Summarized by OSAN-AfDB and University of Tsukuba, August 28, 2009

FOLLOW-UP

ACTIONPLANONTHEGREEN

AFRICAINITIATIVE
I. BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE
Background:A study tour was made to Japan to expose AfDB-funded forestry projects
coordinators to GM eucalyptus and other forestry innovations promoted byProf. Dr. Kazuo Watanabe and Dr. Akira Kikuchi, University of Tsukuba, forcombating deforestation and land degradation. This is the all Japan effort
together with Japanese partners such as Nippon Paper Co., LTD. and Tokyo
University of Agriculture and Technology supported by various sponsors
such as NEDO under METI and JSPS Grant-In-Aid & RFTF under MEXT.
This initiative is the outcome of consultations between OSAN (Agricultureand Agro-industry Department) and ORRU (Partnerships Unit) at theAfrican Development Bank and Tsukuba University which commenced inJune 2009. A short write up on the Bank’s forestry portfolio was thenprepared and subsequently used to guide further discussions. Moreinformation on the GM eucalyptus developed by Tsukuba University wasalso received and a way forward was agreed upon.
The government of Japan launched the Green Africa Initiative (GAI) inLecce (Italy) on 13th June 2009. This activity is anchored on this initiativeand focuses on addressing desertification and land degradation issues
especially in the dry and degraded areas of Africa. The Bank and Tsukuba
Universitysigned

aMemorandumof

Understanding

topromotepartnerships in higher education, science and technology at the Tokyo
International Conference on African Development in May 2008, and theproposed activity also fits within this framework
Within the Bank’s sectoral areas, the improved technology targets
agriculture, rural development and environment where forestry is a key1

Summarized by OSAN-AfDB and University of Tsukuba, August 28, 2009

pillar in addressing sustainable development needs in Regional Member
Countries (RMCs).
Rationale:
The main technology being considered for transfer to RMCs in this initiative
is eucalyptus trees that are drought and salinity resistant. Countries
interested in the technology will be facilitated to undertake pilot plantation
programmes to address various environmental and biomass needs. The trees
are fast growing and can be used for a variety of wood products such as
firewood, charcoal, and pulp among others. These products are in great
demand in many of the countries. The Tsukuba University laboratories havealso produced elite non-GM eucalyptus and other species that the RMCs canconsider for use. The study tour sought to enhance the participants’
understanding of the technology.
II. OBJECTIVE, ACTIVITIES AND EXPECTED OUTCOMES
The primary objective of the tour was to expose senior forestry officers who
are already working on Bank funded forestry projects to cutting edge
technology that may potentially be of great environmental and economic
value to their countries.
It is however appreciated that various issues surrounding geneticallymodified plant materials are still generating debate in many countries
especially due to limited access to information and lack of appropriate
policies, guidelines and safeguards. In this regard, representatives of RMCs
were exposed to the technology and this has initiated dialogue that will leadto more comprehensive feasibility assessments by individual countries withsupport from Japan.
Feasibility studies will be prepared by Tsukuba University staff who havesignificant experience in GM forestry technology in partnership with theinterested countries. The specific activities proposed are as follows:2

Summarized by OSAN-AfDB and University of Tsukuba, August 28, 2009(i)

Forestry projects coordinators visit Tsukuba University andits partners to learn from the laboratories and get further
information on the nature of the GM eucalyptus and otherplant materials(ii)With the inputs of participants, 2-3 potential candidates forfeasibility studies will be identified(iii)

Tsukuba University staff will visit the identified candidates
to undertake feasibility studies for up to 3 months(iv)

Start pilot planting in the identified project sites after
consultations with the interested RMCs(v)

Tsukuba University consultants come to the Bank to help
make a GM policy, guidelines and safeguards.

(vi)

Tsukuba University staff sensitize Bank staff on thetechnology

Expected outcomes from this activity include: (i) Enhanced environmental
and economic benefits in the RMCs arising from the adoption of the
improved technology, (ii) Enhanced institutional capacities in RMC forestry
institutions to analyze and implement the new technology, and (iii) Global
environmental

benefits

includingcarbonsequestration,

reduceddesertification, and soil conservation among others.
III. BENEFICIARIESThe beneficiaries from the proposed activity include the following:•Forestry

management

agencies

consideringusing

improved

eucalyptus for afforestation and reforestation especially in thedrylands of Africa•

Policy makers will better understand how to take advantage of newtechnology while also ensuring there are sufficient safeguards against
any unintended consequences•

The Bank’s capacities in programmes where this technology isapplicable will be enhanced through the development of a GM policy,guidelines and safeguards.
3Summarized by OSAN-AfDB and University of Tsukuba, August 28, 2009

Local communities that participate in the planting will benefit from•increased wood products and land rehabilitation.
The society at large will benefit from environmental benefits such as•carbon sequestration, soil conservation, and reduced desertification.
IV. FOLLOW-UP

PLANS

AFTER

AFDB

DELEGATION

VISIT

TO

TSUKUBAThe following items were agreed on by the delegation:
1. The Japanese delegation will make three trips to Africa for a Feasibility
Study (FS)•First visit: Kenya and Rwanda: January, 2010

•Second visit: Benin・Ghana: Feb-Mar, 2010•

Third visit:・Tunis(AfDB):May or June, 2010

2. Points to consider for FS field trips include:(i) Environmental Problems•

Coastal salt (increasing salinization of coastal soils), arable
land decrease•

Inland Desertification•

Natural forest loss/afforestation needs(ii) Forestry status•

Agroforestry•

Commercial planting for international industry•

Public – private interactions and governance(iii) Plant genetic resources•

Genetic resources conservation at ex situ conservation•

Collaboration with Genebanks/botanical gardens ->such as Bioversity International and ICRAF•

Halophytes (salt tolerant plants-> drought tolerant(iv) Ecology/Biodiversity•

Domestic/traditional species status•

Invasive species: identification and evaluation

4

Summarized by OSAN-AfDB and University of Tsukuba, August 28, 2009(v) Incidences/ forest protection challenges•Fires•Termites(vi) Technology availability•

Biotechnology applicability (tissue culture, GM etc)•

Forestry-agricultural waste/biomass recycling•

EnergyBasic fuelwood
Biofuel•Basic regulatory frame work of technology application
especially on safety issues(vii) Research•

Human resources•

Biotechnology including biosafety•

Forestry research support(viii) Extension•

Extension capacity (including human resources/manpower)(ix) Community•

Income generation / community chain development(x) Human resources development•

Grassroot education•

Formal education•

Environmental

education/education

forsustainabledevelopment•

Graduate level education•

Specialized training for scientists(xi) Awareness raising•

Advice to policy makers(xii) Partnerships•

Networking within Africa and over different regions (e.g.
south-south)•Partnerships among African institutions and Japanese ones

3. AfDB delegation members : Immediately after return from Japan5

Summarized by OSAN-AfDB and University of Tsukuba, August 28, 2009(i) AfDB letter to Japan, copy to projects/countries(ii) Support letters (for the initiative) from the countries(Minister of Finance, copy to Minister of Environment and /orForestry, Project Coordinators)(iii) Draft agenda and program for Japanese delegation(iv) Local coordination to meet with stakeholders for Japanese visitors.
(v) Project Coordinators to identify JICA/Japan embassy contacts in theircountries(vi) A concept note to be prepared by each country ahead of the visits byJapanese delegation for FS field trips (detailing what they would like todo)(vii) Joint decision on the way forward to be made after completion of thefeasibility study.
V. INDICATORS FOR MEASURING RESULTS
The key results indicators include the following:(i) Eight (8) Forestry project coordinators and two Bank representatives
successfully participate in the study tour to Tsukuba University(ii) One mission report prepared by the Bank’s representatives on thetour(iii) One report prepared by Tsukuba University indicating agreed followup action plans with the countries(iv) Feedback from project coordinators after briefing and consulting
their governments(v) 2-3 feasibility studies completed within 3 months after the trip, andused to develop a pilot project on applicability of various technology
including biotech tree planting.
(vi) Bank GM policy, guidelines and safeguards developed with expertisefrom Tsukuba University(vii) One seminar for Bank staff presented by Tsukuba University
The key benefits to recipient RMCs will be in terms of knowledgetransfer and the economic and environmental benefits derived from new6Summarized by OSAN-AfDB and University of Tsukuba, August 28, 2009

planting programmes.

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