The recently signed Kyoto
Protocol and the transition of the Organization
of African Unity (OAU) to a new African Union
may provide significant opportunities for development
on the African continent.
At
a July meeting of the OAU in Lusaka, Zambia,
nations confirmed the formation of the African
Union. The OAU has already entered a 12-month
transition period to the new union, during which
details of the new body will be negotiated. The
United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) believes
this is an opportune time to strengthen its collaboration
with African institutions and to be a full partner
in the major initiatives on the continent.
"Africa is a top priority for UNEP," said
Klaus Toepfer, Executive Director of the UNEP. "Along
with the continent's human capital, its rich
and abundant biodiversity is of great importance
to Africa, and the entire world."
The UNEP has already secured resources from
the Global Environment Facility to support the
environmental component of the new African initiative.
New sources of funding from the recently signed
Kyoto Protocol will also aid environmental concerns
in Africa. The funds agreed upon at the Climate
Change conference in Bonn in July include the
Special Climate Change Fund and a fund for Least
Developed Countries (LDCs). These funds are earmarked
for renewable and clean energy projects, forestry
schemes and other programs that help developing
countries adapt to the impacts of climate change.
European Union (EU) countries, Switzerland and
Canada have pledged $410 million to the funds,
with Canada pledging an additional $10 million
to start the LDC fund.
Many countries
in Africa qualify for grants from the LDC fund
as well as from the Climate
Change fund. "Africa, the continent which
scientists tell us will be hardest hit by climate
change, must have its fair share of these new
funds," said Toepfer.
The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) of the
Kyoto Protocol gives developed countries the
opportunity to offset some of their domestic
emissions by paying for carbon saving projects
in developed countries. This is beneficial for
developing countries where small energy projects
of less than 15 mega watts can be installed quickly
under the CDM.
"Africa must use this as a new development
opportunity," said Pedro Sanchez, Director
General of the International Centre for Research
in Agroforestry (ICRAF) in Nairobi, Kenya. "It
opens the way for doing a lot of important work
that will not only have environmental benefits,
but ones related to health, hunger and poverty."
A partnership has been established between the
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
(UNECA) and the new African Union to support
economic development in African countries.
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