AMCEN/14/REF/2
NEW PARTNERSHIP FOR AFRICA’S DEVELOPMENT
(NEPAD)
REVIEW OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ACTION PLAN
OF THE NEPAD ENVIRONMENT INITIATIVE
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
……………………………………7
1.
1.1
1.2
1.3
Introduction and Background
Introduction
Objectives and Scope of the Review
Methodology
A.
Progress Review: Achievements in Implementation of the EAP
2.
Review of Thematic Area 1: Combating Land Degradation, Drought……….10
and Desertification
2.1
Planned Activities
2.2
Achievements at Regional, Sub-regional and National Levels
2.2.1
Regional Level
2.2.2
Sub-regional Level
2.2.2.1
North Africa - The Arab Maghreb Union (AMU)
2.2.2.2
Central Africa – ECCAS
2.2.2.3
West Africa- ECOWAS
2.2.2.4
East Africa Sub-region – IGAD
2.2.2.5
Southern Africa - SADC
3.
Review of Programme Area 2: Conserving Africa’s Wetlands
3.1
Planned Activities
3.2
Achievements at the Regional, Sub-regional and National Levels
3.2.1
Flagship Regional Achievements
3.2.2
Flagship Sub-regional Achievements
3.2.2.1
North Africa - The Arab Maghreb Union (AMU)
3.2.2.2
Central Africa – ECCAS
3.2.2.3
West Africa- ECOWAS
3.2.2.4
East Africa- IGAD
3.2.2.5
Southern Africa – SADC
30
4.
Review of Programme Area 3: Prevention, Control, and Management of Invasive
Alien Species
36
4.1
Planned Activities
4.2
Achievements at Regional, Sub-regional and National Levels
4.2.1
Flagship Regional Achievements
4.2.2
Flagship Sub-regional Achievements
4.2.2.1
North Africa - The Arab Maghreb Union (AMU)
4.2.2.2
Central Africa – ECCAS
4.2.2.3
West Africa- ECOWAS
4.2.2.4
East Africa- IGAD
4.2.2.5
Southern Africa – SADC
5.
Review of Programme Area 4: Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine,
Coastal and Fresh Water Resources
41
5.1
Planned Activities
5.2
Achievements at Regional, Sub-regional and National Levels
5.2.1
Regional Achievements
5.2.2
Sub-regional Achievements
5.2.2.1
North Africa - The Arab Maghreb Union (AMU)
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Central Africa – ECCAS
West Africa – ECOWAS
East Africa – IGAD
Southern Africa – SADC
5.2.2.2
5.2.2.3
5.2.2.4
5.2.2.5
6.
Review of Programme Area 5: Combating Climate Change in Africa
6.1
Planned Activities
6.2
Achievements at Regional, Sub-regional and National Levels
6.2.1
Regional Achievements
6.2.2
Sub-regional Achievements
6.2.2.1
North Africa - The Arab Maghreb Union (AMU)
6.2.2.2
Central Africa – ECCAS
6.2.2.3
West Africa – ECOWAS
6.2.2.4
East Africa – IGAD
6.2.2.5
Southern Africa – SADC
47
7.
Review of Programme Area 6: Trans-Boundary Conservation and Management
of Natural Resources
59
7.1
Planned Activities
7.2
Achievements at Regional, Sub-regional and National Levels
7.2.1
Regional Achievements
7.2.2
Sub-regional Achievements
7.2.2.1
North Africa - The Arab Maghreb Union (AMU)
7.2.2.2
Central Africa – ECCAS
7.2.2.3
West Africa – ECOWAS
7.2.2.4
East Africa – IGAD
7.2.2.5
Southern Africa – SADC
8.
Review of Programme Area 7: Cross Cutting Issues
8.1
Planned Activities
8.2
Achievements at Regional, Sub-regional and National Levels
8.2.1
Regional Achievements
8.2.2
Sub-regional Achievements
8.2.2.1
North Africa - The Arab Maghreb Union (AMU)
8.2.2.2
Central Africa – ECCAS
8.2.2.3
West Africa – ECOWAS
8.2.2.4
East Africa – IGAD
8.2.2.5
Southern Africa – SADC
63
B.
Challenges in Implementation and Recommendations
9.
9.1
Challenges and Constraints in Implementing the Environmental Action Plan.69
Regional, Sub-regional and National Challenges
10.
10.1
10.2
10.3
Emerging Trends and Recommended Priority Approaches and Actions
Emerging Areas
Recommendations at Regional, Sub-regional and National Level
Opportunities for Resource Mobilization and Capacity Building
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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS
ACDI
Canadian International Development Agency
ACMAD
African Centre of Meteorological Applications for Development
ADIE
Association for the Development of Environmental Information
AEO
Africa environment Outlook
AFD
Agence Francaise de Developpement
AfDB
African Development Bank
AGHRYMET
AGRHYMET Regional Center
AMCEN
African Ministerial Conference on Environment
AMCOW
African Ministerial Conference on Water
AMU/UMA
Arab Maghreb Union
APNEI
Action Plan for the NEPAD Environment Initiative
AU
Africa Union
CARPE
Central Africa Regional Programme for the Environment
CEDARE
Center for Environment and Development for the Arab Region
and Europe
CEFDHAC
Conference on the Dense Humid Forest Ecosystem of Central
Africa
CENSAD
Community of Sahel-Saharan States
CIFOR
Centre fir International Forestry Research
CILSS
Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel
COMIFAC
Central Africa Forest Commission
DDC
Direction du développement et de la coopération
ECCAS
Economic Community of Central Africa States
ECOWAS
Economic Community of West African States
FAO
United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation
GEF
Global Environment Facility
GEO
Global Environment Outlook
GHG
Green House Gases
GM
Global Mechanism
GTZ
German Technical Cooperation
ICARDA
International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas
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ICRAFT
World Agroforestry Centre
IGAD
Inter-Governmental Authority on Development
IMF
International Monetary Fund
ITTO
International Tropical Timber Organisation
IUCN
International Union for the Conservation of Nature
LCBC
Lake Chad Basin Commission
LME
Grand Ecosystème Marin
MAP
Mediterranean Action Plan
MAB/BR
Man and the Biosphere/Biosphere Reserves (UNESCO)
MCSD
Mediterranean Commission for Sustainable Development
MEAs
Multilateral Environmental Agreements
MDGs
Millennium Development Goals
NAPA
National Adaptation Plan of Action
NAP
National Action Plan
NEAP
National Environmental Action Plan
NEPAD
New African Partnership for Development
NGO
Non-Governmental Organanisation
NPCA
NEPAD Planning and Coordination Agency
NSB
National Strategy for Biodiversity
OAB (ATO)
African Timber Organisation
OCIALAV
Organisation Commune de Lutte Antiacridienne et de Lutte
Antiaviare
OEMOA
West African Economic and Monetary Union
OMVG
Organisation pour la Mise en Valeur du Fleuve Gambie
OSS
Sahara and Sahel Observatory
PARS-AO
Programme d'Action sous-régional de la lutte contre la sécheresse
en Afrique de l'Ouest
PRGIE
Regional Programme for the Management of Environmental
Information
RAPAC
Central Africa Regional Network of Protected Areas.
RECs
Regional Economic Communities
REPOFBAC
Réseau des Politiques Forestières dans le Bassin du Congo
PASRAN
Programme d’Action Sous-regional pour l’Afrique du Nord
SADC
Southern Africa Development Community
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SINEPAD
Interim Secretariat of NEPAD
SPCB
Strategic Plan for Capacity Building
SREAP
Sub-regional Environmental Action Plan
TORs
Terms of Reference
UEMOA/WAEMU West African Economic and Monetary Union
UNCBD
United Nations Conventionon Biodiversity
UNCCD
United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
UNECA
United Nations Economic Commision for Africa
UNEP
United Nations Environment Programme
UNDAF
United Nations Development Assistance Framework
UNDP
United Nations Development Programme
UNECA
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
UNESCO
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation
UNFCC
United Nations Framework Convention to Combat Climate
Change
UNICEF
United Nations
USAID
United States Agency for International Development
WFP
World Food Programme
WHO
World Health Orgainsation
WWF
World Wide Fund for Nature
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1.
1.1
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
Introduction
The New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) is an African Union (AU)
programme adopted in 2001. Its broad scope is to identify and implement new priorities and
approaches that are intended to aide Africa’s political and socio-economic transformation for
purposes of enhancing the continent’s growth, development and participation in the global
economy. NEPAD consists of six programmes, namely: agriculture and food security, climate
change and natural resources management, regional integration and infrastructure, human
development, economic and corporate governance, and cross-cutting issues. While all the six
programmes are inter-related and jointly implemented to achieve NEPAD’s overall objective;
it is the climate change and natural resources management programme that infuses the
concept of environmental sustainability in all the other programmes. The environment subprogramme under the climate change and natural resources programme (i.e. the Environment
Initiative) emphasizes on introducing measures that will ensure that Africa is able to confront
its short term economic growth challenges without undermining long term environmental,
poverty eradication and social development imperatives. As such it focuses on projects and
interventions that are aimed at enhancing economic development through sustained
environmental management.
The implementation of the Environment Initiative is guided by an Action Plan that aims to
address the region's environmental challenges to ensure sustainable development and poverty
alleviation. The Action Plan, which was prepared through a participatory and consultative
process involving over 800 African experts, was adopted in Maputo in July 2003 at the AU’s
first ordinary assembly. It is organized according to clusters of programmatic and project
activities under the following eight thematic areas: (a) Combating land degradation, drought
and desertification; (b) Conserving Africa’s wetlands; (c) Prevention, control and
management of invasive alien species; (d) Conservation and sustainable use of marine,
coastal and freshwater resources; (e) Combating climate change in Africa; (f) Transboundary
conservation or management of natural resources; and (g) cross-cutting issues.
With support from Norway, UNEP is providing support to Mozambique, Libya, Ethiopia,
Ghana and Cameroon to develop their national action plans for the NEPAD EI on a pilot
basis. These pilot projects will provide key lessons for further implementation in other
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countries in Africa. When the Action Plan was adopted, it was intended to be implemented
over an initial period of ten years. This report reviews the implementation of the Action Plan
for the period 2003-2012.
1.2
Objectives and Scope of the Review
This report was commissioned by the NEPAD Planning and Coordination Agency (NPCA),
to review of the status of the implementation of the Action Plan of the NEPAD environment
Initiative. It is essentially a ‘stocktaking’ report that establishes the extent to which the
Action Plan has been implemented by inventorying existing and new processes, programmes
and projects that have been implemented to achieve objectives under each of the eight
thematic areas at regional, sub-regional and national levels to date. In addition to providing a
historical analysis of programmatic and project activities undertaken over the past ten years,
the review also provides futuristic insights on opportunities for resource mobilization and
capacity building under each of the thematic areas, and recommendations for enhanced
monitoring and evaluation of the Action Plan.
The report is structured as follows: Under each of the eight thematic areas 
Programmes/projects and activities that were planned to be carried out at regional,
sub-regional and national levels

Achievements made at regional, sub-regional and national levels

Challenges faced in implementation at regional, sub-regional and national levels

Opportunities for resource mobilization and capacity building at regional, subregional and national levels

Recommendations for effective monitoring and evaluation of Action Plan
implementation
1.3
Methodology
The methodology that was adopted in undertaking the study was two-pronged. The first
component consisted of a desk review of secondary sources of literature on the subject. This
entailed examining data/information on regional, sub-regional and national programme and
project activities supplied by UNEP/ROA and reports accessed through the internet. Because
a critical part of the research also focused on obtaining first-hand (primary) information on
unreported activities, the Terms of Reference made provision for key informant interviews
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with experts at the AMCEN Secretariat, AUC, and the NPCA. However, these interviews
were not undertaken save for a series of interviews with national implementers in Cameroon.
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A.
2.
PROGRESS REVIEW
Review of Thematic Area 1: Combating Land
Degradation, Drought and Desertification
The thematic area on ‘combating land degradation, drought and desertification’ of the
Environmental Action Plan (EAP) is inextricably linked to the objectives and focus areas of
United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). This is clearly outlined
under paragraph 63 of the EAP, which states that the objectives of this thematic area are to:
‘enhance support for the implementation of the objective of the Convention to combat
desertification in Africa’. As such, any assessment of progress/achievements made under the
EAP cannot be done in isolation of progress made towards achieving objectives of the
UNCCD, especially those contained in the UNCCD’s 10-year strategy.
Within the context of NEPAD and the EAP, issues related to land degradation are organized
into five Sub-regional Action Programmes (SRAPs) and a Regional Action Programme
(RAP). These consist of six thematic programme networks (TPNs) that concern integrated
water management, agro-forestry and soil conservation, rangelands, ecological monitoring
and early warning systems, new and renewable energy sources and technologies, and
sustainable agricultural farming systems. The purpose of the regional and sub-regional action
programmes is to provide a framework for coordinated action among countries and other key
stakeholders, which complement and support national level implementation. In order to
create synergies with the UNCCD’s 10-year strategy several countries are preparing for the
alignment of the national action programmes to the 10-year strategy. At the sub-regional
level, some sub-regional entities have also begun aligning their action programmes,
particularly the North, Central and Western African programmes.
Following the adoption of the Strategy, regional cooperation has received increasing attention
within UNCCD decision-making. An important demonstration of this is decision 3/COP 9,
which calls for strengthening the effectiveness and efficiency of regional coordination
mechanisms, with the view to facilitate cooperation among affected parties within the
regions, enhance synergies among relevant institutions and organizations, and respond to
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existing and emerging challenges, capacities and specific issues. The decision has led to: a
regional consultative committee has being established in November 2012 in Algiers to guide
and support regional coordination; a regional work programme being drafted as a practical
framework for joint activities and coordination within the region; a regional coordination unit
(RCU) for Africa, hosted by the African Development Bank in Tunis, being strengthened.
2.1
Planned Activities
The Action Plan envisaged the implementation of the thematic area on ‘combating land
degradation, drought and desertification’ to focus on specific priority interventions. These
interventions; which are to be implemented in cooperation with the secretariat of the
UNCCD, sub-regional organizations and host institutions of the four thematic programme
networks (TPNs); include:
(a) Sustainable land use (agroforestry and soil conservation) focusing on i.
Promotion of capacity-building activities, including pilot projects on agroforestry and
soil conservation in order to strengthen and support the work of community based
organizations;
ii.
Promotion of concessional investment flows to improve local incomes;
iii.
Facilitation of the adaption of technology and practices;
iv.
Support to decentralization in respect of strengthening rural community systems;
v.
Creation of an environment that enables policies to guarantee security of tenure for
land use.
(b) Integrated management of water resources focusing on i.
Assessment of the availability of water resources and strengthening of a water
resources information system;
ii.
Capacity-building, institutional strengthening and technical and scientific cooperation;
iii.
Support to institutional, legislative, regulatory and economic reforms;
iv.
Support to cooperation on integrated water resources management in international
river, lake and hydrological basins, including the establishment of trans boundary
pilot areas;
v.
Promotion of the development of sustainable water and sanitation infrastructures in
the dry lands.
(c)
Development of new and renewable energy sources focusing on -
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i. Strengthening cooperation and exchange of information between commercial energy
providers and research institutions working on renewable energy; and
ii. Promoting capacity-building for local communities to use alternative and renewable
energy sources.
(d) Development of sustainable agriculture focusing on i.
Promoting closer interaction between researchers and farmers;
ii.
Promoting the participation of women in decision-making processes concerning
agriculture;
iii.
Promoting adaptable and sound technologies to support sustainable agricultural
farming systems;
iv.
Promoting early warning systems;
v.
Promoting relevant incentive measures, including access to affordable funding and
credit;
vi.
Promoting access to markets for agricultural products from affected countries.
(e) Rational use of rangelands focusing on i.
Promoting research and development for sustainable use of rangelands, including
fodder production, animal husbandry and sand dune fixation;
ii.
Promoting the application of ecological monitoring programmes to dry land areas;
iii.
Supporting extension services and adult education in pastoral areas;
iv.
Supporting the collection and distribution of traditional knowledge from pastoral
communities;
v.
Promoting decentralization and participation of farmers and pastoralists in decisionmaking concerning rangelands;
vi.
Facilitating livestock movement to markets and reducing barriers in favour of
livestock trade.
2.2
Achievements at Regional, Sub-regional and National Levels
2.2.1 Regional Level
(a) Supporting African countries to prepare and finalize National Action Programmes
(NAPs) - The UNDP Integrated Drylands Development Programme is assisting countries to
among others things mainstream/integrate NAPs into national economic frameworks and
move from strategy development to effective implementation of the UNCCD including
through resource mobilization. The programme aims to ensure that issues that affect the
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drylands are addressed by macro-economic policies; reducing vulnerability to climatic
shocks, especially drought and improving adaptation to climate change; and improving local
governance for natural resource management.
(b) Great Green Wall Initiative - The AU, by a decision contained in Assembly/AUDec.137
(VIII) of January 2007, approved a proposal by AMCEN for the Implementation of the Great
Green Wall Initiative for the Sahara. The initiative is an environmentally important transAfrican project whose main objective is to check the advance of the Sahara Desert towards
the south and to provide transit sanctuary for migratory birds. In effect it aims to provide a
new environment across the Sahara.The width of the Great Green Wall is proposed to be
about 15km and up to 8,000km long, establishing a living green wall of trees and bushes and
habitat for birds and other animals running across 11 countries from Djibouti across the
continent to Senegal. The building of this pan-African Great Green Wall (GGW) was further
approved by an international summit during a side event of the joint Conference of the
Committees on Science and Technology and for the review of the implementation of the
UNCCD in February 2011, in Bonn.
(c) Sustainable land use (agroforestry and soil conservation) – (i) The ‘Monitoring of
Environment and Security in Africa’ (MESA) Initiative is a new regional initiative that
commences in 2013, as a follow up to the ‘Global Monitoring for Environment and Security
(GMES)’ Initiative. This €37 million programme will specifically focus on providing
infrastructural support, including upgrading and maintenance of receiving stations and
information and data management. It will also consolidate and further develop information
services in the thematic areas that are addressed by the African Monitoring of the
Environment for Sustainable Development Programme (AMESD), with the inclusion of new
thematic areas such as climate services and forest information. It will also promote crossfertilisation of environmental monitoring services and applications among the continent’s 5
sub-regions.
In addition, it will strengthen policy development frameworks and capacity building
initiatives. Of particular significance to combating land degradation, drought and
desertification, MESA will emphasize on inter alia, monitoring of soil and water conditions
for agriculture, tracking forest degradation and desertification and providing information to
policy and decision makers. As such it will be contributing towards the implementation of the
EAP’s focus area of: ‘Promotion of capacity-building activities, including pilot projects on
agroforestry and soil conservation in order to strengthen and support the work of community
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based organizations’. MESA is funded by the 10th European Development Fund (EDF), and
implemented under the coordination of the African Union Commission, which has been
delegated by 5 regional economic communities (CEMAC, ECOWAS, IGAD, IOC and
SADC) and by the African Caribbean and Pacific Secretariat to act on their behalf as
Delegated Regional Authorising Officer.
(ii) The Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) of the
NEPAD aims to enhance food security by promoting interventions designed to increase
agricultural production, improve nutritional value of staple foods, and ensure better access to
food for vulnerable groups. Of particular relevance to combating land degradation, drought
and desertification is CAADPs Pillar 1 on: ‘Extending the area under sustainable land
management and reliable water control Systems’. Under this pillar CAADP aims to inter alia,
reverse fertility loss and resource degradation, and ensure broad-based and rapid adoption of
sustainable land and forestry management practices in the smallholder as well as commercial
sectors. While this initiative does not directly respond any of the specific focus areas under
this thematic area of the EAP, it provides an important basis for ‘sustainable land use’.
(iii) The AU-ECA-AfDB Initiative on Land policy in Africa addresses the lack of
comprehensive national land policies in African countries which has been recognized as
one of the major factors contributing to many land-related problems such as inequitable
distribution of land, mismanagement of land resources, continued existence of land laws that
are inconsistent with current needs and delay in transactions as a result of lack of wellcoordinated land information system. The initiative aimed at building consensus among key
players in Africa on the vision of a successful land policy/land reform and agreeing on
comprehensive framework and guidelines for the formulation and implementation of land
policy in Africa. The Framework and Guidelines for Land Policy and Land Reform in Africa
was adopted by the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government in July 2009. This
intervention contributed towards the creation of an environment that enables policies to
guarantee security of tenure for land users as stipulated in the EAP.
(d) Development of Sustainable Agriculture – In 2006, the AU, NEPAD and the Government
of the Federal Republic of Nigeria organized the Africa Fertilizer Summit. This was aimed at
addressing the continent’s declining soil fertility, resulting from among other things, land
degradation, and to trigger an African Green Revolution. It focused on building consensus
around the key issues in increasing fertilizer use in Africa and agreeing on a strategy for
developing an Africa Fertilizer Action Plan to accelerate poor farmers’ access to fertilizer and
other agricultural inputs. As such, the Summit adopted the Abuja Declaration on Fertilizer for
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African Green Revolution. The Declaration inter alia resolved that ‘African Union Member
States will accelerate the timely access of farmers to fertilizers’, and the establishment of an
Africa Fertilizer Development Financing Mechanism by the African Development Bank. This
intervention promotes adaptable and sound technologies to support sustainable agricultural
farming systems as envisaged by the EAP.
(e) Establishing an integrated regional information system and promoting information
sharing on land degradation and desertification control and the mitigation of the effects of
drought - The African Drought Risk and Development Network (Drought Forum) has been
established with the support of the UNDP Drylands Development Centre and the Bureau for
Crisis Prevention and Recovery and the UNISDR. The Drought Forum is promoting the
development of coordinated strategies for enhanced and effective drought management at
national level. It is providing a platform that is assists in addressing issues related to drought
risk and its implications for development. The Forum on African Drought Risk and
Development (ADDF) held every year since 2005 is one of the important tools of the
network.
(f) The World Bank TerrAfrica Programme – The TerrAfrica programme is a global
partnership designed as a multi-partner platform organized around three programmatic
outcomes, with a view to enabling African Governments and their partners to scale up the
mainstreaming and financing of effective and efficient country-driven sustainable land
management approaches. It serves to focus attention, facilitate sharing of knowledge and best
practices, galvanize advocacy and make the case for increased investment in support of
sustainable land management interventions. TerrAfrica has a financing instrument, the
strategic investment programme, for action to tackle land degradation in sub-Saharan Africa.
(g) Other emerging regional interventions - In addition to the measures specifically outlined
in the EAP, the region developed, and in some cases implementing, projects within the
agriculture and natural resources sectors that have bearing on drought impact mitigation and
desertification control. These include: a number of projects concerning network activity
programmes on environmental monitoring and renewable energies that are to be supported by
multi-lateral partners, such as the GEF, the ADB’s FINESSE Programme (FINancing Energy
Services for Small-scale Energy users) or bilateral interested parties. The renewable energy
network has also been included in the International Action Programme adopted at the
International Conference for Renewable Energies held in Bonn (Germany) in June 2004.
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2.2.2 Sub-regional Achievements
The Action Plan identified specific sub-regional programmes and projects for the five subregions under this thematic area. These are outlines in the box below.
Table 1: Sub-regional category 1 Projects for Combating Land Degradation, Drought and Desertification
(a) The Arab Maghreb Union (AMU) – Green belt: Conservation and sustainable use of natural resources in the Maghreb
countries, Management of the watersheds of Wadi Mellegue and M soun-Inaoune; Rehabilitation and development of oases
ecosystems, and Implementation of a long term ecological monitoring network; (b) ECCAS – Generation of information for
awareness raising on bushfires in the ECCAS region, Water harvesting in the arid and semi-arid zones (Chad, Cameroon,
Central African Republic, and Sub-regional programme for training of primary school teachers in combating desertification
in the ECCAS region; (c) IGAD – Environmental education and training in the IGAD sub-region, Capacity building in
integrated water resources management in the IGAD sub-region, Household energy for poverty alleviation and the economic
empowerment of women in the IGAD sub-region, Building capacity for community-based natural resources management in
the IGAD sub-region, Rehabilitation and management of degraded rangelands in the IGAD sub-region, and Promotion of
sustainable crop production in the drylands of the IGAD sub-region: IGAD human resources and gender equity development
for semi-arid agricultural research; (d) SADC – The Kalahari-Namib Project on Transboundary Desertification Control in
Botswana, Namibia and South Africa, Demonstration phase activities of the Africa Land and Water Management initiative
in the Limpopo River Basin in southern Africa, Capacity building for integrated rangeland management in the SADC region,
Assessment of surface water resources of southern Africa, Protection and strategic uses of ground water resources in the
transboundary Limpopo Basin and drought prone areas of the SADC region, and The SADC Regional Project to Control
Infestation and Translocation of Aquatic Weeds; and (e) ECOWAS and CLISS – Management of shared natural resources,
diversification of livelihoods and strengthening of transboundary integration and combating of desertification (Mali and
Niger), Harmonization of phytosanitary legislation and regulations, integrated management of the Fouta Djallon highlands,
Integrated management of the Lake Chad Basin, Integrated management of the Senegal Rover Basin, and Integrated
management of the Gambia River Basin.
Significant progress was made by the respective sub-regional economic communities, during
this reporting period, to implement the above-cited programmes and projects. However, other
initiatives also emerged that addressed additional aspects of the thematic area under review.
The sub-regional achievements are outlined below.
2.2.2.1 North Africa - The Arab Maghreb Union (AMU)
Flagship Sub-regional Achievements
(a) Sub-regional Action Plan to Combat Desertification (SRAP/CD) - Under the
responsibility of AMU, the sub-region has adopted and is implementing a Sub-Regional
Action Plan to combat desertification (SRAP/CD). Implementation is through research
activities initiated in the arid and semi-arid zones, the support for rural development through
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the decentralised local structures, the updating of natural resource inventories and the
monitoring and evaluation according to a participative approach, and the attempt to integrate
the NAP/CD in the development plans. The combat against land degradation is an integral
part of the combat against desertification, whereby several initiatives of agronomical nature,
notably for the amendment and the fertilisation of soils, are being carried out.
(c) Implementation of SRAP/CD - The Arab Maghreb Union (AMU) has undertaken activities
to ensure that all the stakeholders involved in desertification control should participate in the
implementation of the SRAP/CD. The AMU has succeeded in mobilizing development
partners for that purpose. Member States have made undertakings to contribute to the cost of
specific projects. The AMU has also developed new activities in the area of desertification
control as part of the Operational Programme on sustainable land management of the Global
Environment Fund (GEF) and the Environment Initiative of the New Partnership for Africa’s
Development (NEPAD). Lastly, the AMU is playing an active part in desertification
monitoring and assessment.
(d) Implementation of a Long Term Ecological Monitoring Network – A long-term Ecological
Monitoring and Observatory Network was established through the initiation of the Sahara and
Sahel Observatory (OSS). The network covers 12 affected countries in the sub-region. It
gathers environmental data for use of decision makers, and has facilitated observatories in 11
countries in the sub-region to operate and gather high quality information on the evolution of
natural resources and the effectiveness of management systems.
(e) Conservation and Sustainable use of Natural Resources in the Maghreb - Through
collaboration with regional experts from research and governmental institutions and NGOs,
the WWF Mediterranean Program Office identified a number of important forest areas that
constitute well-preserved forests with high biodiversity values and in urgent need of
protection. A significant project that emanated from this initiative is the 5 year "Green Belts
against Desertification," project that focuses on eco-region conservation at a landscape level.
The project is active in the "Kroumerie-Mogod Green Belt" in Tunisia (which includes El
Feija National Park and all the Tunisian Important Forest Areas related to this eco-region)
and the "Middle Atlas Green Belt" in Morocco which includes Tazekka National Park and a
number of other important sites.
(e) Strengthening of the role of civil society in combating desertification - In 2004, the NGO
network for combating desertification in the Maghreb (ROM-LCD) mobilised USD 75 000
from IFAD to support a two-year project on combating desertification. The project, which
was 2005, is being implemented by NGOs in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. The activities
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have served to identify and implement innovative techniques for combating desertification
and restoring degraded areas, have reinforced participatory planning of integrated projects to
combat desertification at local level, and have raised awareness and enhanced information
exchange at national and sub-regional level.
Flagship National Achievements
(a)
Lybia

Great Green Wall - Libya commenced the implementation of the Great Green Wall
for the Sahara Initiative (GGWSI) and the country has been a driving force in the
support of some of the countries that are directly concerned with the implementation
of the GGWSI
(b)
Tunisia

Tunisia made important strides in monitoring interventions to combat drought through
establishing a Desertification Information System (DIS) for NAP implementation.
The system assesses the impact of investments made in fighting desertification and
enables the compilation of management charts for national policy-makers at different
levels. In addition, a desertification information pooling system (DIS) was set up to
provide crucial information for national planning, helping ensure sustainable
development by helping decision-makers to make appropriate choices.

Through the Mediterranean Renewable Energy Programme (MEDREP), UNEP with
support from the Italian Ministry of Environment and Territory is promoting
renewable energy investments in Tunisia through the PROSOL Tunisia initiative, a
solar loan facility to help thousands of Tunisian households acquire solar water
heaters. A similar programme for hotels in Morocco has targeted 80 hotels for new
solar water heater systems

The GEF funded the Land Degradation Assessment (LADA) project, a global
initiative implemented by UNEP and executed by FAO with support of the UNCCD
secretariat, the Global Mechanism and the International Soil Reference and
Information Centre (ISRIC). Tunisia was selected as one of the pilot project countries.
The project developed and tested effective assessment tools for land degradation in
drylands. The project was expected to produce the global land degradation assessment
(GLADA) which will allow Parties to the UNCCD to have an overview of the status
of land degradation and to identify the areas where targeted investment may be
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needed to stop and/or reverse land degradation. At the same time, the identification of
bright spots will allow countries to exchange methods for ecosystem management that
have proved to be effective.

Environmental education and conservation - The WWF Mediterranean office, in
close collaboration with the Tunisian Forestry Department has been active in El Feija
National Park, undertaking a number of environmental education, conservation
(mainly related to the endangered and endemic Barbary deer (Cervus elaphus
barbarus), and sustainable development activities.

The Tunisian Government, the World Bank, and UNDP are planning to develop a
number of conservation and development activities in key forest sites in the northwestern part of Tunisia (El Feija National Park).
(c)
Morocco

Biodiversity conservation - The Moroccan Government launched a World
Bank/Global Environment Facility project on biodiversity conservation. The goal is to
enlarge the national protected areas network, create new national parks, declare a
number of these priority sites as nature reserves, and improve the management
systems of 13 areas, by establishing management plans, improving local capacity, and
involving local populations in nature resource management. Related to this, the Water
and Forest Directorate of the Forests and Water Ministry also identified 154 Sites of
Biological and Ecological Interest, which basically correspond with the Moroccan
Important Forest Areas.
(d)
Algeria

Biodiversity conservation- The Algerian government plans to enlarge the Protected
Areas Network and to classify a number of key areas, such as Djebel Babor, as a
nature reserve. In addition, a biodiversity strategy and action plan has been prepared,
in which attention has been given to the design and management of protected areas in
the country.
222.2 Central Africa - ECCAS
The Action Plan identified three category 1 priority programmes/projects for the Central
Africa sub-region. These are: (a) Generation of information for awareness raising on bush
fires in the ECCAS Region, (b) Water harvesting in arid and semi-arid zones (Chad,
Cameroon, Central African Republic), and the (c) Sub-regional programme for training of
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primary school teachers in combating desertification in the ECCAS Region. Progress has
been made in some but not all of the projects. However, progress was also reported in some
category 2 and 3 projects such as the: (a) Development of sub-regional strategy for combating
desertification and (b) Desertification observatory in Central Africa. In addition
Flagship Sub-regional Achievements
(a) Sub-regional Strategy for Combating Desertification - Progress has been made in the
preparation of the SRAP for Central Africa. The Conference of Ministers for the Forests of
Central Africa (COMIFAC) (i.e. the specialized body in charge of providing the UNCCD’s
technical secretariat) prepared a Convergence Plan for the policies of member States and
these have, in turn, been recognized as the basic document for the drafting of the SRAP. One
critical component of COMIFAC’s Convergence Plan is ‘Ecosystem planning and
reforestation’, which is concerned with desertification control activities and includes the
planning of sub-regional forest projects to combat desertification in environmentally
vulnerable areas. Programmes are currently being prepared for the implementation of this
component focusing on four priorities, viz. (i) Support for NAP preparation in countries of the
sub-region still without NAPs; (ii) Improved collection and management of data (biophysical
and socio-economic) and elaboration of systems for the collection and processing of
harmonized data for all countries in the sub-region; (iii) Search for funding to continue the
preparation of the Central Africa SRAP and NAPs; and (iv) Awareness-creation among
stakeholders at sub-regional level regarding the Convention and the problems of sustainable
land management. The SRAP was adopted in September 2008.
(b) Integrated Water Management (Assessment of the availability of water resources and
strengthening of a water resources information system) - The African Monitoring of
Environment for Sustainable Development (AMESD) initiative established two operational
services for the ECCAS region. These are the: Elaboration of Low Flow Warning System of
Ubangi River for navigators on Congo River ;and Monitoring water balance of Congo Basin.
Both services deal with the monitoring of climate variability and climate change impacts. It
focuses on the monitoring of climate change impacts, including land degradation, through
hydrological parameters (i.e. water level, discharge, ETP, rainfall, runoff, etc.).
(c) The Programme for the Preservation of the Congo Basin Ecosystem
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Flagship National Achievements
(a)
Cameroon

National Action Plan to Combat Desertification under the Ministry of the
Environment, Protection of Nature and Sustainable Development (MINEP)

National Reforestation Programme under MINEP

There is a Focal Point in charge of CNEAP for the implementation of the NEPAD
Environment Initiative appointed by the MINEP; iv) A Focal Points is designated for
each international convention. However, it is not stated who is to chair the NCCESD
and the ICE nor where the Secretariat is located and how it is to be funded
222.3 West Africa - ECOWAS
The Heads of State and Governments, during their summit in Yamoussoukro in May 2002,
designated the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as the "Subregional organisation responsible for the coordination and monitoring of the implementation
of NEPAD programmes". This mandate places ECOWAS as the lead institution for the
overseeing the implementation of the NEPAD Environment Initiative in the Sub-region. For
the sub-region the EAP identified six priority programmes/projects for implementation.
These are the: Management of shared natural resources, diversification of livelihoods and
strengthening of transboundary integration and combating of desertification (Mali and Niger);
Harmonization of phytosanitary legislation and regulations; Integrated management of the
Fouta Djallon Highlands; Integrated Management of the Lake Chad Basin; Integrated
Management of the Senegal River Basin and; Integrated Management of the Gambia River
Basin.
Flagship Sub-regional Achievements
(a) Sub-Regional Action Plans - The ECOWAS Ministers during their Conference of 2527/06/07 held in Accra, resolved among other things to: endorse the SRAP for West Africa
for the implementation of the NEPAD Environment Initiative; urge West African countries to
provide an enabling environment for the participation of all stakeholders, including the
private sector and civil society, in the Action Plan; and request West Africa countries to take
appropriate measures to make adequate national budgetary allocations for the implementation
of the priority programmes of the SRAP. The SRAP provides a permanent framework for
coordination between the countries of the region and has facilitated the establishment of
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bodies for the purpose of on-going consultations on specific topics. These joint bodies have
received the support of the international community within the framework of multilateral and
bilateral partnerships. These bodies include the: West Africa Economic and Monetary Union
(UEMOA), the Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS), and its
specialised agencies and, River Basin organisations.
(b) Participatory Approaches to Implementation – The sub-region also witnessed a spread of
the participatory approach arising from the progress achieved by the States of the sub-region
with decentralization. The decentralization policy has led to increased involvement by local
stakeholders in the management of natural resources and the resulting emergence of a
growing number of legally recognized farmers’ organizations
(c) Integrated Management of the Fouta Djallon Highlands – The sub-region reported
significant progress in enhancing the management of water resources, and ecosystems of the
Fouta Djallon Highlands (FDH) and early warning systems. The development objective of
the ten-year Project is to ensure the sustainable management of the natural resources of the
Fouta Djallon Highlands over the medium to long-term (2025) in order to improve rural
livelihoods of the population directly or indirectly dependent on the FDH. The environmental
objective of the Project is to mitigate the causes and negative impacts of land degradation on
the structural and functional integrity of the ecosystems of the Highlands through the
establishment of a regional legal and institutional framework and institutional capacity. Some
of the main activities undertaken include: establishment of a permanent coordination and
monitoring machinery attached to the ECOWAS Secretariat that creates a regional
cooperation framework for the coordinated and integrated management of shared watersheds;
launch of a coordinated approach for the development of the Niger River and the use of its
water resources by neighbouring countries; establishment of a body in charge of managing
the Volta Basin for collecting and transmitting hydrological and climatological data;
promoting cooperation between countries of the Fouta Djallon Highlands region; promoting
the integrated management of the resources of the Senegal River; Launch of coordination and
capacity-building activities in relation to the integrated; management of invasive aquatic
plants; Introduction of continuous desertification monitoring networks with the support of the
meteorological transition project in Africa launched in 2004, involving national
meteorological authorities in the UNCCD process.
(d) Harmonization of phytosanitary legislation and regulations - In 2007, West African
Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) adopted a sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS)
Regulation relating to food safety and the protection of animal and plant life and health. In
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2009, WAEMU adopted two additional regulations. This was in line with its sub-regional
strategy to foster harmonization of SPS standards in the sub-region. ECOWAS, on the other
hand is preparing its own Regulation. The ECOWAS Regulation (C/REG…06/09 on the
Harmonization of the Structural Framework and Operational Rules Pertaining to the Health
Safety of Plant, Animals and Foods in the ECOWAS Region) is still work-in-progress, but is
very similar to the WAEMU SPS Regulation. The development of the ECOWAS Regulation
corresponds to efforts to harmonize regulations between the two regions and was expected to
enter into force in 2010.
(e) Other emerging initiatives – There were several initiatives that were commenced by
organizations such as CILSS/Regional Centre for Training and Application in Agrometeorology and Operational Hydrology (AGRHYMET) in cooperation with the World
Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the Centre for the Application of Computer
Science in Agriculture (CeSIA). These included the project on the “Introduction of
continuous desertification monitoring networks in West Africa”, that aims to strengthen local,
national and sub-regional capacities in the areas of prevention, drought control,
desertification, food insecurity and the degradation of natural resources.
Flagship National Achievements
Ghana
Ghana, as the pilot country in the West Africa sub-region, recorded significant achievements
under this thematic area in line with the EAP. Some of the achievements include:

Land and Agriculture - Conserved, rehabilitated and extended sacred grove of trees,
grasses and other natural resources; Established mango plantations that are
communally owned and managed; Communities are now practicing integrated natural
resources management; Constructed bunds in rice fields to conserve water and
increase productivity; and Established and managed seed nurseries

Forestry - Controlled bushfires in many communities

Biodiversity - Designated reserve areas, some of which are particularly valued for
their medicinal plants
Ghana is also one of the pilot countries under the Strategic Investment Program (SIP) for
Sustainable Land Management for Sub-Saharan Africa. The programme aims to support the
country to design and manage programs of activities that advance sustainable land
management (SLM) mainstreaming, improve governance for SLM, and strengthen coalition
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development. The programme allows individual countries, including Ghana, to focus their
strategies on a clear set of priority issues for the global environment, build and capture
synergies, and apply a common set of tracking tools to monitor progress.
Other notable achievements include the development of the Gender Equity Strategy and
Action Plan (GESAP) by the Environmental Protection Agency of Ghana (EPA). The
GESAP aims to address gender issues during the implementation of the Ghana
Environmental Management Project (GEMP). The GEMP initiative aims to restore degraded
lands, and help combat desertification, drought and other natural disasters in the nation’s
Savannah zone. It is being funded by the Canadian Government
222.4 East Africa Sub-region – IGAD
The EAP identified six category 1 priority programmes/projects for the East Africa subregion. These are: (a) Environmental education and training in the IGAD sub-region, (b)
Capacity building in integrated water resources management in the IGAD sub-region, (c)
Household energy for poverty alleviation and the economic empowerment of women in the
IGAD sub-region, (d) Building capacity for community-based natural resources management
in the IGAD sub-region, (e) Rehabilitation and management of degraded rangelands in the
IGAD sub-region, and (f) Promotion of sustainable crop production in the drylands of the
IGAD sub-region: IGAD human resources and gender equity development for semi-arid
agricultural research.
Flagship Sub-regional Achievements
(a) Sub-regional Action Plan - A plan to assist in the implement the SRAP was developed
and finalized and a sub-regional support facility was set up with the support of the Global
Mechanism and the African Development Bank (ADB). Ancillary activities aimed at
enhancing the implementation of the SRAP were also carried out, and these include: studies,
workshops and seminars that prompted the active involvement of civil society in the
implementation of the SRAP in accordance with the basic principles of the UNCCD.
Furthermore, IGAD established cooperative mechanisms with its development partners in
order to implement its projects and programmes, such as the IGAD Partners’ Forum or the
Regional Support Strategy. These mechanisms facilitate a better management and
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coordination of development efforts within IGAD, thereby avoiding the wastage and
overlapping of resources and leading to improved results.
(b) Information collection, analysis and exchange in accordance with the SRAP –
Information collection and exchange is a critical component of the East Africa SRAP. During
the period under review, several programmes were developed to improve the exchange of
information between stakeholders in the IGAD region, such as the Regional Integrated
Information System (RIIS), the IGAD-HYCOS network and the Market Information System
(MIS). The collection, analysis and exchange of information was facilitated by projects on
remote sensing, the Preparation for the Use of Meteosat second-generation data in Africa
(PUMA) and the African Monitoring of the Environment for Sustainable Development
(AMESD).
(c) Joint planning for mitigating the effects of drought and other natural disasters – The
mitigation of effects of drought is an important component of the East Africa SRAP. The
AfDB funded pilot project on water harvesting in the drylands of the IGAD sub-region that
was launched in 2002, responds to this. It aims to develop a feasible, viable and sustainable
community-based water-harvesting program in the conflict-prone, arid and semi-arid areas of
the IGAD region.
(d) Provision of an enabling environment for the implementation of the UNCCD - The IGAD
Pro-poor livestock policy initiative is a capacity building programme that aims to build
institutional capacity within the IGAD Secretariat, IGAD member states, regional
organisations and other stakeholders to formulate and implement livestock sector and related
policies that sustainably reduce poverty and food insecurity.
(f) IGAD human resources and gender equity development for semi-arid agricultural
research – While not directly related to the EAP priority programmes, the establishment of a
bureau for the promotion of gender equality within the IGAD secretariat is expected to
enhance the mainstreaming of gender equity in agriculture and agricultural research.
(g) Other emerging initiatives – Other emerging sub-regional programmes include: the
Drought disaster resilience in the Horn of Africa initiative; and the IGAD Inland Water
Resources Management Programme.
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Flagship National Achievements
Ethiopia
Ethiopia is the pilot country from the East Africa sub-region. The country reported significant
progress in implementing its NAP in the context of the EAP. Highlights of the some of the
achievements are outlined below.
Agriculture and Rural Development Policy – (i) Ethiopia’s Agricultural and Rural
Development Policy embodies principles that are relevant to combating desertification and
mitigating the effects of drought. These include improving farming skills; improving the
supply, replication and dissemination of technologies; ensuring access to land and tenure
security; resolving problems of drought prone regions; and improving agricultural marketing
systems, promoting rural finance, developing the rural energy sector and rural
telecommunications. (ii) Furthermore, the country’s Food Security Strategy recognizes that
soil, water and vegetation, are the main asset base of both the farming community and the
country’s economy as a whole, and without which, the achievement of food security is
unlikely (Ethiopia Country Report, 2006). (iii) Another highlight is the country’s agricultural
research policy that gives special attention to agricultural research and development and
market-oriented economy. The country has therefore strengthened the lead research
institutions and has established joint research activities with International Center for
Agricultural Research in Dry Area (ICARDA), International Crop Research Institute for Semi
Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), and International
Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), among others.
Water sector policy - Ethiopia’s Water Sector Strategy is aimed at creating secure basis for
sustainable development and management of the country’s water resources (Ethiopia Country
Report, 2006).
Forestry sector - Rehabilitated degraded patches of remnant forest areas through enrichment
planting and enclosure; Instituted area enclosure and afforestation programmes; and
Introduced and disseminated fuel saving stoves and renewable energy.
Biodiversity sector – (i) Promoted eco-tourism based investments; and (ii) Utilized
indigenous knowledge systems for land and natural resource management such as in-situ
conservation of crop varieties, indigenous terrace building and application of an agro-forestry
system. This resulted in a reduction in the rate of genetic erosion and restoration of the local
seeds or landraces in regions where they were wiped out by severe drought, control of land
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degradation in the hilly and mountainous areas of Konso, and improved biodiversity
conservation, productivity and living standards of communities.
Water sector - Introduced moisture conservation and utilization, which includes water
harvesting and small-scale irrigation
Drought management - Ethiopia also embraced emerging innovative market schemes for
managing risks associated with drought through the Index-based weather insurance scheme.
This is expected to demonstrate the viability of insuring extreme risks, such as drought, and
enhance access to finance by farmers.
Agricultural research – Ethiopia’s (Source: Federal Environmental Protection Agency of
Ethiopia, 2006. Ethiopia’s input to the Africa review report on drought and desertification)
222.5 Southern Africa - SADC
During the period under review, SADC has developed
programmes and implemented
important activities in support of the implementation of the UNCCD within the priority areas
identified by the SRAP, namely: (a) Capacity-building; (b) Strengthening of early warning
systems; (c) Cooperation for the sustainable development of shared natural resources and
ecosystems; (d) Information gathering, processing and exchange; (e) Development of the
transfer of appropriate technology at the community level; (f) Development of alternative
sources of energy; and (g) Socio-economic issues. SADC also made efforts to implement
specific category 1 programmes/projects listed in the EAP. These are: (a) The KalahariNamib Project on Transboundary Desertification Control in Botswana, Namibia and South
Africa; (b) Demonstration phase activities of the Africa Land and Water Management
Initiative in the Limpopo River Basin in Southern Africa; (c) Capacity-building for integrated
rangeland management in the SADC region; (d) Assessment of surface water resources of
Southern Africa; (e) Protection and strategic uses of groundwater resources in the
transboundary Limpopo Basin and drought prone areas of the SADC region; and (f) The
SADC Regional Project to Control Infestation and Translocation of Aquatic Weeds. (Specific
details of progress made in the implementation of these programmes/projects are outlined in
Annex 1 to this report).
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Flagship Sub-regional Achievements
(a) Updating of the SRAP – In the context of SADC’s restructuring exercise, efforts were
made to ensure that the SRAP is aligned to SADC’s key policy document i.e. the Regional
Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) and factoring in other aspects such as DRR
(b) RISDP – The Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) clearly embraces
NEPAD’s environmental objectives and is aligned to the Millennium Development Goals
(MDGs). Policy interventions for the ‘Environment and Sustainable Development’ are also
outlined. Specific short, medium and long-term RISDP plans are being formulated.
(c) SADC Regional Early Warning System – The Regional Early Warning System (REWS)
provides advance information on food crop yields and food supplies and requirements. The
information signals Member States and stakeholders of impending food shortages or
surpluses (as the case may be) early enough for appropriate interventions. It is supported by
National Early Warning Units that have been established in all Member States to collect,
analyse and disseminate early warning information at country level; AIMS produces regional
reports.
(c) SADC-CSO partnership in combating desertification – The ‘Strategic Partnership for
Mobilizing Civil Society to Combat Land Degradation and Poverty in Southern Africa’
initiative aims to link inter-governmental processes in the sub-region with activities of NGOs
and CBOs. It focuses on enhancing resources available for the implementation of the
UNCCD, creating awareness among politicians and legislators about the implementation of
the UNCCD in SADC, establishing linkages between the three Rio Conventions, assisting
communities affected by land degradation and poverty in building capacity for resilience and
improved livelihood; and enhancing capacity within the NGO community to assist in
implementing the Sub-regional and National Action Plans of the UNCCD.
(d) SADC Land Reform Support Facility – SADC began examining the need to establish a
Land Reform Support Facility within the secretariat. The Land Reform Facility would
provide support to SADC Member States in developing and implementing land and agrarian
reforms, focusing on prioritized key land issues such as: Policy Implementation Support,
Capacity Building, Information and Communication and Research. A study was completed,
but the setting up of the facility is still to be done.
(e) Drought and Food Security – The SADC sub-region is giving heightened attention to
programs on drought and food security as a result of frequent droughts with devastating
impacts on Agriculture and food security. These programmes are supported by sub-regional
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policy framework such as the Dar es Salaam Declaration on Agriculture and food security in
the SADC region - to ensure food security and reverse chronic food shortage.
(f) Sustainable land management - SADC supported the identification and implementation of
transboundary natural resource management projects focusing on sustainable land
management. An example is the medium-sized project on ‘Sustainable land management in
the Limpopo basin’, which was conducted by UN-HABITAT with the support of the GEF
and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
(g) Transboundary water resources management – (i) Regional Strategic Action Plan on
Integrated Water Resources Management and Development: The SADC secretariat is
presently coordinating implementation of the third phase of the Regional Strategic Action
Plan on Integrated Water Resources Management and Development (RSAP) 2011-2015. The
RSAP is the framework for action to achieve the sustainable development of water resources
in the region through the development of water infrastructures on the basis of sound water
governance and water management. (ii) SADC Protocol on Shared Watercourse Systems: A
sub-regional legal instrument on shared watercourse systems in SADC was developed and
Member States are in varying stages of ratification, domestication and implementation. It
aims to harmonize the management of shared watercourses in the sub-region.
(h) The SADC Hydrological Cycle Observing System (SADC-HYCOS) - This project is a
regional component of the World Meteorological Organisation(WMO) programme aimed at
contributing to sub-regional socio-economic development through the provision of
management tools necessary for sustainable and cost effective water resources development,
management and environmental protection.
Flagship National Achievements
Mozambique
Mozambique is the pilot country in the southern Africa sub-region. The country reported
significant progress in implementing activities that contribute towards realizing the objectives
of the EAP under this thematic area. Highlights of the some of the achievements are outlined
below.
Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) – Mozambique has incorporated aspects of natural disaster
risk management as part of its national poverty reduction strategies. These have been
reflected in the national Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP).
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Agro-forestry Venture for Clean Cooking – Mozambique is implementing an integrated
business model for providing clean cooking fuels. The initiative aims to increase the use of
ethanol to replace charcoal as a cooking fuel in urban households. It assists smallholder
farmers to implement an agro-forestry system to increase food production and produce
feedstock for ethanol production, which is then sold to urban markets.
Green Economy – Mozambique will be embarking on creating a green economy. Its green
economy roadmap was launched during the Rio+20 Summit.
Review of Programme Area 2: Conserving Africa’s
3.
Wetlands
A NEPAD thematic workshop on wetlands that was held in Nairobi on 10-11 February 2003
developed a Strategy for conserving Africa’s wetlands, within the context of developing the
EAP. The strategy was influenced by outcomes of a consultative meeting held on the sidelines of COP8 of RAMSAR. The main objective of the strategy is to “promote and attain a
healthy and productive environment in which African countries and their people have
wetlands and watersheds that can support fundamental human needs such as clean water,
appropriate sanitation, food security and economic development’.
3.1
Planned Activities
The EAP outlines initial actions, identified from the Strategy, to be implemented within the
first 10 years. These actions are:
(a) Development of Plans and Policies to Promote Wise Use of Wetlands

TARGET: At the end of three years, review of legislation and practices which impact
on wetlands carried out in at least 30% of countries in each sub region; at least 30% of
countries in each sub region developing National Wetland Plans/Policies; and sharing
of experiences and lessons learned.
(b) Establishment of Sub-regional Wetland Networks

TARGET: At the end of three years, all sub regions in Africa would have established
Technical Wetlands Networks with clear terms of reference and all existing river or lake
basin organisations would have factored wetlands into their decision-making process
(c) Wetland Inventory/Appraisal, Monitoring and Assessment

TARGET: At the end of three years 30% of countries in the region without a
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wetland inventory will have embarked on a process to develop either a national
wetland inventory or a rapid national wetland appraisal and all sub regions will
have a network of representative wetland sites created that are being permanently
studied to create a body of long-term data and research on issues such as water
flows, seasonal variation, and others and the subsequent relations to human use,
valuation, productivity and biodiversity
(d) Demonstration of Integrated Approaches to Wetland Management

TARGET: At the end of three years; at least 5 demonstration projects, one per each sub
region, developed and funded to increase awareness of wetland values and functions.
Projects may include links to the Global Water Partnership, IWMI and other regional
initiatives including other sectoral programmes of NEPAD. Fifteen priority wetland
projects within priority river basins or coastal zones focusing on conservation and/or
restoration
(e) Demonstration of Approaches for Wetland Restoration and Rehabilitation

TARGET: At the end of five years; projects developed, funding secured and
implementation begun for six or more priority wetland sites focusing on restoration
and rehabilitation, at least one in each sub region
(f) Communication, Education and Public Awareness
TARGET: At the end of five years; projects developed, funding secured and
implementation begun for at least one awareness raising campaign in each sub region
or shared, international river basin and at least one awareness raising programme
developed to show the impact of climate change on wetlands and some of the adaptive
measures that can be undertaken at the national and local level.
(g) Capacity Development
TARGET: At the end of three years; at least one training centre and training
programme on wetland management and research, such as the Centre for African
Wetlands and the East African Wetland Management Training Course in operation
in each sub region and at least 20 percent of universities in the region integrating
wetland management and wise use of wetlands issues into their teaching curricula
Furthermore, specific projects were proposed to be implemented to respond to the abovementioned actions. These include: (a) Capacity building for wetlands assessment, planning,
management and monitoring in Africa; (b) Strengthening the information base and the
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opportunities for sharing experiences for the management of wetlands in Africa; (c)
Restoration and rehabilitation of African wetlands; (d) Integrated management of Wetlands
Ecosystems in Major Lake/River Basins in Africa; (e) Sustainable management of wetlands
to enhance communities’ livelihoods; (f) Management, restoration and rehabilitation of
coastal wetlands; (g) Assessment and monitoring of Africa’s freshwater ecosystems; (i)
Improving Africa’s freshwater ecosystems governance and management; and (j) Valuing
Africa’s freshwater ecosystems in economic development and poverty alleviation
3.2
Achievements at the Regional, Sub-regional and National
Levels
3.2.1 Flagship Regional Achievements
(a) National wetland policies and action plans - The Ramsar Convention’s, as an
intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action for the conservation
and wise use of wetlands and their resources, has been leading the implementation of this
thematic area through its secretariat. Although such implementation was done within the
context of the Ramsar secretariat’s mandate, significant actions that correspond to some of
the EAP’s initial actions were carried out. For instance, it laid down broad foundations for the
development of national wetland policies and the preparation of action plans in many African
countries. The work undertaken is classified into five categories, namely: i) Wise use of
wetlands; ii) Wetlands of national importance in Africa; iii) Threats to Ramsar wetland sites
and sites listed on the Monteux Record; iv) Updated Ramsar information sheets; and v)
International cooperation. Since June 2004, the principle of wise use of wetlands has been
applied in different ways throughout the Africa region. The Ramsar secretariat was also
involved in the preparation and the review of national wetlands policies of some countries.
(b) AMCEN’s Work Programme for the Biennium 2007 – 2008 - The programme provided
for the facilitation of the revision of the “Draft Sub-regional Environmental Action Plans
(SREAP) for the implementation of the NEPAD Environment Initiative”, and took resolution
on the implementation of the following work programme: (i) To lay down the foundations
for, and support measures aimed at the preparation of national wetlands policies for Central
and Southern Africa; (ii) To enhance capacities of countries to develop their National
Wetland Policies and prepare action/implementation plans.
(c) Demonstration of Approaches for Wetland Restoration and Rehabilitation - The WIOLaB project, funded by GEF supported the implementation of demonstration projects
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intended to promote innovative actions that will help reverse the degradation of the coastal
and marine environment, focusing on inter alia, the management of municipal wastewater,
using constructed wetlands and integrated algal ponding systems; restoration of degraded
mangrove forest areas through community-led replanting programmes and the provision of
alternative livelihood systems.
3.2.2 Flagship Sub-regional Achievements
3.2.2.1 North Africa - The Arab Maghreb Union (AMU)
(a) Capacity Development - The ‘Strengthening Water-bird And Wetland Conservation
Capacities In North Africa’ (Wetcap) programme aims to strengthen the capacities for water
bird and wetland conservation of all important stakeholders in the region, build knowledge
and provide better access to information on the critical network of sites required by migratory
water birds, and support local water bird and wetland conservation projects. Project, which
was developed by the Secretariat of the African-Eurasian Migratory Water bird Agreement
(UNEP/AEWA), has established training programmes on wetland management and
enhancing capacities in the sub-region.
(b) The Arab Maghreb Union (AMU) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature
(IUCN) Cooperation on Biodiversity Conservation – The AMU and IUCN have recently
agreed to sign a cooperation agreement to support joint efforts for biodiversity conservation
in North Africa. The cooperation will focus on three priority areas, namely: the valuation of
oasis ecosystems, the conservation of marine biodiversity, and adaptation to climate change
in the AMU countries.
Flagship National Achievements
Libya
Some of the achivements made by Libya in responding to the EAP include:

Identifying wetlands of international importance

Developing a wetlands inventory for purposes of designation. Libya has since designated
two new Ramsar sites i.e.the farwa lagoon and Ain Al ghazala

Updating information on fauna and flora in Ain Shagigah and Ain alzargha

Publishing the atlas of water birds in Libya
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3.2.2.3 Central Africa – ECCAS
Flagship Sub-regional and National Achievements
The study could not identify specific sub-regional initiatives in ECCAS due to lack of
information. However, a few projects were identified. These included:

USAID Central Africa Regional Program for Environment (CARPE-2) – The project
is located in the Maringa-Lopori-Wamba Landscape and complements other subregional activities implemented by the WorldFish in the Congo River Basin
(including work in Lake Tele Lake Tumba and Salonga-Lukenie-Sankuru) in
collaboration with WWF), and work with the World Conservation Society in the
Republic of Congo, as well as its work on co-management of forest river fisheries in
Cameroon. It focuses on e conservation of the Congo River Basin rainforest and
threatened flora and fauna therein including those found in wetlands. With the
importance of fishing to local livelihoods, the Worldfish Center has been
subcontracted by the African Wildlife Fund (AWF) to help develop a better
understanding of how fisheries function within the conservation and development
context of the Maringa-Lopori-Wamba Landscape.
At the national level activities have been reported within the context of Ramsar. For instance:
Cameroon

Government of Cameroon has designated two new Wetlands of International
Importance, bringing its total number of Ramsar sites to seven. One site is called
Partie Camerounaise du fleuve Ntem, while the other site is Zone Humide d'Ebogo.
According to Ramsar, the latter site is also an important ecotourism site in the area,
and a management plan is in preparation.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

DRC prepared a rapid inventory of the wetlands in the country in order to elaborate a
national wetlands policy.
3.2.2.3 West Africa - ECOWAS
Flagship Sub-regional Achievements
(a) Demonstration of Integrated Approaches to Wetland Management - The Saloum-Niumi
Complex project fosters transboundary cooperation and community participation in the
management of the Saloum-Niumi in Senegal and The Gambia. The project focuses on the
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conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity in the wetlands of the Sine Saloum
Delta and Niumi within the framework of transboundary cooperation. It emphasizes on
strengthening transboundary cooperation and participation of local communities in the
management of wetlands and waterbirds in the Saloum-Niumi Complex.
Flagship National Achievements
Ghana
The following notable achievements have been reported:

Integrated environmental management of wetlands through the support of measures
aimed
at
the
development
of
national
wetland
policies
and
preparing
action/implementation plans. The National wetlands policy has now been transformed
into an action plan that emphasizes on poverty reduction.
3.2.2.4 East Africa - IGAD
Flagship Sub-regional Achievements
(a) IGAD Strategy – Under the new IGAD strategy, IGAD will focus on conflict prevention,
management and resolution (CPMR) by Promoting CPMR in partnership with the Member
States. Among the areas of emphasis is the need to establishing mechanisms to address
conflicts such as fresh water, amongst others (IGAD, 2003). After the development of the
Environment Protection Strategy, IGAD had been preoccupied in the implementation of some
of its elements and components. Some of the programmes and projects developed, and
partially or totally implemented, included – reforestation projects to control erosion in some
member states, development of a Water programme, especially the elaboration of a project
proposal on management of selected shared water resources, development of a Fisheries
Programme, development of an Environment Information System as a basis for a continued
environmental assessment and monitoring and follow-up and development of regional and
international Conventions such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (IGAD, 2006).
Flagship National Achievements
Most countries in the sub-region have developed by laws of wetland protection and
sustainable use of biodiversity that ae being enforced through district Councils and
Environmental Conservation officers.
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3.2.2.4 Southern Africa – SADC
Flagship Sub-regional and National Achievements
(a) Development of Plans and Policies to Promote Wise Use of Wetlands - The IUCN’s Water
and Nature Initiative (WANI) facilitated the development of Plans and Policies to Promote
Wise Use of Wetlands and training in the sub-region. It also facilitated the preparation of the
Upper Zambezi Wetlands programme. The initiative was funded by Netherlands International
Development Agency (IDGIS).
(b) SADC Regional Wetlands Project – The SADC project on wetlands conservation aimed at
promoting awareness of the role, value and appropriate uses of wetlands amongst policymakers, resource planners, resource managers, extension workers and users, in particular
where they are shared between countries through the formulation of management plans that
congregate efforts and cooperation from the riparian countries in implementing of such plans.
4. Review of Programme Area 3: Prevention, Control, and
Management of Invasive Alien Species
Initial interventions to meet the EAP actions under this thematic area were identified at a
NEPAD thematic workshop on invasive alien species that was held in Pretoria, South Africa
on 23-24 January 2003. The workshop identified 14 project proposals for implementation.
These were identified as key initiatives to catalyse a comprehensive effort ‘to minimise the
impact of invasive alien species on the African continent’s people, economies and ecological
systems’. The specific projects are: (a) Assessment and Mitigation of the Impacts of Selected
Plant Invaders (Prosopis juliflora, Acacia spp.) in Agriculture, Forestry and Rangelands in
IGAD; (b) Sustainable management of key invasive woody species in Southern Africa; (c)
Assessment and Mitigation of the Impacts of Selected Woody Alien Plant Invaders (Prosopis
juliflora, Acacia spp.) in Agriculture, Forestry and Rangelands in Africa; (d) Assessment and
mitigation of the impacts of water hyacinth Eichornia crassipes and other invasive alien
aquatic plants (Pan-African); (e) Control of the invasive Indian House Crow on the Eastern
Africa coast and its hinterland; (f) Mitigation of Impacts of IAS Caused by Trade and
Development Aid; (g) African Islands Biological Control Programme; (h) African Risk
Assessment Programme; (i) Pilot programme to prevent invasive alien species entering
through airports; (j) Hull Fouling/Caulerpa Prevention Programme; (k) Mariculture
Monitoring Programme; (l) African Ballast Water Programme; (m) Raising Awareness and
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Providing Information to Enable the Effective Management of IAS in Africa; and (n)
Assessment of the Existing Institutional and Human Capacity to Enable the Effective
Management of IAS in Africa
These projects are intended to respond to key Invasive Alien Species (IAS) programmatic
issues. The programmatic issues, which are the basis for the planned activities of this
reporting period, are outlined below.
4.1
Planned Activities
Planned activities for this reporting were intended to respond to the following broad
programmatic areas:
(a) Prevention of Invasive Alien Species
(b) Awareness Raising and Information Provision
(c) Training and Capacity Building
(d) Aquatic Invasive Alien Species
(e) Terrestrial Invasive Alien Species
(f) Ballast Water and
(g) African Islands
4.2 Achievements at Regional, Sub-regional and National Levels
4.2.1 Flagship Regional Achievements
(a) Training and Capacity Building - The project: ‘Removing Barriers to Invasive Plant
Management in Africa’ – was funded by GEF through UNEP and was technically supported
by IUCN and CABI-Africa. It sought to develop capacity and information for the prevention
and management of invasive plants in Africa. It covered four countries, namely; Zambia,
Ghana, Ethiopia and Uganda.
(b) Awareness Raining and Information Provision - The ‘Forest Invasive Species Network
for Africa’ (FISNA) was created in 2004 to coordinate the collation and dissemination of
information relating to forest invasive species in sub-Saharan Africa for sustainable forest
management and conservation of biodiversity. The Network is open to all countries in subSaharan Africa that wish to participate. There is no distinction by language or forest type.
The project specifically seeks to: facilitate exchange of information and provide a link for
communication about forest invasive species; alert and provide policy advice on
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transboundary movement, phytosanitary measures and other relevant information; raise
regional awareness on forest invasive species issues; encourage the publication and sharing of
research results, management and monitoring strategies; facilitate taxonomic support; act as a
link between and among experts, institutions, networks and other stakeholders concerned
with forest invasive species; facilitate the mobilization of resources for critical activities in
management of invasive species; and provide technical guides on research and control of
invasives for sustainable forest protection and health issues in Africa.
(c) The Global Invasive Species Programme (GISP) - GISP’s objective is to enable
governments and other organisations to use the best practices available to control IAS and to
promote the development of additional tools and strategies needed to improve global
management of IAS. In Africa, it has undertaken research on the status and impact of IAS on
the continent.
4.2.2 Flagship Sub-regional Achievements
4.2.2.1 North Africa - The Arab Maghreb Union (AMU)
The study could not find information regarding sub-regional AIS initiatives in North Africa.
However, at the national level, Egypt has been reported to have an advanced bio-security
system based on an effective legislative framework. The country’s biosecurity law has been
updated.
4.2.2.2 Central Africa – ECCAS
Flagship Sub-regional and National Achievements
The study could not find information regarding AIS initiatives in Central Africa.
4.2.2.3 West Africa – ECOWAS
Flagship Sub-regional and National Achievements
The study could not find information on sub-regional AIS initiatives in West Africa.
However, there is some progress at the national level. Some of the achievement in Ghana and
Senegal are outlined below.
Ghana

Project on ‘Restoration of degraded forest reserves’. It aims to address the
Chromolaena odorata in the protection and restoration of native tree species
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including triplochiton sclerexylon and Celtis spp and terminalia spp. It is being
implemented by the Forestry Research Institute of Ghana.
Senegal
Development of policies – The government of Senegal is developing a bill on biosecurity that
will respond to AIS.
Overcoming Invasive Species in the Senegal River - Since 2000, the GEF Small Grants
Programme in Senegal has supported Association Diapanté, a local NGO to address the
problem of AIS in the Senegal River. Diapanté has worked closely with another local group,
the Civil-Military Committee to Support Development (CCMAD), to carry out this project.
Diapanté has taken responsibility for administrative management, including fundraising,
distributing information, and raising awareness, while CMAD has undertaken execution of
the project activities, including organizing teams of volunteers to actually go out on the river
to pull out the invasive plants and protect them from future invasions.
4.2.2.4 East Africa – IGAD
Flagship Sub-regional Achievements
(a) The IGAD Environment and Natural Resources Strategy (IENRS) – IGAD developed the
IENRS in 2007. The IENRS is derived from and guided by the overall IGAD Strategy. It
specifically provides a comprehensive and coherent framework aimed at guiding IGAD
programmes in the area of environment and natural resources. The strategy contains actions
on AIS in the IGAD region.
Flagship National Achievements
Ethiopia
National Invasive Plants Management Programme – This programme was established in the
Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR). Its main focus is to eradicate invasive
plant invasive species in the country.
4.2.2.5 Southern Africa – SADC
Flagship Sub-regional Achievements
(a) SADC Regional Biodiversity Strategy – The Strategy aims to promote equitable and
regulated access to, sharing of benefits from, and responsibilities for protecting biodiversity
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in the SADC region. With regards to AIS, the Strategy proposed the development of national
and regional policy and legislative frameworks for dealing with GMOs; building national and
regional capacities to handle GMO related issues including, human health; identifying and
mapping out the geographical spread of problematic IAS in the region; exploring possibilities
of turning the IAS problem into an economic opportunity; and evaluating the synergistic
effects of land degradation and climate change on the spread of IAS.
(b) The Southern Africa Biodiversity Support Programme – This programme was aimed at
promoting conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity in Southern Africa. This
was to be done by strengthening regional biodiversity planning, interstate co-operation, and
information exchange. The programme had two main components namely; (i) Invasive Alien
Species and (ii) Access and Benefit-Sharing. The programme was funded by UNDP and
implemented by IUCN.
Flagship National Achievements
Mozambique
Development of Policies – Mozambique developed the ‘Strategy and Action Plan for the
Conservation of Biological Diversity in Mozambique: Sustainable Development through
Conservation of Biodiversity 2003-2010’. The 2010 goals included: identification invasive
species with the greatest impact on biodiversity; establishment of measures and strategies for
the eradication of the main invasive species; reduction of the introduction of new species;
adoption of tariff and non-tariff barriers that inhibit/limit the importing of invasive species
and GMOs.
Seychelles
Seychelles, as an Africa Island nation, has made significant progress in achieving the
objectives of the EAP. For instance, the Ministry of Environment is involved in a programme
for the eradication of IAS, and the replanting of indigenous species. This is being done
through public education.
South Africa - Invasive Aliens Early Detection and Rapid Response Programme. The
programme is under the he South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), which has
a legal mandate to promote the conservation of South Africa's biodiversity and to monitor
and report on invasive alien species.
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5. Review of Programme Area 4: Conservation and
Sustainable Use of Marine, Coastal and Fresh Water
Resources
The goal of this thematic programme area is to incorporate environmental concerns into
development agenda of African countries through targeted actions that address not only the
environmental aspects, but also institutional, regulatory, policy and capacity elements. The
overall objective is to support the implementation of the objectives of the Abidjan and
Nairobi Conventions; to contribute to the implementation of the decisions of the Super
PreCom of the African Process regarding the management of Africa's coastal and marine
resources in an integrated manner which were reaffirmed by the Partnership Conference held
in Johannesburg on 2 September 2002 at the margins of the World Summit on Sustainable
Development; and to support the elaboration and implementation of the African Regional
Programme of Action on freshwater which was adopted at the first session of the African
Ministerial Conference on Water (AMCOW) held in Cairo, Egypt in February 2003.
The objectives of actions under this thematic area will aim to: (a) incorporate the objectives
of the Global Programme of Action into actions programmes, strategies and plans at local,
national and regional levels and into sectoral policies; (b) strengthen the capacities of
regional seas organisations; (c) prepare action plans to address priorities of interventions; (d)
strengthen the capacities of relevant local and national authorities; (e) support the
implementation of the strategic action plan on municipal wastewater; (f) promote
demonstration projects on the implementation of the guidelines on Integrated Coastal Area
River Basin Management (ICARM); (g) support the preparation and implementation of the
African Regional Programme of Action on freshwater; and (h) align freshwater environment
with the coastal and marine environment.
5.1 Planned Activities
The planned broad activities for this reporting period include:
(a) Coastal, Marine and Freshwater Pollution
(b) Physical Changes in the Coastal, Marine and Freshwater Environment
(c) Coastal, Marine and Freshwater Biodiversity
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(d) Integrated Management Approaches to River/Lake Basins and Coastal Zone
(e) Environmental-Sustainable Economic Development in Coastal Area and
(f) Augmenting Water resources (Surface and Underground) and Climate Change.
5.2 Achievements at Regional, Sub-regional and National Levels
5.2.1 Regional Achievements
Flagship Regional Achievements
(a) Coastal, Marine and Freshwater Pollution - UNEP contributed to the implementation of
this thematic programme area by supporting the large marine ecosystem projects in the
Western Indian Ocean and the project on land-based activities in the Western Indian Ocean
(WIO-LAB) implemented by the UNEP/GEF. The primary focus of the WIO-LaB project is
on major environmental problems that lead to the degradation of the marine and coastal
environmental as a result of land based activities. The project is designed to achieve three
objectives: (i) to reduce stress on the ecosystems by improving water and sediment quality;
(ii) to strengthen the regional legal basis for preventing land-based sources of pollution; and
(iii) to develop regional capacity and strengthen institutions for sustainable and less polluting
development. Since its inception in 2004, the WIO-LaB project has made considerable
progress. Several national and regional reports and activities have been completed. Thus, the
lead national institutions in all participating countries have prepared national pollution status
reports, and also proposals for the implementation of national water and sediment quality
monitoring. A regional water and sediment quality monitoring programme has been put in
place and, in addition, equipment has been purchased for key laboratories in some countries
to facilitate their participation in the monitoring programme.
(b) Leverage from the Abuja and Nairobi Conventions – Significant components of this
thematic area are being implemented through the Convention for Cooperation in the
Protection and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the West and Central
African Region (Abidjan Convention) and the Convention for the Protection, Management
and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the Eastern African Region
(Nairobi Convention). The Abidjan Convention area extends from Mauritania to South
Africa. The Nairobi Convention area extends from Somalia in the north to South Africa in the
south, and includes the five island States in the Western Indian Ocean. The two conventions
provide a mechanism for regional cooperation, coordination and collaborative actions, which
in turn enables the contracting parties to harness resources and expertise from a wide range of
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stakeholders and interest groups towards solving interlinked problems of the coastal and
marine environment. The implementation of Abidjan and Nairobi conventions is being
undertaken under four main themes: i) assessment; ii) management; iii) coordination; and, iv)
legal aspects including cross-cutting issues such as information dissemination and exchange
and emerging issues.
(c) The Global Environment Facility (GEF) - GEF with the support of the contracting parties
to the Nairobi Convention and their development partners, have embraced an ecosystem-wide
approach to management of the large marine ecosystems of the region. UNEP, GEF and the
contracting parties are investing over $78 million between 2004 and 2012, to support large
marine ecosystem projects in the Western Indian Ocean. The three main projects include: the
South West Indian Ocean fisheries project with a budget of $35,670,000, implemented by the
World Bank; the Agulhas and Somalia Current large marine ecosystem project, with a budget
of $31,186,000, implemented by UNDP; and the project on land-based activities in the
Western Indian Ocean (WIO-LaB) with a budget of $11,413,000, implemented by UNEP.
5.2.2 Sub-regional Achievements
5.2.2.1 North Africa - The Arab Maghreb Union (AMU)
Flagship Sub-regional Achievements
(a) Coastal, Marine and Freshwater Pollution – Significant programmes in North Africa
focusing on the management and sustainable use of the aquifers have been implemented. One
such programme is the North-Western Sahara Aquifer System (NWSAS)
(b) Other initiatives - Several other programs and projects have been developed, for the
protection of coastal areas and protection from pollution.
Flagship National Achievements
Lybia
(a) Libya designed the Great Man-made River Project" (GMRP) to transport 2,300 million
m3 of fossil water from the county’s South, where a huge amount of fossil groundwater has
been stored since the late Quaternary, to the North where the water is urgently required to
use. The GMRP consists of five phases while the total volume of water to be transferred and
redistributed within the country amounts to about 2km3/year for a minimum period of 50
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years. Part of the water transported will be used to supply major cities on the coast as the
urban water demand is growing rapidly and will need to be met (Aquastat, 2005).
5.2.2.2 Central Africa – ECCAS
Flagship Sub-regional and National Achievements
(a) ECCAS Regional Policy on Water - ECCAS recently adopted a regional water policy,
which will be implemented through the following 5 strategic principles: creation of an
enabling environment for good water governance at national, basin and regional levels;
operationalization of the principles of integrated water resources management; stakeholder
participation and gender mainstreaming; implementation of programmes for water resources
development, in areas such as water supply, sanitation, water for agriculture and livestock,
hydro-electricity, fisheries, navigation and tourism; capacity building through training,
education and research.
(b) International Commission of Congo-Oubangui-Sangha (CICOS) – This initiative is being
funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the German Federal Ministry for
Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
(c) Other initiatives - A range of other activities are being undertaken by COMIFAC, IUCN,
WWF etc., but study could not access/obtain such information.
5.2.2.3 West Africa - ECOWAS
Flagship Sub-regional and National Achievements
(a) Regional Program for the Conservation of Coastal and Marine Protected
Areas in West Africa (PRCM) - PRCM (in French, Programme Régional pour la
Conservation des zones Côtières et Marines) is a programme aimed at preserving coastal and
marines areas in seven West African countries: Mauritania, Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea
Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Cape Verde. It was born of a coalition of four major NGOs
working in those areas: IUCN, WWF, Wetlands International and the Fondation
Internationale du Bassin d’Arguin (FIBA), associated with the Sub-Regional Commission on
Fisheries (CSRP). During its first phase, this programme worked in the following areas:
governance, protected marines areas, species and habitat conservation, sustainable tourism,
fisheries management, oil prospecting and scientific research (prospective evaluation).
During the Third PRCM Forum, held in Praia in April 2007, the main thrusts of the next
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phase (2008-2013) were outlined and the West African Marine Protected Areas Network
(RAMPAO) held its constitutive general assembly.
(b) Other initiatives - There are several on-going programmes/projects being undertaken and
that fall within the ambit of this thematic area of the EAP. These include initiatives being
implemented by CILLS, the Niger Basin Authority, the Volta Basin Authority, etc.. However,
the study could not obtain detailed information of these.
5.2.2.4 East Africa – IGAD
Flagship Sub-regional Achievements
(a) Integrated Management Approaches to River/Lake Basins and Coastal Zone – The two
major initiatives under this action area in East Africa are the Nile River Basin (which
includes six countries of the sub-region), and the Lake Victoria basin. These initiatives
require considerable sub-regional cooperation, cross-border understanding, and coordinated
environmental management.
(b) Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) - The Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC)
was established by the Protocol on Sustainable Development of Lake Victoria Basin. It is the
apex institution of East African Community (EAC) mandated with overall coordination. The
Commission became effective in July 2005 and launched in June 2006.
(c) Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) - The NBI is a transitional mechanism that includes nine Nile
riparian countries as equal members in a regional partnership to promote economic
development and fight poverty throughout the Basin. The vision of the NBI is to achieve
sustainable socioeconomic development through the equitable utilization of, and benefit
from, the common Nile Basin water resources. The World Bank funded the NBI Action Plan.
Flagship National Achievements
Tanzania
(a) National Water Sector Development Programme (WSDP) – This programme focused on
Water Resources Rapid Assessment and the Water Sector Study in Tanzania.
5.2.2.5 Southern Africa - SADC
Flagship Sub-regional Achievements
(a) SADC Water Sector Unit – USAID funded: the establishment of the SADC Water
Sector Coordination Unit; development of the SADC Water Protocol; short term training
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in various aspects of water resource management; building national capacities to operate
water supply and sanitation systems in Angola and South Africa; the Critical Flows
project; State-of-the-art National Weather Service (NWS) River Forecast System for the
Vaal River Basin; Water supply and water policy reforms in Malawi; promoted clean
water treatment in Zambia.
(b) SADC Protocol on Shared Watercourse Systems – SADC developed a sub-regional
legal instrument to regulate the management of shared courses in the sub-region. Member
States are at varying levels of ratification. However, several river basin commissions have
been established on the strength of this instrument.
(c) The Convention on the Sustainable Management of Lake Tanganyika - The
Convention, which was concluded in 2003, provides a legal and institutional framework
for the co-operative management of the lake and its basin's natural resources, including
specific rights, obligations, procedures and conflict resolution mechanisms. The objective
of the convention is to ensure the protection and conservation of the biological diversity
and the sustainable use of the natural resources of Lake Tanganyika and its basin by the
contracting States on the basis of integrated and cooperative management. The
Convention created the Lake Tanganyika Authority (LTA).
(d) Lake Tanganyika Authority (LTA) – The LTA was established in 2008. The function
of the LTA is to co-ordinate the implementation of the Convention by the Contracting
States and, in accordance with this Convention and the decisions of the Conference of
Ministers, to advance and represent the common interests of the Contracting States in
matters concerning the management of Lake Tanganyika and its Basin.
(e) Zambezi Watercourse Commission (ZAMCOM) – The Commission was established in
2004 to manage and develop the Zambezi River's water resources. Besides managing the
Zambezi's resources, the Commission, consisting of three organs - a council of ministers,
a technical committee and a secretariat drawn from all eight countries - advises member
countries on planning, utilisation, and protection and conservation issues around the river.
(f) Joint Water Commission for the Ruvuma River Basin - Concurrent to developing the
Agreement Tanzania and Mozambique embarked on a process to establish and strengthen
river basin management institutions in their respective countries i.e. the Ruvuma Basin
Water Office (RBWO) in Mtware, Tanzania (2005) and the Regional Water
Administration for northern Mozambique (ARA-Norte) in Pemba, Mozambique (2006).
Both governments are aware of the fact that sustainable joint integrated water resources
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management and development programmes would significantly contribute towards
economic prosperity, strengthened good neighbourliness and peaceful cooperation.
(g) Strategic Plans for Municipal Wastewater – DfID funded sub-region-wide initiatives
on water supply and sanitation in Malawi, South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. It
also funded a water and sanitation information network.
6. Review of Programme Area 5: Combating Climate
Change in Africa
Most countries in Africa have signed and ratified the United Nations Framework Convention
on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and it’s the Kyoto Protocol. At the global level, the UNFCCC
and the Kyoto Protocol establish objectives and obligations that contracting parties have to
adhere to. An example of such objectives and obligations for African countries is the need to:
integrate climate change considerations into their social, economic and environmental
policies and programmes; keep levels of their emissions under check by periodically or as
required providing national inventories of anthropogenic emissions and removal by sinks;
promote education, training and public awareness; promote the sustainable management of
sinks and reservoirs of greenhouse gases; and promote and/or conduct relevant research and
co-operate in exchange of information.
The EAP’s thematic programme area on ‘Combating Climate Change in Africa’ is intended
to build on these existing global frameworks, but emphasizing on climate change aspects that
are relevant for the region. As such, Africa’s Climate Change Strategy revolves around the
issue of vulnerability assessment and the development of adaptation strategies, realized
through: identification of ecosystems, regions and people most vulnerable to climate change;
development of adaptation strategies for the identified regions and sectors; and
implementation of demonstration and pilot projects need to show the way forward.
Furthermore, capacity building support will need to be simultaneously provided to enable
important institutions to function effectively.
6.1 Planned Activities
The planned activities under this thematic area are in addition to on-going climate change
projects of relevance to Africa’s Strategy on Climate Change. The EAP suggested the
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following additional actions/projects: Integrated Assessment of Vulnerability to Climate
Variability and Change and Response Strategies; Learning about climate change from local
action to national dialogues in Africa; Climate risk management; Adaptive resource
management; Carbon management for sustainable livelihood; Supporting public outreach and
education programs on climate change; Strengthening shared river basin management and
develop sub-regional water resource strategies; Building capacity for early warning;
Environmental intervention to climate variability, malaria and poverty in the East African
Highland; Impact of global Climate change on Key Marine and Coastal Ecosystems in subSaharan Africa; and Assessment of the Vulnerability of sub-Saharan Coastal Zones to the
Different Impacts of Climate Change (including sea level rise). Furthermore, the Strategy
recognizes the insignificant contribution of Africa to the global greenhouse gas emissions and
low energy consumption. In this light the Strategy proposes the provision of electricity in
Africa without increasing the emissions. This is to be done through promoting renewable
energy initiatives and strategies; establishing sustainable links and working module between
climate change experts and energy initiative capacity development for sustainable
development and Clean Development Mechanism (CDM); and evaluating synergistic effects
of adaptation with mitigation activities through pilot projects.
6.2 Achievements at Regional, Sub-regional and National Levels
6.2.1 Regional Achievements
Flagship Regional Achievements
(a) African Action Plan - The AU and NEPAD prepared the African Action Plan 2010 –
2015: Advancing Regional and Continental Integration in Africa. It contains strategic
objectives for combating the negative effects of climate change, promoting sustainable
development and contributing to wealth creation in the Africa region.
(b) AMCEN Work Programme on Climate Change - AMCEN's work programme initially
covered all the six programme areas of the EAP including cross-cutting issues. However, the
12th session of AMCEN made a significant shift in paradigm by deciding to focus mainly on
climate change. This decision to focus on climate change was necessitated by two
developments/needs, namely; (i) Africa’s preparations for developing a common negotiating
position on a comprehensive international climate change regime beyond 2012; and (ii) the
need to develop a Comprehensive framework of African Climate Change Programmes.
AMCEN is also supporting and enhancing the implementation of the UNFCCC and the
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Kyoto Protocol through assisting in high-level meetings of the UNFCCC and the Kyoto
Protocol.
(c) NEPAD NPCA - Following the January 2010 Decision of the 14th AU Summit on the
integration of NEPAD into the structures and processes of the AU, the NEPAD Secretariat
was transformed into the NEPAD Planning and Coordination Agency (NPCA). Its key
programmatic activities and actions that have been undertaken include: institutional efforts in
implementing Africa’s regional and continental programmes/projects connected to climate
change, natural resources management and sustainable development, and capacity
development.
(d) UNEP - UNEP is focusing on both mitigation and adaptation with the objective of
strengthening the ability of countries to integrate climate change responses into national
development processes with focus on activities in Adaptation that lead to tangible results.
Within that context, UNEP supports SRECs and member countries in the UNFCC process in
matter such as: developing a common negotiating position for Africa; development of a
“Comprehensive Framework of African Climate Change Programme” along with
“Frameworks of Sub-regional Climate Change Programmes”; the production of National
Communications and National Action Plans for Adaptation to Climate Change; Clean
Development Mechanism (CDM) activities; the Reduction of Emissions from Deforestation
and Degradation (REDD) programme, etc.
(e) UNECA – The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) developed the
Climate and Development programme (ClimDev) in collaboration with the AUC and AfDB.
The highlight of this programme was in October 2011 when UNECA organised the First
Africa Climate Change and Development in Africa Conference (CCDA-1), which is to be
become a periodic event.
(f) AUC and NEPAD – The AUC and NEPAD developed and adopted the Africa Regional
Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction and a programme of action for its implementation
(2006-2010). The strategy aimed to contribute to sustainable development and poverty
eradication by facilitating the integration of disaster risk reduction into relevant strategies and
programmes. As part of this effort, the Africa Working Group on Disaster Risk Reduction has
been established to support national governments to advance disaster risk reduction and
facilitate the mainstreaming and integration of disaster risk reduction into all phases of
development in Africa to help achieve NEPAD‘s objectives.
(g) African Risk Capacity (ARC)- The African Union (AU) will be establishing an African
Risk Capacity (ARC) Secretariat, a specialized agency to develop an agreement on a pooled
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risk insurance facility for droughts, floods, earthquakes and cyclones in Africa. The decision
to establish the ARC was taken at the 19th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the AU,
which convened in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 16-19 July 2012. In the decision, the AU
also requested the African Union Commission (AUC) to convene a meeting of government
experts, and a conference of plenipotentiaries before the end of 2013 to consider and adopt
the ARC establishment agreement. The ARC is to be established as a Specialized Agency of
the AU.
(i) The Observing system Research and predictability Experiment programme (THORPEX)
programme – The THORPEX programme seeks to reduce the impact of natural disasters of
meteorological, hydrological or climatic origin by disseminating reliable and precise
forecasts on the 1-14 day scale. It seeks to further the goal set by the World Meteorological
Organisation, to reduce the number of victims of natural disasters of meteorological,
hydrological or climatic origin by half over the next 15 years. In order to achieve this, it
intends to develop weather forecasts as decision-making support tools for the principal
natural disasters with major socio-economic impacts (flooding, cyclones, heat or cold waves,
etc.). THORPEX was launched in 2003 for a 10-year period. A THORPEX Programme
action plan for Africa was designed in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on 10-12 February 2007.
(j) The Advancing Capacity to support Climate Change Adaptation programme (ACCCA) This programme, financed by the European Commission, DEFRA and the ETC Foundation
of the Netherlands funds projects in Africa to assist in the development of adaptation
measures aimed at reducing vulnerability to climate and environmental change. To achieve
this goal, ACCCA promotes projects that put scientists in contact with the different actors,
including community-based actors. A launching seminar was held on 17-20 January 2007 in
Ouagadougou. There are currently nine projects in Africa.
(k) Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) - AGRA is an initiative that advocates
for policies that support its work across all key aspects of the African agricultural "value
chain" ranging from seeds, soil health, and water to markets and agricultural education. A
significant component of AGRA’s program focuses on enabling smallholder farmers to adapt
to and mitigate climate change impacts.
(l) Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWSNET) - FEWSNET collaborates with
agencies at the international (FAO, WFP, and EU), regional (SADC, CILSS, IGAD, Drought
Monitoring Center), and national levels to improve early warning and vulnerability analysis
methodologies
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(m) Green economy initiatives – At the regional level, several political decisions have been
made that create a framework for establishing a green economy in Africa. These include: (i)
the Bamako Declaration on Environment and Sustainable Development which recognizes the
need to take advantage of the opportunities provided by a growth and development trajectory
that embraces the green economy model; (ii) The African Development Forum held in Addis
Ababa, Ethiopia, from 10 to 15 October 2010, recognized the need for Africa governments to
“prioritize and promote green economy as a vehicle for addressing the challenges of climate
change impacts on ecosystem sustainability and harnessing the opportunities provided by its
vast and diverse ecosystems and natural resources”; (iii) The Fourth Joint Annual Meetings
of the African Union Conference of Ministers of Economy and Finance and the Economic
Commission for Africa Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic
Development, held from 28 to 29 March 2011 in Addis Ababa, adopted a Declaration in
which ministers committed themselves to, among other things, spearhead “the transition to a
green economy in Africa by, inter alia, supporting the necessary systemic and institutional
transformations to ensure that green economies contribute to sustainable development and
poverty reduction objectives, including improving welfare and the quality of life of Africa’s
citizens”; (iv) The African Union Heads of State and Government Decision to “ensure that
Africa’s interests on the Green Economy issues within the context of sustainable
development and poverty eradication, and institutional frameworks for sustainable
development are defined and taken into account”; (v) The Fourth Special Session of the
African Ministerial Conference on the Environment Decision on green economy in the
context of Africa.
6.2.2 Sub-regional Achievements
6.2.2.1 North Africa – The Arab Maghreb Union (AMU)
Flagship Sub-regional Achievements
(a) Integrated watershed management - With the support of UNEP and GEF, Tunisia,
Morocco and Algeria developed a regional project on ‘Integrated Watershed Management in
North Africa in Light of Climatic Changes’.
(b) Adapting to the Impacts of Climate Change in the Agricultural Sector – The International
Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is implementing a project that focuses on
combating salinity in North Africa. The project is encouraging crop and livestock
diversification to strengthen farmers’ resilience to the effects of climate change. It is also
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promoting the sustainable management of marginal land by introducing innovative
technologies such as high-yielding forage plants that are better adapted to saline and marginal
environmental conditions.
(c) Other initiatives - North Africa countries have set up programs and projects in the domain
of climate change, starting with the elaboration of national communications, the choice of
adaptation options, evaluation of the vulnerability of coastal zones to climate change, and the
implementation of projects aimed to reinforce capacities for combating climate change.
Flagship National Achievements
Tunisia

The UNEP and GEF launched Project TUN in 2002, that focuses on studies aimed at
assessing new water and soil vulnerability
Morocco

In 2003, Morocco began a project with UNEP focusing on the rise in the sea level
along the Moroccan coastline and its relationship to climate change.

Ecosystem protection in Morocco - IFAD is supporting a project aimed at increasing
incomes and improve the living conditions of the poor rural people in the country’s
Eastern region. The project has strengthened the capacity of grass-roots organizations
to adopt participatory approaches to identify and manage investment opportunities in
animal production systems, to create linkages with potential markets and to diversify
income-generating activities by improving access to technical, commercial and
financial services. A grant from the GEF supported the introduction of technologies
that increase the levels of organic matter in the soil and improves the carbon storage
and water retention of soils. It also strengthened the capacity of local users of natural
resources to adapt to the effects of climate change by developing early warning
coping strategies for drought and diversifying income-generating activities.
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6.2.2.2 Central Africa – ECCAS
Flagship Sub-regional Achievements
(a) Climate Change Adaptation - The Economic Community of Central Africa States
(ECCAS) has established a sub-regional centre for DRR in the Republic of the Congo and is
presently developing a sub-regional strategy
(b) Regional Observatory Body on Forests –. The Observatory for the Forests of Central
Africa (OFAC), is an initiative of multiple members of the Congo Basin Forests Partnership
(CBFP), that aims to pool knowledge and available data necessary to monitor the ecological,
environmental, and social aspects of Central Africa's forests.
(c) Other initiatives - ECCAS, COMIFAC, NGOs and other organisations, with support from
international/bilateral organisations, are carrying out activities on climate change. However,
the study could not obtain specific information on them.
Flagship National Achievements
A significant achievement at the national level was the implementation of the REDD
programme in Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
6.2.2.3 East Africa – IGAD
Flagship Sub-regional Achievements
(a) Disaster Reduction - At the sub-regional level, the Inter-Governmental Authority on
Development (IGAD) developed a sub -regional strategy for disaster reduction.
(b) COMESA, EAC and SADC Tripartite Agreement for the Implementation of the
Programme on Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in Eastern and Southern Africa This is a five year programme that addresses the impact of climate change through
implementation of adaptation and mitigation actions aimed at building socio-economic
resilience of communities through climate-smart agriculture. The signing of the Tripartite
Agreement was done after the Rio+20 Summit held under the auspices of the United Nations
Conference on Sustainable development (UNCSD), held from 20- 22 June 2012 in Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil, and demonstrates the regional economic blocs’ collective efforts to address
climate change within the framework for follow up action agreed by the Rio+20 Summit. The
Summit acknowledged climate change as a cross-cutting and persistent crisis and resolved to
increase sustainable agricultural production.
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(c) Global Water Partnership - The Global Water Partnership (GWP) has its sub-regional
headquarters in Uganda and its function is to establish a working partnership stakeholders
involved in water management i.e. government agencies, public institutions, private
companies, professional organizations, multilateral development agencies and others
committed to the Dublin-Rio principles. Within East Africa, it helps in getting solutions for
specific water related challenges in the particular countries. Among its linkages is: Eritrea
Water Partnership, Ethiopia Water Partnership, Kenya Water Partnership, Sudan Water
Partnership, Uganda Water Partnership and Burundi Water Partnership.
(d) Horn of Africa Regional Environment Centre and Network (HOARECN) - HOARECN is
an initiative of the Science Faculty of the Addis Ababa University. Its mission is to improve
environmental governance and management in the Horn of Africa Region by focusing on
several critical environmental management areas as well as enhancing the development of
environmental support sectors to relieve pressure on natural resources by stimulating new
value chains for sustainable products and services and promoting renewable/sustainable
energy.
(e) Weather Information for All (WIFA) – This sub-regional project focuses on evaluating the
impact of new weather and climate services for fishers and farmers in the Lake Victoria
region of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
(f) The Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa
(ASARECA) – This organization is implementing actions aimed at predicting climate change
induced vulnerability of African agricultural systems to major insect pests through advanced
insect phenology modelling, and decision aid development for adaptation planning. It is also
conducting participatory development and testing of strategies to reduce climate vulnerability
of poor farm households in East Africa through innovations in potato and sweet potato
technologies and enabling policies, (ILRI) - Mapping climate vulnerability and poverty in
Africa.
Flagship National Achievements
Ethiopia
Climate Change Research Group – The Climate Change Research Group was established
within the Environmental Science Department of Addis Ababa University. Its role is to
monitor long term patterns of extreme climatic events.
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Integrating Climate Change Adaptation into Policies - A consortium of Wageningen UR
partners, in which the Wageningen UR Centre for Development Innovation (CDI) takes part,
is contributing towards the mainstreaming of climate change adaptation into the sustainable
development agenda of Ethiopia. It focuses on the capacities and knowledge that are required
need to better integrate climate change adaptation responses into policy processes of
agriculture, rural development and natural resources management.
Other Initiatives on Climate Change Adaptation – Ethiopia has implemented several projects
aimed at addressing the impacts on climate change. These projects are in the agriculture,
water and human health sector; and focus on soil and water conservation, fertility
improvement, flood control, income generation, institutional strengthening and capacity
building, improving animal genotype and health. Some of the projects contained communityoriented components and or activities that offer success stories. For example Adama Woreda
participatory rural land rehabilitation and forty-two community-based organizations working
on sustainable agriculture in Tigray National Regional State.
6.2.2.4 West Africa – ECOWAS
Flagship Sub-regional Achievements
(a) ECOWAS DRR Policy - The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in
early 2007 approved a sub-regional Common Policy and mechanisms for DRR.
(b) The Interdisciplinary and Participatory Research on the West African Ecosystems,
Climate, and Societies programme (RIPIECSA) – The RIPIECSA project is a “priority
solidarity fund” financed by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The purpose of this
project is to develop a scientific foundation for policies on adaptation to climate change that
may be accepted by governments and societies. It therefore aims to establish relations
between scientists, political decision-makers and the people. It mainly includes two types of
projects: projects known as targeted projects, which aim to strengthen the database and
monitoring system established by AMMA in order to better study climate variability, and
projects for which tenders will be made focusing on specific aspects linked to impacts of and
adaptation to climate change. The project is implemented by the IRD with support from
Cnrs-Insu and Météo France.
(c) CLIMAG West Africa - This project is a network for the harmonisation of climate
forecasts to mitigate the impacts of global changes in the Sudano-Sahelian area of West
Africa. Its objective is to contribute to the optimisation and harmonisation of efforts to reduce
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food insecurity and agro-ecosystem vulnerability due to the interacting impacts of global
climate change, resource degradation and seasonal climate fluctuations in the SudanoSahelian area of West Africa.
Flagship National Achievements
Ghana
Netherlands Climate Change Assistance Programme (NCCAP) - The emphasis of this
programme is on studies in the area of adaptation, with a specific focus on examining the
linkages between poverty and climate change and the consequences of climate change on the
livelihood systems of poor communities. The ultimate objective is to formulate climate
change policies that are consistent with the Ghana poverty reduction strategy, thus facilitating
the mainstreaming of these policies into district as well national development plans.
Climate Change Adaptation Framework - The Government of Ghana is putting in place a
national climate change adaptation framework, aimed at: strengthening the national resilience
to disasters, and establishing proactive and effective risk reduction measures. However,
national efforts have mainly concentrated on disaster and emergency response.
Hyogo Framework of Action – Ghana has reported progress under the United Nations Hyogo
Framework of Action. Some of the achievements include: Launching of National Platform
and Regional Platforms to assist coordination of DRR at sector level; Review of National
Policy on DRR; Development of tools and training for mainstreaming DRR into national and
district development plans; Building guidelines for floods prone areas; Country wide hazard
mapping; Review of the National Contingency Plan; Strengthened national capacity to
coordinate emergency response; Development of District Disaster Management Plans; Public
awareness and advocacy campaigns; and Assessment of current knowledge of DRR into
school curricula.
UNDP and UNHABITAT - UNDP in collaboration with UNHABITAT and “Housing
the Masses” (NGO), developed a model for Sustainable Low-Income Housing for Water and
Fire Related Disaster Prone Areas.
6.2.2.5 Southern Africa – SADC
Flagship Sub-regional Achievements
(a) The SADC Drought Monitoring Centre (DMC) - The main objective of the SADC DMC
is to carry out climate monitoring and prediction for early warning and mitigation of adverse
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impacts of extreme climatic events on agricultural production, food security, water resources,
energy, and health among other socio‐economic sectors. The centre has played an important
role in providing the sub-region with weather and climate advisories and more importantly,
timely early warnings on droughts, floods and other extreme climate related events.
(b) ProBEC (Programme for Basic Energy and Conservation) - This is a SADC project that
manages and stimulates the establishment of various projects based on basic energy
conservation in 10 member states in SADC. Currently ProBEC is actively involved in
Malawi, Lesotho, Mozambique, Tanzania, Swaziland, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and South
Africa.
(c) Southern Africa Regional Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF) - This forum brings
together Climate scientists from SADC National Meteorological and/ or Hydrological
Services (NMHSs) and the Drought Monitoring Centre (DMC) to prepare reports on seasonal
climate status and outlook.
(d) SADC Task Force for Monitoring Weather Conditions – This Task Force is found under
the Food Security, Technical and Administrative Unit. It is specifically there to monitor
weather conditions. The task force comprises the SADC’s Regional Early Warning Unit, the
Regional Remote Sensing Project, the Drought Monitoring Centre and the Famine Early
Warning System Project, all based in Harare, Zimbabwe. The early warning unit issues alerts
to help member countries prepare for the prospect of drought or flooding and consider ways
of mitigating their effects.
(e) SADC Regional Early Warning System - This provides advance information on food crop
yields and food supplies and requirements. The information alerts Member States and
stakeholders of impending food shortages/surpluses early enough for appropriate
interventions. National Early Warning Units have been established in all Member States to
collect, analyse and disseminate early warning information at country level.
(f) SADC Regional Remote Sensing Unit - The unit is a centre of technical expertise
facilitating training programmes and technical support in the field of Remote Sensing, Agrometeorology and GIS in support of early warning for food security, natural resources
management and disaster management.
(g) SADC Groundwater and Drought Management project ‐ The objective of the project is
for SADC member states to develop cooperatively a strategic regional approach to support
and enhance the capacity of its member States in the definition of drought management
policies, specifically in relation to the role, availability (magnitude and recharge) and supply
potential of groundwater resources. This will assist in reconciling the demands for
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socioeconomic development and those of the principal groundwater‐dependent ecosystems.
Tools will be elaborated for regional cooperative management of transboundary aquifers and
to guide sustainable downstream investments in proactive drought mitigation.
(h) SADC Protocol on Forestry ‐ SADC developed a Protocol on Forestry during this
reporting period. Article 3 of the Protocol is relevant for establishing a legal framework for
climate change actions. Its states that ‘…State Parties shall co‐operate by: (a) assisting and
supporting each other to address issues of common concern including deforestation, genetic
erosion, climate change, forest fires, pests, diseases, invasive alien species, and law
enforcement in a manner that makes the best use of the technical, financial and other
resources…’.
(i) SADC Regional Drought Fund – Although this has not yet been launched, the Drought
Fund is intended to provide funds to drought affected member countries. Consultations with
the World Bank and other donor agencies have already been initiated. The Fund, once
established, is expected to operate like an export‐import guarantee scheme and will enable
affected countries to borrow and repay within a stipulated time frame.
Flagship National Achievements
Mozambique
Integrated and Comprehensive Approach to Climate Change Adaptation – Mozambique is
one of the 21 pilot countries under the ‘integrated and comprehensive approach to climate
change adaptation in Africa’ initiative. The programme aims at improving the capacity of
Mozambique to adapt to climate change and create a solid basis for long term investments
to increase capacity of recovery from climate change.
Environment Mainstreaming and Adaptation to Climate Change – This programme aims
to reduce the risks of climate change to poverty reduction efforts in areas of Mozambique
at risk from climate change (i.e. arid and semi-arid areas, river basins and coastal areas)
through the mainstreaming of environment in central and local level plans and
programmes, and improving the adaptive capacity of the communities and other
stakeholders through enhancing their coping mechanisms and diversifying their
livelihoods options. This programme involves participation of central and local
government as well as several UN Agencies within the UN Development Assistance
Framework (UNDAF) and of the One UN Initiative. Among these agencies, both resident
and non-resident, are: FAO, UNDP, UNEP, UN-HABITAT, UNIDO and WFP. The
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programme is also implemented in collaboration with local civil society organisations
(CSO) and communities
Community-Based Carbon Project - Community based carbon project in Mozambique
This project focuses on formulating a programmatic forestry sink project in Zambézia
Province of Mozambique which will benefit poor smallholder farmers and be managed
locally in line with the national decentralization policy. It draws lessons from the
experience of the payment for ecosystem services (PES) schemes, including the voluntary
carbon market, to design a payment scheme, which will keep to a minimum the costs
involved in contracting, monitoring carbon, transferring payments to individual farmers
and enforcing contracts.
Community- Based Bush Fire Management – A project on Community-based fire
management is being implemented in Central Mozambique. It is funded by AMBERO‐IP
and Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ). The project focuses
on training in fire prevention and management at the community level, helping district
governments develop and implement policies and processes for monitoring and
responding to fire threats and occurrences, and encouraging policy coherence at the
national level around fire management.
7.
Review of Programme Area 6: Trans-Boundary
Conservation and Management of Natural Resources.
7.1 Planned Activities
The EAP views ‘Transboundary Conservation and Management of Natural Resources’ as a
complementary approach to existing national initiatives on: fresh water; biodiversity,
biosafety and plant genetic resources; and forests. Planned activities under this thematic area
were expected to build on existing regional, sub-regional and national sectoral programme
but with an emphasis on transboundary natural resources. Progress on some of these has been
outlined in the context of the review of other thematic programmes above.
7.2 Achievements at Regional, Sub-regional and National Levels
7.2.1 Regional Achievements
Flagship Regional Achievements
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(a) Institutional Arrangements for the Governance of Shared Natural Resources and
Transboundary Environmental Issues (Transboundary Institutional Mechanisms - TIM) –
This is a global UNEP project, which also focuses on Africa as a region. The project aims to
facilitate regional and sub-regional institutional arrangements to address common interests in
shared natural resources and transboundary ecosystems. It focuses on a selected number of
seas, river basins and lakes as well as shared terrestrial ecosystems in Africa. The project
objectives are attained through 3 components with different levels of engagement depending
on the status of governance of the particular shared natural resource or ecosystem. These are:
Supporting initial dialogues among governments that share an ecosystem in order to create an
enabling environment for future cooperation; strengthening institutional capacity to make the
engagement more effective; and development of new transboundary institutional
mechanisms. So far the project has supported eight policy dialogues among governments,
including existing regional and sub-regional forums such as SADC, ECAAS, COMIFAC and
East African Community.
7.2.2 Sub-regional Achievements
7.2.2.1 North Africa – The Arab Maghreb Union (AMU)
Flagship Sub-regional and National Achievements
(a) The Intercontinental Mediterranean Biosphere Reserve (IMBR) – This is a transboundary
reserve between Morocco and Spain. The area; which is 907,185.02 hectares in size and , the
includes the Spanish provinces of Malaga and Cádiz, and the Moroccan cities of
Chefchaouen, Larache, Ouezzane and Tetouan; is a Biosphere Reserve declared by UNESCO
in 2006. The cooperation between Spain and Morocco in the management of IMBR is based
on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed by the High Commissioner for Water,
Forests and Combating Desertification (Morocco), the Ministry of the Environment, Rural
and Maritime Affairs (Spain), and the Regional Ministry of the Environment, Regional
Government of Andalusia (Spain), on 5 July 2011. The Joint Action Plan 2011-2015 enables
the implementation of IMBR objectives, including to: contribute to the conservation of
natural resources; promote a sustainable model of development; and promote the institutional
cooperation and shared management between the Spanish, Andalusian and Moroccan
administrations.
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(b) Other initiatives - Numerous programmes of reforestation and forest reconstitution have
been introduced in the sub-region to protect and increase forest zones, including plantings in
view of stabilising sand dunes.
7.2.2.2 Central Africa – ECCAS
Flagship Sub-regional and National Achievements
(a) Convergence Plan – The Heads of State and Governments of Central Africa have
demonstrated strong political will through the approval of the “Convergence Plan” of the
Central Africa Forest Commission (COMIFAC) which constitutes a common denominator on
which ECCAS member countries for the sustainable management of the Sub-region’s forest
ecosystems. The Convergence plan is recognition of the fact that forests are one of the most
important shared natural resources of the sub-region whose sustainable management can
contribute effectively to Sub-regional integration.
(b) Bouba N’djida and Seno Oura transboundary complex - In August 2011, the governments
of Cameroon and Chad signed an agreement for the cooperative establishment and
management of the Bouba N’djida and Seno Oura transboundary complex. The key features
of this agreement are: Enhancement of community involvement in the management of
protected areas, in order to avoid people-wildlife conflicts; Creation of collaborative
management platforms between the two countries to foster co-management of protected areas
and sharing of experiences; Sensitization of communities on the importance of biodiversity
and protected areas; Strengthening of protected areas management structures at all levels, and
particularly the field-based ones; Harmonization of strategic biodiversity management
policies; and Fostering the fight against poaching.
(c) Other initiatives – Other sub-regional initiatives include the: Conference on the Dense
Humid Forest Ecosystem of Central Africa (CEFDHAC); Association for the Development
of environmental Information (ADIE); and the Central Africa Regional Network of Protected
Areas (RAPAC).
7.2.2.3 West Africa – ECOWAS
Flagship Sub-regional and National Achievements
(a) The Mayombe Forest Transfrontier Conservation Initiative - This initiative involves
shared forests between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Angola, the Republic of
Congo and Gabon, forms the southern-western margin of tropical rainforest in West and
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Central Africa, and of the distribution of a large variety of related flora and fauna, among
them the central chimpanzees, western lowland gorillas and forest elephants. It aims to
protect and sustainably manage the area through cooperation between the countries that share
it (initiating from its southern part), and through a participatory approach with stakeholders’
engagement, was conceptualized in Angola since the early 2000s. The Cabinda Declaration
and Memorandum of Understanding were signed between the Ministers of the Environment
of Angola, Congo and DRC in July 2009. National funding was further committed in January
2012. Protected Areas in the Mayombe ecosystems include Luki Biosphere Reserve in DRC;
Dimonika Biosphere Reserve, Conkouati-Douli National Park and Tchimpounga National
Reserve in Congo; and the recently gazetted Maiombe National Park in Angola. Several
studies were realized to identify potential conservation areas and ecological corridors, and to
analyze the conditions for creating the Mayombe Forest Ecosystems Transfrontier
Conservation Area, including land uses, policies and legislation. A draft strategic plan was
presented for the governments’ approval.
7.2.2.4 East Africa – IGAD
Flagship Sub-regional Achievements
(a) East African Community Transboundary Ecosystems Law – The East Africa Legislative
Assembly (EALA) passed the East African Community Transboundary Ecosystems Bill 2010
on 31 January 2012 in Kampala, Uganda. The Bill, now moving closer to be signed into law
by partner heads of states, aims to ensure sustainable use and management of shared natural
resources in East African wetlands, forests and protected wildlife. It seeks to establish a
Commission managing transboundary ecosystems in the region, and thus contributing to the
protection of livelihoods and improving the quality and conservation of the region’s
ecosystems.
(b) Implementation of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) - CMS is working to
implement this mandate to establish and maintain ecological networks, and to reinforce
transboundary conservation of migratory species. Current projects include a case study on the
White-eared kob migration between Ethiopia and South Sudan to help ensure that the
spectacular transboundary migration of almost 1 million kobs is maintained. The project is
implemented by the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority (EWCA) in collaboration
with the Gambella Trans Frontier Conservation Task Force. It uses satellite-collars and
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ground surveys to identify the ecological corridors of the species. It also provides training for
law enforcement personnel, awareness raising and facilitation of transboundary cooperation.
7.2.2.5 Southern Africa – SADC
Flagship Sub-regional Achievements
(a) Trans-Boundary Natural Resource Management (TBNRM) initiatives - There was an
increase in Trans-Boundary Natural Resource Management (TBNRM) initiatives in southern
Africa during the reporting period. These initiatives are process of cooperation across
boundaries that facilitate the management of land based or aquatic (marine, lake or river)
based natural resources for the benefit of all parties concerned. An example is the Zimbabwe,
Mozambique and Zambia (ZIMOZA) initiative.
(b) Trans-Frontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) – There were also several TFCAs that were
established in the sub-region. TFCAs' dominant objective is natural resource conservation by
linking protected areas across international boundaries. An example is the Great Limpopo
Trans-frontier Park (GLTP) between Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
8. Review of Programme Area 7: Cross Cutting Issues
8.1 Planned Activities
The EAP identified the major crosscutting issues as: (a) health and environment; (b) poverty
and environment and (c) the transfer of technology. Actions on these issues were to be
undertaken while taking cognisance of gender and traditional/indigenous knowledge.
8.2 Achievements at Regional, Sub-regional and National Levels
8.2.1 Regional Achievements
Flagship Regional Achievements
(a) The Poverty-Environment Initiative - The Poverty-Environment Initiative (PEI) of the
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP) is a global UN-led programme that supports country-led efforts to
mainstream poverty-environment linkages into national development planning. It provides
financial and technical assistance to government partners to set up institutional and capacity
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strengthening programmes and carry out activities to address the particular povertyenvironment context.
(b) The Poverty and Environment Partnership- The Poverty and Environment Partnership
(PEP) is an informal network of development agencies, multilateral development banks, UN
agencies and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) seeking to tackle key
poverty and environment issues within the framework of international efforts to achieve the
MDGs. The PEP focuses on three broad areas of collaboration: knowledge management and
exchange of expertise and information on mainstreaming environment among participating
organizations; conceptual and analytical work on the links between poverty and environment,
including work on indicators, monitoring and evaluation; and wider communication,
advocacy, policy dialogue and alliances in order to influence discussion and political decision
making.
(c) The Africa Health Strategy (2007-2015) - The Africa Health Strategy 2007-2015 was
adopted at the third Session of the AU Conference of Ministers of Health (CAMH 3) held
from 9-13 April 2007 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The strategy’s mission is to build an
effective, African-driven response to reduce the burden of disease and disability, through
strengthened health systems, scaled-up health interventions, inter-sectoral action, and
empowered communities.
(d) African Ministerial Initiative on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene - The African Ministerial
Initiative on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (AMIWASH) was endorsed by the fifth Ordinary
AMCOW Session, held in Entebbe, Uganda, from 4-6 November 2004. AMIWASH brings
together African ministers from various sectors to work on accelerating national progress
toward meeting the MDGs and related targets on water supply and sanitation.
(e) The African Regional Action Plan for the Implementation of SAICM - In 2005, African
and Arab countries commenced the development of a draft regional action plan for the
implementation of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM).
At its third session, held in Vienna, Austria, in September 2005, the Preparatory Committee
The plan includes guidance for regional, sub-regional and national implementation, and notes
potential sub-regional and regional activities. The section on human health protection
includes priorities to: develop response measures to mitigate the environmental and health
impacts of emergencies involving chemicals; reduce health and environmental risks of
pesticides; and ensure occupational safety and health.
(f) Africa Regional Nutrition Strategy (2005-2015) - The African Regional Nutrition Strategy
(2005-2015) was adopted in 2005 and subsequently endorsed by the sixth AU Summit that
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took place in Khartoum, Sudan, from 16-24 January 2006. The purpose of the strategy is to
sensitize African leaders about the essential role food and nutrition security plays in
achieving sustainable socioeconomic development in Africa.
(g) The African Regional Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction - The African Regional
Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction was adopted at AMCEN-10 and endorsed at the third
Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 6-8 July 2004.
The aim of the Africa Regional Strategy is to contribute to the attainment of sustainable
development and poverty eradication by facilitating the integration of disaster risk reduction
in development.
(h) The African Stockpiles Programme (ASP) – This was initiated by the Pesticides Action
Network, the WWF and the Global Environment Facility, and aims to eliminate existing
stockpiles of obsolete pesticides, and implement preventive measures aimed at changing the
behaviour of stakeholders responsible for managing stocks of pesticides. The ASP supports
poverty reduction through enhancement of the quality of life, growth, and the protection of
the regional and global commons.
(i) Enhanced Framework of Implementation of Sustainable Housing And Urban Development
In Africa - The Enhanced Framework of Implementation was adopted in 2005. It provides the
basis for a concerted and coordinated programme of action focusing on: slums, shelter
delivery, and the provision of and access to basic services for all; and urbanization and
human settlements within the Framework of the African Union’s Strategic Plan and NEPAD
Programme.
(j) WHO Africa Environment and Health Strategy - The WHO Regional Office for Africa
Environment and Health Strategy aims to create, by 2020, an enabling environment that
promotes health and contributes to sustainable development in the region. The specific
objectives of the strategy are to support countries to: develop their own policies on
environmental health by 2010; establish/strengthen appropriate structures for environmental
health services by 2010; improve human resource capacities in environmental health in
ministries of health by 2015, and foster sector collaboration and partnership.
(k) Initiatives on technology transfer – Initiatives on technology transfer have been
implemented under the auspices of multilateral environmental agreements such as the
UNFCCC, UNCCD and the CBD. Other technology transfer initiatives have been initiated
through research institutes such as the CGIAR centres and others such as the African
Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF).
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8.2.2 Sub-regional Achievements
8.2.2.1 North Africa – The Arab Maghreb Union (AMU)
Flagship Sub-regional and National Achievements
The study could not obtain information on sub-regional initiatives undertaken during the
reporting period on the cross-cutting sub-themes.
8.2.2.2 Central Africa – ECCAS
Flagship Sub-regional Achievements
(a) The Congo Basin Population, Health and Environment initiative – This sub-regional
project is supporting community initiatives that demonstrate linkages between human health,
biodiversity and the health in the Congo Basin. The specific aim of the project is to
collaborate with partners to promote conservation integrated with healthcare and alternative
livelihoods among communities living within remote forests in Cameroon and the Central
African Republic (CAR).
.
Flagship National Achievements
Democratic Republic of Congo
-
National Action Plan on Energy for Poverty Reduction
-
National Community based Development Programme (NCDP)
-
Rural Sector Development Strategy (RSDS)
-
Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper
8.2.2.3 West Africa – ECOWAS
Flagship Sub-regional Achievements
(a) Agricultural technology - WARDA and IITA are facilitating sub-regional networks that
serve to assist and partner with national and NGO technology dissemination programs e.g.,
ROCARIZ’s Technology Transfer Task Force, INGER-Africa, which disseminates rice germ
plasm throughout Africa
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Flagship National Achievements
Mali
Health and Environment - The WHO Country Office in Bamako, Mali, has been working in
collaboration with relevant Ministries of the Government of Mali on the issue Linking Health
and the Environment with very successful experiences. The WHO office has collaborated
with Government Ministries to carry out studies on the health aspects of: i) waste
management; ii) water quality and water treatment in homes; iii) the environmental
component of the combat against HIV/AIDS; iv) assisted in development of the water and
sanitation component of the National Health Policy, including strategies for implementation
and resources mobilisation; v) the production of training modules on the linkages between
health and the environment; vi) support to NGOs involved in promoting health and
environment issues; etc.
8.2.2.4 East Africa – IGAD
Flagship Sub-regional Achievements
(a) The Population, Health, and Environment (PHE) East Africa Network – The Network was
launched in 2007. It seeks to: Serve as a communication mechanism for sharing lessons
learned and best practices in integrated program design and implementation; Enhance
communication among different stakeholders (researchers, development planners, and
program managers) working to achieve PHE objectives in East Africa; Increase stakeholder
knowledge and interest in PHE linkages at the national and regional levels; and Disseminate
PHE research and data.
Flagship National Achievements
Ethiopia
The Wichi Integrated Wetland-Watershed Management - This project aims to implement
integrated wetland and watershed resource management practices with the involvement of the
local communities to improve the economic and environmental values/services of the
resources and thereby to contribute towards food security, livelihoods of the community and
to maintain the benefits of the environment for the coming generation.
8.2.2.5 Southern Africa – SADC
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Flagship Sub-regional and National Achievements
(a) Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) – SADC developed the RISDP ,
which mainstreams ‘Environment and Sustainable Development’. It also clearly embraces the
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Specific short, medium and long-term RISDP
plans are now being formulated to address strategic environmental programme areas
(b) SADC Protocol on Environment and Sustainable Development – SADC is currently
developing a Protocol on Environment and Sustainable Development. The Protocol is
expected to establish a legal framework for actions related to sustainable development
including aspects of poverty and environment.
(b) Other initiatives – There are several other initiatives being spearheaded by CSOs in the
sub-region focusing on population, health and environment; and poverty and environment.
The study could not obtain specific actions at the national level focusing on implementation
of actions under ‘cross-cutting’ activities, save for action being undertaken by the South
African Institute of Environmental Health.
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B.
9.
Challenges and Recommendations
Challenges
and
Constraints
in
Implementing
the
Environmental Action Plan
The period 2003-2012 saw several achievements being made in the implementation of the
NEPAD Environmental Action Plan, as highlighted in the previous section. However, some
planned activities were not undertaken, and some of those that were implemented, were not
implemented successfully. This was caused by challenges faced by the implementing
organizations at regional, sub-regional and national levels. These challenges are outlined
below.
9.1
Regional Challenges and Constraints
Effective implementation of the EAP at regional level requires the AUC and other partners
such as AMCEN, the NPCA, UNEP, the World Bank/GEF, and other Regional, International
and Bilateral Organisations, to play a strategic leadership role that entails active coordination,
monitoring and evaluation. Because, the EAP inherently builds on other global and regional
processes such as the UNCCD, UNFCCC, CBD, Ramsar Convention, AMCOW etc., it is
important that linkages between these processes and the Action Plan be concrete. Indeed, the
EAP itself makes reference to joint implementation and envisages complementarity.
Although the study could not obtain empirical information regarding the effectiveness of such
coordination, it appears from the reports reviewed that there may be a lack of coherent
synergies between the Regional Coordinating organizations for the EAP, on one hand, and
these other global and regional processes, on the other. This has the potential of making the
EAP superfluous, leading to duplication in reporting, monitoring and evaluation.
Other implementation challenges at regional level include securing adequate financing; and
harmonizing regional and global environmental issues so that they receive equal attention at
the sub-regional and national levels within the context of the EAP.
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9.2
Sub-regional Challenges
At the sub-regional level, the five Sub-regional Economic Communities (SRECs) (i.e. AMU,
ECCAS, IGAD, ECOWAS and SADC) are mandated to lead and coordinate the
implementation of the EAP. The review noted strong political will by the SERCs in this
regard. However, there seem to be some gaps in institutional coordinating mechanisms in
some SRECs regarding the implementation of the EAP. For instance, the study could not
ascertain Sub-regional Focal Points for the implementation of the EAP in some of the
SRECs. There also appeared to be no functional liaison and working mechanisms between
some SRECs and their Member States on the implementation of the EAP. This situation leads
to ineffective monitoring and evaluation of the EAP actions at sub-regional level.
The above-mentioned institutional challenges perhaps reflect a deeper problem of lack of
institutional capacity in some SRECs, which invariably affects implementation efforts. For
example, most of the SRECs have inadequate information on planned actions under the EAP.
This reveals inadequate capacity including lack of standardized and effective systems to
collect, manage and disseminate information regarding EAP implementation. Adequate
information is necessary for monitoring as well as identifying, prioritising and reinforcing
EAP activities. Without information, it is difficult to justify further investments in EAP
programme and project implementation.
Financing remains a systemic challenge to sub-regional implementation of the EAP.
Although some funds have been mobilized from traditional sources such as the Global
Mechanism (under the UNCCD), GEF, World Bank etc.; the levels of such funds still fall
short of what is required to fully implement the EAP. Other SRECs attempted to devise
strategies for identifying alternative sources of funding. For example, ECCAS developed the
Community Integration Contribution (CIC) for that purpose. However, these efforts are
heavily dependent on external sources of funds, which are in turn, determined by various
externalities in donor countries such as the current austerity measures in the European Union.
9.3
National Challenges
Direct implementation of EAP actions is done at the national level. National governments are
required to create an enabling environment and to effectively lead the implementation of
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planned EAP activities. The review revealed some challenges faced in implementing the EAP
at national level.
Policies and Regulatory Frameworks – Although most countries in Africa have broad
policies and legal frameworks governing the conservation of the environment, there appear to
be inertia in updating existing frameworks to meet emerging environmental challenges. For
instance, climate change mitigation and adaptation has not been fully mainstreamed in some
national regulatory frameworks. This is the same with respect to land degradation and
desertification. The review noted that the reason for such inertia is generally premised on the
fact that these issues are not considered a political priority by most Africa governments. This
has consequences for implementation because national budgets are usually crafted to address
priorities contained in existing national policies and laws. This gap has generally contributed
towards limited progress in mobilizing national funding and multi-stakeholder participation
and investments for the implementation of EAP actions.
National Institutional Arrangements - African countries have several public institutions that
are involved in environment-related activities. The review revealed that some of these
institutions’ mandate are inadequately defined, thereby leading to duplication of effort and
overlap in responsibilities. In some of the cases there are no coordination mechanisms to
resolve such duplication/overlaps. For example, in Cameroon, the Ministry of the
Environment, Protection of Nature and Sustainable Development (MINEP) is responsible for
the implementation of overall Government policy on issues pertaining to the environment,
but the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife (MINFOF) has within its mandate the management
of national parks, wildlife reserves, sanctuaries and all protected areas. On the other hand, the
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MINADER), the Ministry of Livestock,
Fisheries and Animal Industries (MINEPIA), the Ministry of Tourism (MINTOUR), the
Ministry of Scientific and Technical Research (MINREST), Institute for Agricultural
Research for Development (IRAD), the Ministry in charge of Water Resources, Energy and
Mines; lead on other components of environmental conservation. This fragmented
institutional arrangement at national level is common in most countries; and is militating
against the effective implementation of the EAP.
Capacity Building - Enhanced national capacities are a pre-requisite for successful
implementation of the EAP. However there appears to be a lack of pro-active identification of
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capacity needs in the context of implementing the EAP, in most countries. Available
information, for example, indicate that some of the pilot countries have not undertaken a
‘capacity needs assessment’ that will be the basis for establishing their capacity building
programmes. This does not mean that capacity building initiatives have not been undertaken.
The review, as highlighted in the previous section, identified several capacity building actions
that were implemented at national level. However, it is the lack of a national coordinated
approach to harnessing capacity building opportunities that is the challenge. While some
achievements have been made, these are at risk of being undermined by these missed
opportunities. As a result, the lack of capacity remains a major gap at national level.
Funding Mechanisms - There is generally a dearth of financing for lead national institutions,
and catalytic programmes and initiatives needed to stimulate actions at the national level.
Resource mobilisation from non-traditional sources is a challenge. As such, most national
EAP actions are funded by bilateral and multilateral donors. For instance, national
programmes for combating land degradation and desertification in Togo and the Democratic
Republic of the Congo are almost exclusively largely donor dependent. Apart from
Cameroon (among the pilot countries) which has indicated “own-national-budget” sources of
funding for the implementation of environment-related activities, i.e., the NFESD, the FESP
and the budgetary allocations for Ministries and Para-Public Agencies (section 5.2.1/c), the
other countries seem to be relying more on expected donor funding. This poses a threat to
sustainable implementation of the EAP actions at national level.
10.
Emerging
Areas
and
Recommended
Priority
Approaches and Actions
10.1 Emerging Areas
During the current reporting period of the EAP (i.e. 2003-2012), some thematic programme
areas have received more attention globally, regionally and sub-regionally; than others.
Although this may be a reflection of donor preference; these areas have also been viewed by
the AMCEN, AUC, NEPAD and other regional coordinating bodies, as providing an
opportunity for the continent. One such area is ‘combating climate change’.
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During the 12th session of AMCEN, a decision was made to focus AMCEN’s work
programme on climate change. This decision was necessitated by two developments/needs,
namely; Africa’s preparations for developing a common negotiating position on a
comprehensive international climate change regime beyond 2012; and the need to develop a
Comprehensive framework of African Climate Change Programmes. Furthermore, following
the transformation of the NEPAD secretariat into the NEPAD NPCA, its key programmatic
activities and actions include institutional efforts in implementing Africa’s regional and
continental programmes/projects connected to climate change, natural resources management
and sustainable development, and capacity development. The recognition of the importance
of the impact of climate change in Africa has also been acknowledged by SRECs. For
instance COMESA, EAC and SADC have recently signed a Tripartite Agreement for the
Implementation of the Programme on Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in Eastern
and Southern Africa.
Associated with the thematic programme area of ‘combating climate change’, is the green
economy initiative. This initiative or ‘thinking’ has also received significant attention during
this reporting period. At the regional level, the initiative obtained political support from
African leaders. For instance, the African Union Heads of State and Government issued a
Decision to ‘ensure that Africa’s interests on the Green Economy issues within the context of
sustainable development and poverty eradication, and institutional frameworks for
sustainable development are defined and taken into account’; the Fourth Special Session of
the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment issued a Decision on the green
economy in the context of Africa; the Bamako Declaration on Environment and Sustainable
Development recognizes the need to take advantage of the opportunities provided by a
growth and development trajectory that embraces the green economy model; the African
Development Forum recognized the need for Africa governments to ‘prioritize and promote
green economy as a vehicle for addressing the challenges of climate change impacts on
ecosystem sustainability and harnessing the opportunities provided by its vast and diverse
ecosystems and natural resources’; the Fourth Joint Annual Meetings of the African Union
Conference of Ministers of Economy and Finance and the Economic Commission for Africa
Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development adopted a
Declaration in which ministers committed themselves to, among other things, spearhead ‘the
transition to a green economy in Africa by, inter alia, supporting the necessary systemic and
institutional transformations to ensure that green economies contribute to sustainable
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development and poverty reduction objectives, including improving welfare and the quality
of life of Africa’s citizens’.
As recommendations are being made for future priority actions, it is important to take these
emerging areas into account, as they also provide a strategic opportunity for enhanced EAP
implementation and resource mobilization.
10.2 Recommendations
The NEPAD Environmental Action Plan is complex in nature and thus its implementation
has been rather complicated and not readily understood. These recommendations are meant to
shed light on issues to facilitate the implementation of the Action Plan in future.
10.2.1
Regional Level Recommendations
a) There is need for the regional EAP coordination organizations to establish effective
institutional synergies with existing global and regional process, in the implementation of the
EAP. Furthermore, the AUC’s role in the implementation of the Action Plan will require that
effective coordination, monitoring and evaluation arrangements are put in place in the AUC
Secretariat. It is therefore recommended that a Focal Point be designated to be in charge of
the NEPAD Environment Initiative at the AUC Secretariat, and other regional implementing
organizations. This will enhance monitoring and evaluation of future EAP actions.
b) UNEP, AMCEN and the NPCA, UNECA, the AfDB as well as the Bilateral/International
Organisations should continue with the technical and financial support for the
implementation of the Action Plan. However, non-traditional sources of funding should also
be identified to complement traditional sources. An example of a non-traditional source of
funds is the proposed African Bio-carbon Fund. This fund is part of the Africa Bio‐Carbon
Initiative which seeks to advocate for broader eligibility for bio‐carbon in the Kyoto and
related regional and national frameworks for climate change. The Fund will contribute to the
overarching goal of increasing the benefits for sustainable agriculture and land-use practices,
biodiversity conservation, maintenance of environmental services, successful adaptation to
climate change, and improvements in rural livelihoods, in addition to the delivery of
cost‐effective and verifiable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
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10.2.2
Sub-regional Level Recommendations
(a) There is need to build the institutional capacity of SRECs, particularly in relation to
institutional mechanisms for coordinating, monitoring and evaluating EAP actions. This
entails: (i) establishing an inter-ministerial committee of Member States that oversees the
implementation of EAP actions; (ii) establishing a Sub-regional advisory expert group that
advises on the implementation of the Action Plan; (iii) appointing a Sub-regional Focal Point
within the SREC secretariat specifically responsible for the NEPAD EAP. The focal point
should be adequately equipped with required personnel and working material; (iv) establish a
functional liaison and working mechanism with relevant member countries; (v) establish an
Analytical Inventory of SREC policies and regulatory frameworks; and (vi) establish an
effective Sub-regional funding policy with respect to activities in the implementation of the
Action Plan. The funding policy should emphasize on sustainable funding mechanisms for
approved projects in various programme areas including financial contributions by Member
States.
(b) Some of the initial activities for the SREC focal point that will facilitate effective
monitoring and evaluation should include: (i) collection and collation of necessary
information to establish “Project Fact Sheets” for all projects that are on-going within the
Sub-region relevant to the Action Plan; (ii) elaboration of “Project Concept Notes” for all
projects that will be approved from the Thematic Programme Areas and priority projects for
the implementation of the Action Plan; (iii) establish a functional Information collection and
dissemination system on the implementation of the Action Plan; and (iv) establish a
functional Documentation system on the implementation of the NEI.
10.2.3
National Level Recommendations
(a) Policy and Regulatory Frameworks - The following actions should be undertaken: (i)
accelerate policy and legal reforms to incorporate emerging environmental concerns; (ii)
mainstream environmental issues (especially the EAP thematic programme areas) into
national developmental plans and establish linkages between them and national development
objectives
(b) Institutional Arrangements – Strengthen institutional coordination between national
public institutions responsible for leading various components of the environment. This can
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be done by establishing an ‘inter-ministerial’ institutional structure that will be responsible
for harmonizing approaches to EAP action implementation
(c) Capacity Building - Take action to identify capacity development needs and establish a
capacity building programmes for the implementation of the Action Plan
e) Funding Mechanisms - Action should be taken to establish sustainable funding
mechanisms for the financing of EAP actions. This includes funding from national budgets.
10.3 Opportunities for Resource Mobilization and Capacity Building
10.3.1 Opportunities for Resource Mobilization
(i) Public-private partnership - Recognizing the potential of public-private partnerships in
providing resources, the GM has launched an innovative pilot programme to engage the
business community more effectively in NAP implementation in South Africa and Kenya.
Lessons from this pilot programme can be used by the NEPAD, AUC, SRECs and National
Governments as a basis for developing alternative and innovative approaches to resource
mobilization for the implementation of the EAP.
(ii) Domestic funding and innovative partnerships – Without overlooking the important role
played by international financial institutions and bilateral cooperation agencies in financing,
it has been noted that domestic finance is often found to match or even exceed external
finance, and South-South cooperation also indicates potential input (UNCCD, 2010). As
such, Upscaling South-to-South Cooperation and Inter-regional platforms of cooperation
have been put in place between Africa and Asia and between Africa and Latin America and
the Caribbean (LAC). Within the framework of the Africa-LAC cooperation for instance,
Venezuela contributed One Million dollars to promote youth and environment projects in
Benin, Cape Verde, Niger and Mozambique, as well as to train participants from Mali
(together with those from Venezuela and Cuba) on combating soil salinization. The two
platforms revealed the potential of both regions to foster South-South cooperation in areas
like sustainable agricultural farming systems, agroforestry, etc., mainly through training
and/or technical assistance. This is an area that can be considered in financing the
implementation of the EAP.
(iii) CAADP experience – CADDP can provide lessons and opportunities for resource
mobilization. For instance, NEPAD has prepared a road map to support the implementation
of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) agenda and an
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action oriented process to allow: RECs and member countries to prepare investment projects
based on the CAADP Pillars; and development partners to plan for long-term financial
assistance. The CAADP’s first pillar is to “extend the area under sustainable land
management and reliable water control systems” through:
reversing fertility loss and
resource degradation, and ensure broad-based and rapid adoption of sustainable land and
forestry management practices in the small-holder, as well as commercial sectors; and
improving management of water resources while expanding access to irrigation. To date,
about 80 project investment proposals have been prepared targeting Pillar 1 of CAADP by
the member countries which in aggregate total US$4.6 billion.
(iii) Maximizing existing traditional sources – GEF is presently providing support on
reporting and NAP Alignment. It has reported that only slightly over 40 countries (37 country
Parties through the umbrella project, 5 through direct access) have requested funds for
enabling activities (NAP alignment and reporting). These are opportunities that African
countries can maximize.
10.3.2 Opportunities for Capacity Building
Opportunities for Capacity Building –
Table 1: Building Africa’s Capacities
Capacity-building underpins the implementation of the action plan for the environment initiative of the
New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). Agenda 21 (chapter 37) defines
capacity-building as encompassing “the country’s human, scientific, technological, organizational,
institutional and resource capabilities. A fundamental goal of capacity-building is to enhance the
ability to evaluate and address the crucial questions related to policy choices and modes of
implementation among development options, based on an understanding of environmental potentials
and limits and of needs as perceived by the people of the country concerned. As a result, the need to
strengthen national capacities is shared by all countries”. Capacity-building is a knowledge-intensive
process requiring the continuous upgrading of skills, organizational capabilities, policies and laws and
is therefore a long-term and dynamic process (UNEP/AMCEN/12/INF/2 - 12 May 2008)
(i) Capacity of women - Building on the Beijing Statement issued by the First Conference on
Women and Desertification held in China in 2006, the GM is developing a women’s
initiative, targeting Sahelian countries as a start, to empower women to implement the
UNCCD. This initiative seeks to enhance the recognition and capacity of women in
combating desertification and scale up investments in sustainable development activities
managed by women.
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