16 September 2010: The UN Environment Programme (UNEP), UN Development Programme (UNDP) and Global Environment Facility (GEF) launched a joint report synthesizing the results of the National Capacity Self-Assessment (NCSA) programme, launched in January 2000, to deepen knowledge on countries’ foundational capacities to meet global environmental objectives.

The programme focused on assessing the key individual, organizational and systemic capacities needed to sustain achievements that satisfy the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), collectively known as the Rio Conventions, and other multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs). The exercise also sought to develop an understanding of the key drivers of, and barriers to, sustained environmental protection and conservation, with particular reference to meeting and sustaining objectives codified within the Rio Conventions.

The report includes an Executive Summary in three languages and five chapters, including: an overview of the NCSA programme and the concept of capacity development; a summary of the NCSA results; and main lessons learned. [The report]