[Ict4devwg] New Global Initiative to Connect Environmental Information Networks

[Vern Weitzel]

http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=585&ArticleID=6156&l=en

New Global Initiative to Connect Environmental Information Networks

UNEP and the Abu Dhabi Environment Agency collaborate on linking 
multi-disciplinary and thematic networks to share environmental data and 
information.

Nairobi/Abu Dhabi, 7 May 2009 - The Abu Dhabi Environment Agency (EAD) and the 
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) welcomed over fifty environmental 
information and data experts from around the world at the first Global 
Environmental Information Networking (EIN) Meeting which was held in Abu Dhabi 
from 27 to 29 April 2009.

The 3-day meeting consisted of formal presentations on networking and 
environmental data initiatives complemented by working group discussions on 
strategic issues such as network governance, capacity building, technology 
support, data sharing and applications.

The meeting exposed participants to a wide range of experiences from a national, 
sub-regional, regional and global perspective. Participants discussed and shared 
experience regarding both their challenges and best practices during the 
meeting, highlighting key requirements for bridging environmental data and 
information gaps at a global level.

Dr Jaber Eidha Al Jaberi, EAD Director Environment Policy, emphasized the 
importance of this meeting to the Abu Dhabi Global Environmental Data Initiative 
(AGEDI) and its ongoing and upcoming national, regional and international 
projects. Dr Al Jaberi urged the meeting participants to continue building upon 
this experience and increase alliances in order to minimize the environmental 
data gap through the exchange of best practice based on documented success stories.

Welcoming the outcome of the Abu Dhabi meeting, UNEP Executive Director and 
Under-Secretary-General Achim Steiner said: "This global environmental 
information network provides a solid institutional framework for good 
environmental governance at all levels. Indeed, strengthening multilateral 
institutional cooperation is a key part of supporting the decision-making 
processes needed to address environmental challenges."

Mr Steiner expressed his gratitude to the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi for 
providing financial support and hosting the meeting. The Agency has been a key 
partner for UNEP in the area of environmental information networking and data 
exchange since the joint launch of the Abu Dhabi Global Environmental 
Information Initiative (AGEDI) at the World Summit on Sustainable Development 
(WSSD) in 2002.

The meeting report and presentations are available at www.agedi.ae. 
Environmental institutions, information specialists and other interested 
stakeholders are encouraged to join the global environmental information 
networking initiative and assist with charting the roadmap for its future 
activities.

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) contacts:

Adel Farid Abdel-Kader, Ph.D.

Regional Coordinator

UNEP Division of Early Warning and Assessment (DEWA)-West Asia

P.O. Box 10880

Bahrain, Manama

Tel. Direct: +(973 17) 812785

Tel. Main: +(97317) 812777

Fax: +(973 17) 825110/111

E-Mail: adel.abdelkader at unep.org.bh

Gerard Cunningham

Infoterra Network Coordinator

Capacity Development Branch

Division of Early Warning and Assessment

United Nations Environment Programme

PO Box 30552, Nairobi 00100, KENYA

Tel: +(254 20) 7623275

Fax: +(254 20) 7624269

E-mail: gerard.cunningham at unep.org

Web: www.unep.org

Abu Dhabi Environment Agency (EAD) contact:

Sobhia Al Masry

Senior Media Relations Coordinator

Environment Awareness Sector

Environment Agency ? Abu Dhabi

P.O.Box 45553, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Tel: +(971 2) 6934637

Mobile: +(971 50) 4450323

Fax: +(971 2) 4464799

Email: selmasri at ead.ae

Web: www.ead.ae




Further Resources

UNEP Division of Early Warning and Assessment (DEWA)
Abu Dhabi Environment Agency
Abu Dhabi Global Environmental Data Initiative (AGEDI)



-- 
Vern Weitzel (Mr.) BSc, BA, MA, M Env Man & Dev
<vern at coombs.anu.edu.au> <vern.weitzel at gmail.com> <vernweitzel at mac.com>

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