On 17 October 2003, UNEP launched Phase II of its initiative to phase-out leaded gasoline in Sub-Saharan Africa. The launch featured presentations by UNEP Executive Director Klaus Töpfer, the Chairman of the Committee of Managing Directors of Royal Dutch Shell Group, Sir Philip Watts, and a speech by the Ambassador of The Netherlands to Kenya, Ms. Tanya Van Gool.

UNEP, in cooperation with The World Bank, the International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA), and the US EPA, are promoting lead phase-out within the framework of the global Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles. UNEP will support and fund activities in seven Sub-Saharan African countries (yet to be decided), while The World Bank and US EPA will do work in four countries (also yet to be decided).

Both the Dutch Government and Royal Dutch Shell are supporters of this work in Sub-Saharan Africa.

• Implementation of the WSSD: support to Sub-Saharan Africa on the improvement of urban air quality through the phase out of leaded gasoline - Klaus Töpfer (UNEP)


• Making a sustainable contribution to African development – the Shell approach - Sir Philip Watts (Royal Dutch Shell)