CSD-16/17 ThemesAfrica is one of the themes of the third
implementation cycle of the Commission on Sustainable
Development; CSD-17 and CSD-16; which also examines agriculture,
rural development, land, drought and desertification. These
other themes are of particular relevance to Africa, where most
economies continue to heavily rural-based and agriculture-
dependent, and where poverty eradication will depend on boosting
the productivity of the agricultural and rural economy.
Background InformationSince the United Nations Conference on
Environment and Development in Rio (1992), sustainable
development has remained elusive for many African countries.
Poverty is still a major challenge, as 41% of the Sub-Sahara
African population (or roughly 300 million people) were living
on one dollar a day or less in 2004. Most countries on the
continent have not managed to reap fully the benefits of
globalization. Besides, multiple armed conflicts, insufficient
access to education and widespread pandemics, such as HIV and
mala