This programme area incorporates activities relating to general capacity building, environmental education, information exchange and awareness raising on global environment issues.

GEC has been actively involved in a number of capacity building assessments including:

• Assisting in the coordination of the preparation of the Asia Pacific component of the UNDP-GEF Capacity Development Initiative and the synthesis report on Biodiversity.
• Training needs assessment on fire prevention and control in peatlands in Malaysia
• Global needs assessments for integration of management of wetlands, biodiversity and river basins for Ramsar convention and Convention on Biological Diversity.
• Needs assessment for integrated management of peatlands in SE Asia for ASEAN Secretariat.

Training courses and materials

GEC has organized or provided input to a number of training activities including

• Training Course on Fire prevention and control in peatlands, Malaysia
• Awareness and communication skills for peatland conservation, Indonesia
• Integrated implementation of environmental conventions, United Nations
• Manual on best management practices for fire prevention and control in peatlands
• Training Programme on Negotiation and implementation of MEAs for Government of Malaysia with UNU and UNEP.
• E-learning programme on Multilateral Environment Agreements for Government of Malaysia with UNU and UNEP.

Information dissemination and environmental education

• Posters, leaflets and information materials on lake pollution, peatlands, climate change and community participation.
• Student Activity Book and Teachers Guide on environmental issues affecting urban rivers and lakes
• Arts and Earth Festival ( August-September 2006)

Development of networks and partnerships

• Establishment of Global Environment Network with members in 30 countries
• Partnerships to implement collaborative projects in Malaysia, Indonesia, China, India and Thailand
• Partnership and cooperation with international organizations and conventions including Convention on Biological Diversity, Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, United Nations Environment Programme, United Nations Development Programme, United Nations University
• Central Focal point of the GEF CSO Network (2009-2017) (www.gefngo.org)