REPORT OF THE AFRICAN PREPARATORY CONFERENCE FOR THE WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

AFRICAN PREPARATORY CONFERENCE FOR THE WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Nairobi, 15-18 October 2001

Introduction

1. At the fifty-fifth session of the United Nations General Assembly, it was decided by resolution 55/199 to convene the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD). The Summit is scheduled to take place in Johannesburg, South Africa, in September 2002. Each region of the world was requested to formulate a common position for presentation to the Summit, and the current meeting is part of that process of preparation. To facilitate the process, it had been decided to work through existing regional organizations, specifically, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU), the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Preparations at the national level had contributed to subregional preparations. The African Forum for the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development was launched as a preparatory process for Africa in March 2001, with an Expanded Joint Secretariat comprised of members from the above-mentioned subregional organizations and from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Organization of African Unity/African Union, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the African Development Bank and the Regional Office for Africa of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Recommendations formulated by the five subregional meetings convened by those organizations were to form the basis for the common African position, which would be finalized and adopted by the of the present African Preparatory Conference for the World Summit on Sustainable Development in an expert group and a ministerial segment, respectively. The Conference was organized by the Expanded Joint Secretariat and hosted by UNEP.

PART ONE: TECHNICAL SEGMENT

I. OPENING OF THE MEETING

2. The expert group segment of the Conference was opened by Mr Sekou Touré, Director of the UNEP Regional Office for Africa. Welcoming statements were made by a representative of the Kenya Government and by Mr Touré, on behalf of the Expanded Joint Secretariat.

3. Mr Simon Mbarire, Acting Deputy Director of the National Environment Secretariat of Kenya, welcomed the participants on behalf of the people and Government of Kenya, and on his own behalf. He thanked the Expanded Joint Secretariat for the excellent documentation for the meeting.

4. He said that the main aim of the World Summit on Sustainable Development was to take stock of and assess the progress made on the road towards sustainability since the 1992 United Nations Conference of Environment and Development, to identify the constraints encountered and the areas where further efforts were needed, together with the new challenges to be confronted in the further implementation of Agenda 21. With the documentation provided by the preparatory team, which would greatly promote and enhance the discussions, he believed that excellent final texts of the regional assessment report and the African common position could be prepared in the course of the meeting.

5. Mr Sekou Touré said that it was a great honour for UNEP to host the African Conference in preparation for the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development. He expressed his gratitude for the contribution to that process made by the experts from African countries, and extended his appreciation to the other members of the Expanded Joint Secretariat for the spirit that had prevailed during the entire preparatory process.

6. The meeting constituted part of Africa's preparatory process for the crucial World Summit to be held on African soil. He said that the dreams and aspirations of millions of African women, men and children hinged on the success of the Summit. He recalled that the process had started with a high-level stakeholders meeting on sustainable development held at ECA in January 2000, leading, with the help of the Expanded Joint Secretariat, to the launching of the African Forum for the 2002 World Summit in Dakar, Senegal, in March 2001. The current meeting was the culmination of the process, with the objectives of agreeing on an assessment of progress since 1992 and on a common African position to be presented to the ministerial segment of the Conference on 17 October 2001. He assured the meeting of all possible support from UNEP, and wished the participants every success in their deliberations.

II. ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS

A. Attendance

7. The meeting was attended by experts from the following countries: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, Comoros, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

8. Representatives of the following United Nations and specialized agencies also participated: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Global Environment Facility (GEF), Joint United NationsProgramme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, particularly in Africa (UNCCD), United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) ECHA, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN-ISDR), World Health Organizatiown (WHO), World Bank.

9. Representatives of the following international, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations also participated: Advisory Committee on Protection of the Sea (ICPS), Africa 21st Century Organization, African Development Bank (ADB), Agence Intergouvernementale de la Francophonie (AIF), AVCASA, Business Action for Sustainable Development (BASD), Chamber of Mines of South Africa (CMSA), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), East African Community, Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), ESKOM, Industrial Ecology Institute (IEI), International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), International Council for Environmental Law (ICEL), International Union of Food (IUF), Investment Promotion Centre - Kenya, Kenya National Cleaner Production Centre (KNCPC), Network for Environment and Sustainable Development in Africa (NESDA), Norwegian Agency for Development Co-operation (NORAD), Organization of African Unity (OAU), Pan African Papers Mills (EA) Ltd, Resources Oriented Development Initiatives (RODI), Southern African Development Community (SADC), University of Natal, Wildlife Conservation Society of Tanzania (WCST).

B. Election of the Bureau

10. The following Bureau was elected:

Chair: Ms.

Eness Chiyenge (Zambia)

Members:

Mr Tarek El Kouny (Egypt)

Mr Simon Mbarire (Kenya)

Mr Ositadinma Anaedu (Nigeria)

Mr Crispian Olver (South Africa)

Mr Abderrahmane Gannoun (AMU)

Mr Nelson Cosme (ECCAS)

Ms. Kone Alimata (ECOWAS)

Mr Mupelwa Sichilima (IGAD/COMESA)

Mr M.L. Mophethe (SADC)

Rapporteur:

Mr Mbassi Menye (Cameroon).

C. Approval of the programme of work

10. The Technical Segment had before it two documents that had been prepared by the Expanded Joint Secretariat: an "Assessment of progress on sustainable development in Africa since Rio (1992)" (UNEP/(ROA)/WSSD/1/1), and a draft African Ministerial Statement, intended to reflect the common African position for the World Summit, which had been structured according to the guidelines provided by the commission on sustainable development. The Chair explained that the Bureau had proposed that an open-ended drafting committee be established to discuss and revise the draft African Ministerial Statement after its presentation in plenary and report back to plenary. The other document would be presented and fully discussed in plenary. A final draft of the Ministerial Statement would be prepared for submission to the Ministerial Segment. This procedure met with the approval of the meeting.

III. PRESENTATIONS AND DISCUSSIONS

A. Draft WSSD African Ministerial Statement

11. A presentation of the draft African Ministerial Statement was made by Mr S.K. Imbamba. Discussion of the draft was entrusted to the Drafting Committee, which would revise the text, incorporating suggestions arising from the debate.

B. Draft Africa WSSD regional assessment report

12. A presentation of the draft regional assessment report was made by Mr S.K. Imbamba (UNEP/(ROA)/WSSD/1/1 and Add.1).

13. In the ensuing discussion, one representative said he believed more emphasis should be given to the issue of chemicals, especially toxic wastes, and also to the need for transfer of technology.

14. One representative stressed the need to mention specifically the channels of communication with major groups in the private sector, such as trade unions and cooperatives.

15. Several representatives requested that the following major concerns should be highlighted:

(a) The problem of refugees;

(b) Conflicts;

(c) HIV/AIDS;

(d) Synergies between development planners who were still working sectorally;

(e) Good governance;

(f) Poverty eradication;

(g) The sensitization of people to Agenda 21.

16. One representative specified that good governance was necessary at both national and international levels.

17. Another representative said that globalization should not be exclusively considered under the heading of "trade and environment", and that in the poverty and environment nexus, it should be remembered that Africa's developed country partners were responsible for environmental degradation even more than the poor: the priority was poverty eradication, not to put the burden on the poor.

18. Several representatives expressed concern that there was more emphasis on good environmental governance than on sustainable development.

19. Several representatives expressed the view that the Global Environment Facility should address more than the current four focal areas.

20. Several representatives addressed the issue of poverty and emphasized the following points:

(a) Underdevelopment and the marginalization of Africa in the context of globalization;

(b) Unfavourable terms of trade;

(c) Poverty and the growing gap between the rich and the poor posed a threat to national, regional and international peace and security;

(d) The Highly Indebted Poor Countries Initiative was too limited to address the issue of poverty adequately;

(e) The eradication of poverty required the international community to devote a portion of global resources to it.

21. One representative stressed the importance of sustainable human settlements.

22. Another representative spoke of the need to review other epidemics, including malaria and meningitis, instead of concentrating solely on HIV/AIDS.

23. One representative said that the issue of international environmental governance, which had recently been discussed in a meeting in Algiers, needed to be addressed further.

24. One representative stressed South-South cooperation in relation to the issue of cooperation and integration of efforts.

25. One representative called for "green accounting" in place of measurement of gross national product, because the promotion of sustainable development required measurements which would help to integrate the ecological component into priority concerns and provide a better assessment of sustainable development in the international community.

26. In reply to the debate, Mr Imbamba assured the participants that the points they had raised would be very valuable, and would be accorded serious reflection. The heavy emphasis on the environment, he said, had its origin in the subregional reports that the assessment had been based on. He was particularly impressed by the call for globalization not to be dealt with exclusively under the heading of trade and environment. As for "green accounting", he would be in favour of it being mentioned in the political statement.

IV. RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE MINISTERIAL SEGMENT ON THE AFRICAN REGIONAL ASSESSMENT REPORT AND THE AFRICAN COMMON POSITION FOR THE WORLD SUMMIT

27. Following discussion of the "Assessment of progress on sustainable development in Africa since Rio (1992)" in plenary sessions, the comments made by the participants had been noted.

28. The draft African Ministerial Statement, after being revised by the Drafting Committee, was approved as amended in plenary and would be submitted to the ministerial segment for consideration and adoption.

V. ADOPTION OF THE REPORT

29. The present report was adopted on the basis of the draft report, contained in document UNEP/(ROA)/WSSD/1/L.1 and Add.1, which had been circulated during the meeting, on the understanding that the finalization of the report would be entrusted to the Rapporteur, working in consultation with the Expanded Joint Secretariat.

VI. CLOSURE OF THE MEETING

30. Following the customary exchange of courtesies, the Chair declared the meeting closed at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, 17 October 2001.

PART TWO. MINISTERIAL SEGMENT

I. OPENING OF THE MEETING

1. The ministerial segment of the African Preparatory Conference for the World Summit on Sustainable Development was held in Nairobi, on 17 and 18 October 2001.

2. The segment was officially opened by Mr S.K. Walubita, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Zambia and present Chair of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), on 16 October 2001. He welcomed the participants to the meeting and expressed appreciation to the expert group for the excellent work achieved on the draft ministerial statement. He said that participants were gathered to assess progress in the implementation of the decisions of the Rio Summit and Agenda 21 and to identify areas where further efforts were needed to address challenges on the road from Rio.

3. He recalled that the Rio Declaration had proclaimed the need to ensure equity for sustainable development, while Agenda 21 had provided for environment and development programmes with policy measures for sustainable development. The hope had been Agenda 21 would assist in halting underdevelopment in Africa and encourage burden-sharing between developed and developing countries, the transfer of technology and an environment conducive to investment. He said that the task ahead was to undertake an assessment of achievements and failures in order to chart the course to the Johannesburg Summit and beyond. There was a need to focus on the new African vision through the New African Initiative adopted at the OAU Summit. The New African Initiative had its roots within Africa and enjoyed the full backing of African leaders. He urged participants to ensure that Africa's needs were reflected on the agenda of the WSSD.

4. Opening statements were also made by Mr. C.D.K. Arap Kirui, Assistant Minister of Finance of Kenya, Mr. Klaus Töpfer, Executive Director of UNEP, Mr. Abdoulie Janneh, of the Regional office for Africa of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Mr. Josie Dione, Mr. Andrey Vasilyen on behalf of Mr. Behalf of Mr. Nitin Desai, Under-Secretary General, United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, and Mr. A. Mtegha, of the African Development Bank.

5. In his statement, Mr. C.D.K. Arap Kirui, Assistant Minister of Finance of Kenya, said that almost ten years after the United Nations Conference on the Environment and Development it was time to take stock of achievements and constraints, strategies and ways forward, for the future implementation of Agenda 21. He said that there was a wide array of challenges in Africa, some of which had preoccupied Governments and made the environment a low priority. One of the major challenges was to integrate environmental concerns into development. The time was ripe for Africa, he said, to put forward a united front for the common good and sustainable development. He said that Kenya supported the view that WSSD should call for a strengthening of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and its Regional Office for Africa against the backdrop of wide-ranging environmental threats.

6. Mr. Klaus Töpfer, Executive Director of UNEP, welcomed the participants and said that it was an honour to host such an important African ministerial conference in preparation for WSSD. He said that it was important that the summit should take place on the African continent that its the main task would be to fight poverty. There had been a broad-based preparation process, needing integration on a regional and subregional level, of economic, social and environmental capacity. Ten years after the Earth Summit, it was time to assess developments with regard to the three economic, social and environmental pillars. He said that the most important topic in the globalized world was sustainable development.

7. He noted that many of the expectations of the Rio Summit had not been realized, and 800 million people were now confronted with hunger. He said that efforts should be made to implement the United Nations Millennium Declaration, and emphasized the importance of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification as well as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. He concurred that the New African Initiative came from the roots of Africa, but emphasized that decisions should be made with regard to new technologies such as genetic modification.

8. Mr. Abdoulie Janneh, Director of the Regional Office for Africa of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), said that he had been asked by, the UNDP Adminstrator, to convey to the meeting that UNDP would always continue to work for "globalization with a human face", as the United Nations Secretary-General had said. With offices in every country, UNDP considered itself to be the operating arm of Agenda 21, and had always endeavoured to provide a catalytic effect across all sectors and borders. During the past year, two thirds of all its activities were capacity-building actions. It would lend support to South Africa to host the Summit, and would reinforce the key strategies needed and the means to put them into practice.

9. Mr. Jose Dione read a statement on behalf of Mr. K.Y. Amoako, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, who expressed appreciation for the input of the members of the Expanded Joint Secretariat in preparing for the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development. Commending the efforts of those who had done much to reverse environmental damage on the continent and improve its prospects, he pointed out the global community's failure to heed the warnings from the Rio Summit. He identified six areas that would need to be addressed: control of population growth, climate change, water, desertification, soil degradation and biotechnology. In closing, he called on the developed world to share with Africa its biotechnology and medication for HIV/AIDS at affordable prices.

10. Mr. Andrey Vasilyen read a statement on behalf of Mr.Nitin Desai, Under-Secretary General, United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs who said that it was important to ensure that the preparations for Johannesburg were built on the aspirations, commitment and ideas of all African nations and that the Summit should result in a strong sense of collective ownership of the outcome. He said that despite some progress in sustainable development, many fundamental concerns remained, and it was essential for the Summit to achieve tangible results in making sustainable development operational; dealing with the challenges of globalization; finding innovative means of funding, technology transfer and capacity-building management and conservation of natural resources.

11. Mr. A. Mtegha of the African Development Bank said that environmental development and the fight against poverty should mutually sustain each other. For that reason the Bank had focused on such areas as an integrated water policy and an integrated poverty reduction strategy. It had also stressed capacity-building and had given assistance to the implementation of conventions. A major development crisis was that of HIV/AIDS, the control of which would require huge investment. He said that local, national, regional and global environment issues were inextricably linked, and therefore developing countries must become fully fledged partners in a globalizing world. The African Development Bank reiterated its dedication to sustainable development and to the livelihoods of people in Africa.

II. ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS

A. Attendance

12. The meeting was attended by representatives of the following countries: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Comoros, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

13. Representatives from the following United Nations and specialized agencies also participated: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Global Environment Facility (GEF), Jointed United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, particularly in African (UNCCD), United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) ECHA, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Drug Control Programme (UNDCP), United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN-ISDR), World Food Programme (WFP), World Health Organization (WHO), World Bank.

14. Representatives of the following international, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations also participated: Advisory Committee on Protection of the Sea (ICPS), Africa 21st Century Organization, African Development Bank (ADB), Agence Intergouvernementale de la Francophonie (AIF), AVCASA, Business Action for Sustainable Development (BASD), Chamber of Mines of South Africa (CMSA), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), East African Community, Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), ESKOM, Industrial Ecology Institute (IEI), International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), International Council for Environmental Law (ICEL), International Union of Food (IUF), Investment Promotion Centre - Kenya, Kenya National Cleaner Production Centre (KNCPC), Network for Environment and Sustainable Development in Africa (NESDA), Norwegian Agency for Development Co-operation (NORAD), Organization of African Unity (OAU), Pan African Papers Mills (EA) Ltd, Resources Oriented Development Initiatives (RODI), Southern African Development Community (SADC), University of Natal, Wildlife Conservation Society of Tanzania (WCST).

B. Election of the Bureau

15. The following officers were elected to serve on the Bureau:

Chair: Mr. Keli Walubita (Zambia)

Members: Mr. Baskouda J. (Cameroon)

Rapporteur: Mr. Laurent Nkusi (Rwanda)

C. Adoption of the agenda

16. The following agenda was adopted:

1. Opening of the meeting.

2. Organizational matters:

(c) Adoption of the agenda.

3. Overview of the Africa WSSD preparatory process.

4. Presentation of reports of key preparatory meetings.

5. Review of recommendations of the technical segment.

6. Informal discussion and consultations.

7. Review and discussions on the draft WSSD African Ministerial Statement.

8. Strategic discussion, way forward and plan of action.

9. Adoption of the final documents.

10. Closing ceremony.

III. OVERVIEW OF THE AFRICA WSSD PREPARATORY PROCESS

17. Mr. V. Mohamed Moosa, Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism of South Africa, gave an overview of the preparatory process towards the World Summit on Sustainable Development and described the strategy that could be followed and its main components. He outlined what he called "the legacy of Rio", mentioning those elements that militated against reversing the trend towards global inequality, and delineated the factors that would determine "the legacy of Johannesburg". He spelled out South Africa's blueprint for poverty reduction, and outlined what, in his view, the World Summit needed to achieve in order to facilitate sustainable economic development.

18. Advocating the implementation of social development programmes, he drew attention to society's commitments for protecting the environment. He reiterated the importance of peace, democracy, security and stability as key factors in the promotion of sustainable development, and described the various issues that needed to be addressed in further preparations for the Johannesburg meeting. His closing remarks included a call for a global partnership to address inequality and poverty and for the integration of trade, finance and investment issues into a sustainable development agenda that would focus on "People, the planet and prosperity".

19. A document entitled "Vision" presented by giving an overview of the WSSD preparatory process, is contained in annex II_ to the present report.

20. Several representatives mentioned the terrorist acts that had been perpetrated in the United States of America in September 2001. All agreed that terrorism was a global concern and that peace and security were prerequisites for sustainable development, which in turn was the best answer to terrorism.

21. One representative indicated that more should be done to take UNEP recommendations to the grass-roots level.

22. Several representatives talked of the need for Africa to take responsibility for the mobilization of financial resources.

23. A number of representatives supported the call for a campaign of awareness-raising for the people of Joint Expanded Africa to ensure that they were not marginalized and felt included in the WSSD. It was suggested that the Expanded Joint Secretariat and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization could help implement such an action.

24. Many representatives emphasized the need to focus on the problem of desertification, which they considered to be a major concern for the WSSD to deal with, and said that the issue of poverty should be linked to it. One representative called for existing viable structures to combat desertification to be strengthened. Several representatives said that the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification had been neglected when it came to funding and implementation, and agreed that its role should be defined in the fight against poverty.

25. Several representatives mentioned that the numerous meetings leading up to WSSD would be costly and proposed that some meetings be held back-to-back.

26. One representative said that there had been a lack of implementation since the Earth Summit in Rio and asked which body would be responsible for ensuring implementation.

27. Another representative mentioned terrorist acts in Africa, which caused great instability, and asked the conference to issue a declaration regarding terrorist acts in African countries and their effects.

28. The problem of bush fires in tropical Africa was also highlighted as a major problem requiring analysis in Johannesburg.

29. Several representatives spoke of the need for Africa to put forward proposals with one voice at the WSSD, with no discrepancy in demands.

30. Mention was also made of variables other than the environment such as health, poverty, education, illness, that were linked to sustainable development.

31. One representative spoke of the need to examine former commitments by the global community and see whether they had been implemented. He said that there had been a commitment to give 0.7 per cent of the total income of developed countries as aid to African countries, but this had not been honoured, with the exception of a few Scandinavian countries. He spoke of the need to have a concrete plan for debt reduction and said that developed countries must be persuaded to cut or cancel debts. This view was echoed by several representatives.

32. One representative said that the problem of landmines should be addressed as an impediment to sustainable development.

33. Another representative called for attention to be focused on the marine and coastal environment and its protection.

34. Several representatives spoke of the need for capacity-building at the institutional level to prevent natural catastrophes such as droughts, earthquakes, and floods and enhance surveillance and warnings to the general population.

35. Mr. Moosa, replying to the debate, said that the New African Initiative had made reference to peace and security, and had laid the necessary basis for action. He believed that the Convention to Combat Desertification had inadequate funding for implementation, and needed wider support, including from those African countries not suffering from desertification, as it was a global issue that should be included in the Johannesburg programme of action. The protection of equatorial forests was similarly a global issue. He concurred on the importance of access to safe drinking water, which was a major cross-cutting issue, being social and economic as well as environmental. He concluded by stressing the importance of Africa speaking with a united voice.

36. In a brief intervention at the invitation of the Chair, Mr. Hama Arba Diallo, the Executive Secretary of the Convention to Combat Desertification, said that to fight rural poverty, it was necessary to fight soil degradation. He said the time had come to convince all partners that the appropriate tool was the Convention, which still did not have the necessary level of financing.

IV. PRESENTATION OF REPORTS OF KEY PREPARATORY MEETINGS

A. Industry report

37. Ms. Laurraine Lotter, Chair of the African Industry Workshop, delivered a statement and Mr.Chris Buckley (South Africa) made a presentation of the Africa Industry Report.

B. Civil society/non-governmental organization report

38. Mr Davindar Lamba, Chair of the African Non-governmental Forum, which had held a parallel meeting on 15 and 16 October 2001, made a presentation stating the African civil society position.

C. Trade unions report

39. A representative of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions made a presentation stating the trade union position.

D. Youth statement

40. A representative of youth attending the WSSD African NGO Forum made a statement.

E. Secretariat for the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction

41. A representative of the Secretariat for the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction made a statement on the prevention and mitigation of natural hazards.

42. It was agreed that the report of the African Non-governmental Organizations Forum and the report on the African industry Workshop should be annexed to the present report. These are contained in annexes III and IV to the present report respectively.

V. REVIEW OF RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE TECHNICAL SEGMENT

43. In its consideration of this agenda item, the ministerial segment of the meeting had before it a draft African Ministerial Statement prepared earlier by the technical segment of the meeting.

44. Ms. Eness Chiyenge, the Chair of the technical segment, presented the recommendations of the technical segment. She paid tribute to the Bureau of the technical segment and to the Expanded Joint Secretariat for their help and guidance during the meeting, and to the Drafting Committee, under its able Chair, Mr. Ositadinma Anaedu (Nigeria). The technical segment had considered two documents that had been prepared by the Expanded Joint Secretariat: "Assessment of progress on sustainable development in Africa since Rio (1992)" (UNEP/(ROA)/WSSD/1/1), and a draft African Ministerial Statement, which had been structured according to the guidelines provided by the Commission on Sustainable Development. The first of these documents had been discussed by the technical segment meeting in plenary sessions, and the comments made by the participants had been noted. The second had been revised by the Drafting Committee, and was now submitted to the ministerial segment for consideration and adoption.

VI. STRATEGIC DISCUSSION, WAY FORWARD AND PLAN OF ACTION

A. African Youth Forum

45. The representative of Senegal, noting the proposal by the representative of youth from the WSSD African non-governmental Forum regarding the need to organize an African Youth Forum to prepare for the Global Youth Forum to be held in March 2002 in Denmark, as part of the preparations for the World Summit, offered to host such a forum in Dakar at a date to be arranged, before March 2002. The meeting welcomed the offer.

B. The World Summit preparatory process

46. One representative drew attention to paragraph 10 of General Assembly resolution 56/19, which had set out the stages of the World Summit preparatory process, the net effect of which was that no further submissions to be included in that process would be accepted after March 2002.

VII. ADOPTION OF THE FINAL DOCUMENTS

47. The African Ministerial Statement was discussed and adopted with amendments. It is contained in annex I to the present report.

48. The present report was adopted on the basis of the draft report, contained in document UNEP/(ROA)/WSSD/1/L.2 and Add.1, which had been circulated during the meeting, on the understanding that the finalization of the report would be entrusted to the Rapporteur, working in consultation with the Expanded Joint Secretariat.

VII. CLOSING CEREMONY

49. Following the customary exchange of courtesies, the Chair declared the meeting closed at 9 p.m. on Thursday, 18 October 2001.

Annex I

AFRICAN MINISTERIAL STATEMENT TO THE WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Adopted at the African Preparatory Conference for the World Summit on Sustainable Development,

held in Nairobi from 15 to 18 October 2001

FROM RIO DE JANEIRO TO JOHANNESBURG

1. We, Ministers of African States, met in Nairobi, Kenya from 17 to 18 October, 2001, in the context of the African regional preparatory process for the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa, from 2 to 11 September 2002. The aim of the meeting was to assess the progress made, the constraints encountered, areas where further efforts are needed and the new challenges confronting Africa within the framework of the implementation of Agenda 21. In doing so, we took into consideration the concerns of our continent's industry, and civil society, including NGOs, Trade Unions and youth.

2. We are convinced that the WSSD should reinvigorate the commitment of the international community to the goals of sustainable development and give effect to a new vision based on a concrete programme of action for the implementation of Agenda 21 in the next decade. To this effect, we reaffirm that poverty eradication is an indispensable requirement for sustainable development and reiterate our commitment to address all three components of sustainable development - namely economic growth and development, social development and environmental protection, as interdependent and mutually reinforcing pillars - in a balanced way, in conformity with the fundamental principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.

3. We believe that holding the Summit in Africa will provide a unique opportunity for a genuine international partnership to achieve the development goals enunciated in the Millennium Declaration and in the outcome of United Nations conferences and summits held since Rio, as well as those regional initiatives that Africa has adopted. We affirm that the achievement of those development goals is contingent on an enabling international environment premised on the legitimate development priorities of developing countries, that addresses the fundamental challenges of financing for development, globalization, and market access in the sectors of export of interest to them, thus reaching a comprehensive and lasting solution to their crippling external debt problems.

4. We recall that success in meeting the objectives of development and poverty eradication depends, inter-alia, on good governance both within each country and at the international level, as well as on transparency in financial, monetary and trading systems. We are also committed to an open and equitable rule-based, predictable and non-discriminatory multi-lateral trading and financial system.

5. We note with concern the limited progress in the implementation of Agenda 21, which stems from the lack of fulfillment by the international community of its commitments made in Rio with regard to the means of implementation, thereby hampering the achievement of sustainable development in developing countries, particularly in Africa. The implementation of the Barbados Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States has similarly been hampered. We reconfirm that the Johannesburg Summit should not renegotiate the outcomes of Rio but should result in a concrete programme of action with time-bound measures and well-specified sources of funding to implement them.

6. We believe that a system of monitoring contributes to the effectiveness of implementation. We therefore call upon the World Summit on Sustainable Development to establish a follow-up mechanism as an integral component of all the elements of its programme of action in terms of resource flow and implementation, and to create the system required to make that possible.

7. We emphasize that poverty, underdevelopment, marginalization, social exclusion and economic disparities are closely associated with the legacy of colonialism as well as the continued exploitation of African resources. We recognize the negative economic, social and cultural consequence thereof, that have contributed significantly to the underdevelopment of developing countries and, in particular, of Africa. We urge the Summit to reaffirm the right to development and to adopt concrete mechanisms to free the entire human race from want.

8. We recognize the important role played by civil society and the need to ensure their full participation in achieving sustainable development.

9. We note with appreciation the role of the business sector and civil society, including the youth and labour segments in pursuit of the sustainable development agenda in line with our commitment to multi-stakeholder dialogue. In this regard we acknowledge their significant contributions to the preparatory process in the African region.

10. We affirm our commitment to partnership for the implementation of the WSSD outcomes, the mobilization of major groups and appropriately capacitating these groups to fruitfully engage in the implementation of the sustainable development agenda, perhaps in the form of the Johannesburg Programme of Action.

11. We invite governments to work together with major groups to prepare concrete inputs to a programme of action.

12. We propose that the theme "People, planet, prosperity" underpins our focus on the three pillars of sustainable development, and it is therefore proposed as the slogan for the Johannesburg Summit.

13. We believe that the New African Initiative (NAI) should be a framework for sustainable development in Africa. The NAI, which is a pledge by African leaders, is based on a common vision and a firm and shared conviction, that they have a pressing duty to eradicate poverty and to place their countries, both individually and collectively, on a path of sustained growth and development, and at the same time, to participate actively in the world economy and body politic. This programme is anchored on a determination of Africans to extricate themselves and the continent from the malaise of underdevelopment and exclusion in a globalising world.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND CONSTRAINTS SINCE RIO

14. We acknowledge that since the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, there has been increased awareness of the fragility of the African environment and its natural resources. Many countries have established and strengthened policy, legislative, and regulatory frameworks, including the ratification of regional and global environmental conventions, and the formulation and implementation of various environmental action plans.

15. We note that life expectancy in many African countries remains low despite some improvements since Rio. However, in some countries life expectancy has deteriorated. Whilst the overall literacy rate remains low, access to education has increased, especially for females, who have come to play a crucial role and are increasingly acting as agents for change for sustainable development. However, only 58 per cent of the continents' population have access to safe water.

16. We note the increased incidence of natural disasters in Africa, that have resulted in significant human, social and economic losses, thereby posing a major obstacle to the African continent's efforts to achieve sustainable development, especially in view of the region's insufficient capacities to predict, monitor, handle, and mitigate natural disasters.

17. We further note that the level of food insecurity in Africa has reached a critical level, as the number of undernourished presently exceeds 200 million people, and 500 million hectares of land have been affected by soil degradation, including as much as 65 per cent of agricultural land. These unfavourable developments compound the problem of poverty in Africa, as the agricultural sector includes 70 per cent of the poor and represents 40 per cent of regional Gross Domestic Product (GDP), thereby making the full implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa (UNCCD) an urgent priority in the post-Johannesburg era.

18. We observe that most African economies have declined both in qualitative and quantitative terms. The rate of GDP growth in at least half of the region has stayed below 2 per cent per annum. Africa, unlike other regions of the world, continues to receive extremely low foreign private capital investment, declining levels of official development assistance while facing an increasing debt burden.

19. We also note that wars, civil conflicts and the proliferation of small arms, and the continued presence of landmines, have hampered the efforts of many African countries to achieve sustainable development.

PRIORITY AREAS FOR ACTION

Eradication of poverty

20. We observe that while Africa is an indispensable resource base that has been serving all humanity for many centuries, poverty in Africa stands in stark contrast to the prosperity of the developed world. The process of globalization has further marginalized Africa and this has contributed to the increasing incidence of poverty in the continent. It is in this regard that the New African Initiative calls for the reversal of this abnormal situation by changing the relationship that underpins it. Achieving the poverty reduction goals of the Millennium Declaration is a joint responsibility of the North and the South. It requires the adoption of a comprehensive approach that addresses key priority areas, including: the removal of obstacles preventing the access of exports from developing countries to the markets of developed countries, debt reduction/cancellation, a review of the conditionalities of the Bretton Woods Institutions, promoting industrial growth especially through small and medium- sized enterprises, ensuring, particularly in rural areas, access to sources of energy at affordable prices, promoting micro-finance, enhancing access to basic health services, sustainable rural development, agricultural development and food security, greater access to safe water and sanitation, reducing the vulnerability of our people to natural disasters and environmental risks, as well as access to and improved standards of education at all levels.

21. We acknowledge the abundant skills and potential that exists in Africa for the development and realization of the crafts, art and endogenous technology industry. Development of this industry will contribute to the fight against poverty. Financial, technical and organizational support could also enable this sector to make a notable contribution to sustainable development in the continent.

22. Moreover, and within the framework of the world attachment to international solidarity, the acceleration of the setting up of the necessary mechanisms of the World Solidarity Fund, whose main aim is to contribute to the eradication of poverty and to the promotion of the most under-privileged areas in the world, more particularly in the poorest countries, is highly recommended.

Industrial development

23. We note with concern that national economies have a narrow industrial base and that the performance of the manufacturing sector over the last decade has shown a decline when compared with the previous decade. In general, Africa is sliding into a "de-industrialization" phase at the time when it needs to expand its manufacturing basis.

24. We acknowledge the fact that African countries have considerable resources, and in all fields: mineral and oil resources, agricultural resources, fishery resources, forestry resources, but unfortunately, these resources are not processed in a beneficial way in Africa. This constitutes a major lost opportunity for Africa. Consequently it is urgently necessary to develop and foster industry, to make it possible to add value to our resources before they are exported. SMEs/SMIs have helped many emerging and developed countries to industrialize and to develop. Today there is an emergence of SMEs/SMIs to address this, but the lack of finance, supervision and organization prevents them from playing the real role which should fall to them to initiate sustainable development in Africa and therefore institutional support must be established and sustained.

25. We recognize the contribution of industrial development to poverty eradication and efficient natural resource management. We call upon the international community to:

Agriculture and food security

26. We recognize that the African continent is endowed with sufficient natural resources for food self-sufficiency. However, taking into account current levels of food production and the projected population growth in Africa, it is apparent that those levels are insufficient and will not allow the achievement of the goal of halving the number of under-nourished people by 2015, as enunciated at the World Food Summit. It is imperative, therefore, to reverse the current trends of land degradation and dwindling water resources for irrigation, as well as to improve the development and dissemination of agricultural technologies within African countries, and the transfer to them of applied agricultural research and technology at affordable prices.

27. We emphasize the minimum need to double agricultural production in Africa within five years. In this respect, we resolve to increase national financing for the agricultural sector, and call upon the international financial institutions and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to substantially increase the finance provided to the agricultural sector and for the full implementation of the UNCCD and other relevant conventions.

28. While we recognize the need to enhance the availability and accessibility to food by poor households, we emphasis that Africa should not be a dumping ground for subsidized food products from developed countries, nor for genetically modified food. In this connection, we call upon the developed countries to remove their agricultural subsidies and to apply the precautionary principle.

Human development

29. We acknowledge that Africa is currently straining under the burden of communicable diseases that are disabling our economies. Endemic, parasitic and infectious diseases have retarded the quality and productivity of Africa's human resources. Many have roots in the environmental conditions under which people live, in poor environmental hygiene, inadequate access to resources, such as water and sanitation, and inadequate nutrition.

30. We recognize that the growing threat of the HIV/AIDS pandemic is no longer merely a health issue, but a serious threat to sustainable development. HIV / AIDS should be incorporated in overall poverty reduction/ eradication, sustainable development and economic growth strategies. At the same time, Africa is faced with an emerging epidemic of infectious diseases and diseases of lifestyle.

31. We call for a holistic approach to health that addresses its multiple determinants (social, environmental, economic). Efforts in Africa to ensuring greater access to affordable, primary and secondary health care and medical technology, improve environmental and social conditions that contribute to diseases, and build appropriate capacity in local communities, are of paramount importance. To this end, we call upon the developed world to offer greater assistance in making both preventative and curative health care available to Africa. We underscore that, in the context of the Agreement on Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), African countries should be allowed to take all necessary measures to provide access to medicine at affordable prices and to promote public health and nutrition.

32. We emphasize the importance of empowering women in social and economic development by reinforcing their capacity in the domains of education and training, by developing revenue generating activities through facilitating access to credit, and by ensuring their participation in the political and economic life of African countries.

33. We believe that the empowerment of women and improving their health status should be prioritised, because they have key roles in all societies with respect to healthy living conditions.

34. We emphasize that education and information dissemination are major priorities in ensuring improvements in the quality of life, the eradication of poverty and placing the African continent on a path of sustainable development and growth. Human resources development and capacity building are crucial elements of sustainable development and it is important to develop clear policies in relation to training, education and research in the region. It is essential to (a) upgrade the quality of education to be able to respond to challenges of the market; (b) strengthen capacity-building as a critical component of human resource development; (c) launch literacy campaigns to cut the percentage of illiteracy to 50 per cent of the current figures, with major emphasis on women; (d) strengthen and, if needed, establish well-equipped and strongly-supported specialized research and technology development institutes; and (e) promote the role of women in strategies for investing in people. In this regard, we call upon the international community to assist African countries in their need to respond to new and longer term challenges by making education and training relevant to national needs in the context of a globalizing world. Emphasis must be placed on improving the access of girls to education and training, with the aim of attaining parity with boys.

Youth

35. We recognize that participation by young people in sustainable development is the foundation of the success of this strategy to combat poverty for the future of Africa. Young people make up half of the population of Africa. However, this category of dynamic actors is characterized by insufficient development factors such as education, training, health protection, professional employment, and communication. There is therefore a need in the framework of sustainable human development to ensure strengthening the skills of young people in all areas.

Trade and market access

36. We emphasize the need for the multilateral trading system to ensure that issues of development are addressed adequately and decisively. For the global economy to remain stable, there must be resource flows to developing countries, and World Trade Organisation (WTO) agreements can and should promote this through the following :

37. We call on developed countries to open their markets and eliminate subsidies on agriculture, textiles and other export products of interest to African countries so as to enable them to reach the Millennium Declaration poverty-reduction target by 2015.

Financing for sustainable development

38. We note with concern that a major limitation in the implementation of Agenda 21 has been the lack of the necessary means of implementation particularly financial commitments made in Rio. We therefore emphasize the importance of mobilizing in a coherent manner all available sources, including new and additional resources, for the financing of development, inter alia domestic resources, foreign direct investment, debt relief and official development assistance. We note that the international conference on financing for development, to be held in Mexico, in March 2002, will, among other items, consider in an integrated manner all sources of financing for sustainable development.

Investment

39. We stress the need for increased foreign direct investment in African economies as an essential component of a sustainable long-term approach to poverty eradication. Developed countries should recognize African economic reforms towards macro-economic stability and put adequate measures in place to mobilize more financial resources, especially private capital for African economies. Sustained efforts should be made to assist African countries to create the necessary conditions for foreign direct investment, especially in infrastructure and production capacity.

40. We call upon the international community to support African countries in their efforts to enhance domestic investment through measures such as (a) increasing revenue mobilization, (b) reducing capital flight, (c) encouraging increased inflows of remittances from Africans living abroad, (d) improving public efficiency to increase national saving and investment.

Debt relief

41. We call for existing debt relief measures for African countries to be evaluated appropriately, taking into account the special needs of Africa, especially those countries that have high debt burdens, including Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPCs). The cancellation of debt for the poorest countries should be considered to allow them to concentrate their resources on poverty reduction programmes. While the enhanced HIPC initiative will provide relief, it is imperative that African countries be assisted to find a lasting exit from their external debt situations.

42. Furthermore, developed countries need to commit themselves to providing more meaningful market access to products of HIPCs to increase their export earnings and diversify their production and export bases and provide development assistance on highly concessional terms, in order to keep the debt situation sustainable and safeguard the benefits of HIPC relief. We call on the international community to support the African initiative that seeks to secure a negotiated agreement, to provide further debt relief for countries participating in the initiative.

Increased official development assistance (ODA)

43. We urge that ODA to Africa should be increased and that developed countries should adhere to the United Nations target of 0.7 per cent of Gross National Product (GNP). ODA should be untied and supportive of recipient countries objectives to enable them to take ownership of their development programmes. The New African Initiative calls for the reform of ODA to ensure that ODA flows are more effectively utilized.

Global Environment Facility (GEF)

44. We recognize the importance of the GEF in financing sustainable development. In this connection, we call for an improvement in its operational procedures and project implementation, so as to make it more responsive to the needs of development in Africa, including financing the implementation of UNCCD and other multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs). We call for a substantial increase in the resources of GEF in the context of the on-going Third Replenishment Negotiations so as to enable it to allocate a greater share of its resources to Africa. We recognize the need to amend the GEF instrument and to review the issue of incremental cost and environmental issues of global concern during its Second Assembly, to be held in China, in October 2002.

Infrastructure and sustainable human settlement

45. We affirm the importance of infrastructure development for Africa's continued socio-economic growth and development. We call on the international community to assist African countries in their efforts to: improve access to and the affordability and reliability of infrastructure services; attract investment in public transport and communication systems, ports, roads, schools and hospitals.

46. We reaffirm our commitment to implement the Habitat Agenda and the outcome of the United Nations Special Session on Human Settlements and emphasize our full support for the two global campaigns on urban governance and secure tenure. We call on the international community to mobilize the necessary resources for the implementation of the Habitat Agenda and the Declaration of the 25th United Nations Special Session to achieve sustainable human settlements in Africa.

Science and Technology

47. We recognize that harnessing science and technology requires action in several areas, including adequate financing, promoting the culture of innovation and science in our societies, appropriately managing intellectual property rights to promote increased science and technology activities within African countries, whilst minimizing barriers to access to knowledge worldwide.

48. We therefore urge the international community to assist African countries in their efforts to gain access to new technologies, particularly information and communication technologies and to create conditions for the development of indigenous technologies that are important for enhancing economic development.

Desertification and land degradation

49. We recognize that the lack of opportunities for part of the people, especially in rural areas, is at the root of poor environmental management that leads to environmental degradation, including desertification and land degradation. Consequently, we commit ourselves to increase, with the support of our development partners, campaigns of environmental information, education and communication.

50. We further recognize that the majority of people in Africa directly depend on land resources for their livelihoods. To varying degrees, however, there are poor land management practices and, in some countries, inappropriate land tenure systems. This leads to land degradation and non-optimal use of land. We therefore reaffirm the importance of a timely and effective implementation of the UNCCD in addressing the issue of poverty deriving from land degradation. In this regard, we invite the World Summit on Sustainable Development to acknowledge the UNCCD as a sustainable development convention and to proclaim it as a prime tool in the eradication of poverty in Africa and in other dry and arid lands.

51. Accordingly, we call for substantial and predictable financial resources to be available for its implementation. We congratulate the GEF Council for its latest decision in this respect and invite its Assembly due to meet in Beijing shortly after the WSSD, to open up the Facility to become the UNCCD financial mechanism.

Coastal and marine environments

52. We observe that coastal communities and some national economies, particularly Small Island Developing States, are highly dependent on their coastal and marine resources. The integrity of coasts and oceans is under threat from unsustainable development and over exploitation. We note the impact of climate change on coastal zones and especially on Small Island Developing States.

53. We call for the harmonization, coordination and compliance of regional and international laws and agreements related to the seas. We reiterate our support for the protection and development of marine and coastal environments and the revitalization of the Nairobi and Abidjan conventions as the two vital instruments for their protection, management and development in Africa. We recognise that this requires technology for monitoring levels of fish stocks, guarding against illegal fishing and supporting the efforts of developing countries in the area of capacity building. The Johannesburg Summit must incorporate the outcomes of the African process for the protection and development of the marine and coastal environment, including concrete projects, programmes, resources commitments and partnerships.

Biodiversity

54. We believe that the wealth of biological diversity, including marine biodiversity, found in the region are a major resource for Africa and most of our economies are highly dependent on this resource.

55. We note the scientific and economic opportunities attached to this source of wealth and the imperative of ensuring that these opportunities directly benefit the region. We commit ourselves to developing and implementing national legislation for the protection of the rights of local communities, farmers and breeders, and for the regulation of access to biological resources, and for bio-safety in line with the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) Model Law.

56. We are convinced that wetlands are areas of high agricultural, fishery and forestry productivity and that they are currently subject to considerable pressure from man, and we commit ourselves, with the support of our development partners, to rehabilitate them.

Forests

57. We welcome the establishment of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF), and emphasize that it should not become a forum for statements, but a vehicle for the full implementation of the International Panel on Forests (IPF)/International Forest Forum (IFF) proposal for action for the sustainable management of all types of forests, including addressing the special needs of low forest cover countries. To this effect, we call for the provision by the international community of the requisite financial resources and technology transfer to developing countries, particularly in Africa. We believe that any examination of the possibility of a legal binding instrument for forests is contingent upon the realization of the above measures. We look forward to the first Ministerial Meeting of the UNFF to be held in Costa Rica in March 2002.

58. We are convinced that bush fires contribute to the reduction of forest cover and nullify afforestation efforts. We recognize therefore the need to initiate a large-scale campaign to combat bush fires, and to do so with the support of GEF and other funding agencies.

Mineral resources

59. We note that mining activities contribute significantly to the economic development of many economies in our continent. The benefits arising from this resource will depend on how countries in the region harmonize policies and regulations on agreed minimum levels, operational practices and information on mining, in order to assist in reducing risks, and to develop an information and capacity development framework that can also benefit small-scale miners.

Climate change and atmosphere

60. We note with concern the current impacts and potential future impacts of climate change on Africa, including the constituent small island states, particularly sea level rise and extreme weather events such as floods and droughts. We call upon the international community to finalize agreement on the Kyoto Protocol and operationalize the Climate Change Fund for developing countries, as well as the Special Fund for Least Developed Countries.

Disaster prevention

61. We stress the need to reduce the vulnerability of our countries to natural disasters and in particular drought and floods in Africa.The World Summit should support the strengthening of Africa's institutional capacity for assessment, prevention, preparedness and management initiatives, establishment of early warning systems, and the promotion of public involvement and information exchange. In particular, the Summit should call for the establishment of regional and subregional institutions and networks to support the above initiatives.

Waste

62. We note that poor waste management is a core contributor to environmental degradation, health hazards, over-exploitation and depletion of scarce resources. We call upon the international community to support the efforts of the African countries to put in place the required funding and capacity to effectively manage non-hazardous waste.

63. Of critical importance for Africa is the question of the management, comprising generation, storage, transport, and transboundary-movement and disposal of hazardous waste, including radioactive waste. We call on the international community to fully implement the international and regional conventions, taking into consideration Africa's needs.

64. We call on the developed countries, in the framework of the implementation of international agreements, to take steps to counter the export of obsolete capital goods and equipment to the developing countries, to prevent Africa from becoming the Northern countries' dumping ground for these products.

Environmentally sound management of chemical products

65. In accordance with chapter 19 of Agenda 21, the Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions (PIC and POPs), African countries should be assisted and supported in the management of chemical products. The strengthening of the technical, financial, institutional and judicial capacities of African countries is necessary to ensure sustainable development in the agricultural and industrial sectors, which use these products, and to prevent cases of poisoning (human health) and pollution and well-known nuisances.

Fresh water and sanitation

66. We observe that the majority of people in Africa still lack access to safe water and sanitation services. Consequently, morbidity and mortality due to waterborne and water-related diseases are still very high. We emphasize that the international community should encourage cooperation among countries sharing a transboundary water resource, through the provision of financial resources and technology transfer to assist them to implement regional cooperation projects and initiatives and to develop the quality and quantity of water resources for the benefit of all riparian states, including assisting African countries in protecting the quality of water.

67. The Summit should deliver a programme of action for the achievement of the Millennium Assembly target on access to water and sanitation services, and for the support of regional shared water initiatives.

Energy

68. We note that energy plays a critical role in facilitating development. We recognize that at least 80 per cent of the people in Africa are still dependent almost exclusively on traditional sources of energy. There is a need for access to affordable energy, especially in rural areas and for sustainable industrial development.

69. We call for support for research and development, for clean energy technologies, efficiency of energy supply and usage, and affordable uptake of renewables. Furthermore, we call on the Summit to deliver a deal that promotes global access to energy for sustainable development in a form that minimises impact on air quality.

70. We strongly call on the World Summit to revitalize the Barbados Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States and to provide the necessary support for its effective and timely implementation.

Support for regional cooperation and economic integration

71. We strongly call on the World Summit to endorse the provision of urgent international support to the newly established African Union. We make this call in recognition of the fact that economic ties among the members of the sub-regional or regional groupings prevent disputes and tensions between them from becoming conflicts, thereby ensuring the peace and stability necessary for sustainable development.

72. We recognize that still greater policy convergence and harmonization is required if these efforts are truly to gain momentum. In this connection, we call for support for specific activities at the regional level, including cooperative projects that link two or more countries in common economic enterprise zones, common infrastructure projects, and joint tourism efforts.

Governance

73. We believe that the democratization of international governance is essential to promoting and implementing sustainable development at all levels. In this connection, we urge the Summit to reach agreement on the need for an effective governance regime for sustainable development and that the international preparatory process should examine this critical issue.

74. We recognize that peace, security and stability, are prerequisites for sustainable development in all countries and regions of the world. In that respect, the international community should provide resources and support for mechanisms developed by African States to prevent, manage and resolve conflicts, and to satisfy the needs of refugees and displaced people and their host countries.

75. We recognize the need for an effective international environmental governance regime. We note the on-going process in this regard and expect that its outcome will lead to meeting this objective, and will ensure the effective participation of African and other developing countries. WSSD should call for a greatly strengthened UNEP with a financial base that is more sustainable and predictable.

Stakeholders participation

76. We invite the organizers of all forthcoming intergovernmental meetings held in preparation for WSSD to ensure that the agendas and organizational modalities of such meetings provide for timely and direct involvement of major groups and consideration of their views and proposals in a way that they can effectively contribute to the intergovernmental deliberations. In this connection, the conference took note of the offer by the Senegalese delegation to host a youth forum in Dakar.

Johannesburg Vision

77. We call on the Summit to agree on what we may call the "Johannesburg Vision": a practical expression of the political commitments made by the international community in the Rio principles and Agenda 21, and the Millennium Declaration. These commitments envisage a global consensus on the eradication of poverty and global inequality. The World Summit on Sustainable Development provides a unique platform for the realization of this vision and must adopt a results-orientated , Johannesburg Programme of Action with clear time frames and specific targets. For the effective achievement of this programme, concrete global partnerships between governments on the one hand, and between governments, business and civil society on the other hand, are required. We believe that, through these outcomes, the Summit will provide practical meaning for the achievement of the hopes of the African Century.

Annex II

VISION

Document presented by Mr. V. Mohamed Moosa, Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism of South Africa, giving an overview of the World Summit on Sustainable Development preparatory process

Annex III

REPORT OF THE AFRICAN NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS FORUM AN AFRICAN CIVIL SOCIETY POSITION TO THE AFRICAN MINISTERIAL PREPCOM IN PREPARATION TO THE WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, JOHANNESBURG, SEPTEMBER 2002

INTRODUCTION

The World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) takes place at a time of serious environmental, political, social, and economic crisis for Africa, and indeed for the world in general.

After years of unrestricted abuse of the environment, pollution, erosion of biodiversity and skewed development in favour of the north, we now face the prospects of serious environmental disaster.This is manifested by global warming, climate change, accelerated deforestation and desertification, and the pollution of oceans and communities. This crisis poses a threat to millions of livelihoods and indeed to life itself on earth.

The environmental crisis now threatening our future is as a result of the accelerated social devastation now gripping our continent and the world. Hunger, poverty and diseases are on the increase, unemployment, inequality within and between nations has widened, and social tensions are on the rise. On the other hand, environmental degradation in turn compounds the impoverishment of the African people.

Economic crisis, stagnation and sometimes disintegration of African economies have now become a permanent feature of our landscape in Africa. Years of externally imposed structural adjustment programmes have failed to deliver the promise of growth and development. To the contrary, African terms of trade have worsened; we face accelerated de-industrialisation and the continents economic infrastructure is deteriorating rapidly. External debt continues to be a crushing burden on the African economies and people. More resources now flow out of the continent in excess of investment flows into the continent. The promise made in Rio of Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) equal to 0.7% of the GDP of developed countries has never been realised

While we are convinced that the crisis of our continent is not fully of our own making, we point out the important fact that a long history of autocratic governments, corruption, greed, patronage and violation of human rights by the ruling elites has contributed to the crisis now being faced by the continent. The lack of prioritisation for resource allocation is cause for concern. Rising social tensions and the self-interests of the ruling elites and foreign commercial interests have fuelled the continent's wars. Insecurity, political and social instability have deepened Africa's environmental and development crisis.

We acknowledge that it has become crucial for Africa to recognise the relationship between security, human development and the environment in our continent. It is however equally important for us to recognise that issues of security and the environment are inextricably intertwined with those of democratic governance. Security and the restoration of the integrity of the environment cannot be realised without democratic and participatory government.

Whereas the Rio Declaration and Agenda 21 represented brave and laudable attempts to address the twin challenges of poverty and ecological disasters, the world's leaders have failed to rise to the challenge. Lack of implementation, meagre resource allocation, unequal allocation of resources between north and the south, and the absence of political will, have undermined the promise of the Earth Summit.

We note that the New African Initiative (NAI) is being promoted as a path of sustainable development for Africa. We draw attention to the fact the NAI did not emerge out of a process of consultation that involved all aspects of civil society. This goes against a culture and practice of participatory democracy. We also note with concern that the NAI has all the aspects of structural adjustment programmes imposed by the Bretton Woods institutions on the continent.

The forces of globalization that have shaped the world and our continent in the last decades have deepened and entrenched poverty, marginalised peoples and nations, and accelerated ecological disintegration. This globlisation process has entrenched unequal power relationships between the north and south and has undermined the sovereignty of African nations.

OBSTACLES TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA.

In the midst of this crisis, African peoples and governments have faced formidable obstacles in their attempts to promote sustainable development and in the implementation of Agenda 21. The following are some of the problems:

1. Lack of financial resources.
2. Lack of human resource capacity to implement Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) and Agenda 21.
3. Commitments and conventions relating to agenda 21 are not legally binding.
4. Lack of technology and knowledge transfer from the north to the south as a result of restrictions placed by new trade regimes e.g. the Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs)
5. Decision-making in the international governance system is skewed against Africa and other poor countries.
6. Unfavorable economic and trade conditions imposed by the World Bank, IMF and WTO.
7. High external debt and debt service costs
8. Poor governance (lack of democratic government, human rights abuse and corruption)
9. Inter and intra state conflicts and wars
10. Increase in HIV/AIDs
11. Food insecurity
12. Desertification
13. Poverty (e.g. 60 000 per day get poorer in Africa)
14. Unemployment (lack of quality jobs, loss of skills)
15. Mining exploration and exploitation (e.g. inequitable distribution of mineral wealth and lack of mining policies)
16. Pollution (even at community levels)
17. Lack of basic services (water, health services, education, electricity, and public transport)
18. Lack of access to information and public participation
19. Biotechnology (leading to loss of biodiversity, food production for small scale farmers and loss of indigenous knowledge)
20. Lack of homegrown macro economic policies
21. Lack of sustainable agriculture (pastoralism, chemicals)
22. Somalia situation, where there is no national government.
23. Lack of political will to implement environmental conventions
24. Trade barriers (access to market, terms of trade,
25. Trade in small arms on the continent
26. Environmental degradation and pollution (exploitation of marine resources, desertification, and deforestation), even at community levels
27. North not implementing environmental agreements in Africa

THE AFRICA (CIVIL SOCIETY) COMMON POSITION

Mindful of the crisis facing the continent and the obstacles that stand in the way of the implementation of Agenda 21, we call upon the African governments to unite with their people and rise to the challenges facing Africa today. We note with concern that the Draft African Ministerial Statement - "Towards a New Culture of International Partnership" - to be discussed in Nairobi on 17 to 18 October 2001 has serious omissions and oversights. We call on the Ministers to take practical action and to incorporate the following proposals in the African Common Position to the WSSD:

1. The need to put HIV/AIDS high on Africa's agenda and in particular to allocate sufficient resources to fight this scourge. Patent laws need to be reviewed in order to facilitate access to medication.

2. Africa's debt must be cancelled immediately - it is not enough to call for lower debt service costs and debt reduction.

3. African governments must take responsibility for the delivery of public goods and services (social and environment) and protection thereof. Prioritisation of needs is essential. Privatisation of all services is an abdication of responsibility.

4. Government must develop programmes for poverty eradication, which should include access to land for the landless, food security, decent work, etc.

5. African governments must commit themselves to systems of participatory democracy and eradicating corruption. This means a culture and practice that ensures access to information, justice, and rights to participate in all aspects of decision-making, by launching a negotiation process leading to the adoption of the binding instrument guaranteeing the implementation of Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration.

6. Organised labour must be involved in any effort to change production and consumption patterns This also means mainstreaming the major marginalised groups like youth, women, pastoralists, disabled and indigenous people.

7. The process of globalisation that is currently underway is a threat to sustainable development. African governments must unite with their people, and with other progressive forces all over the world to combat globalisation and its effects.

8. African governments must commit themselves to join with their people to develop a pan- African model of development. These models must include the adoption of measures to end financial speculation, like the Tobin Tax.

9. African leaders and governments must recognise civil society as partners, and initiate a process of forming strategic alliances with forces from other parts of the world that are committed to a people-centered development.

10. Mobilise to resolve all wars and conflict on the continent and mobilise for democratic governments and governance.

11. Although youth form the majority on the continent, it is of concern that youth issues have been omitted in the African Ministerial position. Governments must recognise and acknowledge the role of young people. Governments must create and enhance mechanisms for greater involvement of young people in all aspects of sustainable development. Youth must also be seen as instrumental in promoting peace in areas of civil strife.

12. Call on all African governments to open up discussions on NAI immediately by involve civil society, organised labour and other major groups

13. Processes to clean up and care for the environment should involve all organs of civil society.

14. Africa must develop and implement Codes of Conduct for the utilisation of the natural resources of the continent. These Codes of Conduct must develop and promote the use of non-market means of valuing the continent's natural resources. All existing policies should also conform to the Codes of Conduct.

15. We note with concern that the Draft Ministerial Statement does not address the special developmental needs of Small Islands States, Somalia and others. This is a grave omission, and the African Common Position needs to address this issue.

16. We recognise that existing trade regimes are skewed in favour of the north and multi-national corporations (MNCs), which has resulted in the collapse of commodities prices and has created other problems. Government must call for trade regimes that will protect the development needs of the Africa and encourage pan African trade and improvement of cross border infrastructure.

17. Governments must ratify international conventions and immediately develop national strategies/regulations for the implementation and enforcement of conventions, such as the Biosafety Convention, The Convention to Combat Desertification (CCD), Kyoto Protocol, International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention, including codes on intellectual property rights.

18. African government must develop strategies and codes to facilitate the transfer of environment friendly technologies on terms favourable to the development of Africa. The existing technology and knowledge regimes must be changed.

19. The south must be proactive in setting its own environmental agenda, rather than being reactive to the global agenda.

COMMITMENTS OF CIVIL SOCIETY

As Civil Society, we commit to:

1. Work with government as partners in sustainable development
2. Strengthen civil society through networking and information sharing
3. Forming partnerships with other role players in sustainable development
4. Promote professionalism amongst all Civil Society
5. Better co-ordinate Civil Society involvement
6. Promote cross-pollination of diverse Civil Society organisations

CONCLUSION

The restoration of the dignity of the African people requires that Africa end her dependency on the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. These institutions have brought untold harm to the continent and her people, and have played a singular role in the impoverishment of the African continent.

We welcome an acknowledgement in the ministerial statement that Gender inequality is an obstacle to sustainable development. Africa must translate this acknowledgement into a real commitment by allocating sufficient resources to the promotion of gender equality, and immediately address the serious lag in gender mainstreaming at all levels.

The WSSD should be used as benchmarks for governments to establish key performance indicators to commit themselves to implement safe minimum living standards necessary for ensuring quality of life and environmental quality for all, especially the poor.

A decade of INACTION IS OVER

It is now time for ACTION !!

Annex IV

REPORT ON THE AFRICAN INDUSTRY WORKSHOP

AFRICAN PREPARATORY CONFERENCE FOR THE WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (WSSD)

(Nairobi, 15-18 October 2001)

AFRICAN INDUSTRY WORKSHOP REPORT

15 October, Nairobi, Kenya

Welcome address

1. Mr Sekou Toure, Director, Regional Office for Africa, UNEP welcomed participants and emphasized that the workshop provided an opportunity to prepare an appropriate statement for presentation to the Ministerial Segment. Mr Osmane Laye, representative of the Expanded Joint Secretariat emphasized the importance of the contribution from the industry and appreciated the input made by UNIDO in the regional prepratory process.

Opening remarks

2. Ms Wanda Hoskin, from the Division of Technology, Industry and Economics (DTIE, UNEP) made a presentation as an opening remarks on the WSSD and the industry input to the process. She indicated that DTIE has been developing industry consultations at national and regional levels towards the next Summit on Sustainable Development that will take place in Johannesburg in 2002. She explained the processes that will take place prior to the WSSD conference. DTIE/UNEP had coordinated the following in consultation with the industry and other stakeholders.

DTIE contribution to the WSSD process

Regional workshops under the framework of PrepComs

The key issues discussed in the reports and the preparatory meetings included annexed

Election of the Bureau and adoption of the agenda

3. Ms Laurraine Lotter of the Chemical and Allied Industries Association of South Africa was elected Chair. Mr Hezekiah Macharia of Kenya and Ms Rose Chekenya of Zimbabwe were chosen as Rapporteurs.

Presentation of the Africa industry report

4. Mr Chris Buckley presented the Africa industry report, which recorded some of the major contributions made by African industry to achieving sustainable development since 1992, reviewed the successes and failures in implementation and set a foundation for future action through identification of challenges.

5. Participants welcomed the report as a useful contribution to the background information for the Summit and as a foundation for African industry to consider actions that needed to be taken to address the challenges. It was agreed that comments made during the meeting would be incorporated in a refined version of the industry report. In addition it was agreed that participants would be given 10 days to provide written comments on the report, which would be sent to the secretariat for incorporation. Examples of input for incorporation in the final report would be specific information on countries and industries.

Discussion of the industry report

6. The following points were made on the report:

Presentation on challenges of sustainable industrial development in Africa

7. A representative of UNIDO said that UNIDO had been providing inputs to the African preparatory process for WSSD at the following two levels:

8. With regard to the development and performance of industry in Africa, he indicated that:

(a) The performance of manufacturing industry had been declining in Africa over the last decade;

(b) Globalization had been having an adverse effect on industry in Africa;

(c) Untreated industrial waste had been causing significant pollution of the environment in Africa.

9. To deal with those problems he advocated the following:

(a) The development of national policies and strategies for sustainable industrial development that would provide the basis for sustainable poverty reduction; promote efficient financial, human and natural resource utilization; improve industrial governance through dynamic public-private sector partnership; facilitate the mainstreaming of sustainability in industrial development activities, and enhance synergies between projects and programmes;

(b) The transfer of technology and skills to promote industrial competition by enhancing the entrepreneurial and technological capacity of African industries to compete in the global market; developing and implementing national export promotion strategies through eco-efficient production; and identifying the unique opportunities for Africa in the emerging knowledge economy and developing its market niche.

(c) The implementation of integrated pollution prevention and control (IPPC) by assisting countries to adopt it as the core of their industrial environmental management policies and strategies; creating financing mechanisms for the transfer of clean and efficient processing and treatment technologies; and promoting policy coordination at the national and international level.

Working groups

10. Three working groups were formed to discuss the following topics:

Formulation of recommendations for forwarding to the ministerial segment

11. Participants considered a draft set of elements prepared by the Chair and rapporteurs and agreed that the Chair could prepare a statement containing the elements agreed and deliver it to the ministerial segment.

12. The Chair thanked all participants for their hard work during a day of intensive deliberation.