Global Lead Network: Regional Conference on the Phase-Out of Leaded Gasoline in Sub-Saharan Africa
Regional Conference on the Phase-Out of Leaded Gasoline in Sub-Saharan Africa
June 26-28, 2001 – Dakar, Senegal
The World Bank’s “Regional Conference on the Phase-Out of Leaded Gasoline in Sub-Saharan Africa,” held in Dakar, Senegal from June 26 – 28, 2001 proved productive in advancing phase-out in Sub-Saharan Africa, the region most behind in the global elimination of leaded gasoline. The Alliance was one of a number of conference “partners” which also included international organizations, U.S. government agencies, the petroleum industry, NGOs, and research institutes. The Alliance also was on the conference planning committee.
Conference working groups, which were divided by refinery distribution patterns as well as by geographic region, developed recommendations for phase-out that included monitoring of progress toward implementation. The conference also produced a “Declaration of Dakar” that called for complete phase-out in Sub-Saharan Africa no later than 2005 and for efficient fuel harmonization at the regional and sub-regional levels.
The Alliance convened an NGO caucus as an official part of the conference. The caucus attracted more than 35 African NGOs. Dr. Jerome Nriagu, a leading researcher on lead in Africa and a member of the Alliance’s Board, presided over the session, which focused on action steps each group could and would take to follow up the conference and advance phase-out and prevention. The discussion also addressed the ways in which existing African-based networks on environment, sustainable development, transportation, and health could most effectively link up with the Global Lead Network to advance phase-out and prevention in Africa.
Broader clean fuels issues were also broached at the conference. The dangers of MMT were stressed, as well as the need to take advantage of the refinery upgrades necessary for providing unleaded gasoline to address other clean fuels issues, such as reducing sulfur content.
Additional Information
- World Bank – Clean Air Initiative in Sub-Saharan African Cities
- Dakar Conference Proceedings
- Declaration of Dakar
- Dakar Conference Participants
- NGO Caucus Summary (coming soon!)
