United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

http://www.unep.org/ and UNEP Web sites (complete listing).

Biodiversity
Biotechnology
Chemicals (IRPTC)
Division of Environmental Information, Assessment and Early Warning (DEIA&EW)
Dryland Ecosystems and Desertification
Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (UNEP/ROAP)
Water and Oceans - including Regional Seas Programmes

ONE PARAGRAPH DESCRIPTION OF THE AGENCY/PROGRAMME:

AGENDA 21 CHAPTERS AND PROGRAMME AREAS OF PARTICULAR FOCUS OR INTEREST:
See check list in annex.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF AND LINKS TO INFORMATION ACTIVITIES:

1. Biodiversity Country Studies (BCS)
 UNEP biodiversity country studies. Completed: Australia, Bahamas, Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, Egypt, Germany, Guyana, Indonesia, Kenya, Lebanon, Nigeria, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Poland, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Uganda. Draft Studies received: China, Ghana, Guinea, Jordan, Morocco, Mozambique, Tunisia, Zaire. On-going: Burkina Faso, Colombia, Estonia, Georgia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Namibia, Peru, Syria, Tanzania.
 2. Biodiversity Data Management Capacitation in Developing Countries and Networking Biodiversity Information Project - BDM (on-going)
 Bahamas, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Papua New Guinea, Poland and Thailand
 3. National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans
 Bahamas, Egypt, Cameroon, Gambia, Poland, Panama, Malawi, Mozambique, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Estonia, Vanuatu and Cuba
 4. Global Biodiversity Assessment

Data Collection, Observation, Monitoring

Data is mostly collected from from secondary sources, published information and interviews, e.g. the WCMC, IUCN, Governmental agencies, research centres, universities, NGOs of the country concerned and private sources. Biological, economic, and social data are gathered, as well as the perspectives of indigenous and traditional peoples on biodiversity in relation to article 8j of the CBD.

Globally, WCMC and IUCN act as a data bank for coordination of this activity, mostly for biological information. At national level, sectoral and intersectoral data collection is coordinated by national Biodiversity Units.

Methodologies, Quality Control, Harmonization
A methodology for the quantification of cost and benefit of biodiversity observation has been developed, Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA).

Assessment and Analysis
 BCS studies biodiversity conservation and sustainable use at national level.
 BDM looks to enhance the capacity of developing countries in data managment to support the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) through:
 - conducting a national institutional survey, which will report on the existing national capability for data management;
 - preparing a national plan for the management and application of biodiversity data in support of the CBD;
 - developing a series of basic guidelines to support efficient information managment; and
 - compiling a national resource inventory.
 NBS quantifies the cost and benefit of biodiversity conservation and unmet financial needs.
 GBA works on the Human Values of Biodiversity, drawing on the knowledge and innovations of the traditional communities of the world.

GEF biodiversity enabling activities are supported via cooperation with the UNDP and the Workd Bank.

The techniques used include cost-benefit analysis, sectoral and cross sectoral approach (technical guidelines for biodiversity country studies); GIS, cadastral studies; peer review of information gathered.
 BDM also uses a "tool-box" comprising of available tools for data analysis, existing/proposed methodologies, software, networks, institutions and individuals to assist in-country data management and information flow.

Indicators

Modelling

Expert Systems/Decision-support systems

Early Warning Mechanisms

Reports/Information dissemination

 The data collected is disseminated through publications and reports as well as the WWW.  BDM also distributes information through (i) Guide to Information Management, (ii) Guidelines for National Institutional Survey, and (iii) the Electronic Resource Inventory. Users are Governmental organizations, policy makers, IGOs, NGOs, scientific institutions at global and national level and the Biodiversity Convention Secretariat, as well as participating developing countries including their public and private organizations. The publication is done in close collaboration with SMI London, the distributors of UNEP publications and also at national level. Use of the data is promoted for preparing national biodiversity strategies and action plans and for developing biodiversity information systems at national level, through regional workshops

Information for decision-makers is provided in Country study reports and a Summary of Global Biodiversity Assessment for policy makers.

Data directories exist through biodiversity country studies.

Network Development and Support

The BDM will utilize the UNEP meta-database project designed to develop a mechanism to collect, archive and distribute harmonized environmental data, particularly for developing nations and countries with economies in transition.

A list server at UNEP for the BDM with the E-mail address: bdmnetwork@unep.org, in collaboration with WCMC, and hopefully other agencies and networks will provide network support service including: a facility to allow participating countries to exchange electronic messages through the Internet (listserver); provision of technical, scientific or related support to individual participants on issues relevant to the BDM projet and referral to external sources of advice on technical, scientific and related issues (clearing house).

Capacity-Building
 In biodiversity country studies and data management, building strong partnerships with public and private organizations in order to improve delivery of capacity-building support to developing countries. There are reports and assessments provide current information on biodiversity issues globally and nationally, enabling decision makers to make informed decisions.  Through the peer review exercise, gaps in knowledge are identified by the experts in this field.
 
 Staff involved from the participating organizations are trained in data collection and transformation.
 

Internet Access

 http://www.unep.org/
 UNEP home page in Nairobi. UNEP background and organization, programme of work and links to associated organizations. Documents and catalogues (not full text).

Responsible Office/Person (for inquiries or follow-up):
 Mr. B.M. Taal
 Task Manager, Biodiversity
 UNEP
 P.O. Box 30552
 Nairobi, Kenya
 Tel: +254 2 623 238
 Fax: +254 2 623 926
 E-mail: Bai-Mass.Taal@unep.org

Mr Feargal Duff
 Task Manager - Biodiversity Data Management
 DEIA&EW, UNEP
 P.O. Box 30552
 Nairobi, Kenya
 Tel: + 254 2 623 255
 Fax: + 254 2 623 943
 E-mail: feargal.duff@unep.org

Date of preparation: February 1997, updated March 1999

ONE PARAGRAPH DESCRIPTION OF THE AGENCY/PROGRAMME:
To facilitate assessment of the progess made in implementation of and experience with the UNEP International Technical Guidelines for Safety in Biotechnology, UNEP conducted a survey through a questionnaire distribued to Governments. Seventy-four countries out of 100 responded to the survey:
 Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Cameroon, Chile, China, Comoros, Costa Rica, Cuba, Czech Republic, Dominica, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Hungary, India, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakstan, Kenya, Laos, Lesotho, Lithuania, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritania, Moldova, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Peru, Qatar, Romania, St.Kitts & Nevis, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Venezuela, Yemen, Zaire, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

AGENDA 21 CHAPTERS AND PROGRAMME AREAS OF PARTICULAR FOCUS OR INTEREST:
See check list in annex.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF AND LINKS TO INFORMATION ACTIVITIES:

Data Collection, Observation, Monitoring

Biosafety information collected comes mostly from primary and secondary sources, via governments. Data collection is coordinated through national biosafety focal points or relevant ministries.

Methodologies, Quality Control, Harmonization
 Standardization is achieved through implementaion of globally accepted UNEP international Technical Guidelines.
The type of regulations of other mechanisms in place at country level for safety in biotechnology are assessed to ensure the quality of the results. The establishment of national authorities or institutional mechanisms and the designation of national focal points for biosafety and through sub-regional/regional/global meetings helps harmonization. Other methodological areas concern appropriate mechanisms adopted or desired by countries for the exchange of biosafety information and data.
 
Assessment and Analysis
The remit of this programme is to review the progress made in implementation of and experience with the UNEP International Technical Guidelines for Safety in Biotechnology, in terms of actions taken, underway or planned. This is to be done in cooperation with UNIDO/WHO/UNEP Informal Working Group on Biosafety, BAC, IAE, and the private sector/biotechnology industry. Data gathering was by survey through a questionnaire distributed to Governments.

Indicators
Indications of country level priority needs for safety in biotechnology that would enable implementation of the Guidelines.

Modelling

Expert Systems/Decision-support systems
General principles of risk assessment and management, mechanisms for control at the national, regional and international levels and capacity-building.

Early Warning Mechanisms

Reports/Information dissemination

The programme was intended for designated national focal points for biosafety, and used the  International Register on Biosafety as an information mediator.

Network Development and Support

Capacity-Building
International Workshop to Follow-up on the UNEP International Technical Guidelines for Safety in Biotechnology encompasses encouraging decision-makers' use of information, training in data collection, assessment and transformation, and identification of data gaps.
 

Internet Access

http://www.unep.org/

Responsible Office/Person (for inquiries or follow-up):
Mr B.M. Taal
 Task Manager, Biodiversity
 UNEP
 P.O. Box 30552
 Nairobi, Kenya
 Tel: + 254 2 623 238
 Fax: + 254 2 623 926
 E-mail: Bai-Mass.Taal@unep.org

Date of preparation: February 1997, updated March 1999

ORGANIZATION:United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)