Africa Regional Preparatory Meeting for the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development: Opening Remarks by K. Y. Amoako, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa

Abstract

Opening Remarks by K. Y. Amoako, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa at the conference of Africa Regional Preparatory Meeting for the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development. Mr.Amoako, on his remarks highlighted that, from time immemorial, humanity has managed to pass down an environment from one generation to the next that has had promise for the future. We have the distinction of being part of the few generations to break that promise. Our inheritors will receive a markedly worse environment and much worse prospects, if present trends continue. We all know the trends. The trends will have us increase a full degree in temperature over the next half century and that will bring us: 10 percent less rain in Southern Africa and the Horn; and 15% less rain in the already parched Sahel. If present trends continue, our forests will shrink by 25% over the next half century. We will begin to regularly report on a new Environmental Sustainability Index drawing upon three components: environmental quality (consisting of water quantity and quality, bio-diversity and air quality); environmental stress (consisting of pollution, consumption and waste, deforestation and population variables); and environmental protection actions.