AFTER painstaking presentations and discussions on sustainable development, African ministers unfolded fresh steps to promote sustainable development in various countries on the continent.
During the African Regional Preparatory Conference on Rio+20 held recently in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, the ministers noted that the continent had come a long way since June 1992 when the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (The Earth Summit) was held.
Drawing attention to the growing awareness of the need for sustainable development, they affirmed the region's strong commitment to Agenda 21, the Programme for Further Implementation of Agenda 21 (PFIA 21) and Johannesburg Plan of Implementation.
The event, organized by the United Nations Economic Commission (ECA) in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) and African Development Bank (AfDB), was preceded by the Seventh Session of the Committee on Food Security and Sustainable Development (CFSSD-7).
Calling for adoption of concrete time-bound targets that will ensure accelerated implementation of sustainable development commitments, including those to be adopted in Rio+20, as well as reaffirming strong commitment to the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) as the region's framework for sustainable development, they stressed that critical foundation for achieving this development objective lies in good governance, strong and responsive institutions, wealth creation, social equity and equality as well as poverty eradication.
Other ingredients necessary for sustainable development, which the continent must strive to achieve, according to the ministers, include environmental sustainability as well as sustained progress in the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Stating that Africa has made appreciable progress in meeting the requirements for sustainable development, they however urged the international community to accelerate and increase support to the region, to enable implementation of its sustainable development commitment.
Meanwhile, absence of top Nigerian government officials during the sessions drew the ire of many Nigerians present, including members of the diplomatic community, non-governmental organisations and others.
While some insisted that the country is increasingly demonstrating non-chalant attitude towards international events which directly concern the nation and its citizens, others told The Guardian that the major problem is lack of coordination among ministries, parastatals and government agencies.
However, the appearance and presentation of Minister of Environment, Hajia Hadiza Ibrahim Mailafia, changed the mood drastically. She was brilliant on the floor to the pride of many Nigerians present during the sessions. Her handling of Nigerian contingents was also widely commended.
The Guardian