The role of Space Technologies for Sustainable Economic Growth and Development High level conference Space for the African Citizen16 September 2010, Brussels, Belgium

Menghestab Haile, World Food Programme

Main Causes of Food Insecurity and UnderdevelopmentHeavy dependency on traditional rain fed agriculture (over 70% of the population)Droughts, floods, land degradation and CC High disease burden (Malaria etc, HIV AIDS)Lack of rural infrastructure and high cost of transportLack of agricultural marketing strategies Conflicts and civil strifeLack appropriate risk management systemsLack of reliable information and data

The vicious circle of land degradation and poverty

Rehabilitation of degraded hillsides to productive woodlotsGround water recharged and base flow enhanced Kids swimming in shallow well after the gulley is rehabilitated

Some of the challenges for economic growth and Development

Lack the necessary resources to increase agricultural productivity and increase rural income; Lack effective strategies and resources for risk management; and Lack institutional capacity and infrastructure to generate and share reliable information

Resources, Risk Management and Information

Opportunities for economic growth and Development Need to shift from the thinking of poverty reduction to economic transformation

Growth Opportunities in the rural sectorRoom for Technical InnovationDevelop Strategic Partnerships (public/private)Aspire for mutual benefits (for Africa and Europe)

The importance of space tools and technologyRecognize the important role of the private sector both in African and EuropeThe private sector and technology

Generating enabling information to support Development Using advances in satellite technologies and GIS effectively support sustainable development Satellite applications for enhanced environmental assessment and agricultural monitoringSatellite applications for effective communication

Relevant Space Technology ApplicationsRemote Sensing ApplicationsBaseline mapping for planning land use, land cover, agro-ecological zones, cropping patterns, dominant cropsAgricultural Monitoring - Area cultivated, vegetation status, Rainfall and yield indicatorsRisk assessment for risk management flooded area, drought affected area, etcInfrastructure assessment for humanitarian response roads, airports, railways, markets

Relevant Space Technology Applications (2)Satellite supported communications (Mobile phones and GPS applications)Market information (farmers have improved access to market information)Improved education delivery Health delivery Disaster response Public information

EU has initiatives to support Africa to use space related applicationsEU is putting significant resources for Africa GMES and Africa is one of the initiatives Some of the projects being implemented in Africa includeGARNET-E (led by Infoterra)GMFS (led by VITO)ISAC (led by VITO)EU is encouraging participation of African private sectorThe need to create an enabling environment to support both African and European private sector

ConclusionSatellite technologies can create enabling environment for economic transformation EU and other donors are supporting relevant initiatives in Africa European private sector is encouraged to play a role in implementing the various initiatives Necessary support and guarantee needs to be provided to support the private sector to innovateNeed to develop enabling environment for African and European private sector to collaborateEuropean private sector need to see Africa as an opportunity for making business EU grants should only facilitate business

Remarks Policy makers in Africa may not be aware of the availability of satellite technologies that can support their development efforts We need to engage with governments of developing countries at appropriate levelsNew technologies can give Africa a jump start in several sectors including the communication sector We need to shift our thinking of Africa as a business opportunity not just a continent dependent on foreign aidThe EU needs to be commended for giving attention to Africa (for example GMES and Africa)Africa must make appropriate decisions as it gets enhanced attention from many parts of the world

Thank you for your attention

Menghestab HailePolicy AdvisorWFP Liaison Office to the AU and ECAAddis Ababa, EthiopiaMenghestab.haile@wfp.orgTel +251 115515188 ext 2255Mob +251 911505072Fax +251 115154988

Let me take this opportunity to thank the Belgian government for considering Africa as one of its priorities during its EU Presidency.This platform Space for the African Citizen will provide opportunity for consultation and developing strategic partnerships between Africa and Europe.

Let me also introduce briefly my organization the United Nations World Food Programme - WFP. WFP is the largest food assistance agency of the UN system and currently working in more than 80 countries in the world. The main function of WFP is to provide food assistance to save the lives and livelihoods of people in difficult situations.

To identify people at risk and to mobilize adequate resources for its humanitarian work WFP uses all sources of information including satellite data hence my interest in this field.

In this presentation I will talk about the potential role of Satellites for humanitarian response and development in Africa.

I will start with the traditional presentation where we list the problems of Africa and why it is poor!

But then I will move on and focus on the opportunities for partnerships, growth and prosperity both for Africa and Europe.

Here is a list of why Africa is poor and vulnerable to disasters. You have seen this type of list in many presentations in the past.

We are asking now can we see these problems as opportunities for growth and partnerships?This requires a strategic rethinking on how we do business in the global world.

*This is an example from Ethiopia my country. It is a typical example of a vicious cycle of poverty, Land degradation, food insecurity and humanitarian crisis. It highlights the problems we have listed earlier. The question what can we do to change such environment? The next slide shows another example from the same country..Here we have a completely different picture. With appropriate interventions the environment could be improved. This demonstrates an opportunity. You can see how a barren land can be reclaimed and made productive.Such type of land rehabilitation has contribution to CC adaptation and mitigation as well hence great potential for CC related investments as well.

What are the constraints for achieving such transformation?*The previous two slides demonstrated how a barren and non productive land can be reclaimed and rehabilitated. In such cased three main inputs are required (1) resources both financial and human many people in rural areas so no problem for human resources (2) appropriate risk management capacity so that people are protected from emergencies and (3) reliable information to enable appropriate planning and decision making.In this presentation is more on the information side What are some of the opportunities for partnerships and economic growth? First it is important that we accept there are opportunities for mutual benefit.Africa lacks infrastructureAfrica lacks strong institutions

However if we use technological advances such as satellites it may be possible to jump-start Africas development. The technology is available. Recognizing the importance of space applications for Africa the EU is putting substantial resources to support the use of space technology in Africa.In this regard there are several initiatives. Among them includes the GMES for Africa.These are good initiatives but need to do more. There is a need to create a conducive environment for the private sector of Africa to partner with their European counter parts. We need