The 15th Ordinary Session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) kicked off this week in Cairo, Egypt, where participants underscored the importance of the continent's natural capital for sustainable development.
Making opening remarks on behalf of the African Development Bank at the meeting, Anthony Nyong, Manager at the Bank's Quality Assurance and Results Department, reiterated the institution's strong commitment to prudent management of Africa's natural capital for sustainable inclusive economic growth.
Nyong conveyed AfDB President Kaberuka's well wishes to the gathering and commended AMCEN for its significant achievement over the past 30 years.
Noting that Africa remains a paradox of co-existing abundance and scarcity, Nyong welcomed the renewed sustainability and inclusivity imperative of Africa's development captured in the Bank's Ten Year Strategy. This, he said also resonates with the session's theme: "Managing Africa's natural capital for sustainable development and poverty eradication".
With projections indicating that Africa would be the next frontier for global economic growth, the continent must embark on building capacity for sustainable management of its natural capital as foundation of its economic growth and prospects. He acknowledged the role that AMCEN is playing in this regard.
AfDB's significant investments in natural resources management and in the establishment of the African Natural Resources Center (ANRC), is in recognition of the centrality of natural capital in Africa's development. The Bank has invested over US $6 billion in the past four years to support climate-resilient and low carbon development in Africa.
Nyong reaffirmed the Bank's commitment to support African countries in building low-carbon and climate-resilient economies. He highlighted in particular, the Bank's contribution to the development of the 2015 Climate Agreement expected in Paris at the end of the year. He reaffirmed the Bank's support to the new international agreement on climate change which should embody Africa's common position.
AMCEN, established in Cairo 30 years ago, provides guidance, political leadership and advocacy for environmental protection in Africa, to ensure the continent's sustainable development and food security.
