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Economic Aspects | Natural Resource Aspects | Institutional Aspects | Social Aspects |
Responsibility is with the following Ministries of: Lands and Valuation; Agriculture and Livestock Development; Local Government and Rural Development; Ministry of Physical Planning; Agricultural Research and Extension Trust (ARET); NGOs; Tea Growers Association of Malawi; Sugar Association of Malawi; Agriculture Policy Research Unit; and the National Seed Company of Malawi.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
A National Environment Policy and an Environmental Management Act were developed in 1996. A White Paper for Agriculture was developed during 1995/96 addressing production, marketing, sustainable utilization of natural resources, financing, institutional infrastructure, information and agricultural technology, research, extension and training in line with sustainable development and environmental management.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
Policies on boosting agricultural productivity concentrate on larger farms, promote other ventures such as fish farming and introduce agricultural cooperatives. Estate owners are required to have 10% of their land devoted to tree growing. Strategies include:
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
Major groups involved into the decision-taking process include: Para-statals (Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation, ADMAC), farmers, local communities, universities, and NGOs.
Programmes and Projects
No information is available.
Status
Dambos are used for vegetable and tobacco nursery and lead to environmental degradation. Cultivation in highlands is detrimental, hence the need for a law to prohibit the cultivation at certain points.
A study was commissioned from the Ministry of Lands and Valuation to look into land tenure, the system for which needs to be revised. Credit facilities are for inputs in ADDs which facilitate or promote productivity. Loan repayment is as low as 56% at present. Farm supplies are limited due to the removal of government subsidies on farm inputs.
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building,
Education, Training and Awareness-raising
Issues include:
No information is available.
Research
and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
Actors include:
Malawi cooperates with: SADC (Food and Natural Resources Sector, Environment and Land Management Sector), SACCAR, Gene Bank, Regional Early Warning System for Food Security. International cooperation with multilateral organisations such as FAO, the World Bank, UNDP, IFAD, and between Malawi and the USA takes place at various levels.
* * *
This information is based on Malawi's submission to the 5th Session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development. Last update: April 1997
To access the FAOSTAT
Data Base for information by country, item, element and year, click here:
Click here to link
to the Biosafety Information Network and Advisory Service (BINAS), a service
of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), which
monitors global developments in regulatory issues in biotechnology.
Click here to link
to Country and Sub-regional Information on Plant Genetic Resources of the
Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations.
Click
here to go to Web Site of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, which includes
information on the Codex Alimentarius and the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards
Programme.
Click here to access the
Web Site of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research
(CGIAR).
Click here to access
the sixteen international agricultural research centers that are members
of the CGIAR.
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The Ministry of Research and Environmental Affairs (MOREA) is the coordinating ministry (executive agency) to whom two line agencies, the Meteorological Department and the Department of national Parks and Wildlife, report as lead institutions. Ministries of Transport and Civil Aviation, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Livestock Development are also inlvolved.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
Major groups involved are: farmers, communities, industry, motorists and city councils.
Programmes
and Projects
In keeping with the Montreal Protocol, the Meteorological Department operates a Background Air Pollution Monitoring Station at Lilongwe Airport where atmospheric turbidity and chemical composition of rainwater are monitored.
Status
No information is available.
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building,
Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
In accordance with the requirements of the UNFCCC, Malawi is conducting a Climate Change Country Study which consists of three areas: (a) a greenhouse gas inventory, (b) vulnerability and adaptation studies (V&A), and (c) a study on mitigation greenhouse gases concentrations. The greenhouse gas inventory was produced in October 1996. The V&A study is still underway. A preliminary report was produced in September 1996 and is undergoing peer review.
Research
and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
The Montreal Protocol was acceded to in 1991; the London and the Copenhagen Amendments were ratified in 1994. The latest report to the Montreal Protocol Secretariat was submitted in December 1996. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was signed in 1992 and ratified in 1994. The latest report to the UNFCCC Secretariat was submitted in 1996.
Malawi is an active member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and has participated actively at COP meetings and sessions of its subsidiary bodies.
Malawi works with the Early Warning Weather System in Harare, Zimbabwe, and with EPA in the USA. Through regional and international workshops there is an exchange of data and information among countries participating in country study projects.
* * *
This information is based on Malawi's submission to the 5th Session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development. Last update: April 1997
Click here for national information
from the Web site of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change.
For the access to the Web Site
of the Ozone Secretariat, click here:
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Responsibility is with: National Herbarium Steering Committee for National Biological Conservation and Natural Wetland Conservation Committee; Ministry of Research and Environmental Affairs; Department of National Parks and Wildlife; Ministry of Natural Resources; and the Malawi National Biodiversity Committee.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
The National Parks and Wildlife Act was passed in 1992. It encourages community participation in the management of national parks. Communities also benefit from it.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
Currently, Malawi is conducting the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) with financial support of GEF through UNEP. Eight components covering eight areas of biological resources and the associated literature and legal requirements are being investigated by local Malawi consultants with full consultation with UNEP headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.
In July, 1997, a national biodiversity awareness workshop was conducted in accordance with the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. At this workshop, the public and stakeholders were informed and briefed on what the National Biodiversity Committee is doing as it prepares for the first National Report, due in January 1998.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
The issue of incentive measures and the full participation of women and local communities on issues of biological diversity including the integration of sectoral policies and legislation is what the country plans to put in place.
Programmes
and Projects
Botanical gardens have been established in the cities. A National Biological Diversity Committee was formed to oversee the work of other biodiversity sub-committees such as the Genetic Resources, Biosafety and Biotechnology Committee, and the Lower Shire Wetlands Project (Zambezi Basin Wetland Conservation and Resource Utilisation Project) was set up.
Status
No information is available.
Challenges
Malawi fully participates in CITES matters as a full member. However, public awareness on this convention has not been raised. The country needs to educate and inform the general Malawi public regarding the importance of this Convention and what it means to the common man in general.
As a RAMSAR member, efforts are also underway to let the general public know what this Convention means to the wetlands of the country. Lake Chilwa was designated as a RAMSAR site in 1996.
Capacity-building,
Education, Training and Awareness-raising
Among capacity-building issues are training of taxonomists to deal with agro-biodiversity and training of experts in other biodiversity areas.
Information
No information is available.
Research
and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
Many activities are financed by the GEF through UNEP, World Bank and UNDP. Regional and international cooperation mechanisms include: Southern African Development Community Coordination on Biological Conservation; SACIM; Pan African Association of Zoological Gardens; Aquaria and Botanical Gardens; WWF; RAMSAR; IUCN - Regional Office for Southern Africa. Malawi is a member of the Southern Africa (SABONET) Project dealing with botanical diversity in the region.
Cooperation
The Convention on Biological Diversity was signed in 1992 and ratified in 1994. A report will be submitted in January 1998. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora was acceded to in 1982.
Due to its active participation in the Convention negotiations before the Rio Summit, Malawi was the first chair of the Subsidiary Body on Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) in 1995/96. The SBSTTA chairmanship was handed over to Norway at the second SBSTTA meeting in Montreal, Canada in September 1996. As a full party, Malawi has attended COP 1, 2 and 3 and has maintained its active role in CBD matters. A sub-committee has been put in place to deal with issues on clearing house mechanisms.
* * *
For access to the Web Site of the Convention
on Biological Diversity, click here:
For access
to the Web Site of the CITES Convention, click here:
For the Web
Site of the CMS Convention, click here:
For the Web Site of
the Convention on the Protection of the World's Cultural and Natural Heritage,
click here:
For the country-by-country, Man
in the Biosphere On-Line Query System, click here:
Click here to link
to the Biosafety Information Network and Advisory Service (BINAS), a service
of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), which
monitors global developments in regulatory issues in biotechnology.
Click here to go to the Web
Site of UNEP's International Register on Biosafety.
Click here for the
International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Biosafety
WebPages
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The Department of Forestry in the Ministry of Natural Resources is the chair of the National Desertification Steering Committee, while the Ministry of Research and Environmental Affairs is the Secretariat. The National Committee is comprised of all relevant sectors both from government and the private sector whose activities contribute to desertification in one way or the other.
Institutions responsible for this area include: The Ministry of Economic Planning and Development, the Secretary to the Treasury, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, the Office of the President and Cabinet, the Ministry of Irrigation and Water Development, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, the Sugar Corporation of Malawi (SUCOMA), the Electricity Supply Commission of Malawi (ESCOM), the Water Boards in Malawi, the Ministry of Physical Planning, the Ministry of Research and Development, the Tobacco Association of Malawi (TAMA) and the Agricultural Research and Extension Trust (ARET) strengthen the National Desertification and Drought Steering Committee.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
The Disaster Management Act was passed in 1991.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
Malawi has yet to produce an umbrella project to combat desertification after ratifying the Desertification Convention in June, 1996. This will include finalization of the National Action Plan (NAP) which is being developed with UNDP. NGOs were involved actively under the WFP for projects from 1993 to 1995.
To date, relevant activities in this area include the Disaster Management Plan (Strategy),( draft produced in 1991); Small Scale Irrigation Draft Policy, 1996; Establishment of a drought early warning system in 1991 with the Ministry of Water and Irrigation as the lead agency ; the South African Development Countries Food Security Early Warning Unit under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development; and a Famine Early Warning System under agro-economic survey of the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development.
Other strategies include water harvesting techniques and programmes by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development. The Ministry of Irrigation and Water Development has been mandated to look into ways and means to develop programmes which aim at water harvesting during the rainy season. Development of irrigation schemes for small- scale, medium and large-scale farmers is Government's priority number one utilizing the water bodies of Lakes Malawi, Chilwa, Chiuta, Malombe and the Shire River water systems.
To implement the Convention, the following is planned to take place soon:
Major Groups involved in this area include: NGOs, such as the Coordination Unit for the Rehabilitation of the Environment (CURE), the private sector (Malawi Investment Promotion Agency: MIPA), the Tobacco Association of Malawi (TAMA), the Agricultural Research and Extension Trust (ARET), the Teas Research Council of Malawi (TRC), local government, the Forestry Department (as chair), the Ministry of Research and Environmental Affairs (Secretariat), the Land Resources and Conservation Unit of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, SDC, and the Malawi Industrial Research and Technology Development Centre (MIRTDC).
Programmes and Projects
No information is available.
Status
No information is available.
Challenges
An issue still to be resolved is the development of capacity and institutional mechanisms to develop and implement a comprehensive and practical National Action Plan through local community participation and decision-making processes utilizing other avenues such as the Capacity 21 initiative, at national, regional and local levels. The Government has attended INC and follow-up Convention meetings including SADC initiatives and relevant annual committee meetings.
Capacity-building,
Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research
and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
Reclamation and rehabilitation work is financed by the SADC Environment and Land Management Sector, the Government revenue and development budget, NGOs and CBOs. The Ministry of Research and Environmental Affairs is currently negotiating with the CCD Secretariat and UNSO through UNDP to procure funds for the development of the NAP, an audit strategy and for the national awareness-raising workshop and campaigns.
Cooperation
The International Convention to Combat Desertification in Countries Experiencing Drought and/or Desertification Particularly in Africa was signed in 1995 and ratified in 1996.
Malawi is a member of SADC which is currently busy formulating a sub-regional action programme to combat drought and desertification. As a party to the CCD, Malawi stands within the aegis to the Convention to develop forestry, land, rehabilitation and restoration initiatives to address the CCD commitments through training courses, exchange of information and advice and afforestation/agro-forestry initiatives within the region and internationally.
* * *
This information is based on Malawi's submission to the 5th Session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development. Last update: April 1997
For access to the Web Site of the Convention to Combat Desertification and Drought, click here:
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The Ministry of Energy and Mining, the Malawi Industrial Research and Technical Centre and other associated organizations have been mandated to work expeditiously in the area of energy for the masses in the country which should include the use of biogas, solar energy, multi-fuel oven using sawdust wood, mai-bawo (an energy-saving stove) and probably establish and monitor eco-labelling through the mandate of the Malawi Bureau of Standards and the Consumer Association of Malawi.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
Of major importance could be the establishment of kerosene oil depots in places where a regular energy supply for people can be ensured without harming the forests. This initiative will have to go jointly with mass production of kerosene stoves throughout the country.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available.
Programmes
and
Projects
Programmatic interventions include the extension of the rural electrification programme under the Ministry of Energy and Mining; the use of biogas technology being promoted by the Malawi Industrial Research Technology and Development Centre; and the use of maiabo-stoves for energy efficiency, also promoted by the Malawi Industrial Research Technology and Development Centre.
Status
No information is available.
Challenges
Legislation needs to be established to control and encourage consumers regarding the use of alternative energy sources which do not contribute to deforestation and production of greenhouse gases as it is the case at the moment. Workshops, committees, media coverage, waste recycling and waste re-use initiatives are just beginning to be understood by the masses.
Capacity-building,
Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research
and Technologies
The Ministry of Energy and Mining has undertaken surveys in biomass and marketing and urban energy consumption. These surveys will provide baseline data on how much firewood/charcoal is being consumed mainly in the major urban areas.
Financing
Funding for alternative energy programmes has been mostly from donor agencies. Government contribution has been in kind. The Government contribution has to be increased if sustainability is to be achieved in this area.
Cooperation
On energy, there are initiatives through the GEF and UNDP to establish an Energy Centre in Malawi. Malawi belongs to other energy and consumption patterns fora within SADC and other international organisations.
There are links with Southern Africa on leadership for environment. There are also links with the SADC energy management project for industrial energy management. There is a National Steering Committee for the GEF and an Energy Technical Panel at the national level. A Regional Energy Training Centre at the Natural Resources College is intended to be set up.
* * *
This information is based on Malawi's submission to the 5th Session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development. Last update: April 1997
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Institutions responsible include the Ministries of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining, Women, Children Affairs and Social Welfare, Local Government and Rural Development. Also involved are MIRTOC; the Electricity Supply Commission of Malawi (ESCOM); NGOs and the private sector.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
Malawi has developed, and is currently reviewing a Forestry Act.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
In the future Malawi will look to link the Forestry Policy with national water and energy policies and other sectoral policies and initiatives, and promote tree planting and agro-forestry under the co-management policy.
The Forestry Department also changed its policy to manage forests in cooperation with communities. This is being emphasized in both forest reserves and forests on customary land. Under a wood energy project in the urban areas of Blantyre, Zomba and Lilongwe, 278 tree nurseries were established. Seedlings were sold to farmers at subsidised rates. There is now a policy change, whereby communities and NGOs produce their own seedlings for forest plantation establishment.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available.
Programmes
and Projects
The Fifth country programme of Malawi was redirected as well towards natural resources management. Modules were funded by FAO, UNDP and the Government of Malawi, including: learning by earning, a tree for every child, energy efficient stoves, food for work (reforestation funded by WFP). Promotion of community forestry management is an important component of the strategy to combat degradation of natural woodland by those who rely on fuelwood for energy. Education and training are now being used to sensitize people on afforestation. Enforcement of policies and strategies through local community participation and decision-making is what all line agencies and stakeholders plan to do at premise.
Other programmatic interventions include the extension of the rural electrification programme under the Ministry of Energy and Mining; the use of biogas technology being promoted by the Malawi Industrial Research Technology and Development Centre; and the use of maiabo-stoves for energy efficiency, also promoted by the Malawi Industrial Research Technology and Development Centre.
Under the energy programme of UNDP, Malawi has developed and submitted a project proposal under the National Sustainable and Renewable Energy Programme to GEF, which aims at enhancing the sustainable use of and access to energy in the country, focusing on renewables through the establishment of a Council, a Technical Committee, a Knowledge Centre and an Energy Secretariat.
Status
No information is available.
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building,
Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research
and Technologies
The Ministry of Energy and Mining has undertaken surveys in biomass and marketing and urban energy consumption. These surveys will provide baseline data on how much firewood/charcoal is being consumed mainly in the major urban areas.
Financing
Funding has been provided by UNDP, UNHCR and the Government of Malawi for training forestry staff on the new Forestry Act and new Forestry Policy. Also, see "Cooperation" for details.
Cooperation
The Government signed and ratified the Convention to Combat Desertification in June 1996, making it a priority to combat desertification and drought in the country.
Leveraged additional resources towards the implementation of the components of the project under the National Sustainable and Renewable Energy Programme include the World Bank, Danida, the Commonwealth Secretariat, NORAD, UNITAR, UNESCO, UNICEF, SADC/FINESSE.
* * *
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The decision-making structure includes the Ministries of: Agriculture and Livestock Development; Irrigation and Water Development; Natural Resources (Water Resources Board; Department of National Parks and Wildlife); Local Government and Rural Development; Research and Environmental Affairs; and Transport and Civil Aviation (Department of Meteorology), as well as the Forestry Department; University of Malawi; Water Boards; and City Councils and Local Communities.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
The Government has established a National Water Development Policy, and there is an ongoing water development project to get good and clean water to the rural community, upgrading management of water resources and the provision of water related services.
Areas receiving attention in policy and strategy formulation are
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
The Government is committed to imposing the representation of women at all decision-making processes in the water sector. Others participants in decision-making for freshwater include NGOs, the private sector, church groups, donors and other interested parties.
Programmes and Projects
A National Water Development Project supported by UNICEF, is for upgrading the management of water resources and provision of water related services to:
A large part of the Malawi population does not have access to an adequate supply with potable water and many do lack basic sanitation.
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
Public awareness campaigns are ongoing in this sector and facilitate the importance of water and inclusion in the national education curricula.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
The Government obtains funding from a variety of sources such as EU, IUNC, World Bank, UNICEF, ODA and NORAD for water supply and sanitation programmes, water policy and legislation, education, integrated management and conservation campaigns.
Cooperation
Malawi is part of the SADC regional initiatives which address water for domestic use and sanitation. Malawi also participates in the regional management of shared river basins and water course systems such as the Zambezi Action Plan (ZACPLAN) and will be part of the Maseru-Lesotho meeting sponsored by EU and the SADC Environment and Land Resource Management Sector in May this year.
* * *
This information is based on Malawi's submission to the 5th Session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development. Last update: April 1997
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Responsible entities for this sector include Ministries of: Agriculture and Livestock Development; Research and Environmental Affairs; Natural Resources; Irrigation and the Water Department; and the University of Malawi. Also involved are local communities, farmers, NGOs, and the Coordination Unit for the Rehabilitation of the Environment (CURE).
The Government has established a Presidential Land Commission to look into matters related to land tenure as it affects rural and urban communities, the large estate sector, and finally linkages and synergies of land matters in relation to the promotion of initiatives for sustainable development, taking into account the social, economic and sustainable environmental management in the country.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
Related policies include a Forestry Policy, a Water Resources Policy, land-use utilisation and catchment protection, and rehabilitation and reclamation of degraded lands.
Among the principal activities in this sector are the following:
No information is available.
Programmes
and Projects
No information is available.
Status
No information is available.
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building,
Education, Training and Awareness-raising
Issues include:
No information is available.
Research
and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
Financing comes from the Government, the European Union, and SADC-ELMS.
Cooperation
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Responsibility is with the Ministries of: Irrigation and Water Development; Natural Resources (Department of Forestry); Research and Environmental Affairs (National Council on the Environment); and the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development; as well as the Department of National Parks and Wildlife; Bee Keepers Association of Malawi; local communities; NGOs; donor agencies; community-based organizations (CBOs); and para-statals.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
Fragile mountain catchment ecosystems are considered sensitive areas in the Environmental Management Act. They are major water catchment areas with indigenous forests, commercial forests used for recreation, nature conservation, agriculture and other communal land uses.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
Most of these areas are threatened and require urgent action to save them from further degradation. Some initiatives are
No information is available.
Programmes
and Projects
No information is available.
Status
No information is available.
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building,
Education, Training and Awareness-raising
Staff development through research, training and dissemination of information; infrastructure development; strategies for mountain conservation evolvement; and training of bee keepers.
Information
No information is available.
Research
and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
Through its revenue budget the Government supports some of the sustainable mountain development initiatives. Also, see "Cooperation" for details.
Cooperation
GEF has provided Malawi with US$ 300,000 to enable the establishment of the Mulanje Mountain Conservation Trust (MMCT). Finance is provided by GTZ (Bee Keeping Association, since 1992), GEF/World Bank (Mulanje Mountain Conservation Trust, since 1997), ODA (Mulanje Mountain Conservation Trust, 1995), UN (Rural Water Supply and Sanitation in Malawi Sustainability through Community Based Management 1994-2010), UNDP (National Sustainable and Renewable Energy Programme, 1997-2001).
Malawi, as a SADC member, operates within the regional structures of this organisation. Bilateral cooperation with other neighbours, Mozambique and Zambia, deals with border mountain ecosystems and areas. Malawi is an active member of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat, the Convention on Migrating Species, the Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species, the Convention to Combat Desertification and Drought and the Framework Convention on Climate Change. As such, all stipulations of these Conventions which affect the sustainable management of fragile ecosystems and sustainable mountain development are considered in linkages at various national committees and as appropriate.
* * *
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Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available.
Programmes and Projects
No information is available.
Status
No information is available.
Challenges
No information is
available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
No information is available.
CooperationThough Malawi is a land-locked country it signed the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea in 1984.
* * *
To access the Web Site of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, click here:
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Organizations responsible include the Ministries of: Health and Population; Commerce and Industry; Local Government and Rural Development; and Defence; as well as the Malawi Bureau of Standards; the Drugs and Pharmaceutical Board of Malawi; the Pesticide Association of Malawi; the Consumer Association of Malawi (CAMA); and the Malawi Chamber of Commerce.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry ensures that the country does not issue import and export licences for toxic and dangerous wastes. The same applies to firearms, ammunition, explosives and chemical and biological weapons. A system of control of transport of chemicals is in place to ensure:
Major groups include: Farmers; the local community; educational institutions; parastatals; and the University of Malawi.
Programmes
and Projects
No information is available.
Status
No information is available.
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building,
Education, Training and Awareness-raising
There are efforts to train human resources and to raise public awareness at all levels.
Information
No information is available.
Research
and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
Finance is provided by Government revenue.
Cooperation
Other sources of revenue include: donor funding; and bilateral and multilateral organizations.
* * *
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Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
The Ministry of Local Government is the main decision-maker at the national level. City, municipal, town and district councils are important actors at local levels.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available.
Programmes
and Projects
The Blantyre City Sanitation Master Plan Study was conducted in 1992 as part of the local government development programme and covers four towns: Blantyre; Lilongwe; Zomba; and Mzuzu.
Status
Solid waste is generated on streets, in commercial areas, from markets and as domestic waste, and it is collected and disposed at uncontrolled landfills. Waste disposal is managed by either council or private bodies. The system shows problems associated with collection vessels, road access to waste and uncontrolled landfill issues.
The sewer system only covers 24% of the area (e.g. commercial areas, institutions); 76% is served with pit latrines and septic tanks.
In Mzuzu City, waste is being collected twice a week from households, commercial and industrial areas, and daily from public places, markets and hospitals. The equipment available includes two refuse trucks, one tractor trailer, one micro bin and one micro van.
In Zomba municipality, 47.3% of all refuse is collected. There is one vehicle available and the only landfill is already exhausted. A study for a new landfill has been carried out. Market and location committees on environmental issues were established. There is one tanker available for emptying septic tanks. Provision is being made for ventilated improved pit latrines in peri-urban areas, for maintenance of burst sewer lines, and for emptying septic tanks/VIP latrines.
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building,
Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research
and Technologies
The Malawi Industrial Research Technology and Development Centre conducted an inventory for waste, i.e. what type is to be recycled and used and how to reduce waste generation.
Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
Finance is provided by UNICEF, the World Bank, the African Development Bank, bilateral Government grants (e.g. from Japan, Sweden, Canada), the private sector (e.g., Mitsubishi corporation) and NGOs.
Malawi cooperates with the International Water Supply Association and has bilateral agreements with SADC member states.
* * *
Hazardous Wastes
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
Authorities handling Convention matters include the Ministry of Justice, the Ministries of Trade, Industry and Commerce, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, MOREA (informing industry), and the Malawi Industrial Research and Technology Development Centre (MIRTDC). The communities and industry are also involved.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available.
Programmes and Projects
A project is in the pipeline for recycling waste used by large industries in Blantyre City. A good housekeeping project includes discussions held in partnership with MBS, MIRTDC, Polytechnic and industry managers. MIRTDC promotes waste incinerators and saw-dust briquetting and assists in Stanlinks briquetting of agricultural waste. Information on waste reduction is provided from UNIDO.
Status
Expired and nearly expired chemicals are being imported to Malawi.
Challenges
No information available.
Capacity-building,
Education, Training and Awareness-raising
Under the Basel Convention, Malawi has a grace period for implementation up to 1997, including carrying out an inventory on industries. This has led to identifying training centres for capacity building in the management of hazardous waste. These are South Africa for English-speaking countries including Malawi, Cote d'Ivoire for French-speaking countries, and Egypt for Arabic-speaking countries.
A needs assessment aimed at identifying training needs in hazardous waste management was done in September. Locally, city councils had discussions with the Ministry of Trade and Commerce in the management of waste from industries, including air, land and waste-borne effluents.
A discussion forum has been established with representatives from industries, to sensitize them on environmental damage by hazardous waste.
Information
No information is available.
Research
and Technologies
A monitoring system has been established to identify who, where and what is being dumped.
Financing
Finance comes from CIDA, the World Bank, and the Basel Convention (funds for training).
Cooperation
The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal was ratified in 1994. Malawi has not yet ratified the Bamako Convention, which prohibits the import of hazardous waste.
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For direct link to the Web Site of the Basel Convention, click here:
Radioactive Wastes
No information available.
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