Sahara-Sahel observatory ad-hoc group meets in Rabat

The ad-hoc managers group of the Sahara-Sahel observatory is convening in Rabat to coordinate the stands of member states during the Earth Summit (Rio 10) scheduled to be held next August 26-September 4 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The participants in the two-day meeting will adopt a document to be presented by the Observatory to the Johannesburg summit and will set up a strategic orientation committee of the observatory.

The committee will identify, through a clear scientific vision, the member countries' priorities.

Addressing the opening session on Wednesday, Moroccan minister of Agriculture, rural Development, water and Forests, and chairman of the Observatory, Ismail Alaoui, underlined the role of the observatory as a platform for dialogue and consultation and for north-south and south-south partnership.

He also underscored the institution's role in backing the member countries' efforts geared towards a sustained management of natural resources, and struggle against desert encroachment and poverty as well as towards the enforcement of the UN convention on struggle against desertification in Africa.

Alaoui stressed the need to preserve natural resources as a must for economic and social development and said this vision should be elaborated both during the Johannesburg summit and during the implementation of the new economic partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), mainly regarding its environment component.

He said a strong mobilization of the observatory will help it stand as an active partner in working out recommendations to be adopted at Johannesburg.