The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration Mano River Union (MRU) and Environmental protection Agency (EPA) has concluded a conference to examine the outcome of the Rio+20.
Rio+ 20 was an initiative by the UN, with the aim of organizing a conference on sustainable development and with the aim of securing renewed political commitment for sustainable development.
At the conference, held at Shangri La Resort, Mia Sappoh Country Director of UNDP, said that the conference focuses on two broad-based themes, which are a green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty reduction and the institutional framework for sustainable development.
She said, the well-being of the natural environment is fundamental to the wealth and health of the local, regional and global societies.
Adding that greenhouse gas emissions are rising, biodiversity is disappearing at a high rate and many of the eco-systems are degrading.
Sappoh disclosed that the thirst for growth at all cost, is unsustainable and is having a profound devastating impact upon the present and future generation’s well-being. Therefore, there is need for a rapid and fundamental change, “and we need to better integrate environmental concerns into development activities.”
The UNDP, she said, initiated a study and development of a road map of climate change and disaster risk management concerns, which is to be in the next national development plan and the development of an energy profile.
Simeon Moriba of the MRU said that the sub-region is endowed with lots of natural resources, amongst which are land which is very vast, water, forestry which has been accessed over the years but that these resources have been harvested without a tangible impact on the people.
He said, despite the availability of these resources, the sub-region is still faced with lots of challenges, which if not addressed properly and on time, it will lead to a situation that will aggravate poverty.
Deputy Secretary EPA, Kolleh Bangura, said Rio+20 did not fail the world, as it provides the vision and important pieces of the multilateral machinery to achieve a sustainable future.
He maintained that this could only be achieved, if the environmental and social pillars of sustainable development “are given equal footing with the economic ones, where the often invisible engines of sustainability, from forests to freshwaters.”
Speaking about a green economy, Kolleh said this does not favour one political perceptive over another and it is relevant to all economies, whether it is a state or market- led.
The green economy, he added is neither a replacement for sustainable development, but a way of realizing that development at the national, regional and global levels are in some ways resonate with and amplify the implementation of Agenda 21.
While declaring the conference open, the Minister of Energy and Water Resources, Oluniyi Robin Coker, said Rio+20 is a very good initiative for Africa, as it will shape the thinking of the leadership.
He disclosed that in a report, it has been stated, that Africa is the driest in terms of water, as compared to Europe, even though we are blessed with lots of water but the problem is to harness it.
He said that MRU is blessed with lots of mineral resources and these include hydro-electricity but that there is lack of electricity.
The Minister called on all to get the international community to provide more support,to be able to adapt to the risk links in climate change
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