AFRICAN REGION COMMENTS ON DRAFT DECLARATION OF THE 64TH ANNUAL UN DPI/NGO CONFERENCE

[Women's Major Group]

AFRICAN REGION COMMENTS

ON DRAFT DECLARATION OF THE 64^TH ANNUAL UN DPI/NGO CONFERENCE

 

GREEN ECONOMY

The Green Economy initiative can be beneficial to Africa if it is underpinned by a shift in the current paradigm. Such an unbridled economic growth is not seen as the be-all and end-all of development. The Rio spirit of seeing the economy as one part of a 3-legged stool that makes up sustainable development and promotes human well-being must be preserved.

 Green Economy must promote equity between and within countries. In particular, it must not worsen the current imbalance in the terms of international trade and it should contribute to just and fairer international monetary and investment systems. It must also promote poverty eradication and climate justice.

From the African perspective, “Green Economy” must lead to sustainable development and be rooted in positive African values such as:

• Social inclusiveness
• Equitable Benefit sharing between corporations and host countries
• Economic justice (workers’ salaries have to reach international standards)
• Gender equity
• Intergenerational sustainability
• Responsible drill of resources
• Food Security of host countries have to be kept/enhanced
• Implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility
• Environmental health
• Creation of jobs for local people

 

Green Economy must not be used as a green wash.

Green Economy must also not be used for the monetization and commoditization of natural goods and services.

 

SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION

Africa has concerns relative to the Millennium Consumption Goals and believes such goals must be elaborated in greater details through an inclusive and transparent multilateral process.  The goals must also encapsulate the implementation of the “polluter-pay-principle”.  Sectors including agriculture, water, energy, transport and housing should be beneficial to Africa. 

Rio+20 should support food sovereignty as the overall framework for food and agricultural policies. In Africa, small scale, agro-ecological and other forms of sustainable, ecological food production should be supported.

 

CLIMATE CHANGE

It is recommended the Millennium Consumption Goals section be removed and made into a standalone section that emphasises the direct consequences of climate change and its effects as a threat-multiplier.

 

DESERTIFICATION

This is a key issue for Africa and has been the least developed of the three Rio Conventions. It is recommended that this serve as a high priority for discussion at Rio+20.

 

GOVERNANCE

All requirements must be met without expanding bureaucracy.

Support UNGA Council on Sustainable Development.

Other UN organs

• Intergovernmental SCP Committee (within above or below Council?)
• Multi-stakeholder Forum on Sustainable Development
• Sustainable Development Board

Support the transformation of UNEP into a World Environment Organization

Institute an International Environmental Court

Support Ombudsman for Future Generations

 New Conventions

• Corporate Environment and Social Responsibility has to stop being just a Public Relations stunt. (It should be linked to conditions of fair trade agreement)
• Precautionary Principle
• Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration

Review the establishment of the National Committees on SCP within NCSDs which should develop a sustainable national economy plan by 2017.

Regional and local governments must establish multi-stakeholder platforms and strategies to address the development of sustainable economies by 2017.

 

VOLUNTEERISM

Volunteerism should include a baseline regarding sustainable lifestyles and reflect the necessary safeguards. It should not be used to replace professional labour and should include diverse cultures and allow people who may not have “usual” qualifications to remain eligible to serve as volunteers. Volunteerism is important for capacity building and sustainable development.

 

EMERGING ISSUES

The African committee also identified a number of emerging issues that should be factored into the declaration including:

• Influx of foreign labour (unskilled) into African countries to the detriment of local citizens
• Land Grabbing
• An inappropriate use of land to produce commodities not consumed in Africa like coffee, cocoa, tea, cotton whose prices are fixed abroad.
• Gender mainstreaming and gender budgeting are not in included in the document
• Environmental health and security has to be taken into consideration
• Creation of a framework for standardization of royalties paid by multi-national corporations to African Governments.
• Should promote extractive industries transparency initiatives throughout the African region.