The Capacity Development Branch of DEWA supports Governments, United Nations entities and other partners with environmental assessment, including science-policy linkages. General Assembly Resolution 2997 (XXVII) established the United Nations Environment Programme with functions and responsibilities including:

• To keep under review the world environmental situation in order to ensure that emerging environmental problems of wide international significance receive appropriate and adequate consideration by Governments;
• To promote the contribution of the relevant international scientific and other professional communities to the acquisition, assessment and exchange of environmental knowledge and information and, as appropriate, to the technical aspects of the formulation and implementation of environmental programmes within the United Nations system.

The work of the Branch is guided by the Bali Strategic Plan for Technology Support and Capacity-Building, adopted by the UNEP Governing Council in 2005, including the Plan's Section F on "Information for decision-making: the role of science, monitoring and assessment".

(Example of work being supported by the capacity development programme)