Keynote Speech by Hon Amina Shaaban

Workshop on System Dynamics Modeling for Sustainable Development Planning for SIDS - April 10th - 12th , 2012

Zanzibar Ocean View Hotel

Zanzibar

KEYNOTE SPEECH BY Mme AMINA SHAABAN,

PLANNING COMMISSIONER, MINISTRY OF STATE (FINANCE AND ECONOMIC AFFAIRS), REVOLUTIONARY GOVERNMENT OF ZANZIBAR

Honorable Chair,

Distinguished participants,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

First and foremost, I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar to welcome you all in this special occasion when we start to embark on the first phase of the implementation of Mauritius Strategy on Sustainable Development for the Small Island Developing States. As we can all recall, Zanzibar is one of the six beneficiaries of the ISLANDS Project which is being implemented in the islands of the Western Indian Ocean which include Mauritius, Seychelles, Comoros, Madagascar, ReUnion, and Zanzibar. The project is financed by the European Union and is being facilitated for all beneficiary countries by the Indian Ocean Commission.

Distinguished Participants,

The Mauritius Strategy for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) was adopted by 129 countries and territories in the global conference held in Mauritius, January 2005. It addresses the unique development problems of island countries and sets out the basic principles and specific actions required at the national, regional and international levels to support sustainable development for the island communities. It covers various economic, social and environment sectors and recognizes the need for building capacity to implement sustainable development policies of SIDS. In the islands of the Western Indian Ocean Region, the Mauritius Strategy is being implemented under the name “ISLANDS PROJECT”

Distinguished Participants,

The ISLANDS PROJECT seeks to:

• Improve and strengthen sustainable development strategies for Zanzibar;

• Identify key priorities and the resources required for Zanzibar to carry on with the implementation of the overall sustainable development goals;

• Strengthen monitoring and evaluation mechanism for its development indicators; and finally,

• To establish strong regional cooperation between Zanzibar and other beneficiary islands of the Western Indian Ocean region.

Distinguished Participants,

We all understand that the basis of MKUZA-II Strategy is in line with the Millenium Development Goals. We also know that the origin of the Millenium Development Goals is in the Principles of the Rio Declaration and Agenda 21 which calls upon the development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations. In this case, every citizen has an obligation to ensure that every economic need goes hand in hand with environmental conservation for the security and livelihoods of our present and future society.

Distinguished Participants,

Zanzibar is already experiencing huge environmental shocks caused by expansion of unsustainable economic activities and from Climate Change. The rising demand for natural resources and other environmental services is tilting the balance between the economy and our environment. Our production and consumption patterns have created a huge deficit on environment.

Unsustainable agricultural and livestock practices, depleted fisheries, waste management and disposal problems, devastating impact of deforestation, quarrying and sand mining, water pollution, food security, challenges of tourism, land and settlements, are just some of the underlying problems affecting our performance towards achieving our sustainable development goals.

The question here is not whether we should continue or stop developing. But rather, we should ask ourselves how can we strive forward with our economic goals without compromising the carrying capacity of our fragile environment.

Distinguished participants,

The Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar is committed towards:

• Rio Declaration on Environment and Development;

• Implementation of the Agenda 21 which is a global plan of action to promote sustainable development; and

• the Millennium Declaration on which our MKUZA-II Strategy is based. Today’s Workshop on Sustainable Development underscores that commitment.

Distinguished Participants,

I am told that the 3-Day Workshop will:

• focus on measuring the level of coherence of our sustainable development policies and strategies and evaluate their current feasibility and effectiveness;

• aim at improving the capacity to integrate new methodologies in measuring our sustainable development indicators;

• Promote the application of new methodologies and tools in improving the performance of sector policies; and

• Support the integration of the Mauritius Strategy (MS) into National Development Strategies, Policies and related budgetary planning processes.

Distinguished Participants,

In order to show our seriousness in implementation of the key objectives of this project, the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar has identified the Directors of Policy, Planning and Research from various Government Ministries as principal stakeholders for this workshop.

As key policy experts and planners, you have the fundamental duty of representing your respective sectors in this workshop for critical assessment, performance review, and ways of improving your respective strategies. This will assure us that we are not left behind in the pursuit of new tools and methodologies that are developed to achieve sustainable development goals.

Distinguished Participants,

I understand that this is not a one way training mode. But rather, an intensive brainstorming, discussion, and interaction among yourselves, and between yourselves and the workshop facilitators. In the end, you are expected to reach a common ground for the best way forward in improvement of our overall sustainable development strategies.

Distinguished Participants,

Let me conclude by thanking the First Vice President’s Office for coordinating this Workshop. I also would like to take this opportunity to extend our deep appreciation to the Indian Ocean Commission for facilitating this workshop along with the international experts who are here with us today. I wish you all a very successful training program.

Thank you all for listening and I therefore declare the 3 Day Workshop on System Dynamics modeling for Sustainable Development Planning for Zanzibar officially open.