Africa Regional statement to the 14th session of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD-14) on energy for sustainable development, industrial development, air pollution/atmosphere and climate change

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), in preparation for the 14th Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD-14), held a Regional Implementation Meeting (RIM) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 26 to 28 October 2005, to review progress on the implementation of the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (JPOI) in the African region, pursuant to an earlier declaration of CSD 11, which states, inter alia, that ?in order to allow effective consideration of regional and subregional inputs throughout the implementation cycle, and to ensure maximum flexibility, (the Commission decides) to invite the regional Commissions, in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Commission on Sustainable Development, to consider organizing Regional Implementation Meetings in order to contribute to the work of the Commission in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, and in collaboration with other regional and subregional organizations and bodies as appropriate, as well as the regional offices of funds, programmes and international finance and trade institutions and other organizations and bodies of the United Nations system.? The RIM focused on energy for sustainable development, industrial development, air/atmosphere pollution, and climate change. An overall review of progress in implementation was undertaken, including the identification of opportunities, challenges and implementation constraints that African countries face in these areas. While the review showed some progress in implementation, it also highlighted the inability of some African countries to meet their goals and targets in these areas. The review considered the concerns of the African UN member States, the regional and subregional intergovernmental organizations, civil society and business. The RIM benefited from and appreciated the participation and contribution of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). The RIM also expressed appreciation for the previous contributions of the Breton Woods institutions and the African Development Bank (AfDB), and urged these Institutions to implement specific activities that would support Africa?s various programmes and plans for meeting internationally agreed development goals, including those contained in the United Nations Development Declaration, the various outcomes of major United Nations conferences and international agreements since 1992.