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2019 African Leadership Forum focuses on natural resource management
The theme of the sixth annual African Leadership Forum (ALF), held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania from August 28-30, 2019, was ‘Promoting Good Natural Resource Management for Socio-economic Transformation in Africa’.
The forum sought to provide a platform to deliberate on the prospects of sustainable development and transformation on the continent, for the continent, by the continent. Bringing together the former presidents of Tanzania, South Africa, Somalia and Madagascar and participants from the private sector, academia, government and civil society organisations, the threats, opportunities and challenges in delivering economic and sustainable growth in the sector were addressed.
Organised by the Office of the Former President of the United Republic of Tanzania, H.E. Benjamin W. Mkapa in conjunction with the Institute of African Leadership for Sustainable Development (UONGOZI Institute), the ALF was addressed by President John Magufuli, who urged former African leaders to take the front seat toward the protection and development of the continent’s vast resources for the benefit of its people. He stated, “African countries have gained political independence, the focus now should be attaining economic independence through good management of our resources, especially natural resources.”
Speaking at the ALF, H.E. Benjamin W. Mkapa, former President of the United Republic of Tanzania stated, “It is now time to have Africa come together with a common understanding that natural resources in this continent are owned by us, and thus any decisions on how to manage them should be made by us.”
Stop Illegal Fishing Chairperson, Elsa Patria, commented, “Stop illegal Fishing welcomes the focus of the ALF on natural resource management. Fisheries, like many other sectors faces serious risk from illegal and criminal activity, corruption and weak enforcement. Africa needs healthy and sustainable fisheries to provide food, nutrition, employment and investment.”