Programme Cooperation Agreement 2012 – 2013

1 Foreword

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.

Achim Steiner UN Under-Secretary-General UNEP Executive Director

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