Treaty Regarding Arid and Semi-Arid Zones

7/30/2019 Treaty Regarding Arid and Semi-Arid Zones

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Treaty Regarding Arid and Semi-Arid Zones

Preamble

1. Arid and semi-arid zones comprise a group of complex natural areas distributed in

various locations throughout the planet. While maintaining the identifyingcharacteristics that distinguish them from other ecosystems, there is still great

diversity within the category.

2. Arid and semi-arid zones must be considered in terms of their complementary

interrelations with other ecological zones of the planet.

3. Arid and semi-arid zones exhibit a natural and cultural potential for sustainable

development -- biodiversity, biomass, water, soil, etc.

4. In spite of this existing potential, these zones have suffered an accelerated process

of social and environmental degradation in the past decades, the principal causes ofwhich are:

a. The increasing adoption of the "Green Revolution" technology package,

particularly agriculture using modern irrigation techniques

b. The construction of large dams, resulting in the permanent flooding of land and the

relocation of local populations

c. The refusal of the emergent social and economic powers to accept traditional

systems of production -- excessive ranching and pastoral activities; increasing

pressure on the land in small peasant and tribal communities; accelerated

deforestation; and soil degradation reinforcing the processes of erosion and

desertification

d. Population growth is causing the over-exploitation of natural resources in some

regions; while in other cases the low population density is permitting the degradation

of cultivated ecosystems through the lack of adequate upkeep

e. Unequal access to natural resources -- land, water, biomass.

5. The rapid degradation of natural resources and the alteration of water systems inthese regions has made the reduction in food production indices more visible. This in

turn has put even more pressure on these resources, and accordingly local

communities then attempt to compensate for the drop in production by intensifying

their use of the natural resources, disregarding the natural cycles of recuperation of

the ecosystem.

6. These problems, linked to global climate change, produce local climate alterations

which manifest themselves in hotter and prolonged dry seasons and the occurrence of

more intense and frequent droughts.

7. Desertification is another facet of this problem; it affects 1/6 (one-sixth) of theworld's population and close to 3.6 billion hectares of land.


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8. This desertification process provokes increases in rural poverty and accelerates

migration to the cities. Conversely, the swelling cities augment the pressure on natural

resources -- wood, water, etc. -- and thus a vicious circle is created that further

accelerates the degradation of the ecosystems and the processes of desertification.

9. Politics and public works in the arid and semi-arid regions of the Third World have

historically assumed the character of emergency treatment of drought and hunger,

without confronting structural problems, such as access to land and water; this

contributes to the perpetuation of structures which are socially unjust and which

degrade the environment.

Principles For An Alternative Method

10. Arid and semi-arid zones are complex ecosystems with natural potential sufficient

to provide a good quality of life for their populations, if the development approach

adopted is socially just, ecologically sustainable, culturally appropriate and based on aholistic vision of science and nature.

11. The development of these zones, planned and executed considering their own

potential and specifications, must be intimately related to the development of the

other zones of the earth, affirming a principle of solidarity among populations from

areas that are ecologically different.

12. The governments of different countries need to exercise cooperation and solidarity

in order to surmount the present problems of these zones.

13. The effective participation of non-government organizations (NGOs), of social

movements and of the populations directly involved is indispensable in all stages of

sustainable development, i.e. the diagnosis of problems and potentials, the definition

of objectives and methods, the approval, implementation and follow-up of projects

and programs, and the evaluation of socio-economic, cultural and environmental

impacts.

14. The quality of life of human beings and the preservation, conservation and

restoration of the environment of these zones must come before the interests of

economic corporations and dominant political groups. Drought, hunger,

desertification and other problems of these zones should not be used as instruments ofinternational blackmail for the perpetuation of economic and political power for a few

elite groups.

15. To support sustainable development, those working for the economic

incorporation of arid and semi-arid zones should:

a. seek food self sufficiency on a regional scale

b. give priority to the exchange of local products between areas with production

surpluses and those with deficits

c. avoid the use of resources at levels that would continue to reproduce the same


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social, economic and environmental conditions.

16. In these zones the social and environmental costs must be analyzed and seriously

considered in the evaluation procedures for all development projects, especially large

scale projects like dams or irrigation.

17. A general redefinition of economic indicators is necessary in order to redirect the

political economy of these zones towards food production destined for the needs of

the impoverished populations.

Plan Of Action

18. NGOs and social movements commit themselves to realizing the following

actions relating to arid and semi-arid zones:

a. Extend and refine plans for reflection and action in relation to the problematic of

these zones, seeking the most effective diffusion and adoption of plans based onexperiences in sustainable development

b. Establish mechanisms and structures of scientific, technical and financial

cooperation with the objective of making this plan of action viable

c. Intensify, extend and improve the exchange of information, knowledge, experience

and technology that is socially just, ecologically sustainable, culturally appropriate

and based on a holistic vision of science and nature

d. Plan and implement environmental education schemes that affirm the ecological,

economic and cultural potentials of these zones

e. Participate effectively in the processes of discussion, definition and follow-up on

public works at the local, national and international level

f. Seek significant media coverage for campaigns which work for the population of

these zones and clarify their principal social and environmental problems and the

solutions that already exist

g. Support and develop concrete actions forward the democratization of access, use

and conservation of natural resources -- land, water and biomass -- promotingagreements on the rational use of these resources in areas where conflicts exist

between local communities

h. Reinforce the struggle for agrarian reform in regions where ownership of land is

concentrated in the hands of the few

i. Develop initiatives, projects and campaigns for the preservation of genetic resources

and biodiversity as well as against the private appropriation of genetic capital through

the patenting of living things, or any other form of monopolistic control

19. NGOs and Social movements will strive to make local, national and internationalofficials adopt the following measures for arid and semi-arid zones:


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a. The development of public education: eradicating illiteracy while considering the

traditional knowledge and socio-cultural organization, including the modes of

production, of each locale; and integrating environmental concerns into the

conventional disciplines

b. The democratization of government information on the realities of the social and

environmental situation as well as on the public works relating to environment and

development in these regions

c. The restructuring and integration of education research, outreach and rural

communication in accordance with the social, cultural and environmental necessities

d. The democratization of government programs to facilitate access, use and

conservation of natural resources -- principally land, water and biomass -- to favor

peasants and traditional, indigenous and tribal communities

e. The achievement of agrarian reform in countries where land ownership is in the

hands of the few, incorporating the politics of credit, technical assistance and

efficient, adequate commercialization with the social, economic, cultural and

environmental conditions of each region

f. The adoption of the principle that genetic resources are the cultural inheritance of

the peasants and the traditional, indigenous and tribal communities; and the creation

of rigorous legislation, which guards against any form of private, monopolistic

appropriation of genetic capital

g. The definition of a political platform to support the dry regions, keeping in mind

agricultural, pastoral and forest activities; and a restructuring of irrigated agriculture

from the perspective of the integrated and sustainable use of natural resources

h. The reorientation of agroindustrial politics in order to support small-scale

production generated by the popular sectors, which provides incentive for local and

regional development

i. The reorientation of industrial politics in a manner that will consider only non-

polluting industries and economic and social services that create employment

opportunities and an improvement in the quality of life

j. The reorientation of the political framework to promote the development of useful

and artistic handicrafts in the local populations through the creation of nature reserves

to guarantee the essential products and primary materials for the craft-work; in this

way ensuring the preservation of popular art and culture and fortifying the local and

regional economy

k. The adoption of the concept and practice of participatory agro-ecology, avoiding

the subordination of farmers under the conventional systems of rural development

l. The effective diagnosis, evaluation and monitoring of all projects that could causeenvironmental, social or cultural degradation on a local and more widespread scale


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m. A guarantee that the local populations, NGOs and social movements will have

space to negotiate on projects, programs, financial resources, etc

n. The implementation of warning systems to prevent the consequences of climate

change, over-utilization of resources, dislocation of populations and the resultingconflicts

o. The creation of a fund, the specific purpose of which will be to support the

restoration of natural resources in degraded areas, in order to make the activities of

local populations viable, guaranteeing the principle of popular participation

20. The following are mechanisms which will accompany this plan of action for arid

and semi-arid zones:

a. Formation of a consortium of NGOs and social movements which will be active in

the arid and semi-arid zones on the local, national and international level

b. Creation of mechanisms of communication, using computer networks, interpersonal

communication, informational bulletins, workshops and conferences at the local,

national and international levels

c. Establishment of specific coordination centres for each region which will function

as a point of reference for the reception and diffusion of information

d. Development of criteria and methodologies for the evaluation of projects and

public works directed toward these zones

e. Monitoring the destination of public funds, and pressuring the international banks

to do an international audit of all the projects they have financed, with the

participation of NGOs, social movements and the populations involved at all levels

f. Evaluation of the results obtained from this accord by the end of 1994.

Treaty Regarding Arid and Semi-Arid Zones

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