KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY UN UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL AND UNEP EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ACHIM STEINER CAIRO, 4 MARCH 2015

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1 KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY UN UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL AND UNEP EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ACHIM STEINER AT THE OPENING OF THE 15 TH SESSION OF THE AFRICAN MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE ON THE EVNIVRONMENT (AMCEN) CAIRO, 4 MARCH 2015 Your Excellency Mr. Ibrahim Mahlab, Prime Minister of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Dr. Binilith Mahenge, President of the African Ministerial Conference of the Environment and Minister of State for Environment, United Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Khaled Fahmy, Minister of Environment of Egypt, Madam Rhoda Peace Tumusiime, African Union Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, Ms. Christiana Figueres, Executive Secretary, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Mr. Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias, Executive Secretary, Convention on Biological Diversity, Ms. Naoko Ishii, Chief Executive Officer and Chairperson, Global Environment Facility (GEF), Ms. Annick Girardin, Minister of State for Development, France, Mr. Tom Makela, Representative of the EU Commissioner for Development, Dr. Ibrahim Mayaki, Chief Executive Officer, NEPAD Planning and Coordination Agency Ms. Anita Nirody, UN Resident Coordinator, Egypt Ministers and Heads of delegations, Ambassadors and Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Representatives of International Organizations, Civil Society and the Private Sector, 1

2 Esteemed guests, colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, For the first time since its inauguration here in Cairo in 1985, the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) returns to its original birth place to celebrate its coming of age thirtieth anniversary by convening this landmark session under the slogan: From Cairo to Cairo Thirty Years of Environmental Stewardship. On this occasion, I extend my warmest congratulations to AMCEN and Africa s leadership for having ably steered environmental governance across the continent for the last three decades; inspiring action, pioneering reform and charting a durable path towards sustainability and better lives and livelihoods for all. UNEP has been privileged to serve as the secretariat of AMCEN for the last 30 years and we look forward to continuing this role into the future. On behalf all present here, I extend our deepest appreciation to the Government and People of the Arab Republic of Egypt for generously hosting this historic session of the AMCEN. Your warm hospitality and impeccable organization are testament to Egypt s leadership at this critical moment in time. Excellencies, colleagues, By all accounts, 2015 is a crucial year for global and regional action on the environment and sustainable development. A few months from now, the world will adopt a Post-2015 Development Agenda and a set of Sustainable Development Goals that will define a path for the next generation of development. At the same time, the month of December will witness the convening of the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP21, the objective of which is to achieve a legally binding and universal agreement on climate change. Indeed, the coming months will determine how Africa s development priorities and climate change common position are articulated and reflected in the context of global negotiations. The work you are undertaking will influence the future of generations to come. It is a grave responsibility that also carries myriad opportunities for the future welfare, prosperity, and development of the continent and its people. Conserving Natural Capital Africa, the world s second-largest continent, holds a huge proportion of the world s natural resources, both renewable and non-renewable. According to the African Development Bank: About 30 per cent of the world s mineral reserves are in Africa, The continent has 8 per cent of the world s natural gas reserves, 12 per cent of its oil reserves, 2

3 40 per cent of its gold, and per cent of its chromium and platinum. Africa holds 65 per cent of the world s arable land, 10 per cent of internal renewable fresh water sources. The African fisheries sector is estimated to be worth $24 billion. Natural capital is a critical asset, especially for low-income countries, in which it constitutes around 36 per cent of total wealth. Ecosystem services such as water, hydrologic regulation, soil fertility, biodiversity, climate change adaptation etc. underpin Africa's economic sectors like energy, tourism and agriculture. In 2012, natural resources accounted for 77 per cent of total exports and 42 per cent of Government revenue. Over 70 per cent of people living in sub-saharan Africa depend on forests and woodlands for their livelihoods. Land in Africa is an economic development asset as well as a socio-cultural resource. However, key natural capital assets continue to be used in an unsustainable manner. This means that the stream of economic and social benefits generated from these resources is being reduced over time: ADB reports that parts of Africa lose 50 tonnes of soil per hectare per year, which substantially reduces agricultural productivity and rural incomes, Fish catches have reduced substantively due to unsustainable levels of fishing, including illegal fishing, Deforestation continues to be a major challenge. There is an urgent need to step up regional and national efforts and to consider natural capital valuation in decision making in order to harness the full potential of Africa s rich endowments and to employ the competitive advantage offered as an engine for inclusive economic growth. At the same time we need to be proud of what we have achieved. Today, all 54 African states have the established structures and mechanisms required to achieve sound natural resources management, which underpin development across all sectors and a life of dignity for all. On Climate Change The harsh impacts of climate change pose an imminent danger to lives and development efforts everywhere across the developed or developing world. Yet, the science shows that Africa is the continent where a rapidly changing climate is expected to deviate earlier than across any other continent from normal changes; making adaptation a matter of urgency. 3

4 According to UNEP s 2014 Emissions Gap Report, in order to limit global temperature rise to 2 C and head off the worst impacts of climate change, global carbon neutrality should be attained by mid-to-late century. This would also keep in check the maximum amount of carbon dioxide that can be emitted into the atmosphere while staying within safe temperature limits beyond Exceeding an estimated budget of just 1,000 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide (Gt CO2) would increase the risk of severe, pervasive, and in some cases irreversible climate change impacts. The latest edition of the Africa Adaptation Gap report indicates that extensive areas of Africa will exceed 2 C by the last two decades of this century relative to the late 20th century mean annual temperature. This would have a severe impact on agricultural production, food security, human health and water availability. In a 4 C world, projections for Africa suggest sea levels could rise faster than the global average and reach 80 cm above current levels by 2100 along the Indian and Atlantic Ocean coastlines, with particularly high numbers of people at risk of flooding in the coastal cities of Mozambique, Tanzania, Cameroon, Egypt, Senegal and Morocco. Under these scenarios, adaptation costs will reach US $50 billion annually by mid-century. The only insurance against climate change impacts is ambitious global mitigation action in the long-run combined with large-scale, rapidly increasing and predictable funding for adaptation. Investment in building resilience must continue to be a top funding priority, including as an integral part of national development planning. We hope that the scientific studies presented to the meeting will help inform AMCEN, the African Group of Negotiators and CAHOSCC in their efforts to ensure that the continents priorities and aspirations are well reflected in international agreements. Vienna Convention Celebrates 30 Years & Eliminating HFCs Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, Two weeks from today, the world will mark another 30th Anniversary ; that of the adoption of the Vienna Convention. The efforts, commitment, collaboration and action by the parties to the Vienna Convention and its Montreal Protocol towards protecting the ozone layer continue to serve as a model for united action globally. The Montreal Protocol has so far led to the phase-out of 98 per cent of the historic levels of production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances globally. As a result of thirty years of concerted global efforts, up to 2 million cases of skin cancer may be prevented each year by 2030 and the ozone layer is healing. The international community has demonstrated what humanity is capable of achieving when nations reconcile their different needs and act as one on a global challenge. 4

5 African countries should be proud of their immense contribution to global efforts to protect the ozone layer. All 54 countries in Africa are parties to the Convention and its Protocol and all of its amendments, and have demonstrated unyielding commitment to the ongoing mission of ozone protection. UNEP supports and works closely with the 54 National Ozone Officers across Africa. Over the years, the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol has provided African countries with US$286 million for the phase-out of over 23,700 tonnes of ozone-depleting substances. This includes over US$32 million supporting National Ozone Units in 53 countries. The Fund is also supporting the world s newest country, South Sudan, in phasing out controlled substances by providing funding for institutional assistance and for preparation of a phase-out plan that would be funded once it has been completed. With the Fund s assistance, African countries were able to completely phase out the consumption of ozone-depleting substances chlorofluorocarbons, halons and carbon tetrachloride ahead of schedule. Now, in the meetings of the Montreal Protocol, parties discuss a new challenge: HFCs. Like the ozone-depleting substances they replace, most HFCs are potent greenhouse gases. Though HFCs currently represent a small fraction of the total greenhouse gas emissions, their global-warmingpotential is very high, and their emissions could rise even up to 40% of annual carbon dioxide emissions by the middle of the century if society continues to accelerate their use. This could offset the climate benefits achieved by the Montreal Protocol. The parties will have to decide whether the mechanisms and institutional infrastructure of the Montreal Protocol could be leveraged to address the urgent task of managing HFCs to protect the climate. Africa and the Sustainable Development Goals Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen, Environmental sustainability is a pre-requisite for sustainable socio-economic development and poverty alleviation. Integrated solutions can generate structural and transformative change and will help ensure that the Post-2015 Development Agenda are inspirational, inclusive and universal. As we move forward towards the September 2015 Summit, the international community will need to focus its efforts on reforming and retooling governance structures at all levels for greater integration, transparency and accountability. At the same time, the evolving SDGs show that efforts to eradicate energy poverty, promote universal access to cleaner forms of energy, and double energy efficiency-if fully realized-would go a long way towards putting the world on a path consistent with the climate target. 5

6 Not only does energy efficiency reduce or avoid greenhouse emissions, but it can also increase productivity and sustainability through the delivery of energy savings, and support social development by increasing employment and energy security. For example: It is estimated that between 2015 and 2030, energy efficiency improvements worldwide could avoid at least Gt CO 2 annually. About half the countries in the world have national policies for promoting more efficient use of energy in buildings. A growing number of national policies promote electricity generation using renewable sources, reducing transport demand and modes, reducing process-related emissions from industry, and advancing sustainable agriculture. Such transformational policies present great opportunities for Africa. Green Economy Transformation for Africa Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen, From oil tax levies in Algeria and forest rehabilitation in Burkina Faso, to bio trade in Namibia and organic exports in Uganda, Africa s green economy transition is already underway and reaping sustainable dividends across the continent. The new Green Economy Africa Synthesis study, conducted across 10 African countries, shows that despite real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increases across Africa of, on average, 5.1 per cent a year over the last 10 years, social and economic challenges remain acute: 48.5 per cent of Sub-Saharan Africans live in extreme poverty, 76 per cent of households are not connected to the grid, and 70 per cent do not have access to improved sanitation. The report, which will be officially launched tomorrow, makes clear that green investments can not only drive economic growth faster than business as usual investments, but represent a valuable opportunity for Africa to conserve the natural foundation wealth on which economies, lives, and livelihoods depend. Enormous sustainable, renewable, and untapped resources exist on this continent. Africa receives 325 days per year of sunlight and is using less than 7 per cent of its hydroelectric potential, and less than 2 per cent of its geothermal capacity. Many African countries are beginning to tap into this potential. Green investments in renewable energy development in Burkina Faso are expected to yield an increase in electricity generation from renewables 180 per cent greater than business as usual investments. In South Africa, a new Green Economy Accord is set to create 300,000 green jobs by The list of successful examples of green investments in Africa is far greater than what is generally imagined. The potential is enormous. 6

7 In Egypt, a shift to a green economy pathway could lead to annual savings of over US$1.3 billion in the agriculture sector, and US$1.1 billion in the water sector, as well as a 13 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions, and a 40 per cent reduction in water consumption. What is required, if the Green Economy is to effectively take off across Africa, is to scale-up investments and adopt the right mix of policy, incentives, enforcement, education capacity development, and informational tools. Here at AMCEN, policy-makers and experts have convened to identify the best means of achieving this mix and bringing the enormous potential of these green investments to scale. On Flagship Programmes At the Rio+20 Summit in Brazil, Africa spoke with a clear and compelling voice on the advancement of the sustainable development agenda. As such, the Flagship Programmes were developed as a means of contributing to the effective implementation of the outcomes Rio +20 in Africa. I am pleased to report progress in this area as UNEP continues to work closely with NEPAD to facilitate the design and implementation of the following flagship programmes: the African Green Economy Partnership; Partnership for Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) in Africa, and the Africa Integrated Environmental Assessment for Sustainable Development. The Illegal Trade in Wildlife It is perhaps becoming that Africa celebrates its combined Environment Day and Wangari Maathai Day on 3 March, which marks World Wildlife Day, themed It s time to get serious about wildlife crime. President of the General Assembly, Sam Kahamba Kutesa, will host later today a special session in New York, where Member States and the global community will examine the challenges and opportunities to stepping up international efforts to combat wildlife crime at a global scale. There is an urgent need to curb the illegal trade in wildlife and timber across Africa. Once an emerging threat, wildlife and forest crime today has transformed into one of the largest transnational organized criminal activities alongside drug trafficking, arms, and trafficking in human beings. Beyond immediate environmental impacts, the illegal trade in natural resources is depriving developing economies of billions of dollars in lost revenues. Combined estimates from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), CITES, UNEP and INTERPOL place the monetary value of all environmental crime - which includes logging, poaching and trafficking of a wide range of animals, illegal fisheries, illegal mining and dumping of toxic waste - at between US$70 and US$213 billion each year. This compares to global Overseas Development Assistance of around US$135 billion. A UN-Interpol report released last year finds that wildlife and forest crime plays a serious role in threat finance to organized crime and non-state armed groups, including terrorist organizations. The report 7

8 highlights poaching across many species, including tigers, elephants, rhinos, great apes and Saiga antelopes. The number of elephants killed in Africa annually is in the range of 20,000 to 25,000 elephants per year out of a population of 420,000 to 650,000. For the forest elephant, the population declined by an estimated 62 per cent between 2002 and Poached African ivory may represent an end-user street value in Asia of US$165 to US$188 million of raw ivory, in addition to ivory from Asian sources. CITES reports that 1215 rhinos were poached in South Africa alone in this translates to one rhino killed every eight hours. The illicit traffic in live great apes is an increasingly serious threat to chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans and bonobos in Africa and Asia, with seizures averaging 1.3 per week since Factoring in timber by-products that are traded illegally, it is estimated that the illegal charcoal trade alone involves a direct loss of revenue of $1.9 billion annually. Owing to the complexity of the illegal wildlife trade, a diverse response is required, involving a range of legal measures, including regulation, legislation and enforcement, environmental management, consumer and demand reduction strategies, and the promotion of alternative livelihood opportunities for those involved. The decision of the Executive Council of the African Union last June offers hope, calling for the preparation of an African Common Strategy on Combating Illegal Trade in Wild Flora and Fauna. Support from the international and bilateral donor community will be essential in recognizing and addressing the illegal trade in wildlife as a serious threat to sustainable development, and supporting national, regional and global efforts for the effective implementation of, compliance with, and enforcement of targeted measures to curb the illegal wildlife trade. Conclusion Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen, The world stands at a cross roads. Pivotal to the success of international efforts to move forward on climate change and sustainable development will be how principles translate into policy at the international, regional and national levels. And it is only when we see key sustainability principles translated into national development planning that we will know our common efforts have paid off. This AMCEN meeting is the culmination of 3 decades of inspiring and untiring efforts. The decisions you reach here have the potential to define the fate of the continent for the future. I wish you a fruitful meeting and once again our sincere thanks to the Government of Egypt for hosting this landmark event. 8

9 Thank you. 9