The United Nations University Institute for Natural Resources in Africa (UNU-INRA) will be holding an in-house seminar to discuss findings of a study on Co-Management of Africa’s Extractive Resources.
Date: Monday, 31st July, 2017
Time: 3pm
Abstract
The Global South is richly endowed with natural resources. However, the continent of Africa stands out among the rest in terms of its significant amount of resource wealth. The region holds over 60 percent of the world’s strategic minerals and is also a host to many rare elements, rich vegetation, an equable climate and 12 hours of sunshine most of the year. Adding up the total value of its fisheries and aquaculture sector alone is estimated to be worth at least USD 24 billion (Extractive Resources in Africa, 2015). With such resources, particularly in the mining and extractive sector that hold great potential to spur progress, it becomes more evident why effective management solutions are being prioritized. Traditionally, natural resource management has largely been done by the state. African governments have made steps at different levels to achieve sustainable development through the management of the continent’s extractive resources. These steps have, however, left a lot to be desired. The objective of this paper is not to propose or argue for a universal method to effectively manage the continent’s extractive resources. Instead, this paper purports that achieving sustainable development is very much hinged on management methods that promote transparency and accountability that are inherently found in effective co-management frameworks. In essence, this paper will support and defend co-management of extractive resources as an effective way of achieving transparency and accountability that promotes sustainable development.
The Presenter: Ms Yolanda Borquaye
Ms Yolanda Borquaye is currently pursuing her Juris Doctorate at New York University, School of Law, where she is focusing on various aspects of International Law. She earlier obtained her Bachelors of Arts Degree in Sociology and Government from Harvard University, Massachusetts, where she majored in International Development. Her research interests encompass legislative frameworks for extractive resources and natural resource management within Africa. She is currently a research intern at UNU-INRA.
Praise Nutakor
Email: nutakor@unu.edu