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Union of the Comoros

Union of the Comoros. PRESENTATION ON THE MAIN NATIONAL PRIORITIES AT THE AIMS PREPARATORY MEETING ON THE BPoA+10 Praia, Cape Verde September 1-5, 2003. General Facts. Union of the Comoros: Grande Comore 1,025 Km 2 Anjouan 424 Km 2

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Union of the Comoros

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  1. Union of the Comoros PRESENTATION ON THE MAIN NATIONAL PRIORITIES AT THE AIMS PREPARATORY MEETING ON THE BPoA+10 Praia, Cape Verde September 1-5, 2003

  2. General Facts Union of the Comoros: Grande Comore 1,025 Km2 Anjouan 424 Km2 Moheli 211Km2 Mayotte 380Km Capital: Moroni Religion: Islam Official languages: Comorian, French and Arabic Population (2001): 583 222

  3. General Facts • The Comoros is an LDC with a GDP of $ 360 • 71% of the population is rural • Agricultural work employs 77% of the labour force • The main export items are essence oils from Ylang-Ylang and spices, vanilla and cloves • Fishery is also a source of income but still practiced in a traditional way • There are about 470 endemic species on the Islands • The Comoros has signed or ratified all UN Treaties and Conventions related to the protection of the environment

  4. Main Environmental Problems • Erosion and deforestation • Extinction of the rare fauna and flora causing reduction in biodiversity • Depletion of sources • Fragilisation of the coastal zone • Erosion of the coasts due to lifting of sand and corals for construction • Rising health risks • Uncontrolled urbanisation • Extended droughts • Rising sea levels and scarcity of underground water resources

  5. Actions Implemented by the Government for Environmental Management • Despite the recent political turmoil, the Comorian Government has emphasised its activities on protecting the environment • After the Barbados Conference, several initiatives were taken: • The Government created the General Management of the Environment as part of the Ministry of Production and the Environment • The Regional Services for the Environment • Introduction of National Environmental Politics and an Environmental Plan of Action • Initiative for an Information System • Creation of a Marine Park Conservation area in the island of Moheli • Creation of a Biodiversity Database (www.biodiversite-comoros.org) • Setting up of a Conservation programme for Marine Turtles

  6. Current Actions • Governmental • The General Management of the Environment has been changed into the National Management of the Environment and Sustainable Development and National Commission for Sustainable Development has been created • A national communication has been initiated on the climate changing issues • Regional • Regional Commissions for Sustainable Development have been set up on each island • Independent agencies have been created to commence the national environmental politics

  7. CurrentActions 3. Conservation • Creation of a National Park on Mount Karthala • Setting up schemes to protect the Coelacanth and the Livingstone bats in their natural habitats • A program to conserve natural forests 4. Pollution • Programs to monitor the coral reefs and to follow the ecotoxity levels in the marine environment have been set up • Regional programs to fight against the dumping of carbon hydrogen in the sea have been created • A Convention on Organic Pollutant products has been set up

  8. Current Situation • Geology • The landscape is very fertile due to the volcanic soils • The landscape is variable which should be taken into account in the conservation of natural resources • Hydrology • Problems with the distribution of water • No reserves for collecting used water • Polluted water is regenerated into the ground waters • Biodiversity • The potential biodiversity is not yet well known thus not well guarded and badly protected

  9. Current Situation • Agriculture and its Pressure on Natural Resources • The archipelago has been modified by natural phenomenon • Today’s agricultural techniques are extensive but not well adapted to the current needs of the population and the natural erosion of the soils • Coral and sand from the costal areas have been used for construction purposes, this has weakened the naturally fragile costal ecosystems • Production of wood for construction and heating has destroyed the forests • The erosion of soils is a serious matter, especially along the coastline

  10. Current Situations • Emissions • The lack of emission control systems and sewage removal systems • Pollution • Natural • Cyclones and volcanic eruptions • Human related • Oil spills • Sewage dumping • NGOs • Are the mains means in protecting the environment

  11. MDGs GOALS The Major Challenges • Eradication of Poverty and Economic Growth • The strategy is to work closely with different departments and the local communities and the Bretton Woods Institutions and other partners for development • Demographic Growth • With an annual population growth rate of 2.7%, it will be impossible to reduce poverty • The quality of life should be raised and all children should be assured primary education • HIV/Aids and malaria should be fought • Economic growth • To attain that objective the GNP should be raised to 2,9% per habitant • For the period 1990-2001 was -1,2%

  12. MDGs Conclusion: • The target to eradicate poverty by 2015 can be achieved if the GNP could be raised until 2,9% per habitant during the period 1990-2015, but this looks impossible • The main concern is to get the educated population remain in the country and launch an economic development agenda of the Comoros

  13. Problems • A large number of sights and scenery will disappear in the near future if urgent actions are not taken • New ways need to be created since educations systems have been having problems and the literacy rate is 61% • Coral and sand have been used as traditional materials for construction, other environmentally friendly materials need to be introduced • Food products are being imported, when some could be grown locally

  14. What can be Done? • Environment issues and conservation are new concepts for the Comorian population, capacity building, education awareness campaigns need to be set up to help get local populations interested and involved • Introduction of Youth programs are needed to educate and train them • Prevention of the use of the degrading natural resources and introduction of renewable energy • Recycling needs to be introduced • To grow more commonly used crops instead of importing

  15. The Karthala Crater The largest in the world

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