UNEP and Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi meet to discuss cooperation and partnership

06/04/2011 ANA Environment 0

UN Under-Secretary General and UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner (R) and the Secretary General of the Environmental Agency of Abu Dhabi H.E. Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak (L) during the meeting/UN Photo
UN Under-Secretary General and UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner met Tuesday with the Secretary General of the Environmental Agency of Abu Dhabi H.E. Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak to discuss cooperation and partnership between the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (EAD), which is the custodian of the Abu Dhabi Global Environmental Data Initiative (AGEDI).

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Worldwide, access to quality environmental data remains a challenge. This is particularly critical in developing countries. However, experience in some regions show that strategic partnerships and a global environmental information network can help bridge the gap.

A case in point is the AGEDI. Working in partnership with UNEP since 2002, AGEDI has eased access to environmental information in West Asia. Plans are now afoot to strengthen the partnership in making it available on a global scale.

The meeting also included discussions on preparations for the Eye on the Earth Summit ? a multi-stakeholder global consultation on bridging the environmental knowledge gap and help shape the agenda towards a more robust global environmental information network that will support policy making and implementation. The Summit will be held from 12 to 15 December 2011 in Abu Dhabi.

Mr. Steiner who was in the United Arab Emirates to attend the first General Assembly of the Intenational Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

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