Morocco calls for more backing to developing countries to promote sustained development

Morocco has called for more backing to developing countries to promote sustained development.

"The converting of developing countries' foreign debts into environment protection projects, the opening of world markets to their products, the increase of north to south financial flows and the transfer of technology are all measures likely to help promote sustained development, said secretary general of the environment department, Ahmed Bouhaouli.

The Moroccan official made the statement here Monday before the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, which is holding a two-week session in New York since April 16.

He expounded the moves made by Morocco to integrate sustained development in the governmental policy and recalled that Morocco, which ratified in 1995 the convention on climatic change, was keen on participating in the international community action meant to limit the would-be impact of anthropic activities on the climate system.

He said Morocco has listed the sources of gas emissions having a green house effect and found out that these emissions are low as they do not exceed 1.3 tons of CO2 per inhabitant per year.

The Moroccan official called for an effective implementation of the commitments of the Kyoto convention and protocol and for the transfer of financial resources, know-how and technologies part of north-south partnership.

He also surveyed the efforts made by Morocco in matters of energy, saying the kingdom has liberalized the oil and electricity sectors and privatized oil distribution and refining branches and is planning to generalize electrification in the rural world by 2010.

Part of the moves to struggle against exhaust pipe pollution, he said conventions will be signed with oil refining companies to improve gasoline quality and a decree regulating rates of exhaust pipe pollution has been adopted.

Ways to meet the world's increasing energy needs, while protecting the global environment are among the issues topping the agenda of this 9th session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development.

The Commission, which is in charge of monitoring the implementation of the "Agenda 21" action program adopted at the landmark 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, is expected to focus much of its attention on reducing world consumption of fossil fuels and developing alternative sustainable energy options.

It will also examine ways of targeting energy subsidies in order to reduce the use of dirty fuels and encouraging research and development in cleaner fuels.