Download 13.05.27 AMESD Workshop - Ministry of Environment and

Speech of
the Hon. Devanand Virahsawmy, GOSK, FCCA
Minister of
Environment & Sustainable Development
on the occasion of the
Closing Workshop of
African Monitoring of the Environment
for Sustainable Development (AMESD)
on
Monday 27 May 2013 at 09.30 hrs
Ebène Cyber Tower 1 Conference Hall
Mr. Jean-Claude de L’Estrac, General Secretary of
the Indian Ocean Commission,
Representative of the European Union, Mrs. Cécile Tassin-Pekzer
Dr. Daniel Marie, Officer in Charge of the Mauritius Oceanography Institute,
Representatives of participating countries,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen
I am pleased to be in your midst this morning for this regional closing workshop
of the African Monitoring of the Environment for Sustainable Development
(AMESD) programme. The main objective of this workshop will be to report
on the achievements of the AMESD programme in the region with emphasis on
the thematic area “Coastal and Marine Management” which has been
implemented by the Mauritius Oceanography Institute with the support of the
Indian Ocean Commission.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Western Indian Ocean region is known for its unique biological richness
and natural beauty which is of high ecological and socio-economic value. The
coastal habitats, including coastal forests, sand dunes, beaches, rocky shores,
mangroves, sea-grass beds and coral reefs, support rich and complex
populations of marine species that rely on the integrity of the ecosystem for
their reproduction process. The economic value of goods and services provided
by these ecosystems in our sub-region is estimated to more than 25 billion US
Dollars on an annual basis, with fisheries and tourism being the two pillars of
the economic development of our countries.
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To maintain the integrity of these ecosystems, not only the quality but also the
quantity of our resources needs to be monitored. In view of the adverse effects
of climate change, environmental monitoring constitutes an important tool to
determine present and future impacts, to recommend mitigating measures and to
evaluate the effectiveness of prospective remedial measures. This is why so
much emphasis was laid on the importance of environmental monitoring at the
Rio+20 Conference held in 2012. The use of space-technology based data, insitu monitoring and reliable geo-spatial information for sustainable development
policy making, programming and project operation was fully recognised and
supported during the conference.
In line with the principles of environment protection and monitoring, the
AMESD programme has been implemented to address the need for improved
environmental monitoring so as to ensure sustainable development.
The
objective of this programme was to enhance monitoring for preparedness and
adaptation to environmental change, including sustainable management of the
environment, thereby contributing to poverty alleviation in the poorest areas of
the world. It also aimed at increasing the information management capacity of
African regional and national institutions in support of decision makers at
different levels while facilitating access to Africa-wide environmental
information derived from Earth Observation technologies.he
The thematic area on Coastal and Marine Environment developed in the context
of the AMESD programme consisted of two main services, namely Support to
Fisheries Resources Management and the Monitoring of Physical Oceanography
Variables.
I am informed that oceanographic charts for the detection of
potential fishing zone have been produced and the information has been
disseminated to fishermen who are the end users. With regard to the monitoring
of oceanography variables, a monthly reporting service has been established
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which provides time series data and trends on the physical parameters, including
sea surface temperature and sea surface height in the South West Indian Ocean
region. These data have already been made available on the AMESD-MOI
website.
Before pursuing, allow me to mention a few examples of actions taken by my
Ministry to address the need for improved data collection and dissemination on
environmental changes:
(i)
A Climate Change Information Centre has been established with the
support of UNDP, Inter-Regional Technical Support Component of AAP
and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under the Africa
Adaptation Programme which is funded by the Government of Japan.
This centre will act as a ‘Repositoire’ for climate change related data and
information which will assist in informed decision making. It will act as
a knowledge based platform through quick links with other international
centres such as the NASA, the World Meteorological Organisation, the
National Center for Atmospheric Research, and the National Geo-science
Data Centre.
It will also provide digital tool kits for strengthening
adaptation skills in key sectors.
(ii)
The establishment of an Environment Information System is in process to
strengthen environmental information management and its availability for
decision-making in Mauritius. This consists of two major components,
namely:
the development of a core set of Environmental Indicators (EI) for
Mauritius; and
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
the development of a computer based EIS, that makes maximum
use of information technology for strategic management of the
environment.
So far, a core set of 32 environmental indicators specific for Mauritius
have been prepared and specific IT equipment have been purchased to
operate the system. Implementation is still ongoing.
(iii)
Under the Framework for Integrated Coastal Zone Management and
study on Environmentally Sensitive Areas, GIS data for the coastal zone
and ESAs have been produced and is being used for decision making.
Further to recommendations set out in these studies, a committee has
been set up to look into the establishment of the central GIS unit at
national level.
I have mentioned these examples in order to show you that to manage the
environment effectively, accurate information is required not only about the
state of the environment but also about the rate at which it is changing.
These data must be made available to all relevant stakeholders so that they
can take personal responsibility for their own environment and participate
effectively in the decision making process.
I now declare this closing workshop open and wish fruitful deliberations to
all participants and happy stay to all foreign delegates. Congratulations to
IOC, MOI and thanks to EU.
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