By Li Benzhong
OUAGADOUGOU, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- At the end of the 7th world forum on sustainable development held on Oct. 9-11 in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, Africa which is expected to speak with one voice in Copenhagen demanded reparation for the ills committed by major polluters. The cost is estimated at 65 billion U. S. dollars.
The Ouagadougou forum also put emphasis on the integration of policies, programs and development strategies in the region to adapt to climate change.
The forum, among others, voiced the need to promote exchanges of experience and share the existing expertise. The Ouagadougou declaration asked for the support of the Bali recommendations.
These recommendations envisioned the gas emission reduction after the Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012, a mechanism of measuring the reduction, the impact on degradation and deforestation of the forests (REDD) and the negotiations on sustainable management of forests (REDD+).
African countries anticipated the creation of a special fund which is to be principally contributed by the developed countries.
The declaration suggested the increase of carbon wells through various programs of reforestation and the conservation of the forest ecosystems in support for African agriculture.
The measures are important before the expiry of the Millennium Development Goals so that there is a sustainable management of land, water resources, animal resources and the promotion of ecologically sustainable agriculture, according to the document.
The declaration urged immediate actions to reverse the tendency towards degradation of the hydraulic and terrestrial resources, while fighting against coastal erosion in Africa.
The heads of states and governments present at the forum also wished to mobilize regional capacities to curb the substances detrimental to the ozone layer.
To that end, the leaders proposed an African observation team to monitor the cross-border movement of dangerous waste materials.
African leaders called for support to their demand for the Global Environmental Fund (FEM) and for maintaining the achievements of the Kyoto Protocol, especially the reduction of gas emissions from the developed countries and assistance to the developing countries for adaptation, alleviation, access to appropriate energy and transfer of technology.
They asked for the commitment of industrialized nations to cut gas emissions by 40 percent from 1990 levels by the year 2020.
The leaders demanded the process be accelerated to create a department for African environmental programs at the African Bank of Development (AfBD), saying they are still awaiting a decision by the African Union, which already asked to AfBD to carry out a feasibility study for the establishment of a permanent secretariat for African Fund for sustainable development.
The African leaders also warned that climate change would give rise to more immigrants and social conflicts, urging countries in the continent to have programs in preparation for the worst situation.
The expressed unanimous support for the massive production of solar energy, hydroelectricity and wind energy to cover the African needs from now till 2030, while developing transportation which emits less fumes.
They called on the international community to support the New African Green Revolution and the programs for reforestation of African countries.
In order to defend a common position for Africa, the forum authorized Burkina Faso President Blaise Compaore to take all necessary measures to ensure that the points in the declaration are part of the agenda in the Copenhagen conference on climate change in December.
