CNRST1 Meetings Document : Welcome Statement

Welcome Statement
Delivered by Mr Asrat Bulbula

Commissioner Ethiopian Science and Technology Commission at the First Meeting of the Committee on Natural Resources and Science and Technology Addis Ababa, 15 November1999

Madame Chairperson,
Excellencies,
Honorable ministers,
Dear Colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a pleasure to welcome you to Addis Ababa and to this important meeting on Natural Resources and Science and Technology.

As we all know, Africa has an abundance of natural resources but a weak science and technology base to exploit them in a sustainable way and transform them into exportable products that meet international standards. This is why the theme of this meeting – “Building science and technology capacities for the sustainable development of natural resources in Africa”- is crucial for most African countries. Indeed, Africa has very often been unable to adopt appropriate technology and technological practices to preserve and develop its resource base. One result of this lack is that environmental degradation is severe: forests are receding, land is being eroded, soil fertility is decreasing, water is wasted or polluted and biodiversity is shrinking. It is worth noting that in the last few years environmental degradation has slowed down a little bit in many areas due to a higher degree of consciousness about the value of conserving and enhancing the resource base and by actions by local communities, governments and NGOs. However, environmental concerns must remain high if current trends are to be reversed.

Evidence of misuse of natural resources through inadequate technology and technological practices still abounds. In Ethiopia where a good part of the resource potential remains unexploited, particularly the potential for irrigation, around six million people do not have access to enough food to properly feed themselves and lead an active life.. On the other hand, much of the fertile land is overexploited through overgrazing and unsustainable agricultural methods. In order to increase food production and meet present and future food needs, Ethiopia needs to considerably strengthen its science and technology base.

Ethiopia’s exports consist mainly of coffee, hides and a few other primary products from which the country does not earn enough foreign currencies to meet all its import needs for agricultural and industrial development and to rapidly modernize its economy. At the turn of the century, the country urgently needs to significantly raise the level of its science and technology capacity to meet the challenges of social progress, economic growth and sustainable development in an increasingly competitive and globalized world.

Ethiopia’s weak competitiveness on international markets is shared by the majority of African countries. Despite recent progress, the share of Africa’s export in world trade has fallen sharply during the last two decades, from 5.9 per cent in 1980 to 2.1 per cent in 1995. In the natural resources sector, the share of Africa of primary products in world exports fell from over 35 per cent in 1985 to 22 per cent in 1995. In addition, the countries of Sub-Saharan Africa suffered a decline in their market share of global manufacturing value added (MVA) from 0.6 per cent in 1970 to 0.3 per cent in 1995. Some countries have performed better than others but the general trends are clear and undisputed.

The loss of competitiveness of the African region can be largely attributed to the use of inferior, inadequate and uncompetitive technology. More must be done to foster technological innovation in critical areas of the economy and promote technological change through a variety of policy instruments, such as those used in the framework of the science and technology policy of Ethiopia. My colleagues from the Ethiopian Science and Technology Commission will have the opportunity in the course of this meeting to share with you the experience of Ethiopia in developing a science and technology policy for the sustainable development of its natural resources.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
We, Africans, have not paid enough attention and have not dedicated enough energy and resources to science and technology capacity building. In spite of successes in some areas, such as improved seed technology for example, much of the technologies used in the agricultural sector are not up-to-date. In addition, irrigation technology, which has great potential of increasing food production on a predictable and sustainable basis, is still very much underutilized in most African countries. The widespread application of this irrigation technology will go a long way in fostering a sound exploitation of natural resources and contribute substantially to food security. Another technology which can contribute to a sound and efficient management of natural resources -a prerequisite for sustainability and competitiveness- is remote sensing technology. The potential of this technology is also, at present, underutilized. The application of remote sensing technology can bring Africa closer to “precision agriculture” and a better utilization and management of its natural resources.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Much of the technologies that can assist Africa in its development effort are already available. Irrigation technology, that I mentioned earlier, is well known and widely applied in many countries, particularly in many parts of Asia. It was also ingeniously applied more than five hundred years ago by the Inca civilization. Its application does not require a high level of economic development, sophisticated equipment or cutting-edge expertise. No technology needs to be imported from abroad. Why is Africa so behind the rest of the world in applying this technology? Why is this technology so difficult to apply in Africa? In order to answer these questions one must certainly look at some cultural, organizational and structural factors that inhibit social, economic and technological change. In Ethiopia, progress made during the last few years in the diffusion of irrigation technology is encouraging but much more need to be done if the country is to become self-sufficient and more productive.

Africa faces many daunting challenges at this particular point in time and the solutions imply the sound management of large complex systems. This requires a multidisciplinary, a participative and an integrated approach and a global perspective. The interplay of natural resources and science and technology is such a complex system and its management requires a deep understanding of the processes involved, a clear vision of how the system should evolve and a strong political leadership.

Excellencies,Ladies and Gentlemen,
I look forward to fruitful participation in the meeting during which I plan to share with you the experience of Ethiopia: our successes and constraints. I hope this sharing of experiences from Ethiopia and other countries can be beneficial to other African countries.

I look forward to the recommendations of this meeting and I wish you a pleasant stay in Addis Ababa.

Thank you.