Environment for development, development for environment

THE Ministry of Environment is working towards the achievement of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and says that biodiversity conservation should be integrated with poverty-reduction strategies.

To raise awareness about its contributions, the Ministry of Environment and Tourism has launched a booklet entitled ‘Environment for Development – Development for Environment’. This lists the eight MDGs with targets and how environment and biodiversity can contribute towards achieving these goals.They include: eradicating extreme poverty and hunger; achieving universal primary education; promoting gender equality and empowering women; reducing child mortality; improving maternal health; combating HIV-AIDS, malaria and other diseases; ensuring environmental sustainability; and developing a global partnership for development.Key messages are that the eight MDGs are not isolated; the MDGs should be part of everybody’s daily work and life; the protection of our environment and conservation of biological diversity are essential to achieving sustainable development; and local environmental projects/ programmes contribute to poverty alleviation.* For further information, contact Louisa Nakanuku, Directorate of Environmental Affairs, at telephone number (061) 284 2725.This lists the eight MDGs with targets and how environment and biodiversity can contribute towards achieving these goals.They include: eradicating extreme poverty and hunger; achieving universal primary education; promoting gender equality and empowering women; reducing child mortality; improving maternal health; combating HIV-AIDS, malaria and other diseases; ensuring environmental sustainability; and developing a global partnership for development.Key messages are that the eight MDGs are not isolated; the MDGs should be part of everybody’s daily work and life; the protection of our environment and conservation of biological diversity are essential to achieving sustainable development; and local environmental projects/ programmes contribute to poverty alleviation.* For further information, contact Louisa Nakanuku, Directorate of Environmental Affairs, at telephone number (061) 284 2725.