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17
2009
•
Discussions and meetings with Division for Environmental Laws and Conventions (DELC) about
cooperation and our involvement in the Global Commons Concept.
-
Further development of the Gas Hydrate initiative, and funding secured for the project: “Frozen heat:
Global Outlook on Methane Gas Hydrates”. Steering committee established with the first meeting held
March 4-5 2010 in Arendal. Project partners include: UNEP-DTIE, Geological Survey of Canada,
Canadian Polar Commission, US National Energy Technology Laboratory (US Dept of Energy), IFM-
GEOMAR (Germany), GANS Project Norway, Japanese National Gas Hydrates Program, Indian
National Gas Hydrates Program, Korean National Gas Hydrates Program, Statoil and Schlumberger
-
GA accepted as a partner in the EU funded project
Pacific Marine Minerals Assessment
.
!
Majority of
proposed steering committee contacted by GA. Committee committed to attend meeting when project
documents are signed by SOPAC – due to occur April/May 2010. Bibliography of marine mining
references well advanced. Geoscience Australia partnership established. Presentation on the GA
proposal for a regional assessment of marine mining made to the SOPAC technical meeting, Vanuatu.
Attendance at the SOPAC Deep Sea Minerals working group session also held in Vanuatu
-
Presentation of the Pacific Islands Deep Sea Mining proposal at the Deep-Sea Mining Workshop and
Colloquium that was held at WHOI in April 2009.
-
Signing of MOU between GRID Arendal and InterRidge to foster cooperation in planning and
implementing activities related to deep-sea mineralization and associated benthic habitats.
REGIONAL FIELDS
A: CAPACITY BUILDING, ASSESSMENTS, REPORTING, PARTNERSHIPS
EXPECTED OUTPUTS
MAIN INDICATORS 2008 and
2009
RESULTS/OUTPUTS
A1. Support for improved
environmental assessment
and information
management in Africa and
Eastern Europe, Caucasus
and Central Asia and South
East Europe countries
(including provision of
technical services and
working with national and
sub-national stakeholders on
environmental information
networks, climate change
indicators, best practice
case studies on national
processes, assessment
training sessions, and
publications.)
A1. Ten countries, regions and
communities in Africa and
Eastern Europe supported.
2008
In total 12 countries (Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan,
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Tajikistan, Afghanistan), 5 regions (Africa, Eastern Europe, West Balkans, Caucasus,
Central Asia), and 7 city communities [Donetsk (Ukraine), Salihorsk (Belarus), Olovo (Bosnia and Herzegovina),
Gumry and Hrazdan (Armenia), Tshinvali (South Ossetia, Georgia), Baku (Azerbaijan)]
directly supported for
improved environmental assessment and information management with concrete outputs:
•
The UNEP Post-conflict Environmental Assessment for Rwanda covering the thematic areas of
Environmental Governance; Wildlife and Protected areas; and Population, Poverty and Environment
supported;
•
The project concept for the establishment of the Ethiopia Environment Information Network (Ethionet)
prepared in consultation with national authorities;
•
The strategic planning of UNEP supported through participation in UNEP Scientific Assessment Capacity
Development Advisory Group Meeting and UNEP Global Training of Trainers Workshop on the Manual on
Integrated Environmental Assessment and Reporting (both Geneva, November 2008) and UNEP/DEWA
Science Data and Information Services Meeting (Geneva, December 2008);
•
The case study on “Best practices for mainstreaming environmental information in Uganda” including a
review of the environmental information situation in Uganda conducted in consultation with UN agencies and
other development partners and based on discussions with stakeholders and summarized in the Draft
Report prepared for publication and dissemination; including with other countries in Africa currently