Headlines:
Major
intergovernmental agreements and actors
Action
programmes, strategies, and research
State
of the regional environment
GEF
Projects
in the region
Other
actors and initiatives
Major
intergovernmental agreements and actors
Convention
for the Establishment of the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization
With the Convention, adopted in 1994, the Contracting Parties established
the Lake Victoria
Fisheries Organization. The objectives of the Organization is
to foster cooperation among the Contracting Parties, to harmonize
national measures for the sustainable utilization of the living
resources of the Lake and to develop and adopt conservation and
management measures.To this end, the Organization shall promote
the proper management and optimum utilization of the fisheries and
other resources of the Lake; and enhance capacity building of existing
institutions and develop additional institutions dedicated to the
purposes of the Convention.
Organisation
of African Unity,
OAU
The
Organization of African Unity was established in 1963, and the Charter
of the Organization was signed on that occasion by Heads of State
and Government of 32 independent African States. Its purposes are
to promote the unity and solidarity of the African States; defend
the sovereignty of members; eradicate all forms of colonialism;
promote international cooperation having due regard for the Charter
of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;
coordinate and harmonize Member States economic, diplomatic, educational,
health, welfare, scientific and defense policies. Issues like Research,
Planning, Statistics & Population; Trade, Finance, Customs & Tourism;
Agriculture & Rural Development; Transport & Communications; Co-operation
& Integration; Industry, Energy & Mineral Resources, fall under
the organisation's Economic Cooperation and Development Department.
UN
Economic Commission for Africa, ECA
On the UN ECA site of the one finds News from Around Africa; Meetings
& Events on Africa; Archives of ECA Activities; IT for Development;
Nexus Issues; Empowering Women; Policy Analysis; Statistical Activities;Development
Management; Governance; Regional Integration; Library and Publications;
Reports of Conferences; Subregional Offices; and Special Initiative
on Africa.
Financial
institutions
African
Development Bank
The
ADB is the premier financial development institution of Africa,
dedicated to combating poverty and improving the lives of people
of the continent and engaged in the task of mobilising resources
towards the economic and social progress of its Regional Member
Countries. The bank's Environment and Sustainable Development Unit
"is the focal point for addressing and integrating the cross-cutting
themes of environment, population, gender, poverty reduction, NGO
relations/local participation, and institutional development into
the bank's operations." The bank's environmental guidelines
include coastal
and marine resource management, and fisheries.
See also the bank's
country
environmental profiles
for its members.
Action
programmes, strategies and research
State
of the regional environment
GEO
2000 State of the Environment: Africa
Global
Enviroment Outlook 2000. GEO is:
-
a global environmental assessment process, the GEO Process,
that is cross-sectoral and participatory. It incorporates regional
views and perceptions, and builds consensus on priority issues
and actions through dialogue among policy-makers and scientists
at regional and global levels.
- GEO
outputs, in printed and electronic formats, including the GEO
Report series. This series makes periodic reviews of the state
of the world's environment, and provides guidance for decision-making
processes such as the formulation of environmental policies,
action planning and resource allocation. Other outputs include
technical reports, a
web site and a publication for young people.
GEF
Projects in the region
Projects
under implementation
UNDP
- GEF - International waters:
Pollution
Control and Other Measures to Protect Biodiversity in Lake Tanganyika
This 5-year project aims to improve understanding of the ecosystem
function and effects of stresses on the lake system; to take action
on all other measures necessary to maintain the health and biodiversity
of the ecosystem; and to coordinate the efforts of the four countries
to control pollution and to prevent the loss of the exceptional
diversity of Lake Tanganyika. This will be done by establishing
a regional framework for cooperation, including endeavors to harmonize
legislation; investigating pollution including sources, effects
and control; and investigating biodiversity and conservation measures
leading to the setting up of protected areas as underwater parks.
Activities will closely involve government environmental ministries
and agencies, and sectoral departments; a major objective is to
strengthen national capabilities and community participation. The
project will be supported by international and local staff and contractors.
NGOs will be involved particularly through community education and
conservation, and the private sector through promotion of tourism
and the control of industrial pollution. Provision will be made
to continue the work of the project after its life by a regionally
cooperating organization. See also the project
web site!
World
Bank - GEF - International Waters:
Lake
Victoria Environmental Management
The project will address the major threats facing the Lake Victoria
ecosystem, including overfishing, eutrophication and algae levels,
pollution, and invasive exotic species like the water hyacinth.
Actions include (a) regional cooperation in fisheries research,
extension and management; (b) research and monitoring of water quality
and pollution, strengthening and harmonization of pollution regulatory,
incentive and enforcement systems, and priority investments in waste
water management; (c) monitoring and sustainable use of wetlands;
(d) control of water hyacinth; and (e) management of land use in
the catchment, including soil conservation and afforestation.
Project
concepts in the pipeline
UNEP/UNDP
- GEF - Biodiversity:
Conservation
and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity in the Gregory Rift Valley Lakes
The project will provide demarcation of proposed project site and
management plans for a possible protected area for demarcation in
the gregory Rift Valley Lakes region.
Other
actors, initiatives and resources
Lake
Victoria Conservation Data Page
Lake
descriptions, information on species, protected areas, etc.
African
Water Page
The
main objective of the African Water Page, published by Water
Policy International, is "to increase communication on
the Continent of Africa between people working in water.
However, the level of connectivity to the Internet is very low.
With other forms of communication being a difficulty, the Internet
adds enormous potential to data accessibility for professionals,
particularly those working in Government service. Not only is data
more accessible, but with email, News Groups and the WWW communication
between sector professionals can also be enhanced. There is a distinct
sense of isolation of people working, sometimes against daunting
odds, in countries all around Africa. As the African Water Page
develops, one of the objectives is to encourage African professionals
to become members of a closed forum for the sharing of information
and support, and to promote frank discussion about some of the difficulties
facing African professionals".
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