Final Report on the Framework Agreement for 2008–2009

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 A1. Ten countries, regions and communities in Africa and Eastern Europe supported.

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.)

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

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