Our Position

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While globalisation has improved living standards for developed countries, the number of the poor and debts of developing countries, including African countries, is growing. Developing counties and countries with economies in transition have been left behind the global economic trend. Developed countries’ inadequate support for African countries is one of the causes of failure in eradication of the cycle of poverty, population growth, conflicts, Aids, famine and degradation of the environment in Africa. Relief, particularly food and medical supplies, should be immediately sent for people in affected areas. Belated response to such crises has contributed to the environmental degradation, including further desertification and decrease in biological diversity. Environmental degradation also force people in rural areas to move to cities, resulting in population growth and expanding the slums.

Natural disasters on a global scale thought to be generated by global warming have affected the planet more and more and if current patterns of environmental destruction continue, the number of environmental refugees will grow and cause further regional conflicts, poverty and famine.

While environmental degradation of the planet continue and the gap between the haves and the have-nots are widening, many, particularly developed countries having not much sense of crisis, try to use clever tactics at this Jo’burg Summit.

Global Eco Tax

We welcome the creation of AU and NEPAD aiming to solve problems in Africa, including the conflicts and poverty, and wish them to get on the right track as soon as possible. In order to prevent the spread of further degradation of the environment, as well as to assist people in developing countries, including African countries, `Global Eco Tax` should be introduced. The `Global Eco Tax’ will be charged on developed countries as well as all countries which emit CO2, including developing counties and countries with economies in transition, and will mainly be distributed to African countries by AU, according to the size of forest, savannah and desert areas - natural `sinks` to absorb CO2 although `sinks` cannot be a long-term substitute for emissions cuts, and therefore should strictly be applied only to developing counties and countries with economies in transition.

For this to happen, AU’s joining the Kyoto Protocol is hoped for.

Help people help themselves

Distribution of ODA needs to be more transparent and fairer and top-down process should be reconsidered. For the purpose of fairer and more effective distribution, any conferences relating to ODA should be attended by delegates from NGOs and local residents as well as UN, governments and AU. Aid plans to tackle the problems of unfair trade will only work if backed by action, including the micro credit method and fair trade.

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