UNDP Promoting Sustainable Human Development in Africa

Following a series of meetings of UNDP Resident Representatives based in Africa, extensive consultations between the Assistant Administrator and Director of UNDP Africa, the UNESCO/UNU ZERI Africa Chair, based at the University of Namibia (UNAM), the ZERI Foundation, based in Geneva, and the UNDP Resident Representative in Namibia; and after a series of field visits to Benin, The Gambia, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Nigeria, Senegal, etc., a Project Document was developed, to spearhead an initiative that would trigger thinking towards doing development in Africa differently. The theme of the project that was developed is "PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA THROUGH OPTIMAL USE OF AFRICA'S BIOTA, OTHER NATURAL RESOURCES AND WASTE: Total Productivity and Zero Emissions Initiative for Africa'.

At the February 1999 meeting of UNDP Resident Representatives held in Cotonou, Benin, selected ZERI-based initiatives which were seen as a source of new hope for Africa, were presented. The ZERI concept was defined, as summarised in this document; the potential and the power of ZERI was highlighted; and the Way Forward towards using ZERI as a vehicle for rapid socio-economic development in Africa, was mapped out.

During the consultation process, it came out vividly and clearly that Africa's nations recognise the urgency of speeding up sustainable human development throughout the continent, and are looking for novel ways of rejuvenating their economies, since the conventional ways have, to a large extent, failed to improve the living standards of the vast majority of Africa's people. The project was therefore designed with a view to implementing development activities that will enable Africa to use her rich endowment of natural resources towards creating new job opportunities, promoting value-addition and sustainable livelihoods, alleviating poverty, and spearheading sustainable environmental management.

In November 1999 the project was approved by the UNDP Africa Bureau. The Bureau approved US$ 1,041,000 for cost sharing financing, out of a total project budget of US$ 3,561,000 covering a three year period. Efforts are being made to secure more funding for the project from African governments, from various agencies, and also from the private sector. The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) has since been designated as the Executing Agency. Following the offer by the Government of the Republic of Namibia to serve as the host of the Project Management Unit (PMU), to be based at the University of Namibia (UNAM), the Office of the PMU, in consultation with UNOPS and UNDP Namibia, has synthesized this briefing document, which gives highlights of selected high priority projects of regional interest for implementation in Africa, with a view to promoting awareness to top leaders in Government, in the private sector, and also to the public in general, on what the Project attempts to achieve. The document is enriched with photographic illustrations, based on the pilot results emanating from ZERI-based research and development initiatives pioneered by the University of Namibia, and also from the regional field visits.

We hope that our readers will find the document both informative and inspiring.