Science for a Sustainable Future in Eastern Africa

Global development faces daunting challenges - climate change, destruction of natural resources, biodiversity loss, water scarcity, food insecurity, natural hazards and disasters, rising human population etc. In order to sustainably develop, these challenges would have to be addressed by using science-evidenced technologies, innovations and policies. UNESCO supports the spread and improved efficacy of the natural sciences, especially on issues of global concern that require holistic solutions and multinational collaboration. Current projects and research initiatives focus on a variety of fields: from freshwater resource management to biodiversity and geodiversity conservation and from natural disaster reduction to capacity building in science, technology and innovation and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education. UNESCO implements its activities in science essentially through its International Science Programmes (ISPs). The ISPs are supported by extensive networks and have long-standing experience in mobilizing the best available fundamental and applied science in their respective fields to serve UNESCO Member States. Activities implemented by the sector contributes to the UN Agenda 2030 and the AU Agenda 2063.

Regional Challenges

At the UNESCO Nairobi Office, the Natural Sciences Sector works to deal with some of the challenging issues confronting the African Regional Economic Commissions:

Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) – The IGAD region stretches over an area of 5.2 million km2 that comprises the countries of Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda. Current activities within the sector cover all countries. The IGAD region is characterized by complex geological and topographical formations that exhibit a wide diversity of terrains and landscapes. This diversity has produced regional variations as manifested with different ecological zones such as the East African Rift Valley, deserts, arid-, semi-arid, dry-, dry sub-humid, humid, mountainous and alpine lands in the region. The region continues to suffer from destruction of ecosystem, climate change manifestations (frequent droughts), high population growth, overgrazing, forest degradation, soil and land degradation, wildlife poaching and trafficking, desertification, etc. which militates against the ecological and socioeconomic development of the region.

East African Community (EAC) – The EAC is a regional intergovernmental organization of 6 Partner States: the Republics of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, the United Republic of Tanzania, and the Republic of Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. However, Burundi is priority country for the UNESCO Yaounde Office. With a land area of 2.5 million square kilometers and a combined Gross Domestic Product of US$ 172 billion (EAC Statistics for 2017), its realization bears great strategic and geopolitical significance and prospects for the renewed and reinvigorated EAC. Despite its rich biodiversity, wildlife, water resources and a growing tourism industry, the socioeconomic development of the region and conservation efforts are threatened by rising human population and increased incidences of drought, flood and landslides.

Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) – The IOC is composed of five African Indian Ocean nations: Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Réunion (an overseas region of France), and Seychelles. Notwithstanding their different characteristics (Reunion as a French overseas region; Mauritius and Seychelles as Middle-Income Countries whereas Comoros and Madagascar are amongst the Least-Developed Countries), the five islands share geographic proximity, historical and demographic relationships, natural resources and common development issues. Current activities within the sector cover all countries except Réunion. Rich in biodiversity and fishery resources with a growing tourism industry, IOC countries face increased threat of extreme weather and climatic events. Floods, land degradation, sea-level rise, coastal erosion, and increased occurrence of drought affect agricultural growth and food security.