regional office for africa newsletter, january 2001 ~ united nations environment programme h

8/9/2019 Regional Office for Africa Newsletter, January 2001 ~ United Nations Environment Programme h

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s we begin our passage into theMillennium of the Environment,UNEP and the Permanent

contributions to the protection of the Africanenvironment.

Africa is still widely perceived as a singlecountry, and not accurately understood as ahighly diverse continent three times the size

of the United States of America andcontaining more thanfifty distinct countries.The ecologicaldiversity and thehuman potential is alsoequally great. Thisreali ty should not deterus but merely remindus that although thechallenges and threatsare common, we are adiverse world.

A strong messageneeds to emergefrom these meetings -that sustainabledevelopment is not justabout improvingquality of life. It is

about realising that the human familyssecurity is at stake. It is about recognizingthat cultural and biological diversity has meritand that tolerance and soli darity wil l have tobe the overriding principles leading us to thesummit. Only then do we improve ourchances for success at the 2002 Summit. Atthe gathering we could lay the groundwork

for a future where hope takes on newsignificance for all of us.

A Message

from the

Executive Director of

UNEP

Representatives of the African governmentshave reason to be pleased with the results oftheir joint endeavour in implementing the

decisions of the last Governing Council onSupport to Africa. Iwould like to offer themembers of the AfricanDiplomatic Corps andtheir families my verybest wishes for the NewYear. I would also li ke tothank them forthe individual andcollective supportextended to UNEP.

The twenty-first session

of UNEPs GoverningCouncil and theConference on the ten-year review of the EarthSummit in 2002 willpresent complexchallenges andopportunities for the African governments.These two meetings reflect a landscape wherethe enormity of the worlds environmental,social and economic problems is not viewedas a discouraging sign of inequity and despair,but as a powerful impetus for us to redressimbalances and reaffirm our commi tment toworld-wide sustainable development. Atthese meetings, African governments have anopportunity to present important

A

It is about recognizing

that cultural and

biological diversity has

merit and that tolerance

and solidarity will have to

be the overriding

principles leading us tothe summit.

ROA NewsROA News is a Quarterly Newsletter of the Regional Office for Africa (ROA) at UNEP, Nairobi, Kenya

CONTENTS

ISSUE NO 2 January 2001

1

Foreword by theExecutive Director of UNEP

2

Renewing UNEPs Presence in Africa

4

3Safeguarding Africa's Stakes in Global

Negotiations on the Environment -African Ministers of the

Environment meet in Dakar.

General Trust Fund for theAfrican Ministerial Conference

on the Environment

7

UNEP/GEF:Responding to Africa's Needs

9

List of African Permanent Representativesto UNEP and UNCHS

10

Diplomatic Column:

Interview ofH.E. Mr. Mohammed Chraibi,

Permanent Representative of theKingdom of Morocco to UNEP

14

Recent Developments

16

NGO Column:

Article by Dr. Moses Isooba,

Executive Secretary,

Uganda Wildlife Society

12

The Millennium Summit -Environment and the

Special Needs of Africa

6

Earth Summit

5

2002 Summit

BernardWahihia/UNEP


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Renewing UNEPs

Presence in Africa

he choice of Support to Africa asan area of concentration by UNEP isbuilt on an appreciation of the great

natural potential of the continent, thechallenges and opportunities which itsdevelopment process presents and thefoundation of partnerships.

The year 2000 saw UNEP take some notablesteps towards implementing its mandate ofenhancing its profile in Africa.

Each of UNEPs Divisions devoted time and

resources in responding to Africasenvironmental priorities thus substantiallyincreasing the core resource allocation toAfrica. Together with African governments andpartners in the region, success was achievedin developing common African positions andnegotiation strategies in critical areas such asbiosafety, forests, climate, desertification andbiodiversity.

UNEP also succeeded in leveraging extra-budgetary resources for Africa. The UNEP/GEF* has helped to signifi cantly increase theflow of GEF resources to Africa in the last twoyears to nearly US $ 169 million. The United

Nations Development Fund and UN TurnerFoundation cumulatively providedapproximately US $ 4 mill ion. In response toa request by African governments, UNEP hassubmitted a project proposal of almost US $900,000 to donors to mobilize resources forpreparations for the 2002 Summit. TheMontreal Protocols investment in AfricasOzone Network alone stands at almost US $4 million for networking and capacity-building activities. This does not includesubstantial fi nancing for ODS-related projectsin Africa. Together with its partners in Africa,UNEP has, by leveraging approximately

US $ 200 million, increased by 50 times theallocation of the Environment Fund to theRegional Office for Africa.

UNEPs close relationship with the AfricanMinisterial Conference on the Environment(AMCEN) needs a special mention. AMCENhas been growing in stature and profi le sinceits renewal at its eighth session in Abuja,Nigeria. At this session, AMCEN took clearsteps to transform itself into a strengthenedorganisation - guiding and leading Africasparticipation in global negotiations,mobilising support for sound environmentalpolicy and providing a framework for

marshalling cooperation among Africancountries, organizations and the UnitedNations. These changes were contained in therecommendations for policy and institutionalchange and a medium-term programme forthe next four years. The Abuja Declarationenvisages the establishment of intersessional

and inter-agency technical committeescharged with the task of implementing themedium-term plan.

Since 1998, Africa has been playing a greaterrole in international dialogue and has already

hosted the Conference of the Parties meetingsof the Convention on Biological Diversity andthe Convention on International Trade ofEndangered Species (CITIES) in Nairobi . Africaalso hosted the Fifth Meeting ofIntergovernmental Negotiating Committee onthe Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

Convention in South Africa and the TwelfthMeeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocolin Burkina Faso.

UNEPs relations with Africas keyintergovernmental bodies have been

significantly strengthened. The highlightsinclude the decision to open an Office inAddis Ababa to build strategic partnershipswith the Organization of African Unity andthe UN/Economic Commission for Africa.

2

UNEP AND AFRICA

T

Making globalisation work for worlds poor

The central challenge we face today is to ensure that globalisation becomes apositive force for all the worlds people, instead of leaving billions of them behind

in squalor. If we are to get the best out of globalisation and avoid the worst, wemust learn how to govern better at local and national levels, and to govern better

at the international level.

Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the United Nations, December 2000

ChrisHellier/UNEP

* - Global Environment Facility


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The Government of Senegal hosted

a Special Session of the AfricanMinisterial Conference of the

Safeguarding Africas stakes in

global negotiations on the environment:

African Ministers of the Environment

meet in Dakar.

3

AMCEN - DAKAR

Environment from 19 to 21 October 2000 inDakar. On the agenda were issues such asforging African common positions formeetings of the Conference of the Parties tothe United Nations Framework Conventionon Climate Change in November, the TwelfthMeeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocoland the Fourth Meeting of the Conference ofthe Parties to the Convention to CombatDesertification. The meeting also discussedthe implementation in Africa of the MalmDeclaration as well as Africas preparationsfor the 2002 Summit.

The meeting recommended that Africasreview of the implementation of the Rioagreements, including Agenda 21, should beforward-looking and should focus on thecritical issues impeding the achievement ofsustainable development. It recommended

that international efforts be directed at

enhancing the capacity of UNEP to effectivelyaddress the wide-ranging environmentalthreats of an increasingly globalizing world.It called for the substantial strengthening ofUN EP, a broader i ts financi al base morepredictable funding.

This special session of AMCEN decided toprepare a strategy for the implementation ofthe Malm Declaration. The AMCENPresident will report to UNEPs GoverningCouncils twenty-first Session/GlobalMinisterial Environment Forum (Nairobi, 5 to9 February 2001) on progress made in thisimportant area.

The meeting also decided that the AMCENBureau, Inter-sessional Committee, Inter-Agency Technical Committee and Secretariatwill actively participate in the twenty-firstSession of the Council and in the ministerialconsultations. The African Ministers of

Environment could hold consultations inNairobi, in February 2001, to agree oncommon perspectives and position.

It authorised the AMCEN Secretariat toundertake a comprehensive study to identi fy

opportuni ties for enhancing AMCENs role inthe monitoring of the ratification process ofregional and global conventions on theenvironment and to evaluate the impli cationsfor the provision of Secretariat support toselected regional conventions e.g. theBamako Convention (1991), AlgiersConvention on Nature Conservation (1968)and for future instruments and protocolswhich the region may wish to develop.

The meeting decided to prepare acomprehensive report on the status ofratification, in Africa, of major regional and

selected global conventions to be ready bythe 2002 Summit. AMCEN will support, jointly with the OAU and ECA as well asrelevant regional bodies, the preparation ofan African Common Position on the 2002Summit. It called upon those Africancountries, which have not yet done so, to ratifythe Montreal Protocol and all its amendmentsto facilitate full action on the regions concernswithin the context of these instruments.

It called on African governments, which havenot yet effected their contributions to theAMCEN Trust Fund, as agreed in Abuja inApril 2000, to do so at the earliest possible

time to ensure adequate means ofimplementation of the decisions of the EighthSession of the Conference.

Delegates also decided to launch a specialresource mobilization initiative to boost theresources for the implementation of theAMCEN medium-term programme and calledon Africas cooperation partners to supportthis effort.

The special session requested the AMCENSecretariat to convene daily meetings ofAMCEN during the: (i) Sixth Meeting of the

Parties to the UN Convention on ClimateChange as well as (ii) the Fourth Meeting ofthe Parties to the UN Convention onDesertification in order to ensure an effectivecoordination of Africas position andperspective on all issues of primary concernor interest to the region. It called upon theAMCEN Secretariat to prepare a compendiumof project proposals to be submitted by Africancountries within the framework of the CleanDevelopment Mechanism (CDM). UNEP wasasked to undertake, in cooperation withrelevant partners, a feasibility study on theestablishment of national and/or sub-regionalCDM offices in Africa.

Regarding the venue of the 2002 Summit, thespecial session recognized the need to holdsuch a conference in a developing country. Itfully supported the candidature of SouthAfrica to host the Summit.

T

MartinaDobrusky/UNEP


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4

COLLECTIONS

GENERAL TRUST FUND FOR THE AFRICAN MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE ON THE ENVIRONMENT (AMCEN)Status of Contributions Updated List as at 1 February 2001

(Expressed in US Dollars)

1 Algeria 0 200,000 0 200,0002 Angola 0 100,000 0 100,0003 Benin 5,000 50,000 0 50,0004 Botswana 0 100,000 0 100,0005 Burkina Faso 10,000 50,000 0 50,0006 Burundi 0 25,000 0 25,0007 Cameroon 0 100,000 0 100,0008 Cape Verde 0 25,000 0 25,0009 Centra Afr. Rep. 0 25,000 0 25,000

10 Chad 0 25,000 0 25,00011 Comoros 0 25,000 0 25,00012 Congo 0 25,000 0 25,00013 Congo, Dem. Rep. 0 25,000 0 25,00014 Cote d'Ivoire 0 100,000 0 100,00015 Djibouti 0 25,000 0 25,000

16 Egypt 689,800 200,000 0 200,00017 EquatorialGuinea 0 25,000 0 25,00018 Eritrea 0 25,000 0 25,00019 Ethiopia 0 25,000 0 25,00020 Gabon 0 100,000 0 100,00021 Gambia 0 25,000 25,000 022 Ghana 68,500 100,000 0 100,00023 Guinea 0 25,000 0 25,00024 Guinea Bissau 0 25,000 0 25,00025 Kenya 0 50,000 0 50,00026 Lesotho * 0 25,000 16,122 8,87827 Liberia 0 25,000 0 25,00028 Libyan Arab Jamahiriya 0 200,000 0 200,00029 Madagascar 0 25,000 25,615 -61530 Malawi 0 50,000 0 50,000

31 Mali 0 50,000 0 50,00032 Mauritania * 0 72,000 0 72,00033 Mauritius 29,906 100,000 0 100,00034 Morocco 0 200,000 0 200,00035 Mozambique * 0 25,000 0 25,00036 Namibia 0 100,000 0 100,00037 Niger 0 25,000 0 25,00038 Nigeria * 0 200,000 0 200,00039 Rwanda 0 50,000 0 50,00040 Sao Tome and Principe 0 25,000 0 25,00041 Senegal 0 100,000 0 100,00042 Seychelles 500 100,000 0 100,00043 Sierra Leone 0 25,000 0 25,00044 Somalia 0 25,000 0 25,00045 South Africa 5,000 200,000 100,000 100,00046 Sudan 0 25,000 0 25,000

47 Swaziland * 0 25,000 6,000 19,00048 Togo 0 50,000 0 50,00049 Tunisia 0 100,000 0 100,00050 Uganda 0 100,000 0 100,00051 United Rep. of Tanzania 0 50,000 0 50,00052 Zambia 0 50,000 0 50,00053 Zimbabwe 26,994 100,000 0 100,000

Sub-Total 835,700 3,622,000 172,737 3,449,263

EnvironmentalCommunication Operates(ECO) 0 10,000 10,000 0Norway 0 42,579 1/ 42,579 0 TOTAL 835,700 3,674,579 225,317 3,449,263

Lesotho pledged US $ 16,000 at the 8th Session of AMCEN held in Abuja, Nigeria Mauri tania pledged US $ 72,000 at the 8th Session of AMCEN held in Abuja, Nigeria Mozambique pledged US $ 57,000 at the 8th Session of AMCEN held in Abuja, Nigeria Nigeria pledged US $ 200,000 at the 8th Session of AMCEN held in Abuja, Nigeria Swaziland pledged US $ 6,000 1/ NOK 400,000

Note: The third column is based on the AMCEN Abuja Decisions 5 (b), (c) and (d)

Additional contributions

COUNTRY Collections between1996 & 1999

Total Govt. agreedcontributions for thebiennium 2000/2001

Collections in 2000for the biennium

2000/2001

Unpaid contributionsfor the biennium

2000/2001


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outh Africa has been chosen tohost the 2002 United NationsWorld Summit on SustainableS

Development. Bringing the Earth Summit toSouth Africa is a major boost for Africa, asthe major conference on sustainabledevelopment on our soil will firmly placethese issues and debates on the agenda of ourcontinent said South African DeputyEnvironment and Tourism Environment and

Tourism Minister Rejoice Mabudafhasi.

The United Nations Secretary-Generalreaffirmed that 2001 must be a year ofintensive preparations for Rio + 10 - thefollow up event ten years after the EarthSummit. We have got to restore the senseof urgency about environmental problemswhich prevailed when that summit was held ,he added.

The UN Commission on SustainableDevelopment wi ll function as the preparatorycommittee and will hold four meetings, from30 April to 2 May 2001 (in New York), late

January 2002, mid-March 2002 and mid-May2002 (in Indonesia, at ministerial level).

Commentary by Werner Obermeryer,UNEP New York Office

The role that UNEP has undertaken in theimplementation of Agenda 21 has been anintegral part of its policy framework since theRio Conference, in terms of theintergovernmental decisions and furtherinstitutional reforms which have served toclarify, refine and strengthen UNEPs role andmandate. In response to the environmental

challenges and in light of this policy evolutionand the mandate of UNEP, a number of newinitiatives have been taken that will beespecially relevant in the context of the ten-year review. These are in the areas ofassessment and early warning; environmentallaw; coordination of environmentalconventions; technology, industry andeconomics; and the regional dimension.

The eighth session of the Commission onSustainable Development (CSD) gives UNEPa major role, particularly at the regional level,in the preparatory activities for the 2002conference. The Nairobi Declaration ishighlighted and the UNEP Governing Councilrequested to provide views to the tenth CSDas an important input to the preparatoryprocess for the ten-year review. The Inter-Agency CSD has designated UNEP as taskmanager to prepare review reports onatmosphere; biodiversity and biosafety;

The 2002 World Summit on

Sustainable Development

in Johannesburg:

Reflections andPerspectives

chemicals and wastes; and decision-makingstructures and institutions for sustainabledevelopment.

Important contributions to the ten-year reviewalready initiated by UNEP include the

preparation for the third Global EnvironmentOutlook (GEO) report, which is expected tobe completed in 2002 providing a defini tiveassessment of the global environmentalsituation. The GEO 3 process, which willgather and synthesize the knowledge of morethan 850 experts in some 35 scientificinstitutions around the world, wil l take a 30-year retrospective and 30-year forward-looking perspective, wi th a view to reframingthe way the international communityunderstands and responds to the environmentin the new millennium (for the AfricanEnvironment Outlook see page 14).

UNEPs information strategy is also beingimplemented through a series of sectoralassessments of key environmental issues suchas the Global International Waters Assessment(GIWA), Land Management andEnvironmental Change Programme and theDesert Margins Programme. In collaborationwith the United Nations DevelopmentProgramme (UNDP), the World Bank and theWorld Resources Institute, UNEP has recentlypubl ished a world resources report. The reportpresents the results of the pilot phase of theMillennium Ecosystem Assessment, which isa major international collaborative effort to

map the health of the planet, and an ini tiativehighlighted by the Secretary-General in hisreport to the Mi llennium Assembly, (see page12) The report also presents the process forthe preparation of the third ten-yearprogramme for the development and periodicreview of environmental law. The MontevideoProgramme III will be submitted to theGoverning Council at its twenty-first sessionfor adoption.

The convening by UNEP of the first GlobalMinisterial Environment Forum, in Malm,Sweden, attracted an unprecedented

gathering of more than 100 environmentalMinisters from around the world. Theoutcome of the Forum - The MalmDeclaration - is an inspiring and meaningfulexpression of a global environmentalconsciousness and responsibility. As a majorinput to the Millennium Summit and as weprepare for the tenth anniversary of the 1992Rio Earth Summit, the message from Malmis that there is an environmental crisis thatcan only be addressed by governments, theprivate sector and civil society forgingpartnerships and acting together to alleviatepoverty and to remedy the threats to humanhealth and the environment caused by ourpast actions.

The Environment Ministers who gathered atMalm expressed their conviction that the ten-year review of the outcomes of the UnitedNations Conference on Environment andDevelopment in 2002 will provide a unique

5

2002 SUMMIT

SooWeeMing/UNEP

opportunity for the international communityto reinvigorate the spirit of Rio. The Ministersstated that the objective of this Summit shouldnot be to renegotiate Agenda 21, whichremains valid, but to inject a new spirit ofcooperation based on agreed actions in thecommon quest for sustainable development.They also recognized the need forgovernments and UNEP to play a major rolein the preparation for the 2002 review ofUNCED at the regional and global level andensure that the environmental dimension ofsustainable development is fully consideredon the basis of a broad assessment of the stateof the global environment. The Declaration

emphasizes that the 2002 Summit should aimat addressing the major challenges tosustainable development, and in particular thepervasive effect of the burden of poverty on alarge proportion of the Earths inhabitants,counterpoised against excessive and wastefulconsumption and inefficient resource use thatperpetuates the vicious circle ofenvironmental degradation and increasingpoverty.

Greater recognition of the economic andsocietal aspects of sustainable developmentnecessitate the possible requirement for a

strengthened institutional structure forinternational environmental governance,based on an assessment of future needs foran institutional architecture that has thecapacity to address wide-rangingenvironmental threats in a globalising world.In this regard UNEP has, in cooperation wi ththe respective governing bodies of theenvironmental and environment-relatedconventions, undertaken a series of initi ativesto develop coherent interli nkages among theconventions and to promote their effectiveimplementation through the definition ofareas of complementarity and avoidance ofduplication. The translation of synergies intoconcrete action and effective and efficientways of achieving the objectives ofsustainable development, especially at thenational and local levels, is a challenge whichwould also require discussion at the 2002conference and is another area where UNEPis expected to take a leading role.


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The AIDS pandemic is underminingsocial and economic structures andreversing the fragile gains made sinceindependence . . . .This is a battle forthe continents survival . . . . We carryinside each and every one of us thepotential to increase the problem or thepotential to help solve the problem. Thisis not a policy issue: this is ourselves,our families, our communities, ourhopes. All this is our decisive moment.

Kingsley Amoako, Executive Secretaryof the United Nations EconomicCommission for Africa, African

Development Forum 2000,December 2000

Earth Summit

Agenda 21

The United Nations

Programme of Action

From Rio

Agenda 21 stands as a comprehensiveblueprint for action to be takenglobally in every area in which

EARTH SUMMIT

human activity impacts on the environment.It was adopted by 178 Governments at theUnited Nations Conference on Environmentand Development held in Rio de Janeiro,Brazil , from 3 to 14 June 1992. Theprogramme of action contains the followingChapters:

RIO DECLARATION ON ENVIRONMENTAND DEVELOPMENT

AGENDA 21: PROGRAMME OF ACTIONFOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

1. Preamble

Section 1:Social and Economic Dimensions

2. International cooperation to acceleratesustainable development in

developing countries and relateddomestic policies

3. Combating poverty4. Changing consumption patterns5. Demographic dynamics and

sustainability6. Protecting and promoting human

health7. Promoting sustainable human

settlement development8. Integrating environment and

development in decision-making

Section 2:

Conservation and Management ofResources for Development

9. Protection of the atmosphere10. Integrated approach to the planning

and management of land resources11. Combating deforestation12. Managing fragile ecosystems:

Combating desertification and drought13. Managing fragile Ecosystems:

Sustainable mountain development14. Promoting sustainable agriculture and

rural development15. Conservation of biological diversity16. Environmentally sound management

of biotechnology17. Protection of the oceans, all kinds of

seas, including enclosed and semi-enclosed seas, and coastal areas andthe protection, rational use anddevelopment of their living resources

18. Protection of the quality and supply of

freshwater resources:Application of integrated approachesto the development, management anduse of water resources

19. Environmentally sound managementof toxic chemicals, including

prevention of i llegal internationaltraffic in toxic and dangerous products

20. Environmentally sound managementof hazardous wastes, includingprevention of i llegal internationaltraffic in hazardous wastes

21. Environmentally sound managementof solid wastes and sewage-relatedissues

22. Safe and environmentally soundmanagement of radioactive wastes

Section 3:Strengthening the Role of Major Groups

23. Preamble24. Global action for women towards

sustainable and equitabledevelopment

25. Children and youth in sustainabledevelopment

26. Recognizing and strengthening therole of indigenous people and theircommunities

27. Strengthening the role of non-governmental organizations: Partnersfor sustainable development

28. Local authorities initiatives in supportof Agenda 21

29. Strengthening the role of workers andtheir trade unions

30. Strengthening the role of business andindustry

31. Scientific and technologicalcommunity

32. Strengthening the role of farmers

Section 4:Means of Implementation

33. Financial resources and mechanisms34. Transfer of environmentally sound

technology, cooperation and capacity-

building35. Science for sustainable development36. Promoting education, public

awareness and training37. National mechanisms and

international cooperation for capacity-building in developing countries

38. International institutionalarrangements

39. International legal instruments andmechanisms

40. Information for decision-making

STATEMENT OF FOREST PRINCIPLES

MenPierrotChanHong/UNEP


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n 2000, UNEP, as an ImplementingAgency of the Global EnvironmentFacility, continued to give priority toI

Responding to

Africas needs

7

UNEP AND THE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FACILITY (GEF)

assisting, in accordance with its role andmandate, African countries to access GEF

resources and to address global environmentalchallenges facing the continent, in particulardesertification . The total portfolio of UNEPGEF project activities encompasses 137activities in more than 49 African countries,with total project funding of over US$ 135million. In addition, a project pipeline worthmore than US $100 million is under activepreparation.

The year 2000 coincided with the finalisationand the launch of the activities of the UNEP/GEF project on Community-basedRehabilitation of the Degraded Lands ofTransboundary Areas of Senegal andMauritania of US$ 12 million as well as theadoption of a number of project preparationactivities for the management of the cross-border areas between Niger and Nigeria aswell as between Ethiopia and Djibouti. Asimilar project is already underimplementation for the management of semi-

arid cross-border areas of Mozambique,Zambia and Zimbabwe.

An especially important project to address theinterlinkages between land and water

degradation in Africa concerns themanagement of the Fouta Djall on Highlands,a transboundary watershed and ecosystem.Management of this watershed will not onlyaddress land degradation in the highlands butalso in the international river basinsoriginating in the highlands. This project hasbeen initiated by UNEP in close collaborationwi th the OAU, the UNs Food and AgricultureOrganization (FAO) and the GlobalMechanism of the Convention to CombatDesertification. It is the first time that such apartnership has been forged in the context ofGEF activities.

UNEP also had two medium-sized projectsapproved to combat of land degradation inAfrica. Implementation of the project beganwith community-based land and watermanagement at Lake Baringo, Kenya, whichis a demonstration project with potential forreplication in other small lake catchments.

The project in East Africa on land use changeanalysis, as an approach for assessingbiodiversity loss and land degradation, isdeveloping a tool for land use change analysisthat will be of great strategic value.

With a view to promoting a greater knowledgeand understanding of dryland ecosystems,UNEP in collaboration with FAO, launchedthe preparation of the Dryland and LandDegradation Assessment Project, which willassist eligible countries and in particularAfrican countries in the implementation of theConvention to Combat Desertification. Thisinitiative was welcomed by the FourthConference of the Parties to the Conventionto Combat Desertification, held in Bonn inDecember 2000.

In addition, UNEP, in coll aboration wi th theWorld Bank, is also actively involved in theimplementation of the GEF ini tiative on Landand Water in Africa. To this end, UNEPorganized in Nairobi in May 2000 the firstconsultation with African partners with themajor African institutions represented. As acontribution to this initiative, UNEP is alsoactively promoting a vibrant portfolio in theGEF focal area of international waters in Africaaimed at supporting the implementation ofthe African regional seas conventions as wellas the Cape Town and Maputo processes. Thedevelopment of transboundary diagnosticanalyses and strategic action programmes forthe management of transboundary water

bodies such as the Mediterranean Sea, LakeVolta, the Canary Current, and the WesternIndian Ocean are among activities in Africacarried out by UNEP.

In addition to assisting African countries torespond to the challenges of land degradation,loss of biodiversity and the pollution ofinternational waters, UNEP is assisting Africancountries to implement their commitmentsunder the Rio Conventions. UNEP is assisting12 African countries to prepare their nationalbiodiversity strategies and action plans and

13 other African countries to prepare theirnational communications to the ClimateChange Convention. UNEP will assist allAfrican Countries that have signed theCartagena Protocol on Biosafety to preparefor the entry into force of the Protocol and tofinalise their national biosafety frameworks.Similar activities are planned to build thecapacity of African countries for the entry intoforce of the newly adopted convention onpersistent organic pollutants.

It is based on such achievements, that theAfrican Ministers of the Environmentattending the meeting of AMCEN held in

Dakar in October 2000 congratulated UNEP/GEF in responding to African priorities. Wewill continue to spare no efforts in assistingAfrican countries to access GEF resourcessaid Mr. Ahmed Djoghlaf, the ExecutiveCoordinator of UNEP/GEF.

UgonnaEmerole/UNEP


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UNEP AND THE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FACILITY (GEF)

The Nairobi River Basin Project

In early 1999, Klaus Tpher, the ExecutiveDirector of UNEP1, said that UNEP andHabitat were ready to help relevant authoritiesto develop an action plan for Nairobi that

could be a blueprint for environmentallysensitive urban development throughoutAfrica. Such an action plan, involving allstakeholder, would identify environmentallyvulnerable areas, which require carefulmanagement for the future sustainability ofthe city.

As a result, UNEPs Regional Office for Afri castarted work on the Nairobi Initiative. Thisevolved into the Nairobi River Basin Projectwhose vision is to restore to the capital cityits riverine system as a source of clean waterant to promote a healthier environment for

the people of Nairobi .

Following the completion of Phase one in2000, Phase two will be implemented in2001- 2002 under the Project Title of TheNairobi Dam Initiative.

Phase three (2003-2006) will see thereplication of successfully implementedstrategies throughout the Nairobi River Basin.

Further information and details may beobtained from the Regional Office for Africa,UNEP.

World Environment Day

The United Nations Environment ProgammesWorld Environment Day (WED) i s celebratedglobally on 5 June. As part of these globalcelebrations a vigorous community-based,multi-media campaign is launchedthroughout Africa by the Regional Office forAfrica, raising public awareness throughcommunity activi ties and by giving a humanface to environment issues.

WED Information packs are produced fordistribution throughout Africa.

Clean up the World Campaign

In 1993 UNEP joined Clean up Australia topromote the Clean up the World (CUW)Campaign. Clean up the World activities arecarried out during the third weekend inSeptember each year with over 40 millionpeople in 120 countries participating in thebiggest community driven project on thisplanet. The Regional Office for Africa isresponsible for the African activities includingthose undertaken with NGOs, CBOs,religious organisations, schools, youth groupsand a cross section of environmental

organisations.

For further information on how to getinvolved, please contact the Regional Officefor Africa, UNEP.

1 At that time M. Tpfer was also acting Executive Director of UN CHS(Habitat).

The Headquarters of both organisations are situtated in Nairobi, Kenya.

A testimonial

UNEP has cultivated and nurtured mutually beneficial l inks not only betweenitself and NGOs but also amongst NGOs themselves. In addition, UNEP hasassisted in building the respect that NGOs now enjoy worldwide. We, at the

Zimbabwe Environmental Research Organization (ZERO) are proud to beassociated with UNEP and hope that the relationship between UNEP and NGOs,

especially those in the South, will continue to grow from strength to strength.

Desire Upenyu MatirekweZimbabwe Environmental Research Organization (ZERO)

[email protected]

DavidFleetham/UNEP


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List of African

Permanent Representatives

to UNEP

and UNCHS

H.E. Mr. Sid-Ali Ketrandji

Ambassador

Permanent Representative

Permanent Mission of the Algeria to UNEP

Comcraft House, Haile Selassie Avenue

P.O. Box 53902, Nairobi

Telephone: 213864/6

Telefax: 217477

Mr. Mohamed Munir Chaudhri

Honorary Consul


Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Comoros to UNEP

Jamia Plaza, 1st Floor, Kigali Street


Telephone: 222964/226503

Telefax: 222564

H.E. Dr. Refaat El-Ansary

Ambassador


Permanent Mission of the Arab Republic of Egypt to UNEP

Kingara Road, Lavington


Telephone: 570360 /570278/298

Telefax: 570383

H.E. Mr. Mohamed Ali Omaro

AmbassadorPermanent Representative

Permanent Mission of the State of Eritrea to UNEP

Kirkdale House


Telephone: 443163/4

Telefax: 443165

H.E. Mr. Toshome Toga

Ambassador


Permanent Mission of Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to UNEP

State House Avenue


Telephone: 723035, 723027 & 723053

Telefax: 723401

H.E. Prof. Michael K. Koech


Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kenya to UNEP

K.I.C.C.


Telephone: 337290, 332383 Exts. 34146

Telefax: 215105

H.E. Mrs. Jessie P.A. Ndisale

High Commissioner

Permanent Mission of the Republic of M alawi to UNEP

Westlands, off Waiyaki Way


Telephone: 440569 (8 lines)

Telefax: 440568

H.E. Mr. Mohammed Chraibi

Ambassador


Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of M orocco to UNEP

Jabavu Road, Hurlingham

P. O. Box 61098, Nairobi

Telephone: 710647

Telefax: 719840

H.E. Mr. Fidelis N. Tapgun

High Commissioner


Permanent Mission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to UNEP

Lenana Road


Telephone: 570226/576895/5628 05Telefax: 575871

H.E. Ms. Joy Mukanyange

Ambassador


Permanent Mission of the Rwandese Republic to UNEP

Kilimani Area, Kayahwe Road


Telephone: 575975, 575977

Telefax: 575976

High Commissioner


Permanent Mission of Republic of South Africa

Lornho House 17th Floor


Telephone: 215616-8 /228469

Telefax: 223687

H.E. Mr. Faroug Ali Mohamed

Ambassador


Permanent Mission of the Republic of Sudan to UNEP

Minet ICDC Hou se


Telephone: 720853/4, 720883/9

Telefax: 710612

H.E. Solomon M.N. Dlamini

High Commissioner


Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Swaziland to UNEP

Silopark HouseP.O. Box 41887, Nairobi

Telephone: 339231/2

Telefax: 330540

H.E. Major General M .H. Sarakikya

High Commissioner


Permanent Mission of the United Republic of Tanzania to UNEP


Telephone 331056/7, 331104, 331093

Telefax: 218269

H.E. Mr. Francis K. Butagira

High Commissioner


Permanent Mission of Uganda to UNEPUganda House


Telephone: 330801, 330814, 330834

Telefax: 330970

Mr. Gaspard M ugaruka Bin-Mubibi

First Counsellor

Charge dAffaires a.i.

Permanent Mission of Democratic Republic

of Congo to UNEP

Electricity House


Telephone: 22977l-2, 223893

Fax: 334539

H.E. Ms. W.W. Sinkala

High Commissioner


Permanent Mission of the Republic of Zambia to UNEP

Nyerere Road - Opposite Uhuru Park


Telephone: 724796, 724799, 724850

Telefax: 7184 94/710664

CONTACTS

H.E. Mr. B. D. Mothobi

High Commissioner


Permanent Mission of the Republic of Zimbabwe to UNEP

Minet ICDC House - 6th Floor - Mamlaka Road


Telephone: 744052, 746546Telefax: 748 079,748882

Mrs. Samira Furrer

Honorary Consul

Honorary Consulate of Gabon

Hotel Intercontinental


Telephone: 335550 Ext.8900

Mr. Ibrahim S. Zakhem

Honorary Consul

Honorary Consulate of Liberia

Maendeleo House


Telephone: 229981

Telefax: 340944

Mrs. Sabine Andriananarisoa

Honorary Consular

Consulate of the Democratic Republic of Madagascar

Hilton Hotel


Telephone: 225286, 226494

Telefax: 252347

H.E. Mr. Francisco Elias Paulo Cigarro

High Commissioner


High Commission of the Republic of Mozambique

Bruce House, 3th Floor

Standard Street

P. O. Box 66923, Nairobi

Telephone: 221979/214191Telefax: 222446

Mr. Jean F. Antoine

Honorary Consul General

Honorary Consulate General of the Republic of Seychelles

114, James Gichuru Road, Lavington

P. O. Box 13780

Nairobi

Telephone: 562346

Telefax: 562346

Mr. Chris J. Kirubi

Honorary Consulate of Ghana

International House


KenyaTelephone: 228073/215316

Telefax: 229265

H.E. Mr. Fuad A. Sasso

Honorary Consul

Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Sierra Leone

P.O. Box 30682

Nairobi

Telephone: 530230/8, 541442

Telefax: 533 095/533772

Mr. Moulood A. Jreibi

Charge dAffaires

Libyan Arab Jamahirya

P.O. Box 47190 , Nairobi

Telephone: 250380/247848

Telefax: 243730

9


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DIPLOMATIC COLUMN

0is Excellency Mr. MohammedChraibi , Ambassador of the Kingdomof Morocco to Kenya, Comoros,

Seychelles and Madagascar, was born in Fesin 1949. After his graduation from the NationalSchool of Public Administration (DiplomaticSection) in 1974, he joined the Division ofInternational Organizations at the Ministry ofForeign Affairs in Rabat. He then served asFirst Secretary and Counsellor at the

Permanent Mi ssion of Morocco to the UnitedNations in Geneva, as the Charge dAffairesin Belgrade and Head of the Ceremonial andAccreditations Division in Rabat. In early1998, Mr. Chraibi arrived in Kenya where, inaddition to his bilateral responsibilities, he isMoroccos Permanent Representative to UNEPand UNCHS (Habitat).

He has kindly given an interview to Ms.Meryem Amar-Samnotra for ROANews,sharing views on a wide range of topics ofrelevance to Africa:

(Question)

Firstly, there is a sense of pride in the fact thatthe headquarters of two prestigiousinternational organizations, the UnitedNations Environment Programme (UNEP) andthe United Nations Centre for HumanSettlements (Habitat) are on African soil, inKenya. Kenya is among the most committedand open of the developing countries onquestions relating to partnership for theconservation of natural resources andsustainable development since the StockholmConference in 1972.

But I think that beyond Kenya, there istremendous recognition by the internationalcommunity of the crucial role that the wholeof Africa has to play in the global process offighting for the restoration of fundamentalenvironmental balances and for theimprovement of l iving conditions for currentgenerations whilst preserving the right offuture generations to a healthy and balancedenvironment.

The fact that the Secretary-General of theUnited Nations has decided to enhance theUnited Nations presence in Nairobi to therank of a United Nations Office, li ke the onein Geneva is also a strong signal. This respondsto the wish of the international community togive the United Nations structure in Nairobithe means appropriate to its influence andinvolvement in the conduct of activities,programmes and negotiations of internationalimportance in the areas of environment and

Meet the

Moroccan Permanent

Representative to UNEP:

In his own words - In his own words - In his own words

sustainable development.

UNEP, and recently UNCHS, have shown aremarkable capacity and abil ity to direct theirpolicies in a more targeted and realistic waytowards global questions of concern to theinternational community. This has, withoutdoubt, allowed the necessary spotlight to becast on the effectiveness of their role and as aconsequence the sympathy and commitment

of member States to consolidate and supportthe work of these two organizations has beengained.

On another level, UNEP has alwaysconsidered Africa as one of its priorities andthat surely gives us, as African leaders, a senseof pride. However, it also imposes on us asense of responsibility towards Africa inparticular and the international communityin general, in the fight against the degradationof the environment and for the preservationof the rights of all Africans to a healthyenvironment and a decent social life thatfavours the fulfi lment and development of theintellectual and creative capacities ofAfricans.

(Question)

In short, I would say that there is one priorityand that is development, sustainable andequitable development.

There are a number of obstacles to therealization of this goal that weigh heavily onAfrica such as poverty, the degradation of theenvironment, armed conflicts, AIDS, thepopulation explosion, drought, the decline

in official development assistance, theexternal debt burden and waste due to lackof social transparency and a sort of laxity vis-a-vis strict compliance with the criteria ofgood governance and sound management ofthe natural and human resources in whichAfrica abounds.

The eighth session of the African MinisterialConference on the Environment (AMCEN) inAbuja, April 2000, identified a number ofenvironmental priorities in Africa and adopteda plan of action to respond to the majorchallenges under a strategy approved byAfrican ministers of the environment.

For i ts part, UNEP, under the guidance of itsExecutive Di rector, Mr. Klaus Tpfer, has alsodefined a strategy called Joining hands thatattempts to identify the means and methodsrequired to take up the challenges that faceAfrican policies in the area of the

environment. Mr. Tpfer, who has alwaysspoken on behalf of Africa in all internationalforums, considers this strategy paper to be adecisive step towards the consolidation ofcooperation between UNEP and Africa tomake it more targeted, consistent and efficient.

(Question)

In general, the meetings of the Governing

Council of UNEP/Global MinisterialEnvironment Forum offer the occasion forhighlevel debate on emerging questions andmajor challenges in the area of theenvironment and the means and methods withwhich the international community canaddress them.

The twenty-first session should, in my opinion,confront the priorities identified in Malm,where the international community concludedthat it was necessary to refocus UNEP activitiesin order that they respond di rectly to the mosturgent questions in areas where environmental

vulnerability is the most significant. With aview to sustainable development, Africa iswaiting for brave decisions to be taken andfor key debates to be launched on suchimportant questions as poverty, internationalcooperation and capacity-building indeveloping countries in environmentalmatters.

The twenty-first session of the GoverningCouncil should also concentrate on thequestion of strengthening the capacities ofUNEP and its mandate, and giving an outlineplan for efficient coordination wi th the otherUnited Nations agencies. The GoverningCouncil should further prepare the ground fora new dynamic of cooperation between UNEPand potential donors.

(Question)

I would like to take this opportunity to

H


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congratulate South Africa and the whole ofAfrica on having the privilege of hosting thishistoric summit. In my opinion, Africa willcome to the summit wi th a great deal of hopeand commitment for a better environmentalfuture for the whole planet.

It is true that the general tendency in the worldenvironment is towards degradation. Africa,however, is counting on the wisdom of theinternational community to make this summitinto a decisive turning point providing historicdecisions and a clear strategy for the good ofthe environment and the whole of mankindfor this new millennium.

Africa should, for its part, contribute activelytowards the successful outcome of thisprocess. The summit should, to my mind, dealwith fundamental questions and initiate

serious debate on ways of makinginternational cooperation work as far as theenvironment is concerned. Global partnershiptowards sustainable development should bethe objective that guides the work of this long-awaited summit.

For its part, UNEP should play a moresignificant role in the future configuration ofthe institutional machinery relating to theworld environment. Let us hope that thesummit wi ll be the time to strengthen UNEPsactivities and its contribution to the shapingof this global partnership for sustainabledevelopment.

(Question)

For African countries in general, and Moroccoin particular, the struggle to combat povertyis an urgent and multidimensional issue thathas a great impact on the health of citizensand the environmental balance.

The promotion of the environment, andeconomic and social development in general,certainly intertwine with the advancement ofwomen, in both rural and urbanenvironments, and their fundamental rights.

His Majesty King Mohammed VI is consciousof the important role that Moroccan womenplay in development and the transitionalgovernment is well aware of matters linkedto peoples social prosperity. The King hastherefore made the advancement of womenthe theme of his policies with sustainedcommitment in concrete and targetedprogrammes to combat all kinds of social,cultural and economic discrimination towardswomen.

Be they advisers to His Majesty, ministers,ambassadors, members of parliament,businesswomen or judges, Moroccan womennow have access to all the positions that inthe past were only open to men. Theschooling of girls in rural areas, literacyprogrammes for women and social assistanceto women in precarious situations are all partof the will of the King and His Government

to bring about the total fulfilment of women,their integration in development and theiradvancement.

Furthermore, the Government of Morocco hasrecently elaborated, in keeping with its

international commitments, a plan for theintegration of women in development thatresulted from dialogue with all therepresentatives of Moroccan civil societythrough an integrated and participatoryapproach.

At the institutional level, the Government, ledby Mr. Abderrahmane Youssoufi, includes adepartment that deals with matters relatingto the promotion and the status of women:the Ministry for Womens Affairs, theProtection of the Family and Children andIntegration of Handicapped People, headedby Mrs. Nezha Chekrouni.

The Moroccan Government has also drawnup a project to create a national womenscommission to be headed by the PrimeMinister and has decided to set up a standingcommission in charge of promoting the imageof women in the media and designatinggender and development focal points in allthe ministries.

(Question)

In 1994, Morocco adopted a national strategyfor the protection of the environment and

sustainable development that defined fourpriorities to redress the nationalenvironmental situation: the protection ofwater, reduction of waste and improvementof its management, the improvement of airquality and protection of the land.

The national strategy specifies qualityobjectives and defines results expected in themedium term (2005) and in the long term(2020). In the medium term, it is a matter ofstabilizing levels of degradation to the levelsof 1992. The aim for 2020 is to reduce andreverse the degradation trend. It establishes

precise and progressive indicators that allowfor monitoring of the evolution of the state ofthe environment. The strategy emphasizes aseries of general and multisectoralrecommendations:

1. To integrate the environment in decision-making;

2. To give emphasis to population and healthissues;

3. To act first on pollution factors;4. To take action through research,

information and training.

Morocco has also adopted a national plan of

action for the environment, through aparticipatory and integrated approach, thatdefines the methods for implementation of thenational strategy.

As far as legal support is concerned, Moroccohas prepared a national bill on the

environment and sectoral laws that have comeat just the right time to fill the legal void thatexisted. Morocco has also ratified all the Rioconventions, on biological diversity, cl imatechange and desertification.

(Question)

I think that the choice of this theme for thefirst year of the third mi llennium is symbolic.Dialogue between civi lizations, in the contextof globalization, is essential for thedevelopment of international cooperation andthe prevention of confl icts between membersof international society.

Without constructive dialogue based on thevalues of mutual respect and the right to bedifferent, relations between peoples would beof a confli ctual nature. It goes wi thout saying

that the roots of discrimination and racism areto be found in ignorance and lack of tolerance.

Throughout its long history, Morocco hasalways advocated tolerance, good-neighbourliness, the settling of disputes bypeaceful means and the promotion ofinternational cooperation. Morocco is drivenby its deep Islamic culture, which is firmlyrooted in the structure of its society, andthrough its political stances it takes care toshow the image of a moderate Islam, tolerantand open to the other cultures, religions andsocieties of the world. His Majesty the Kingpersonifies this image of an Islam of dialogue,

tolerance, conciliation, mediation and onehand outstretched to another.

Moroccos diplomatic pol icy has always beenimbued with these values. Moreover, it wasin this spirit of openness and dialogue thatthe late King Hassan II received Pope JohnPaul II in Casablanca in 1985. Dialoguebetween cul tures, religions and civil izationsmay be said to be an abiding feature ofmodern Moroccos external relations.

Even more than in the past, Africa today needsthis culture of dialogue and international

solidarity. Mankinds destiny is one. Thechallenges are global and the answers shouldbe too. Dialogue between civil izations givesmankind the opportunity to be more in touchwi th its own grievances, diagnose its problemsand better respond to the needs of present andfuture generations.

Morocco has the privi lege of being a meetingpoint of the worlds ideas, cultures andreligions through being African, Arab andMuslim and through its geographicalproximity to Europe. Therefore, its vision ofthe world has been shaped throughout historyby the currents of

multidimensional andspontaneous exchangethat have made it i nto aland of encounter anda place of openness andactive solidarity.

DIPLOMATIC COLUMN

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Environment and the

Special Needs of Africa

2

he Year 2000 constituted a uniqueand symbolically compellingmoment to articulate an lively

vision for the United Nations in the new era(A/RES/54/254 of 24 March 2000. The Uni tedNations General Assembly, therefore,designated its fifty-fi fth session in 2000 as theMillennium Assembly of the United Nationsand convened, as an integral part of theMi llennium Assembly, a Mil lennium Summit.

The largest number of world leaders in historygathered at the United Nations from 6 to 8September in New York to discuss the mostcritical issues facing the world in the twenty-first century, including poverty eradication,globalisation and peace. The MillenniumSummit drew together 100 Heads of State,47 Heads of Government, three crownprinces, Five Vice-presidents, three DeputyMinisters and an additional 8,000 delegatesand 5,500 journalists. Representatives of thecivil society also used the occasion to organisea myriad of events aiming at promotingsustainable globalisation world democracy

and world peace.

The Millennium Declaration, adopted byHeads of State and Governments spells outvalues and principles as well as goals in thekey priority areas of peace, development, theenvironment, human rights, protecting thevulnerable, the special needs of Africa andstrengthening the UN Summit participants.They reaffirmed their faith in the UnitedNations and its Charter as indispensablefoundations of a more peaceful, prosperousand just world.

Nairobi, 11 September 2000 - The Mil lennium

Summit Declaration reveals a strengthenedcommitment to the environment andrecognizes the link between respect for natureand world peace.

The Executive Director of UNEP welcomedthe Summits special reference to theimportance of ratifying the Kyoto Protocol onclimate change so that i t enters into force assoon as possible. He also expressed the hopethat the Declaration will give addedmomentum to the adoption of a new ethic ofglobal environmental stewardship andresponsibility.

Selected Statements at the Millennium Summit

development have tended to predominate.

We are confident, Secretary-General, that theprocess you initiated wil l allow Afri cas voiceto be heard with greater clarity, and I hope,with greater urgency. The first few months ofthe new millennium have not been kind toAfrica. We have suffered from severe andextreme weather conditions. In my owncountry, we have had to face the worstdrought since independence. This has setback the process of economic growth andrecovery. We, in Africa, work hard to advancethe sometimes slow pace of development. Thetotal failure of the rains this year makes ourtask harder and our targets all the moredifficult to achieve, even more important,

there has been a high human cost to pay. Atthis Millennium Assembly, declare ourconfidence and faith in the future of Africa. Ihope you share this confidence too. Ourpeople - our greatest resource - deserve noless.

MOZAMBIQUE

I would like to take this historic opportunityto express, on behalf of the people and theGovernment of Mozambique, my warmestthanks to all those sister countries and theinternational community as a whole, for the

fast response and helpful support provided tous with the floods that affected the southernand central zones of Mozambique in whichour infrastructure was destroyed and manylives were lost. I am happy to report that mostfamilies who were displaced by the floodshave been resettled in safe areas. However, Imust stress that they stil l require assistance tosatisfy their basic needs in terms of food i temsand shelter. The greatest lesson we havelearned from the flood situation is thatalthough the media were rapid in making thedrama known worldwide, the lack ofappropriate means and mechanisms formanagement and prevention of naturaldisasters did not allow all of us to respond asquickly as the situation required.

NAMIBIA

Given the present situation today, it isimperative that special attention be given to

THE MILLENNIUM SUMMIT

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF UNEP

The more than 150 Heads of State andGovernment gathering in New York this weekhave an unprecedented opportunity to shapethe international agenda for the twenty-firstcentury and enter into a new era of globalsolidarity. Nothing less will be expected ofthem nothing less is needed - for theGovernments they represent, for the UnitedNations, for the environment and for thepeoples of the world. The United NationsMillennium Summit offers an opportunity thatmust be grasped, particularly i f we are to beginto tackle the root causes of globalenvironmental degradation and use such

recent unprecedented economic growth totackle pervasive poverty, inequity indistribution of wealth, and the oppressive debtburden. As a minimum, we must have a fullerunderstanding of the process known asglobalisation. Increased trade and investmentflows have bypassed the majority ofdeveloping countries which face degradingenvironments and growing political and socialinstabil ity. Clearly, economic growth does notguarantee fairness or opportunity. If humanprogress is the ultimate goal, greater attentionneeds to be given by the worlds leaders tothe quality rather than the quantity of

economic growth.

This commitment is embodied in the MalmDeclaration, in which the Ministers noted thatAt the dawn of this new century, we have atour disposal the human and materialresources to achieve sustainabledevelopment, not as an abstract concept butas a concrete reality. We can decrease povertyby half by 2015 without degrading theenvironment. We can ensure environmentalsecurity through early warning. We can betterintegrate environmental considerations intoeconomic policy, we can better coordinatelegal instruments and we can realise a visionof a world without slums. We commitourselves to realising the common vision.

KENYA

From our own region - Africa - the issues ofpeace and security and the challenges of

TBernard

Wahihia


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13

THE MILLENNIUM SUMMIT

July - Inauguration of the UNEP WorldConservation Monitoring Centre inCambridge, United Kingdom. 3rd meeting ofthe Governing Council of the Parties to theLusaka Agreement, Nairobi, Kenya.

August - 1st cleaner production andsustainable consumption roundtable forAfrica, Nairobi, Kenya. 2nd workshop onstrengthening the operation of the BaselConvention Regional Centres for Training andTechnology Transfer worldw ide, San Salvador,El Salvador. Mill ennium World Peace Summitof Religious and Spiri tual Leaders and launchof UNEP and the Interfaith Partnerships bookEarth and Faith: A Book of Reflection for

Action.

September - United Nations MillenniumSummit, New York. Awards ceremony forprize winners of UNEPs InternationalPhotographic Competition on theenvironment Focus on your World.Convention on Migratory Species StandingCommittee, Bonn, Germany. InternationalDay for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer.INFOTERRA 2000, Global Conference onFacilitating Access to EnvironmentalInformation, Dublin, Ireland. UNEP/HABITATSustainable Cities Programme (SCP) andUrban Development Forum (UEF) meetings,Cape Town.

October - 1st workshop on national reportingand national i nventories of hazardous wastes,Pretoria, South Africa. 6th international high-level seminar on cleaner production,Montreal, Canada. Special Session of theAfrican Ministerial Conference on theEnvironment (AMCEN), Dakar, Senegal.Opening of new Regional Office for NorthAmerica in Washington. Executive Directorshistoric visit to North Korea. 7th session ofthe intergovernmental negotiating committeefor an international legally bindi ng instrumentfor the application of the RotterdamConvention.

November - 10th international painting

contest Through the eyes of chi ldren,preserve the oceans, skies and forests for the21st century . UNEP team assesses impact ofdepleted uranium in Kosovo. UNEP SasakawaEnvironment Prize awarded to Dr. MichelBatisse. 3rd Global meeting of Regional SeasConventions and Action Plans, Monaco. 6thsession of the Conference of Parties to theUnited Nations Framework Convention onClimate Change, The Hague, Netherlands.

December - 1st meeting of theintergovernmental committee on theCartagena Protocol on Biosafety, Montpelier,France. 12th meeting of the Parties to theMontreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete

the Ozone layer, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.4th session of the Conference of the Parties tothe Convention to Combat Desertification,Bonn, Germany. Governments finalized thetreaty on persistent organic pollutants inJohannesburg, South Africa. Internati onalBiodiversity Day.

AROUND THE WORLDUNEP IN BRIEF

Africas many conflicts and needs. In the viewof my delegation, the following are some ofthe important matters that the Council shouldpay close attention to:Firstly, the Counci l should, at all times, upholdthe purposes and principles of the Charter of

the United Nations. It should ensure equalimportance to, and undertake swi ft responseto the breaches of international peace andsecurity in all regions of the world, and nottreat Africa only as an afterthought. Secondly,recent events have demonstrated theinvaluable role that regional and sub-regionalorganizations such as the OAU, SADC andECOWAS can play in maintaining or restoringinternational peace and security. The effortsof these organizations should be supportedon the basis of regular consultations andcooperation.

NIGERIA

The new mil lennium is being shaped byforces of globalisation that are turning ourworld into a village . . . But up to now,globalisation has meant prosperity only forthe chosen few of the industrialised countries.For us in the developing world, globalisationwill continue to ring hollow and be of dubiousvalue, until we see its positive effects on ourfortunes. In short, globalisation has to be seento mean the eradication of poverty.

SOUTH AFRICA

The bil lions of people we represent expectthat a strong, clear, unequivocal andunderstandable message of hope will comeout of this historic Millennium Summit.In this regard we will have to ensure that thepoor play their role not as recipients oflargesse and goodwi ll , but as co-determinantsof what happens to the common universe ofwhich they are an important part. Theessential question we have to answer at thisMillennium Summit is whether we have thecourage and the conscience to demonstratethat we have the wi ll to ensure that we permitno situation that will deny any human

community its dignity. I, like the poor at ourgates, ask the question - will we, at last,respond to this appeal!

UNITED KINGDOM

There can be hope for Afr ica. There ispoli tical leadership, business opportunity andabove all the will on behalf of people for abetter future in Africa. We must be partnersin the search for change and hope. By 2004,under the new British Government, we willhave increased our aid budget by 70 per centsince 1997, much of it going to Africa. Wehave pushed forward on debt relief. Yetindividually, none of us have a decisiveimpact. We need the economies of scale thatcloser co-ordination brings. We need thepoli tical wil l to broker change that only comesby combining our efforts. We should use thisunique Summit for a concrete purpose: to startthe process of agreeing a way forward for

Africa. For the first time, we have in one placethe leaders who hold Africas destiny in theirhands. And so as we continue our discussionsin the roundtables, at the Security Council inour bi laterals, I urge you all to ask one thing:What can we do for Africa?

We need a new partnership for Africa, inwhich Africans lead but the rest of the worldis committed; where all the problems are dealtwi th not separately but together in a coherentand unified plan. Britain stands ready to playits part with the rest of the world and theleaders of Africa in formulating such a plan.

UGANDA

Poverty eradication is yet another challengewe are faced with. The majority of peopleli ving in poverty, are in developing countries.The well-celebrated globalization presents

many opportuni ties but, has always presentedunfair terms of trade. In our view, globalisationhas always existed. The era of the slave tradewhere human beings were exchanged fortrinkets and whisky was a form ofglobalisation, but an unfair one. It was anexchange of value for no value. What,therefore is needed, is fair terms of trade.However, fair terms of trade are not enough.On our part, as developing countries, the eraof being mere producers of raw materials mustcome to an end. We must focus on addingvalue to all goods before putting them on themarket. This, in our view, is the only wayeverybody can benefit from globali sation and

in the long run, eradicate poverty. We mustwork to ensure that nobody continues to livein abject poverty. Globalisation should notleave any country or anybody behind.

UNITED STATES

We meet at a remarkable moment - whenmore of the worlds people enjoy prosperity,freedom, and democracy than ever before.We are unlocking the human genome,exploring new frontiers of science, drawingnearer together through the mostextraordinary technology. Yet the Secretary-

General, in his Mil lennium Report, remindsus that our greatest challenges are all unmet:to free humanity from poverty, disease, andwar; to reverse environmental destruction;and to make this United Nations a moreeffective instrument in pursuing all these aims. . . The bloodiest wars in human historybelong now to another century. We have achance for a fresh start. Can we seize thischance for peace? The answer is not waitingto be revealed; it is waiting to be created bythe force of our actions. For history, to us, iswhat we react.

Excerpts of this article were taken from Issueno 62 (September 2000) of the NGLSRoundup, prepared by the United NationsNon-Governmental Liaison Service.


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Recent Developments

Development and Periodic Review ofEnvironmental Law

Montevideo Programme III

The draft Montevideo Programme III has beenprepared through the meetings of high-levelexpert groups and the Meeting of SeniorGovernment Offi cials Expert in EnvironmentalLaw, held in Nairobi from 23 to 27 October2000 with the participation of 85 delegates.

The new programme, the third UNEP long-term programme in environmental law, willprovide UNEP with strategic guidance in thefield of environmental law for the first decadeof the 21st century, following the successfulimplementation of the MontevideoProgrammes I and II. The draft MontevideoProgramme III consists of twenty programmeareas, ranging from implementation,compliance and enforcement to militaryactiviti es and the environment, thus providinglegal responses to major environmentalchallenges of the new mi llennium. It wil l besubmitted for adoption by the 21st session ofthe Governing Council in February 2001.

________________________________________

African Environment Outlook -A Unique Report in the making

The AMCEN Inter-sessional Committee,which met in Malm, Sweden, on 31 May2000, requested the production of the firstAfrica Environment Outlook report to belaunched at the AMCEN session to be held inKampala, Uganda in April 2002. In responseto this request, the AMCEN Secretariat, incollaboration with UNEPs Division of EarlyWarning and Assessment, has embarked on a

process to produce the Africa EnvironmentOutlook report to be published in early 2002.

The report wil l provide: A detailed analysis of the state of the

environment and of trends in majorenvironmental sectors since theenvironment first came onto the globalagenda at the Stockholm Conference in1972;

An in-depth look at Africa on emergingissues affecting the continent;

A valuable opportunity for AMCEN to takestock of policy performance andeffectiveness in response to the observed

state, trends and impacts over the sameperiod;

An assessment of the various policyoptions for the next 30 years;

A review of recommended doablepolicy actions at national and sub-regionallevels.

Inputs to the 2002 World Summit onSustainable Development.

Key sections of the report wil l cover a state ofthe environment retrospective (1972-2002),outlook for the next thirty years (2002-2032)

and a synthesis and action chapter.

The production of the report will rely ona network of regional multi-disciplinaryAfrican institutions that collaborated withUNEP in the production of the GEO reportseries.

The centres will network with institutionsin their respective sub-regions that havethe required sectoral expertise to coverenvironmental sectors pertaining tosustainable development.

Collaboration Centres wil l use innovativeand cutting-edge methodologies such as

integrated modelling, scenario andindicator development and policydialogue to assess the state of theenvironment, analyse environmentdevelopment interactions, conductresearch on alternative futures, and arriveat realistic proposals for ways to tacklethe merging problems identified.

________________________________________

The Lusaka Agreement on cooperativeenforcement operations directed at illegal

trade in wild fauna and flora

Afri can governments are eager to ensure that

they succeed in their efforts to reduce andultimately eliminate the illegal trade in wildfauna and flora in Africa. These efforts arebeing achieved through effectiveimplementation of the Lusaka Agreement.This is a regional law enforcement agreementimplementing CITES in Africa. Adopted inSeptember 1994, it entered into force inDecember 1996. Six African countries arealready party to it, namely Kenya, Uganda,Tanzania, Lesotho, Zambia and the Republicof Congo. In addition, Ethiopia, Swazilandand South Africa are signatories.

The Agreement establ ishes three bodies. Theyare, the Task Force of seconded lawenforcement officers from each Party capableof operating internationally against illegaltrade in wild fauna and flora; a NationalBureau designated by each Party to guide andreceive from the Task Force information onillegal trade; and the decision-making bodycalled the Governing Council of the Partiesthat sets policy and reviews actions.

Three Governing Councils of the Parties havebeen held to date (March 1997, March 1999and July 2000). The Task Force secretariat(LATF) established under the LusakaAgreement and hosted by the Governmentof Kenya by the Kenya Wi ldli fe Service (KWS)officially began its activi ties on 1 June 1999.

Despite the usual teething problems for a newinstitution and a lack of financial, human andtechnical resources necessary for its

operations, it had a few major successfuloperations in 1999 and a few more in 2000which are still being verified andinvestigations conducted. For instance,activities which took place, in collaborationwith national entities in Kenya, Uganda and

Zambia ranged from disseminatingintelligence information from one nationalbureau to another, to conducting jointintelligence operations, and seizure ofcontraband specimens. About six joint overtoperations between the LATF, the Tanzanianand Kenyan National Bureaus have beencarried out, resulting in seizure of severalelephant tusks, recovery of some ammunition,and the arrest and prosecution of severalsuspects. The LATF is working closely withother enforcement agencies in Asia followingthe seizure of various specimens of wi ld faunaand flora.

To jump-start the establishment of the LusakaAgreement Task Force, UNEP contributedfunds to support the purchase of essentialequipment required for its activities andoperations. The Norwegian Government hasalso provided funding for capacity buildingactivities. As part of the capacity buildingini tiatives for the national bureaus designatedto facil itate the implementation of the LusakaAgreement at national level, twenty-fivenational law enforcement officers from theParties national bureaus underwent arigorous three-week course on SpecializedLaw Enforcement in July/August 2000.

A Memorandum of Understanding betweenCITES and the Lusaka Agreement wasnegotiated and signed on 11 April 2000.Similar arrangements are anticipated in thefuture with other organisations, such as theWorld Customs Organization and Interpol.

Second Meeting of the Task Force on theStrategic Action Programme (SAP) of the

Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden

The SAP Task Force whose members areUN EP, the Worl d Bank, UN DP and the

Governments of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan,Yemen, Sudan, Djibouti and Somalia met inKhartoum from 30 September to 1 October2000 under the Chairmanship of Dr. NizarTawfiq, the Secretary-General of theProgramme on the Environment of the RedSea and Gulf of Aden.

The purpose was to review progress made inthe past eleven months.

The Task Force confirmed its recognition ofthe work undertaken since October 1999 andmade a number of important decisions. Anallocation of US $36 mil lion over a five-yearperiod has been made allocated for theimplementation of the SAP. UNEP, the WorldBank and UND P, through the GlobalEnvironment Facil ity, provided a contributionof US$ 18 mill ion and the governments of theregion and their co-operation partners securedUS$ 18 million in co-financing.

4

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS


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The SAP focuses on several key issues andprogress in these fields will be constantlyevaluated and monitored: Capaci ty bui ld ing for regional

cooperation; Reducing navigation risks and maritime

pollution; Sustainable use and management of living

marine resources; Conservation of habitats and biological

diversity; Development of a regional network of

marine protected areas; Support for integrated coastal zone

management; and Enhancement of public awareness and

participation through information andmobilisation campaigns.

______________________________________

Project on environmental law andinstitutions in Africa

Phase I of the UNEP/UND P/Dutch JointProject on Environmental Law and Institutions,funded by the Dutch Government through adonation of US$ 5 million commenced in1994 and ended on 31 December 2000. Theoverall poli cy guidance and supervision restswith the Project Steering Committeecomprising FAO, IUCN, the World Bank,UNDP, UNEP and the Dutch Government.

The first phase has been implementedsystematically in seven African countries,

namely Burkina Faso, Malawi, Mozambique,Sao Tome & Principe, Kenya, Tanzania andUganda. In the first five countries, the focusis on country specific activities. In the lastthree, the East African countries, the projectwas concerned with issues of a sub-regionalcharacter requiring development andharmonisation of laws to address sectoralissues.

Project activities in Phase I fell under fourbroad categories.

First, capacity buildi ng in the development of

environmental law. This entails working withnationals to review existing environmentalpolicies/laws and drafting new statutes andimplementing regulations.

Second, the project entailed the training ofnational lawyers, senior policy-makers andparliamentarians to develop capacity for theimplementation of environmental agreements.

Third, the project strengthened institutionalinfrastructure through the provision of basicequipment such as computers, photocopiersand fax machines as well as booksand documentation, all of whichsupport institutional operation, environmentalpolicy development, environmentallegislation and teaching or research inenvironmental law.

Fourth, the project sought to promote teachingof environmental law at the university level.

This is considered the basis of sustainablecapacity development.

Two independent evaluation exercisesrecommended (1) that the project be extendedto Phase II; (2) that Phase II be expanded to

benefit more African countries; and (3) thatmore donors be sought and invited to jointhe Dutch Government in sponsoring theProject.

For its part, the Dutch Government, thoughnot yet specific on the magnitude of supportto the next Phase, has confirmed itsparticipation in the project provided that atleast two or more additional donors join inwith substantial financial commitment. TheNorwegian Government has committed US$500,000 for two years (2000-2001). TheAfrican Development Bank has also

confirmed its intention to join the partnershipby making an in-kind contribution, details ofwhich will be elaborated later. Consultationswith prospective donors have been on goingand five more donors have expressed interest.

______________________________________

Peace and Sustainable Developmentin Africa

In November 2000, the General Assembly ofthe United Nations began its considerationof the causes of confl ict and the promotion ofdurable peace and sustainable developmentin Africa. Speakers discussed the gap between

the number of initiatives proposed for Africaand the lack of results, the need for theeffective settlement of conflicts and thepaucity of attention and resources directedto Africa compared to other efforts - such asthose undertaken in a devastated Europe in1945, which led to a generous and sustainedinfusion of capital under the Marshall Plan.Two Resolutions (A/RES/55/216 and A/RES/55/217) were adopted. They took note, with greatconcern, of the debt burden of many Africancountries, as debt servicing continues to drainwhat limited resources there are fordevelopment. The final review and appraisal

of the new agenda for the development ofAfrica will take place at the fifty-sixth sessionof the General Assembly later this year.

______________________________________

Lessons from the 1997-98 El Nio

UN EP, in cooperation wi th the NationalCentre for Atmospheric Research (Boulder,Colorado, USA), has been awarded a grantby the United Nations Foundation (UNF) tocarry out a study of the impacts of the 1997-98 El Nio on sixteen countries. Thisassessment reviews forecasts and impacts ofthe 1997-98 El N io in sixteen countries. Theproject covers three countries in Africa(Ethiopia, Kenya and Mozambique). Theexecutive summary (which can be foundonline at http://www.esig.ucar.edu/un)concludes that:- In Ethiopia, which known for its local

small-scale climate regimes, there should

AMCEN - DAKAR

be an improved capacity of the regions,in terms of skill improvement, access toinformation and resource capability, toissue their own forecasts. This couldreduce the time spent in communicationbetween the regions and the central

government.- In Kenya, the national economic and

poli tical conditions at the time of the onsetof the El Nio phenomenon were adetermining factor in its impact on society.The government needs to identify thecountrys climate-sensitive hazards andchannel expertise into a centralcoordinating unit to increase theeffectiveness of early warning andmonitoring.

- In Mozambique, investments in weatherforecasting are generally neglectedbecause they are perceived to be high in

cost and the results do not seem evident until disaster strikes. It is thereforeimportant to strengthen international andregional forecasting networks and toinclude local participation.

El Nio, the anomalous appearance of warmsea surface temperatures in the central andeastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, recurs everytwo to seven years and is becoming apredicable part of the global climate system.The study calls for international funding tomap populations, regions and sectors ofsociety at risk. Identifying such cl imate-relatedvulnerabili ties can help governments refocus

development priorities.______________________________________

World Resources 2000-2001People and Ecosystems

World Resources 2000-2001 was producedby the World Resources Institute incollaboration wi th UNEP, UNDP and theWorld Bank. This millennial edition focuseson five critical ecosystems that have beenshaped by the interaction of the physicalenvironment, biological conditions andhuman intervention : croplands, forests,

coastal zones, freshwater systems andgrasslands.

A chapter in the report is devoted to theconservation efforts of the people ofMachakos in Kenya who survive in the faceof drought, poverty, and land degradation. Itdescribes how, for the Akamba necessity isthe mother of conservation . Husbandingwater, building soil conservation structures,tree planting and farmed terraces offer adramatic example of how knowledge,innovation and respect for the vital servicesthat soil and water provide have enabledpeople to restore and even increase theproductivity of severely degraded lands.

The full report is available online atwww.wri.org/wr/2000.


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he relationship between the UnitedNations and civil society haschanged beyond all recognition.

Civil society groups have been empoweredas true guardians of democracy and goodgovernance. UNEP has been one of thepioneers in this initiative to establishpartnerships with credible and legitimateNGOs. Uganda Wildl ife Society availed itselfthis opportunity and was warmly welcomedinto UNEPs fold.

The Uganda Wildlife Society (UWS) is anadvocacy and independent environmentalpublic policy research organization whosemission is to promote the conservation ofwi ldl ife and the environment in Uganda.

The environmental policy problems arenumerous and some of them seeminsurmountable. However, the Society hasattempted to delineate specific problems thatcan be addressed to produce desired impactswithin the given time, human resources andinternal administrative structure constraints.

UWS has benefited from its closecollaboration with UNEP to achieve itsdesired goals in this regard.

In September 1999, at a UNEP - AfricanNGOs Partnership in Action Meeting, hostedby the Division of Policy Development andLaw, a Task Force was created to work closelywi th UNEP. UWS was honoured by the civi lsociety delegates from over 22 African nations

to be the East African Regional Focal point.This is a responsibility that we have assumedwi th pleasure and a sense of commitment.

UNEP supported UWS in participating in the1999 Seoul International Conference ofNGOs whose theme was the role of NGOsin the 21st Century: Inspire, Empower andAct . Other delegates and the organisersenthusiastically supported the African NGOsDeclaration. Thereafter, we participated in theeighth Session of AMCEN held in Abuja,Nigeria where we were able to articulateissues on environmental procedural rights.

UWS was also an active participant in theNGO Forum prior to the first GlobalMinisterial Environment Forum in Malm,Sweden.

The continuous participation in UNEPsorganized fora and the unending interactionwith UNEPs global headquarters staffprovides an opportunity for UWS toparticipate in shaping the globalenvironmental agenda and providing inputinto issues of environmental governance. Asa result, UWS has already initiated dialogueon its participation in the World Summit onSustainable Development (Rio+10) PrepCom

process.

Text developmentUNEP Coordinator: Meryem Amar-SamnotraProduction: Communications and Public Information Branch

January 2001Continental Conference for Africa onUnwanted Stockpiles of Hazardous Wastes,Morocco (8 to 12) - 24th InternationalPostgraduate Course on EnvironmentalManagement, Dresden, Germany (10 to 11) -African Regional CSD 9, Nairobi, Kenya (10to 13) - Workshop on Energy Policy Reformand Sustainable Development, Bangkok,Thailand (15 to 17) - IPCC Working Group I,Geneva, Swi tzerland (17 to 19) - InternationalWorkshop on Financing Sustainable ForestManagement, Oslo, Norway (22 to 25) -Environmental Management Group (22,Geneva, Switzerland - Liaison Group onAgricultural Biodiversity and the EcosystemConservation Group, Rome, Italy (24 to 26) -

Global Biodiversity Outlook Advisory Group,Geneva, Switzerland (25 to 26) - UNCTADWorkshop on Environmental Accounting andReporting, Nairobi, Kenya (29 to 31) - UNEconomic and Social Council organisationalsession, UN Headquarters, New York (30January to 2 February).

February 2001UNEP-NGO/Multi-stakeholder workshop,Nairobi, Kenya (1 to 2) - Global Compact inpractice (3 to 4) - Environment 2001Conference and Exhibition, Abu Dhabi (4 to8) - 21st session of UNEPs Governing Counci l,Nairobi, Kenya (5 to 9) - 18th Commission onHuman Settlements, Nairobi, Kenya (12 to 16)- UN Commission for Social Development UN

Headquarters, New York (12 to 22) - FisheriesSubsidies Workshop, Geneva, Switzerland(12) - IPCC Working Group II, Buenos Aires,Argentina (13 to 16) - Interim ChemicalReview Committee on the RotterdamConvention on Prior Informed Consent,Geneva, Switzerland (14 to 18) - UNCommission on Sustainable DevelopmentIntersessional Working Groups, UNHQ, NewYork (26 February to 9 March)

March 2001International Seminar on Information Systemsof Environmentally Sound Technologies,Bangkok, Thailand (7 to 9 ) - InformalConsultation on the proposed Global Strategyfor Plant Conservation, Montreal Canada (11)

-Panel of Experts on Access and BenefitSharing (Biodi versity), Montreal, Canada (19to 22)

regional office for africa newsletter, january 2001 ~ united nations environment programme h

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