A Global Industry Alliance (GIA) was launched today at the Headquarters of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London, to tackle the threats of marine bio-invasions caused by the transfer of alien plants and animals in ships’ ballast tanks. Ballast water is carried in cargo ships to provide needed stability. It is taken onboard at the start of every trip an unladen ship makes and then pumped out on arrival.
20 JANUARY2010 | Washington, DC - In concert with sister agencies, the Global Environment Facility has approved an emergency project to help restore power lost from the Port au Prince earthquake and assist relief workers as they look to supply critical medical needs to survivors.
The 5th meeting of the Adaptation Fund Board (AFB) successfully concluded on March 27 2009 in Bonn. During the 5th Meeting, the Board has been able to complete its deliberations on the operational policies and guidelines for parties to access resources from the Adaptation Fund. It will take a final decision on these operational policies and guidelines before calling for funding proposal in the near future.
The Sixth Meeting of the Adaptation Fund Board is taking place at the UNCCD premises in Bonn (Langer Eugen, room LEU 1916) from June 15 to 17, 2009.
Among other issues, the Board will discuss the fiduciary standards for implementing entities as part of the operational framework of the Adaptation Fund; the TORs and General Guidelines for Board Committees; the offers to recognize legal capacity and host the Board; and the Adaptation Fund logo.
The Africa Stockpiles Programme (ASP) was launched in September 2005 with the goal to clear all obsolete pesticide stocks from Africa and establish measures to help prevent their recurrence. Projects under the program are also designed to train and strengthen institutions on important chemicals-related issues, create opportunities to address broader hazardous waste management issues, and evaluate new cleaner disposal technologies.
Termites are essential to soil health, but problems arise when they come in contact with agricultural, forest, or urban areas. The annual economic cost of structural damage to buildings from termites in urban areas is about US$15–20 billion worldwide. More than 450 species of termites are found in China’s populated areas, infesting wooden structures and tree plantations, and threatening critical infrastructure, including housing, non-residential buildings, communications facilities, and dams used for watershed management.
September 14-16, 2009, Bonn, Germany
Follow the meeting by watching the video webcast or listening at the audio only webcast. |
On September 18, Science Magazine has published the following article in the Policy Forum section. Many authors contributed to this article: among them Mark Zimsky, GEF Program Manager and Sr. Biodiversity Specialist.
7 DECEMBER 2009 | Copenhagen – As the climate talks kick off in Copenhagen, key football nations are teaming up for the planet for the biggest sport event of 2010.
