Nobel Peace Prize Winner Dr. Wangari Maathai Addresses African Development Conference (TICAD IV) in Japan: Urges Urgent Support for Indigenous Forest Ecosystems
June 3, 2008
Under the auspices of the United Nations, the World Bank and the Japanese government, the fourth meeting of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development was held last week. This year’s agenda focused on improving infrastructure, trade, investment, and agriculture, focusing on the theme “Towards a Vibrant Africa”.
Under the auspices of the United Nations, the World Bank and the Japanese government, the fourth meeting of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development was held last week. This year’s agenda focused on improving infrastructure, trade, investment, and agriculture, focusing on the theme “Towards a Vibrant Africa”.
Delegations from all but one African country (Somalia) attended including a record number of top leaders. Dr. Maathai addressed a pack, chaired by Prime Minister of Japan, Yasuo Fukuda. Under the banner of African Development Frontiers” the Nobel Peace Laureate shared the podium with the President of Senegal, HE Abdoulaye Wade, world famous Senegalese Musician Yousou N’dour, Irish Rock Star, BONO and distinguished economist Jeffrey Sachs.
Dr Maathai’s speech focused on the urgency to secure Africa’s forests as part of the climate change mitigation strategy and more importantly for the survival of the continent stressing that “it is possible for our people to grow the commercial plantations needed by the timber and building industries. But it is wrong to sacrifice indigenous forests to make way for quick economic benefits with expansive farms of commercial trees.”
The full text of Nobel Laureate Dr Maathai’s speech is attached.
Wangari Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement in 1977 - a grassroots environmental organization which has assisted women and their families in planting more than 40 million trees across Kenya. Since this time she has campaigned tirelessly for democracy, human rights and environmental conservation. In 2004, Wangari Maathai was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, recognizing that for peace there needs to be sustainable and equitable distribution of resources.
For further information and to arrange interviews please contact:
The Green Belt Movement Regional Offices:
In Japan: +819035036713 (through June 3rd)
Kenya office: gbm@greenbeltmovement.org +254 20 2211842/2220159
GBM Europe office: gbmi@greenbeltmovement.org or +44 (0) 20 7549 0395
US office: gbmius@greenbeltmovement.org or +1 703 807 2007
Delegations from all but one African country (Somalia) attended including a record number of top leaders. Dr. Maathai addressed a pack, chaired by Prime Minister of Japan, Yasuo Fukuda. Under the banner of African Development Frontiers” the Nobel Peace Laureate shared the podium with the President of Senegal, HE Abdoulaye Wade, world famous Senegalese Musician Yousou N’dour, Irish Rock Star, BONO and distinguished economist Jeffrey Sachs.
Dr Maathai’s speech focused on the urgency to secure Africa’s forests as part of the climate change mitigation strategy and more importantly for the survival of the continent stressing that “it is possible for our people to grow the commercial plantations needed by the timber and building industries. But it is wrong to sacrifice indigenous forests to make way for quick economic benefits with expansive farms of commercial trees.”
The full text of Nobel Laureate Dr Maathai’s speech is attached.
Wangari Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement in 1977 - a grassroots environmental organization which has assisted women and their families in planting more than 40 million trees across Kenya. Since this time she has campaigned tirelessly for democracy, human rights and environmental conservation. In 2004, Wangari Maathai was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, recognizing that for peace there needs to be sustainable and equitable distribution of resources.
For further information and to arrange interviews please contact:
The Green Belt Movement Regional Offices:
In Japan: +819035036713 (through June 3rd)
Kenya office: gbm@greenbeltmovement.org +254 20 2211842/2220159
GBM Europe office: gbmi@greenbeltmovement.org or +44 (0) 20 7549 0395
US office: gbmius@greenbeltmovement.org or +1 703 807 2007