Nelson SabogalSenior Programme Officer

Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions

Planet Earth Institute Roundtable "Empowering Scientific Leadership in Africa“

"Empowering Scientific Leadership in Africa“

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning”

Albert Einstein

African Economies Make Consistent Progress

According to a World Bank report released this month, more than 20 sub-Saharan African countries, totaling more than 400 million people, have gained middle-income status.

This year, the World Bank said:

one-third of the economies of the 49 sub-Saharan African countries will grow at a clip of 6 percent or more

the number of people living in poverty has fallen roughly 10 percentage points over the past decade

From the report of the Report of the Secretary-General on "International challenges for sustainable development: global policy coherence and the role of the United Nations", United Nations (A/67/274), 9 August 2012

In developing countries, innovation is not a matter of pushing back the frontier of global knowledge. Rather, innovation consists of facilitating the use of existing knowledge and new technology in a domestic context.

Research and development activities thus consist of the creation of knowledge, but also, and perhaps more importantly, of acquisition, adaptation, dissemination and use in local settings.

New approach in scientific research

Scientific research in Africa should evaluate the current context and contribute to change this context

“Science and technology are just one corner stone to fight poverty, empower people and enhance people’s dignity through life long education” (Stigter, 2005)

“The second corner stone therefore is an understanding of local adaptive strategies and innovations” (Stigter, 2005)

“New scientific research policies. Indeed “policies” are forming the third corner stone” (Stigter, 2005)

“The fourth corner stone are the people themselves, the producers and workers” (Stigter, 2006)

Africa's technological revolution " From the Guardian article: "West Africa's technological revolution driven by

mobile phones", by Monica Mark, 24 September 2012.

"If you look at our history and development, the focus has always been to find something that worked successfully somewhere else and bring it here. That model hasn't worked," Longe said, in a buzzing room in downtown Lagos, where dozens of aspiring "techpreneurs" are huddled over laptops. "For solutions to work here, they need to be created with an understanding of the Nigerian context and culture.”

Assessments for the Montreal ProtocolPanels of the Montreal Protocol

The Parties at its First Meeting, held in Helsinki in May 1989 established four review panels:

(a) Panel for Scientific Assessment;

(b) Panel for Environmental Assessment;

(c) Panel for Technical Assessment;

(d) Panel for Economic Assessment, (c) and (d) merged later as Technology and Economic Assessment Panel.

Assessments for the Montreal ProtocolTheir relation to the international policy process1989- Scientific Assessment of Stratospheric Ozone: 19891991- Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion: 19911992 Methyl Bromide: Its Atmospheric, Science, Technology and

Economics (Assessment Supplement) 1994 Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion: 1994 1998 Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion2002 and 2006 Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion Each scientific assessment, in 1989, in 1991, in 1994, in 1998 and

2002 and 2006 has served as a basis for the Amendments and Adjustments to the Montreal Protocol adopted in London (1990), Copenhagen (1992), Vienna (1995), Montreal (1997), Beijing (1999) and Montreal (2007)

Two Co-Chairs of the Scientific Assessment Panel of the Montreal Protocol from Africa

Mr. Piet Aucamp, from South Africa, Co-Chair of the Scientific Assessment Panel from 1992 to 2000 and

Prof. Ayite-Lo Nohende AjavonHead Atmospheric Chemistry LaboratoryFDS/Universite de Lome, Togo, Co-Chair of the Scientific Assessment Panel from 2001

Thank You!!

Nelson Sabogal (Mr.)

Senior Programme Officer

Technical Assistance Branch

Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Tel: +41(0) 22 917 8212

Email: Nelson.Sabogal@unep.org