6 



We realize that sound and sustainable environmental policy de- 

 pends on participation of dedicated individuals as I mentioned ear- 

 lier. And we are encouraging our Ambassadors to identify them to 

 help them through things like the International Visitor Program 

 and other means at their disposal. 



In closing, let me say, although I am not sure this is necessary, 

 why a vigorous environmental partnership seems to us to serve 

 American as well as African interests. Africa's long-term economic 

 well-being is surely linked with sustainable development of its nat- 

 ural resource base. Without progress in this area, the prospects for 

 even more civil unrest and the requirements for extremely expen- 

 sive emergency aid are going to escalate. African countries faced 

 with massive economic problems need help in order to work with 

 us on issues of global concern, such as biodiversity and global cli- 

 mate change. And that is why our investment in helping Africans 

 to sustain Africa's environmental health is so important to our own 

 environmental health. 



Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I would ask that the full state- 

 ment be entered into the record. 



Mr. Gejdenson. Without objection. 



[The satement of Mr. Pringle appears in the appendix.] 



Mr. Gejdenson. Mr. Cobb. 



STATEMENT OF RICHARD COBB, DEPUTY ASSISTANT ADMIN- 

 ISTRATOR, BUREAU FOR AFRICA, AGENCY FOR INTER- 

 NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT 



Mr. Cobb. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased to have this 

 opportunity to discuss USAJD's environmental programs in Africa. 



I wish to make three points which will supplement the written 

 statement: first, a word about our approach in Africa; second, a 

 comment on efforts to bring some cohesion to the process of identi- 

 fying issues and planning programs; and third, a comment on the 

 role of NGO's in our work. 



First, our approach. USAID's environmental programs are work- 

 ing on two levels: on one level, toward progressive national policies 

 that protect the environment, and at the same time focusing on 

 local capacity to understand and implement environmentally sound 

 programs. For USAID, the critical environmental questions in Afri- 

 ca relate to the underlying productivity of the continent's natural 

 resource base. For that reason, we have focused on programs that 

 support three areas: first, sustainability of agriculture; second, 

 maintaining tropical forests; and third, tne conservation and pres- 

 ervation of biodiversity. 



For the past 5 years, USAID has been implementing the Devel- 

 opment Fund for Africa (DFA). Within the DFA, environmental 

 sustainability has been closely linked to development; specifically, 

 to the objectives of increasing incomes and growth. This approach 

 is fully supportive of the overall environmental strategy of the ad- 

 ministration, with its focus on the environment as an element of 

 economic development. 



USAID's environmental programs have helped both governments, 

 as well as farmers, by supporting changes that lead to sustainable 

 development. For example, in Mali, USAID programs are simulta- 

 neously promoting positive national land use and marketing poli- 



