11 



any continent. Therefore, although African participation is critical, 

 Africans cannot afford to undertake unilateral mitigation of envi- 

 ronmental degradation. 



What is the World Wildlife Fund doing? The World Wildlife 

 Fund's commitment to conservation of biological diversity and de- 

 velopment of sound natural resource management practices in Afri- 

 ca and Madagascar has resulted in support for conservation efforts 

 in more than 40 countries since 1962. The. Fund has developed 

 strategies that guide and integrate program effort. These strategies 

 include: 1) creating and protecting protected areas; 2) linking con- 

 servation and human needs; 3) Building conservation infrastruc- 

 ture; and 4) protecting species of special concern. 



What role can the U.S. Government play? Africa's economic 

 growth rate is the lowest in the world. Per capita food production 

 between 1962 and 1983 is about 30 percent. According to the Unit- 

 ed Nations' annual development index, 32 of the 40 countries with 

 the lowest economic development are in Africa. Such hard facts 

 have extremely negative impacts on the environment of Africa as 

 people fight to acquire the barest requirements for survival. De- 

 spite all this, Africa gets the least development aid. 



Conservation of natural resources is a long-term endeavor that 

 requires long-term investment. Such investment requires a solid 

 base for funding. Africa cannot do it alone. The U.S. Government 

 has been a world leader in the stewardship of the global environ- 

 ment and is a source of inspiration for many Africans. Now, more 

 than at any other period during the last two decades, Africa needs 

 the United States to stand by its side. 



Experience shows that finding new money for environmental ac- 

 tivities is very hard these days. That, coupled with this era of 

 budget reductions would render a proposition for additional fund- 

 ing unlikely. It is crucial, therefore, Mr. Chairman, that existing 

 funds be utilized very effectively. New ways must be explored that 

 will leverage funds from different sources. Innovative approaches 

 include the establishment of trust funds and debt reduction mecha- 

 nisms. Congress has played a key role by passing laws allowing 

 these innovatives. 



In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, I would like to say that now is not 

 the time to abandon Africa. I have spent the last 18 years working 

 on the environmental issues in Africa, and I know that the political 

 and economic reforms currently taking place in Africa will be 

 meaningful if the environment is afforded the highest priority. The 

 United States can and should endeavor to make that possible. 

 Today, Mr. Chairman, we are presented with the opportunity to re- 

 verse a conservation crisis in Africa, and if we do not do something 

 about it, future generations will never pardon us. I thank you, sir. 



[The prepared statement of Mr. Nsanjama appears in the appen- 

 dix.] 



Mr. Gejdenson. Thank you. Ms. McMeekin. 



STATEMENT OF DIANA McMEEKIN, ACTING PRESIDENT, 

 AFRICAN WILDLIFE FOUNDATION 



Ms. McMeekin. Before I begin, I would like to thank Mr. Gejd- 

 enson, and Mr. Johnston, and Mr. Roth and Mr. Burton for inviting 

 me here to testify along with my colleagues. I am Diana E. 



