership of
GRID-Arendal’s support to UNEP remains in publishing
and use of its dedicated databases, web-based tools
and knowledge portals. The three Rapid Response
Assessments published in 2012-13 Illegal Logging,
Stolen Apes and Elephants in the Dust exemplify how
timely, targeted and compelling reports produced by
GRID-Arendal enabled UNEP to raise public and political
awareness of critical issues.
GRID-Arendal continues to provide leadership with
respect to Polar issues, giving member states extensive
access to information and expertise needed to protect the
Polar region. Building on over two decades of experience,
activities have now expanded into the cryosphere, with
exciting projects in the Himalayas and Mongolia.
The Shelf Programme, a cornerstone of GRID-Arendal’s
Marine programme, together with thework onBlueCarbon,
has seen an increasing emphasis on marine ecosystem
services and their sustainable management. Technical
support and capacity building has also been channelled
through several UNEP Regional Seas Programmes and
member states to enable them to participate in the first
World Ocean Assessment.
Capacity building in Africa has successfully focused on
the preparation of environmental assessments and the
production of atlases of environmental change. In Eastern
Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia, the focus was on
making reliable, accurate and up-to-date information easily
accessible and ‘digestible’ to a broad range of stakeholders
in the region and beyond. The effectiveness of this
approach is demonstrated by projects on toxic chemicals,
closely linked with the work of UNEP’s Chemicals Branch
and impacting on national policy decisions towards
safeguarding vulnerable groups in the future.
The alignment of GRID-Arendal’s biennial work
programme with that of UNEP, plus GRID-Arendal’s
responsiveness, has proved to be a successful formula
with significant benefits for member states and the global
community. I extend my gratitude to the Norwegian
Government for the invaluable support that facilitates our
long-standing partnership and look forward to continuing
our close collaboration as we move into the new biennium.
1 Foreword
Achim Steiner
UN Under-Secretary-General
UNEP Executive Director