ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY OF EQUATORIAL GUINEA AIMS AT IMPROVING LIVING STANDARDS, REPRESENTATIVE TELLS COMMITTEE ON ANTI-DESERTIFICATION CONVENTION

Press Release
ENV/DEV/399

ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY OF EQUATORIAL GUINEA AIMS AT IMPROVING LIVING STANDARDS, REPRESENTATIVE TELLS COMMITTEE ON ANTI-DESERTIFICATION CONVENTION

Addressing the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee of the Convention to Combat Desertification this morning, as it neared the end of its tenth session, the representative of Equatorial Guinea said his country was implementing strategies to ensure the sustainable use of land resources to improve the standard of living of its people.

Santiago Avomo Ayong Otunga said an environmental policy was being prepared, under a national action plan for the environment, and work was being carried out to ensure the survival of nomads. In addition, he said that the Minister for the Environment of Equatorial Guinea had indicated that the Convention to Combat Desertification would soon be signed and ratified.

The rich biodiversity in Equatorial Guinea had served it well during periods of climatic change, he said. However, there were often periods of great precipitation, as well as serious drought. Supplying uncontaminated drinking water to people living in rural areas was another part of the national action plan for environment.

Management of the ecosystem had been deficient because of the lack of sufficient data and expertise and efforts dedicated to other environmental problems in the country, he said. There was also a shortage of non- governmental organizations involved in the Government's environmental efforts, and, therefore, there was insufficient input from the people of Equatorial Guinea.

Also this morning, the Chairman, Bo Kjellen (Sweden), said the Committee would meet again this afternoon to take action on the reports of its two working groups and consider all outstanding matters before the tenth session.

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