Participation in a World Ministerial Forum on Environment and Working Visit to the Headquarters of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

At the invitation of UNEP, the Executive Secretary and the Director of Water Resources visited UNEP headquarters in Nairobi from 5th to 9th February 2001. This mission had a two-fold objective:

• Participation in a world ministerial forum on the environment
• Working visit to UNEP with the aim of laying the groundwater for cooperation with this body.

World Ministerial Forum on Environment

Important general policy issues relating to the World Environment were discussed in this meeting, which brought together several decision-makers and international experts. The following are some of the issues discussed:

• Production and access to drinking water;
• Cleaning up;
• Irrigation in agriculture;
• Protecting the ecosystem;
• Integrated management of water resources;
• Integrating surface and groundwater resources protection measures into general policies for the development of the milieu and socio-economic development.

The Executive Secretary presented LCBC's current situation and its efforts. In attendance were several delegates from international bodies, donors and LCBC Member States representatives. Nigeria's Minister of State, Niger's Minister of Environment and Directors of Environment in Cameroon and Chad were among LCBC Member States representatives at the meeting.

The Executive Secretary also provided basic information on Lake Chad and its basin, including LCBC, its structure and efforts being made.

The presentation on the LCBC problem included a film show on Lake Chad. The audience appreciated the presentation and became aware of the necessity to help LCBC accomplish its mission.