11 March 2014: Participants discussed the role of Africa’s natural resources in supporting sustained economic development and growth at the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) Ad Hoc Expert Group Meeting (AEGM), which took place under the theme ‘Making Natural Resources Work for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development.’

The meeting reviewed preliminary findings from a UNECA study on natural resources in Southern Africa, with the aim of making recommendations to UNECA’s Intergovernmental Committee of Experts (ICE) on how Southern Africa can best use its natural resources to facilitate inclusive growth that contributes to poverty reduction and involves increased citizen participation.

“Africa will have to think differently… to develop,” according to Said Adejumobi, UNECA Director. Adejumobi described efficient natural resources management and exploitation as key in realizing Africa’s development goals and economic growth.

Southern Africa has abundant forestry, land, minerals, water and wildlife resources yet has failed to address high rates of poverty and unemployment and growing inequality, said Felix Nkulukusa, Ministry of Finance Permanent Secretary, Zambia. He said Southern Africa must take responsibility for its own development and called for deeper economic integration, participation of local people in the economies, regional value chains and value addition.

Over 50 participants from member states, industry, civil society and academia attended the AEGM, which took place on 10-11 March 2014 in Livingstone, Zambia. The ICE then convened on 13-14 March under the same theme. [UNECA Press Release] [ICE Meeting]