10/09/2007
World's largest and most complete sustainable regional development announced in Libya
At an historic ceremony amongst the archaeological treasures of Cyrene in the Green Mountain region of Eastern Libya, Saif al-Islam Gadafi, signed the Cyrene Declaration witnessed by an invited audience of journalists, VIP’s and people’s representatives from Libya and abroad.
The launch of the Cyrene Declaration marks the inception of the world’s first regional-scale conservation and development project dedicated to responding to the challenges and opportunities for sustainable development in The Green Mountain region covering some 5,500 sq kilometres. Foster + Partners are helping to develop the vision set out in the Cyrene Declaration.
This area is one of outstanding natural beauty and bio-diversity. It is described by the World Wildlife Fund as “…one of the 10 last paradises of the Mediterranean”. Its coastal region has the potential to become one of the world’s most desirable tourist destinations. Its allure to visitors however depends on the effective protection of the natural environment and controlled development, free of urban sprawl.
The most urgent challenge is to tackle climate change by developing a new model of socio-economic development that minimises the release of greenhouse gases, diversifies sources of economic growth such as tourism and reduces its reliance on fossil fuels, moving towards C02 neutrality on a regional scale. With its emphasis on renewable energy and integrated regional planning Cyrene Declaration will also be of relevance to other countries.
The region is rich with prehistoric, Greek, Roman and Islamic antiquity. Of equal urgency is the protection of the local archaeological and natural treasures of The Green Mountain including one of the world’s most important UNESCO World Heritage Sites at Cyrene. This is central to the regional plan, creating commercial opportunities leading to thousands of new jobs for local communities.
The vision not only addresses the environmental impact of development but also concerns the people involved. The final challenge is to improve the economic and social fortunes of the inhabitants of The Green Mountain who are disproportionately young and lacking in employment. The creation of sustainable, compact, mixed use settlements as well as the modernisation of schools and public amenities and intelligent infrastructure, all play a vital role in enabling a vibrant economy for the indigenous population.
The Green Mountain Conservation and Development Authority (GMCDA) has been established to oversee the creation, development and management of a National Park, archaeological conservation areas, mixed use areas for commerce and cultural and environmental tourism, sustainable infrastructure, renewable power generation and a range of facilities for the local population.
Foster + Partners have been appointed to develop three sustainable pilot projects to facilitate cultural and eco-tourism and these are already under way in The Green Mountain and the Guiding Principles of the Cyrene Declaration are also being applied to other development projects elsewhere in Libya.
Lord Foster said:
“This is one of the most beautiful and little known landscapes on Earth. We’ve been given a unique challenge: to establish a sustainable blueprint for future development which will be sensitive to the history of the Green Mountain and to its conservation.""
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For Further information please contact Alice Dogruyol at Clownfish:
T +44 20 7430 0530 M +44 7939 031030 E alice@clownfish.co.uk
Notes:
The GMCDA is administered under the direct authority of Saif al-Islam Gadafi by a coalition of leading experts on sustainable development, including enviromentalists, conservationists, architects, archaeologists and public administrators.
The Cyrene Declaration:
Guiding Principles
The GMCDA will be structured and managed according to the following principles:
• The GMCDA will be committed to the creation of a thriving economic, ecological and cultural environment that benefits all current and future inhabitants of and visitors to the Green Mountain area.
• All activities undertaken by the GMCDA will be in line with the interdependent and mutually reinforcing pillars of sustainable development: economic development, social development and environmental protection and restoration.
• The GMCDA will be committed to the development and use of sustainable and renewable sources of energy and raw materials.
• The GMCDA will be committed to the development – exclusive, if possible – of organic farming methods, aquaculture and food production.
• The GMCDA will be committed to the cultural and sporting development of all the current and future inhabitants of the Green Mountain region.
• The GMCDA believes that all local people should be given the opportunity to participate in the economic and cultural re-generation of the Green Mountain region.
• To the maximum extent possible, all labour, food, energy and raw materials will be sourced locally
• The GMCDA’s most urgent responsibilities will be the protection from further degradation of the archaeological remains throughout the Green Mountain region and unplanned urban sprawl.
• The GMCDA’s success in creating a sustainable region depends partly on the efforts of the global community to curb unsustainable human activities, such as the emission of greenhouse gases; we will lobby the forces that influence these activities to redress the deficiencies in these systems.
• The GMCDA will be committed to the fostering and sharing of knowledge and understanding between Libyans and non-Libyans of all ages, genders, religious persuasions and countries of origin, including the provision of access to the historical and natural wonders of the region.
• The GMCDA will never violate or condone the violation of any laws of any countries in which it operates, including the making of illegal payments.
• The GMCDA will respect the rights and wishes of all its stakeholders, particularly those of the local population.
• The GMCDA will be governed according to the highest prevailing international standards.
• The performance of the GMCDA in respect of its good governance and effectiveness shall be monitored by an independent, reputable auditor and reported annually without interference or censorship by the GMCDA.
Activities of the GMCDA.
• The GMCDA will plan, establish and control in perpetuity the following:
• A National Park - to protect an area of outstanding natural beauty and ecological diversity that encompasses a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Sustainable Infrastructure - including renewable power generation, waste management and recycling facilities, closed-loop water systems, and sustainable transport.
• Economic Development – sustainable local economy and industry, including sustainable fishing, organic agriculture and the manufacturing and servicing of new technologies.
• Microbanking Services - to encourage and enable the local population to participate in the economic, cultural and sustainable regeneration of the Green Mountain.
• Archaeological Conservation Areas - international collaborations to preserve and further excavate some of the world’s greatest Greco-Roman and Islamic remains.
• Mixed Use Areas - for visitors and locals, including hotels, restaurants, museums, performing arts facilities and sports facilities.
• A world-class institution of higher learning - dedicated to research, development and education in the field of sustainable development.
Governance.
The GMCDA will be governed by a board of trustees under the direct authority of the Libyan government. The trustees include leading experts on sustainable development, including environmentalists, economists, conservationists, architects, archaeologists and public administrators. The board of trustees will guide, oversee and approve all executive actions and partnerships with other organisations, including local and foreign government bodies, NGOs and businesses.
Objectives of the GMCDA
The goals of the GMCDA are the following:
• To create and protect in perpetuity the world’s first regional-scale, world-class conservation and development area
• To move towards “CO2 neutrality” on a regional scale
• To create local economic development, high quality resources, reliable income and infrastructure for the residents the Green Mountain region
• To protect and restore the Green Mountain’s unique animals, plants and geography
• To create a master conservation plan for UNESCO World Heritage sites in the Green Mountain region
• To exchange knowledge and understanding between young Libyans and their brothers and sisters throughout the world
• To create a long-term cultural and environmental tourism industry that will provide access for people interested in the cultural heritage of human civilisation
• To provide partnership opportunities for volunteer organisations representing all age groups and from all regions
• To create intelligent infrastructure with maximum utility and minimum impact
• To facilitate and encourage inward investment
Saif al-Islam Gadafi, Cyrene
10 September 2007
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