The current mechanisms mainly focus on the environment and development has not been thoroughly discussed. Crucial decisions are really made in Washington, Paris, London and Brussels on issues where Africa's position is relatively weak. This is true even within the UN system and in the case of the global conventions. Internal and inter-African communication and exchange mechanisms are poor or nonexistent. Even within individual countries, different entities work alone without communicating with other entities.
Barriers exist within Africa such as language and donor-driven approaches.
One basic problem is the interpretation of international policy language into local realities and the translation of local needs and realities into the global priorities. Implementation and Participation. Many of these issues and ideas have been raised previously and the group asked why it had been unable to address them. It is impossible to create a situation in which each individual can participate in the transition to sustainable development. There is more confrontation than cooperation in sustainable development within African countries.