Final Report on the Framework Agreement for 2008–2009

• Present at selected Arctic Council meetings related to climate change adaptation and mitigation and to biodiversity on behalf of UNEP. • UNEP Arctic Team established for better coordination of UNEP strategy and work in relation to the Arctic started. • UNEP advised on several Polar issues, including the main Arctic decision of 2008 at UNEPs Governing Council meeting; responded to enquiries and prepared briefing materials for UNEP as requested. GRID-Arendal funded these activities from its core fund in 2008 and will continue to support this work in 2009; some funding from UNEP secured for 2009, especially for work related to Arctic biodiversity. • GRID-Arendal (representing UNEP as an observer in the Arctic Council) has participated as a partner in developing the Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Programme (CBMP) and the Arctic Biodiversity Assessment (ABA), both programmes are run by Arctic Council's working group Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF). - ABA web site: http://caff.arcticportal.org/index.php? option=com_content&view=frontpage&Itemid=156 - CBMP web site: http://cbmp.arcticportal.org/ • GRID-Arendal has provided active support to the Steering Committees of both programmes. Participation in ABA and CBMP teleconferences, at ABA Steering Committee meeting in Copenhagen in March 2009 and Vancouver in Sept. 2009. • GRID-Arendal is the editor of the upcoming ABA report Arctic Biodiversity Trends 2010 – Selected Indicators of Status and Trends to be published mid-2010. • GRID-Arendal has also been involved in the drafting of the key messages that will be included in the CBD’s Global Biodiversity Outlook, to be launched in May 2010. • Assisted in organizing the Conference on High Mountain Glaciers and Challenges caused by Climate Change in Tromsø in June. • Made a presentation and contributed to High Mountain Glaciers Conference Theme 3 (Climate change impact on ecosystems and livelihoods and adaptation strategies)

Global

DEWA: A3.1 – Documentation on polar and cryosphere issues for intergovernmental bodies, including Arctic Council and ATCM.