1. Abu Dhabi Global Environmental Data Initiative (AGEDI)
Anil Kumar
AGEDI
Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi

2. Agenda About Abu Dhabi Background What is AGEDI? Objectives
Evolution of AGEDI
Projects & Products
Phase III
Eye on Earth Summit

3. UAE…… Abu Dhabi

4. Background Yale/Columbia ESI March 02
Presented at World Economic Forum. UAE included first time
Ranked 141 out of 142 countries evaluated.
Leadership in UAE concerned
Issue blamed on lack of quality data and availability.
Abu Dhabi commits to improve data situation and demonstrate UAE commitment
AGEDI program conceived in mid-2002.
Launched at the WSSD Sept 02

5. What is AGEDI?
a collaborative response initiated by the UAE government
address the need to bridge the ever widening environmental data/information gap between developed and developing countries.
improve the provision of high quality, relevant, updated and comprehensive environmental data for decision making at the local, regional and global levels.
enhance cooperation and coordination between decision-makers, planners, and policymakers.  

6. Objectives
Achieving cost effective and relevant environmental data collection and assessment
Compare data over time and agreed upon parameters and methodologies
Increasing data capacities for local, national, regional, and global environmental decisions
Ensuring sustainable development planning is based on quality, timely, useable, and updated data and information
Providing accessibility of data and information to all stakeholders
Enhancing national and international mechanisms of information processing and exchange
Ensuring full participation and collaboration of developing countries under the United Nations system.

7. AGEDI….. Evolution
Concept and scope evolved to cover a broad base of areas that are seen as critical to the functioning of an effective environmental competent authority
data
analysis
monitoring
performance
planning
policy
awareness
knowledge
partnerships

8. AGEDI….. Evolution
Since inception the program has been largely focused on local issues, with certain projects at the regional and international levels…….
data
analysis
monitoring
performance
planning
policy
awareness
knowledge
partnerships
better integration of science, management and policy functions within EAD as well as the Emirate.
integration to be demonstrated through the SoE Assessment framework.
Local
Regional
Global

9. AGEDI….. Evolution
AGEDI is now ready to shift its major focus from the local level and to play an increasingly important role in the national, regional and global environmental communities
data
analysis
monitoring
performance
planning
policy
awareness
knowledge
partnerships
Local
Regional
Global

10. Multi-Level, Multi-Project Program
Completed 2009
National, Regional, International Level (4 Projects)
Emirate Level
(9 Projects)
Program Alignment Strategy
Sector Papers Update
SoE Review and Refinements
Environmental Atlas
Interactive Environmental Atlas
Geospatial Portal Enhancement
Website Update
EPI for Abu Dhabi
Baseline Monitoring Program
Ecological Footprint
Environmental Information Network (EIN)
GEO West Asia Data Portal
West Asia Map Server
Progression of projects designed to contribute to each other, and to intended AGEDI program outcomes……

11. Sector Papers 9 sector papers completed:
Marine and Coastal Environment
Terrestrial Environment
Physical Geography
Waste and Pollution
Water Resources
Environmental Education
Policy and Regulation
Archaeology
Population, Development and Economy
Compilation of “best available knowledge” related to major Socio-Economic and Environmental elements

12. State of Environment (SoE) Report
SoE Report 2009 completed
Aligned with EAD performance measurement, strategic and business planning activities
Move SoE to National level
SoE report structured around six major themes Atmosphere, Water, Land, Coastal & Marine, Biodiversity and Waste

13. Environmental Atlas

14. Environmental Atlas

15. Geoportal

16. EPI Abu Dhabi Being customized for Abu Dhabi & UAE
Use as a tool to measure Environmental Performance
To be able to compare in a rational manner
Refinement of the policy areas, sub-components, issues, indicators and targets
report - scientifically-based and defensible input from the UAE for incorporation to the Global EPI

17. Participate in strengthening others in the Region and Internationally
Strengthen our approach in Abu Dhabi and UAE
Collaborate with the best in the world

18. Phase III – Institutionalize Local and Begin Shift to National, Regional and International Emphasis
National, Regional, International Level (15 Projects)
AGEDI Board and International Partnership Expansion
AGEDI Technical Committee Expansion
UNEP GEO Alignment, Strengthening and Support
Abu Dhabi Environment Forum Feasibility Study
International Workshop on Sustainability Management
Climate Change Regional Initiative for the Gulf
Arabian Gulf Ecological Assessment
Global Environmental Information Network
Data Visualization for Arabian Gulf
Migratory Birds of Prey (MBP)

19. Phase III – Institutionalize Local and Begin Shift to National, Regional and International Emphasis
National, Regional, International Level (15 Projects)
International Environmental Data Management and Standards Knowledgebase
Arab Region Atlas (Environmental Change)
Environmental Agency Knowledge Management Certificate Program
Regional Centers of Expertise (RCE) for Sustainable Development
Regional Outreach and Capacity Building Program
National Environmental Data Base Program

20. Phase III – Institutionalize Local and Begin Shift to National, Regional and International Emphasis
Emirate Level (14 Projects)
AGEDI/AD-SDI GeoPortal Orientation and Setup
Coastal Development Guidelines Support
Enhance Capacity to handle special projects and ad hoc support
Field data collection kit
Enhancement of animal tracking apps
Environmental technology and data gallery
Environment Information Collaboratory
Environmental Data Visualization - Abu Dhabi
EIM Action Plan Preparation
EIM Action Plan Implementation
Land Use and Land Cover Mapping Program
EDB Consolidation
Mobilization of Baseline Strategy
GIS/IM Operations Support

21. AGEDI - International Level
Facilitate, Collaborate, Promote, Support Global EIN and Sustainability Management Movement
Work with UNEP and network of key international partners to initiate more holistic and systematic environmental management and sustainable development approaches
Leverage and build on previous AGEDI outputs and outcomes
Strengthen and expand the EIN movement
Leverage investment through partnerships and high impact, high visibility, mission-critical project work
Local
Regional
Global

22. AGEDI Phase III Program - Paradigm Shift
Partnership Initiatives
Projects

23. AGEDI….. Message The AGEDI vision and scope is broad and far reaching
The Government of UAE is committed to this vision, to benefit the Country and the World
Significant groundwork has been laid
It is now time to take the AGEDI program to another level, with strong network of partners…….

24. Eye on Earth Summit GEIN SUMMIT ENVIRONMENTAL EXHIBITION
Worldwide event to launch the Global Environmental Information Network (GEIN)
initiative and to address major policy and technical issues.
GEIN SUMMIT
Public Exhibition to highlight AGEDI products and provide over 70 booths for partner entities to feature their activities, network with others, and raise public awareness about environmental issues and how these are being addressed with information technologies and networks.
ENVIRONMENTAL EXHIBITION

25. Thank you !!!