Earth summit: peace and stability necessary for sustainable development, say the Arab states
Regional, Economics, 8/30/2002

The Arab group taking part in the Earth Summit held in South Africa August 26-September 04 stressed Monday the importance of peace and stability in sustainable development.

Absence of peace and security in some regions of the Arab states, due to foreign occupation, is a major obstacle to development, said Arab delegates while presenting an Arab initiative on sustainable development to the summit.

The initiative is an action program elaborated by the Arab League in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).

"Since the Rio Earth Summit, significant progress was made in sustainable development in the Arab region, but in view of the absence of peace in the Middle East, obstacles still persist on the way to achieve long term objectives, the group deplored. The Arab world is confronted to other important impediments such as poverty, illiteracy, demography, indebtedness, drought and desertification, they said.

The Arab states reiterated their commitment to respect international conventions on development and environment, the group said, adding that their initiative focuses on the consolidation of inter-Arab cooperation.

The Arab delegates also called for a partnership between Arab states, civil society and international organizations to concretize the initiative, which suggests actions in the fields of peace and security, poverty fighting, education, technology transfer and trade and investment.

They also underscored the importance of an efficient and equitable partnership between developed and developing countries to achieve a sustainable development fruitful for both sides.

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