Deputy Minister of Agriculture
MEC of Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment
Mayor
Distinguished guests
Members of the media
Ladies and gentlemen

Introduction

Today we gathered to celebrate the important day, 17 June which was declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 1994 to the World Day to Combat Desertification and the effects of drought. This day was set aside for all of us to reflect on the effects of desertification and promote public awareness and the implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in those countries experiencing serious drought and/or Desertification, particularly in Africa.

It is fitting to address this commemoration of World Day to Combat Desertification just after we have concluded the 12th Meeting of African Environment Ministers, which was held in Johannesburg last week. The meeting of African Ministers reaffirmed that poverty; land degradation and desertification and climate change are some of the greatest challenges facing Africa. The meeting also emphasised the need for Africa to move from dialogue and policy development to implementation. Strengthening collaboration among different government departments, non-governmental organisations, institutions and community-based organisations was also emphasised by the meeting.

It is therefore promising to see this celebration being organised in collaboration with other government departments and non-governmental organisation, Environmental Monitoring Group (EMG)

We are meeting here on this World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought at the time when issues of food security, rising food and fuel prices and use of biofuels are confronting us at national, regional and global level. It is therefore clear that these challenges require our joint efforts.

This year's theme: "Combating land degradation for sustainable Agriculture" is therefore appropriate. The theme challenges us to minimise land degradation and implement our international obligations such as the three Rio Conventions of Convention on Biological Diversity, UNCCD and Climate Change and their associated national action programs and strategies. Desertification and or land degradation, if not attended to, causes more harm than good. Land degradation weakens the soil's fertility, disrupts the balance of the water cycle and contributes to food insecurity, famine and poverty as well as forced migration.

For South Africa to be able to address the challenges posed by desertification and climate change there is a need for government to join forces with non governmental organisations, communities, members of the academia and research institutions, private sector, parastatals and civil society. It is very important for practitioners to marry the aspect of science and indigenous knowledge in the fight against desertification and or land degradation.

Scientific research must be integrated with proven policies and strategies aimed at sustainable development and appropriate capacity building. Local knowledge needs to be identified, preserved and shared while respecting the rights of the owners of such knowledge, as men and women living on the land often have long developed and implemented sustainable practices of reducing land degradation and the associated risks.

International Commitment

The theme also reminds us of our World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) commitment. In paragraph 7(1) of the Plan of Implementation adopted by the WSSD, the UNCCD is acknowledged as one of the tools for poverty eradication. The implementation of the convention is also viewed as important in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The plan of implementation states the need for action at all levels to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought and floods through such measures as improved use of climate and weather information and forecasts, early warning systems, land and natural resource management and agricultural practices and ecosystem conservation in order to reverse the current trends and minimise degradation of land and water resources, including through the provision of adequate and predictable financial resources to implement the UNCCD.

Challenges

According to the 2003 World Development Report (WDR), the environmental problems of the coming century will almost certainly arise from the worsening of current problems that are not receiving adequate attention. Some scientists rank desertification and deforestation third among environmental issues requiring attention, after climate change and water resources.

As we all know now, Africa will be extremely hard hit by climate change and land degradation and drought will exacerbate Africa's vulnerability; our economies are particularly vulnerable because of reliance on agriculture and natural resources. The rural poor whose livelihood depends on agriculture are most at risk. Land degradation Desertification and climate change, are likely to affect our ability to achieve the MDG of eradicating poverty and ensuring environmental sustainability.

The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA) confirmed that drylands are most affected - each year 120 600 square kilometres are lost through desertification. Both desertification and deforestation have triggered ecosystem destruction and large-scale population movements, disrupted economic development prospects, aggravated regional conflicts and instability and threatened the lives of people living in affected areas. Climate change is projected to increase the number of droughts and floods. Coupled with sea level rise, this will affect food security, the productivity of commercial agriculture, commodity exports, health and energy. Hundred of millions more people will suffer from increased risk of floods. Crop production will be seriously affected with yields falling in most parts of Africa. Diseases such as Malaria will become more widespread. People will lose their livelihoods and communities particularly in Africa will suffer.

Action
Implementation of NEPAD

The New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD), has prioritised land degradation as part of Africa's collective response to address these challenges. NEPADs Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) and NEPAD Action Plan for Environment provide us with a framework for collaboration and implementation of programs to combat desertification and address poverty. The implementation of Sustainable Land Management projects are critical in addressing the challenge and South Africa is lagging behind in grabbing the opportunities and resources provided through Global Environment Facility and TerrAfrica Initiative.

To increase the level of awareness, it is important that we promote collaboration among different actors in environment and development programmes.
NGOs with their strong grass-root links and a long history of project involvement and a trust relationship with communities enable them to play a more effective local role than some organs of state. As such, they can play an important role in assisting and delivering project implementation.

Implementation of National Action Programs (NAP)
The UNCCD calls upon Parties to develop National Action Programme (NAP) as key instrument to combat land degradation and poverty. NAPs provides framework of partnerships that calls for all government structures, communities NGOs and private sector to work together and for the international community to provide the necessary technology, capacity development and financial resources. The UNCCD National Action Programmes, properly supported and implemented can address the challenges of land degradation and climate change.

Conclusion

Ladies and gentlemen, this event will be followed by a two day workshop where South African civil society organisations including government officials and other relevant stakeholders will engage in issues of land degradation, agriculture desertification and sustainable land and water management. The workshop came at a right time when South Africa, through the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT), is in the process of developing the UNCCD fourth Country Report which is due for submission this year. The report after completion will be submitted to the UNCCD Secretariat.

I look forward to continued collaborative efforts and working together to combat desertification and the effects of drought and in the process alleviate poverty in our resolve to attain a better life for all.

I thank you.

Issued by: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
18 June 2008