Eye on Earth Summit

Background

A briefing on the Eye on Earth Summit, facilitated by Abu Dhabi Global Environmental Data Initiative (AGEDI) and hosted by Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), took place at the International Environment House, on 24 October.

Under the Patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, the Summit, to be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), from 12-15 December 2011, will enable global leaders, innovators and decision-makers to focus on how to ensure effective access to the world’s expanding pool of environmental and societal data by all of those who need it.

The expected outcome of the Summit will be a clear statement on ways and means to strengthen existing environmental information networking initiatives and fill gaps towards informed policy making in support of sustainable development. The Summit outcome will make an important contribution to the Rio+20 process, by focusing political attention on the knowledge framework required to support decision-making and underpin the future institutional framework for sustainable development, including issues related to the right to environmental information.

The Summit will be preceded by an Eye on Earth Civil Society Forum which will take place on Sunday 11 December 2011 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. A Civil Society Advisory Group has been established by UNEP to assist with the preparations of the Forum.