13 August 2019 was an important day for GRID-Arendal. On that day GRID-Arendal celebrated its 30th birthday. 30 years of taking complex science and making it understandable for both the public and policy makers. 30 years of supporting Norwegian development aid in some of the world’s least developed states. And 30 years of working with the United Nations Environment (UNEP) to deliver positive environmental outcomes across the globe. That this small foundation, nestled in the southern Norwegian township of Arendal, and which has had such a global impact, is a credit to a small group of visionary Norwegians who helped establish GRID-Arendal way back in 1989.
GRID-Arendal Board Chair Jan Winther remarked,
"There is no doubt that we are gathered here today to celebrate an extraordinary, vital and experienced institution. Looking into the future, I strongly believe that GRID-Arendal will play an important role in being the institution we want – and need. "
It was not only a celebration of 30 years of good work, looking to the past and celebrating the achievements of this small international organisation. It was also an opportunity to set the wheels in motion for the next 30 years. In the late afternoon on the back deck of the tall ship Sørlandet, a sail training vessel dating from the early 20th century, two significant agreements were signed.
The first was a framework agreement between the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) and GRID-Arendal. This agreement was jointly signed by Mr. Dag Inge Ulstein, Minister of International Development, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Dr. Jan-Gunnar Winther, Chair, GRID-Arendal Board. This agreement sets out the frame for cooperation between Norad and GRID-Arendal for the coming years, with a focus on addressing many pressing environmental issues including environmental crime, waste and marine litter, and climate change impact in developing and mountain regions.
Dag Inge Ulstein said,
"I am glad to renew our agreement and I am happy to continue our cooperation with GRID-Arendal."
The second agreement was the framework agreement between UNEP and GRID-Arendal. This agreement was signed by Dr. Jian Liu, Chief Scientist, UNEP and Dr. Jan-Gunnar Winther, Chair, GRID-Arendal Board. This agreement renews the cooperation between GRID-Arendal and UNEP, which has been a centrepiece of GRID-Arendal’s work programme since its establishment. The agreements recognises GRID-Arendal’s strong contribution to the UNEP work programme, in particular its key expertise in polar and marine issues. Jian Liu remarked,
"Thank you to the government of Norway for your generous support to UNEP and for allowing us to work with GRID-Arendal.
In the last 30 years, UNEP's collaboration with GA has been very productive. Projecting into the future, the services that the UN is counting on GRID-Arendal to provide is increasing and we see that GRID-Arendal is taking the lead in a number of major issues related to marine sciences, marine research, marine ecosystems management, plastic and waste management, Arctic issues and other emerging issues.
We look forward to working with GRID-Arendal in the next 5 years, to build it up and to lift it up to the next level.
The signing of these important agreements is recognition of the great work by GRID-Arendal’s international team of experts, who have helped to shape the global environmental agenda and develop solutions to some of the most pressing environmental issues. These agreements lay the foundation for the ongoing mission of GRID-Arendal, which much like the tall ship Sørlandet, is showing itself to be a strong and enduring institution in the Sørlandet region.
Gro Bråten, Mayor of Agder Country, said,
"GRID-Arendal has not only made an impact worldwide, but also locally and regionally. It has in many ways helped increased awareness about the environment and inspired people in Agder to share its vision of contributing to a society that understands, values and protects the environment on which it depends."
Robert Cornels Nordli, Mayor of Arendal, indicated that Arendal is proud host city of GRID-Arendal and would like GRID-Arendal to take active part in local and regional discussions in the areas of environment and sustainable development. He said,
"We need the knowledge that you have. We need all the help we can get from you. The world needs you."
© 2026 GRID-Arendal
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