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Opening Statement of the Hon. Harry Johnston 



Today we meet to discuss the very important topic of the environment in Africa. 

 I am pleased that the Africa Subcommittee and the Economic Policy, Trade and En- 

 vironment Subcommittee are working together on this topic. In our pressing day- 

 to-day efforts to address the immediate crises that we are facing in Africa, it is not 

 always possible to step back and look at the larger issues that will have to be ad- 

 dressed in Africa is to achieve faster progress toward sustainable development. 



Few of these issues are more important than the environment. Indeed the nexus 

 between the environment and development will have to be more aggressively and 

 creatively addressed by the United States if we are to play a more effective role in 

 ensuring a sustainable future for Africa. I am pleased that the Clinton administra- 

 tion has expressed its commitment to just such a new approach. 



I want to stress at the outset that when I think of environment issues in Africa 

 I don't think primarily about saving animals. In the end, if we can't provide an im- 

 proved livelihood for Africa's people, especially its rural people, then nothing will be 

 able to save Africa's majestic animals and spectacular vistas. So our strategy for ad- 

 dressing environmental concerns in Africa must have at its center responding to the 

 needs 01 Africa's poor. Nor can outsiders be the leading force in addressing environ- 

 mental concerns in Africa. Unless African governments and non governmental orga- 

 nizations take full ownership of these issues, we will not be able to achieve real 

 progress. 



When Congress created the Development Fund for Africa in 1987, we recognized 

 the central role that effective management or natural resources played in ensuring 

 long-term increases in productivity. The Congress has asked AID to meet a target 

 of 10 percent of all DFA funds to be used, for natural resource activities. 



Today, we hope to learn more about how these funds have been used, about what 

 the lessons are that AID has learned in its environmental-related work in Africa, 

 and about where the Clinton administration sees environment issues fitting in to 

 its overall Africa policy. 



We should also learn more, from our priva^ panelists, about how Africa non- 

 governmental organizations view the environmentally-sensitive development in 

 Africa. 



