Gaborone, Botswana, May 24-25

The Government of Botswana, in partnership with Conservation International (CI), announced late Friday, May 25, 2012, the endorsement of the Gaborone Declaration by ten African countries and numerous public and private sector partners from within and outside Africa. The Declaration, a set of concrete principles and development goals that soundly move the value of natural capital from the periphery to the center of development planning, is the culmination of discussions held over the two-day Summit for Sustainability in Africa, a first of its kind on the continent.

Among nations’ agreements were two key conclusions: first, lead​ers reached unanimous consensus that the historical pattern of natural resources exploitation has failed to promote sustained growth, environmental integrity and improved social capital and has even worse, been counter productive; second, they agreed that the value of natural capital, or the wealth of benefits and services provided to people by biodiversity and ecosystems such as watersheds, forests, coral reefs, and grasslands, must be fully accounted and integrated into national and corporate planning and reporting practices, policies and programs.​

The Gaborone Declaration also reaffirmed African nations’ commitments to implement all existing conventions and declarations that promote sustainable development and additionally assured that the ten countries present will commit to annual reporting on their natural capital accounting efforts.

For press inquiries, please contact

Kim McCabe
Senior Director, News Strategy & Media Relations
Conservation International
kmccabe@conservation.org
+1 (703) 341-2546

or

Charmaine Muir-Revaka
Director, Media Relations
BGCIS, Ministry of State President
crevaka@gov.bw
(00267) 313 3048

Press Releases

May 26, 2012: Gaborone Declaration Pioneers Commitment to Value Natural Capital as New Path for Sustainable Development

May 24, 2012: With African Leadership, a New Day for Natural Capital

May 17, 2012: Seeding Africa's Prosperous, Healthy Future: Summit for Sustainability in Africa to Convene Leaders in Gaborone, Botswana

Speaker Remarks

Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
President of the Republic of Liberia
The Importance of Natural Capital to Development, Plenary Address (PDF - 369 KB)

Achim Steiner
UN Under-Secretary General and Executive Director UN Environment Programme (UNEP)
Remarks for the Summit (PDF - 329 KB)

His Excellency Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama
The President of the Republic of Botswana
Keynote Speech (PDF - 98.6 KB)

In the News

VIDEO: CCTV's Talk Africa: Africa's Natural Capital with President Johnson Sirleaf

From the blog

5/17/2012: CI + Botswana Convene First-ever Summit for Sustainability in Africa

5/21/2012: The Rise of Women in Africa

DOWNLOAD: Agenda of speeches, panel discussions and plenary sessions (PDF)

Heads of Delegation
	His Excellency Paul Kagame President of the Republic of Rwanda Paul Kagame was elected into the Transitional National Assembly elected Office as President of the Republic of Rwanda on 22 April 2000. He won the first Rwanda's democratic elections in August 2003 and was re-elected to a second seven-year term in August 2010.
	Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf President of Liberia Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is the 24th President of Liberia and the first elected female Head of State in Africa. Throughout her career she has demonstrated passionate commitment to hard work, integrity and good governance, advocating for the rights of women and the importance of education to provide a better future for her country and its people. Her efforts were awarded with the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize. Read her plenary address from the first day of the summit (May 24, 2012) »
	His Excellency Hifikepunye Pohamba President of Namibia
	His Excellency Aires Aly Prime Minister of Mozambique
	His Excellency Mohamed Gharib Bilal Vice President of Tanzania
	Hon. Stanislas Kamanzi Minister of Natural Resources, Government of Rwanda
	Hon. Njeru Githae Minister of Finance, Government of Kenya
	Hon. Emmanuel Issoze Ngondet Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Francophony, Government of Gabon
	Hon. Edna Molewa Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, South Africa
	Hon. Sherry Ayittey Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Government of Ghana Watch a video of Hon. Sherry Ayittey at the summit discussing the World Bank and community empowerment »
	Hon. Heikki Holmås Minister of International Development, Government of Norway Watch a video of Hon. Heikki Holmås explaining how the Summit can unite African leaders on sustainability issues ahead of Rio+20 »
	Hon. Achim Steiner Executive Director, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Under Secretary General of the United Nations Read Achim Steiner's remarks from the first day of the summit (May 24, 2012) »
Session Chairs
	The Honorable Dorcas Makgato-Malesu (Session 1) Minister of Trade and Industry The Honorable Dorcas Makgato-Malesu is the current Minister of Trade and industry. She was appointed to the post on the 1st February 2010 after serving at the level of Assistant Minister.
	Hon. Dr. Ponatshego H. K. Kedikilwe (Session 2) Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water, Government of Botswana
	Hon. Mokgweetsi Masisi (Session 3) Minister of Presidential and Public Administration, Government of Botswana
	Hon. Onkokame Kitso Mokaila (Session 4) Minister for Environment, Wildlife and Tourism Honorable Onkokame Kitso Mokaila is Botswana Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, a post he has held since 2004. The Ministry's mandate is to protect the environment, to conserve renewable natural resources and to promote tourism investment opportunities to derive maximum socio-economic benefits from the environment and natural resources.
Speakers — Panel Discussion 1
	Dr. Pavan Sukhdev CEO, GIST Advisory and Study Leader, TEEB Pavan Sukhdev is the founder & chair of GIST Advisory, a consulting firm specializing in valuing and managing environmental impacts and dependencies at all levels — national, provincial, business and personal. Pavan was Special Adviser and Head of UNEP's Green Economy Initiative and was appointed Study Leader of TEEB (The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity) in early 2008 by the EU Commission and Germany (the first funders of TEEB) whilst still working full time at Deutsche Bank. Watch a video of Pavan Sukhdev at the summit discussing the potential of Africa’ natural capital to improve the continent’s economy »
	Dr. Charles Ebow Owubah Regional Vice President, East Africa, World Vision International Dr. Charles Ebow Owubah, Regional Vice President for World Vision International-East Africa, joined World Vision in 1999 as a Program Officer for World Vision United States (WVUS) based in Washington, DC. Since then, Dr. Owubah held several positions in WVUS, including Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist for the Food Resources Team, Team Leader for Operations for the HIV & AIDS Team, and National Director of World Vision Zambia.
	Rachel Kyte Vice President, Sustainable Development, The World Bank Rachel Kyte is Vice President of Sustainable Development at the World Bank. As such, she has overall responsibilities for the organization's global work in agriculture, the environment, infrastructure, urban development, and social development. Watch a video of Rachel Kyte at the summit discussing how Africa is leading the world in natural capital accounting »
	Dr. Russell A. Mittermeier President, Conservation International Russell A. Mittermeier is President of Conservation International, a position he has occupied since 1989. Named a "hero for the planet" by TIME Magazine, Mittermeier is regarded as a world leader in the field of biodiversity and tropical forest conservation. Trained as a primatologist and herpetologist, he has traveled widely in more than 150 countries on seven continents, and has conducted field work in more than 20.
Speakers — Panel Discussion 2
	Jurgen Rigterink Chief Investment Officer, FMO Jurgen Rigterink is the Chief Investment Officer and Member of the Management Board of FMO, the Dutch development bank. With an investment portfolio of over EUR 5 billion, FMO is one of the largest bilateral private sector development banks worldwide. FMO creates access to a full range of expertise, financial products and services to private sector enterprises with a focus on finance, energy, housing and private equity.
	Suresh Rajapakse Vice President, ArcelorMittal
	Grant Pattison Chief Executive Officer, Massmart, South Africa Grant Pattison is responsible for forming and leading Massmart's long-term strategy. This has included revitalising the Group's private label program and leading Massmart's entry into the retail food business. Grant led discussions with Walmart which, in November 2010, resulted in a firm offer from Walmart to acquire 51 percent of Massmart.
	William (Bill) Egbe President and Chief Sustainability Officer, Eurasia and Africa, The Coca-Cola Company William (Bill) Egbe has recently been appointed the Group Sustainability Director for Coca-Cola Eurasia & Africa Group (a geographical territory that covers 91 countries). Bill was the President of Coca-Cola South Africa from 2007-2012. Prior to this, Bill spent 2 years as the President of Coca-Cola East and Central Africa. Bill has more than 20 years of international experience in the fast-moving consumer goods and telecommunications industries; experience obtained on 4 continents in manufacturing, finance and marketing. More than 15 years of this experience has been in general management positions. Watch a video of William Egbe at the summit discussing the important role businesses must play in global sustainability efforts »
Speakers — Panel Discussion 3
	Sam Dryden Director of Agricultural Development, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Sam Dryden, Director of Agricultural Development, oversees foundation efforts to help millions of the world's poorest farming families boost their productivity and incomes. Prior to joining the foundation, Dryden served as a managing director of Wolfensohn & Company, a corporate advisory and investment firm founded by former World Bank President James Wolfensohn. An investor and entrepreneur in life sciences ventures, Dryden has written and lectured widely on food security and economic development issues and served as an advisor on rural development for the World Bank and the Rockefeller Foundation.
	Maria Helena Semedo Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Africa, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
	Simon Susman Chief Executive Officer, Woolworths Holding Limited Simon Susman became the CEO of Woolworths Holdings Limited in 2000 and is now non-executive Chairman. Woolworths is a $4bn group operating in southern Africa in over 400 stores and in Australia where it owns the 90 store chain, Country Road. Both chains are bywords for quality and sustainability.
	Charles Meshack Chief Executive Officer, Tanzania Forest Conservation Group Mr. Meshack leads a team of professional foresters, biologists and communicators determined to improve the way Tanzania's forests are managed and to support the livelihoods of those living close to the forests. He focuses on capacity building, advocacy, research, community development and protected area management, in ways that are sustainable and foster participation, co-operation and partnership.
Speakers — Panel Discussion 4
	Jane Karuku President, AGRA Mrs Jane Karuku, President of AGRA, is a Kenyan with over 20 years of experience in various sectors. Mrs Karuku joins AGRA from Telkom Kenya, where she was the Deputy Chief Executive and Secretary General since July 2010.
	Gerard J.J.M van Empel Director, Rabo Financial Institutions Development BV Gerard J.J.M van Empel has more than 35 years of work experience, of which over more than 30 years in emerging markets and developing countries. His current positions as managing Director RIAS BV and Director of Rabo Financial Institutions Development BV include mobilizing practical know-how and technology for rural banking, agricultural and agribusiness sectors and projects and investment in financial institutions in developing countries and emerging markets.
	Nigel Crawhall Director, Secretariat of Indigenous Peoples of Africa Coordinating Committee (IPACC).
	Stephen Muchiri Chief Executive, Eastern Africa Farmers Federation
	Barry F. Lowenkron Vice President of International Programs, MacArthur Foundation Barry F. Lowenkron is Vice President of International Programs at the MacArthur Foundation and oversees all international grantmaking. Before joining MacArthur in September 2007, he was Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, representing the President and the Secretary of State abroad as well as before the U.S. Congress, the press and the public. In earlier posts spanning five Administrations, Lowenkron worked on a range on international issues across a number of federal agencies.
Facilitators
	Leon Rajaobelina Regional Vice President, Conservation International Leon Rajaobelina has been managing Conservation International's (CI) Madagascar and Southwest Indian Ocean Islands Program since 1996. Leon Rajaobelina's long and distinguished career includes work in both the public sector and in the financial sector, in Madagascar as well as internationally.
	Dr. Dirk Messner Director, German Development Institute Dirk Messner is the director of the German Development Institute / Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE) in Bonn, a professor of political science at Duisburg-Essen University and a member of the German Advisory Council on Global Change (WBGU). Watch a video of Dirk Messner dicussing why the summit is so ground-breaking »
	Loyiso Ndlovu Executive Director of Isithebe Trust Loyiso has worked in both private and public sector, and is well versed on strategy development and human capital development in both sectors. She has broad experience in business strategy positioning across the sectors of development finance, information technology, and print publishing.
	Sir Graham Wynne Senior Advisor, Prince's Charities' International Sustainability Unit Sir Graham is a Senior Advisor to the Prince’s Charities’ International Sustainability Unit (ISU). He is also a member of the UK Climate Change Committee (Adaptation Sub-Committee), and Chairman of the Board of Patrons of a rainforest foundation in Indonesia. He was formerly Chief Executive and Director of Conservation for the RSPB, a wildlife conservation and environmental NGO, and now holds the honorary position of Vice President for the charity.
	Michael Olmstead President, E2K As President of e2k, Michael has developed one of the world's most successful and diversified event production and entertainment companies. e2k shows have been enjoyed by millions of people around the world, fulfilling his vision of events as a vehicle for building community and providing an emotional context for change.
	Kevin Cleaver Associate Vice President, International Fund for Agricultural Development Before joining IFAD in 2006, he held several key positions at the World Bank. He spent several years working and studying in Sub-Saharan and North Africa and has published many books and articles on agricultural development. Watch a video of Kevin Cleaver at the summit discussing the role of natural capital in global food security »

Each phase of our meeting will be prefaced by a head of state presenting the domestic point of view of a particular issue, and followed by a panel discussion involving governments, corporate leaders, civil society and investment partners, who will review the potential for national-level solutions, the enabling conditions for success and the needs for support and partnership.

7:30 AM
Registration and Light Breakfast

Opening Session

8:30 AM
Cultural exhibition by Botswana traditional dance performers

9:00 AM
Welcome from His Excellency Lt. Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama, President of the Republic of Botswana

Session 1
Chaired by Hon. Dorcas Makgato-Malesu, Botswana Minister of Trade and Industry

9:15 AM
Introduction of meeting by co-hosts Laurene Powell Jobs, P eter Seligmann and Rob Walton

9:30 AM
Achim Steiner, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme and Under-Secretary General of the United Nations
Read Achim Steiner's remarks »

9:40 AM
His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales (video address)
Watch the video address »

9:45 AM
Plenary Address: H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia

10:00 AM
Break

10:30 AM
Plenary Address: H.E. Hifikepunye Pohamba, President of Namibia
Plenary Address: H. E. Aires Aly, Prime Minister of Mozambique

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
PANEL DISCUSSION 1

Facilitated by Leon Rajaobelina, Regional Vice President, Conservation International

Action Statement: Integrating the value of renewable natural capital into national and corporate accounting and planning

Core question: What do we know about the value of natural capital and how can this value be integrated into planning?

• Dr. Pavan Sukhdev, Founder and Chair, GIST Advisory
• Dr. Charles Owubah, Regional Vice President, World Vision East Africa
• Rachel Kyte, Vice President Environment, The World Bank
• Dr. Russell A. Mittermeier, President, Conservation International

12:30 PM - 1:45 PM
Lunch

Session 2
Chaired by Hon. Dr. Ponatshego H. K. Kedikilwe, Botswana Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water

2:00 AM
Plenary Address: H. E. Mohamed Gharib Bilal, Vice President of Tanzania
Plenary Address: Hon. Stanislas Kamanzi, Rwanda Minister of Natural Resources

2:30 AM - 4:00 PM
PANEL DISCUSSION 2

Facilitated by: Dr. Dirk Messner, Director, German Development Institute

Action Statement: Building social capital and reducing poverty by transitioning agriculture and extractive industries to practices that promote sustainable employment and the protection of natural capital

Core question: what are the impediments and opportunities to creating sustainable economic growth?

• Jurgen Rigterink, Chief Investment Officer, FMO
• Suresh Rajapakse,, Vice President Health, Safety, Environment, Security and Sustainability, ArcelorMittal Mining
• Grant Pattison, President and CEO, Walmart South Africa
• William Egbe, Group Sustainability Director for Coca-Cola Eurasia & Africa Group

4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Closed Session for Heads of Delegations and Invited Participants

6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Gala Dinner
Hosted by H.E. Lt. Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama, President of the Republic of Botswana

FRIDAY, MAY 25 , 2012

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Networking Breakfast

Session 3
Chaired by Hon. Mokgweetsi E. Masisi, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Botswana

9:00 AM
Plenary Address: Hon. E. I. Ngondet, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gabon
Plenary Address: Hon. E. Molewa, Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, South Africa
Plenary Address: Hon. Heikki Holmås, Minister of Int’l Development, Norway

9:15 AM - 10:45 PM
PANEL DISCUSSION 3

Facilitated by Loyiso Ndlovu, Executive Director, Isithebe Trust

Action Statement: Building social capital and reducing poverty by transitioning agriculture and extractive industries to practices that promote sustainable employment and the protection of natural capital

Core question: How can we build on existing momentum to create substantive change?

• Sam Dryden, Director, Agricultural Development, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
• Maria Helena Semedo, Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Africa, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
• Simon Susman, Chairman, Woolworths Holdings Limited
• Charles Meshack, CEO, Tanzania Forest Conservation Group

10:45 AM - 12:15 PM
Closed Session for Heads of Delegations and Invited Participants

12:15 - 1:45 PM
Lunch

Session 4
Chaired by Hon. Onkokame Kitso Mokaila, Minister of Environment, Wildlife & Tourism, Botswana

1:45 PM
Plenary Address: Hon. S. Ayittey, Minister of Environment and Science, Ghana
Plenary Address: Hon. Njeru Githae, Minister of Finance, Kenya

2:05 AM - 4:00 PM
PANEL DISCUSSION 4

Facilitated by Sir Graham Wynne, Senior Advisor, Prince’s Charities’ International Sustainability Unit

Action Statement: Building the knowledge, capacity and policy networks to promote leadership in the field of sustainable development, and increase momentum for change

Core question: How can wide-scale impacts be built to create and sustain natural and social capital?

• Jane Karuku, President, Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA)
• Gerard van Empel, Managing Director, Rabo Development and RAIS, Rabobank
• Nigel Crawhall, Director, Secretariat of Indigenous Peoples of Africa Coordinating Committee (IPACC)
• Stephen Muchiri, Chief Executive, Eastern Africa Farmers Federation
• Barry Lowenkron, Vice President, International Programs, MacArthur Foundation

Adoption of the Gaborone Declaration

Closing Session

4:00 PM
Closing remarks by His Excellency Lt. Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama, President of the Republic of Botswana