Natural Resources Management
The East African Community (EAC) region is richly endowed with various natural resources that provide a source of livelihood for many East Africans. The natural resources are the drivers of national and regional economic development. The resources include fresh water and marine and coastal water ecosystems; forests and wildlife, wetlands, rangelands, arable land and mountains; minerals and energy resources, and rich biodiversity.
The EAC Partner States recognise that a clean and healthy environment is a prerequisite for sustainable development, and development activities in various productive and social sectors (including agriculture and livestock, energy, industry, infrastructure, etc.) may pose negative impacts leading to the degradation of the environment.
The objective of the Environment and Natural Resources Management sector is to promote conservation of the environment and sustainable exploitation of natural resources in the Community. The EAC Partner States have agreed to take measures to foster co-operation in the joint and efficient management and sustainable utilisation of natural resources.