Equatorial Guinea Outlines Environmental Plan

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 23, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea told delegates at the United Nations 2014 Summit on Climate Change that his country has adopted a five-point plan to conserve the natural environment and contribute to global efforts to slow the rate of global warming.

In his address to the Summit, President Obiang said his government had oriented its socioeconomic development policies toward sustainability.

"Equatorial Guinea is a developing country that lives practically thanks to Mother Nature," he said. "It does not know the problems of environmental degradation and it aspires to the new development technologies that guarantee the people's well-being."

He said that the country has adopted a five-point that establishes the basis for a sustainable economy and contributes to the global fight against climate change and its effects. Under the plan, the government of Equatorial Guinea is taking the following steps:

1. Producing electrical energy through a system of hydroelectric and turbo gas generation, using the gas produced by the petroleum industry.

2. Ending the practice of flaring gas into the atmosphere and convert that gas into butane, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and other derivatives. He said his government tis negotiating with neighboring countries to absorb the gas that they are currently flaring.

3. Replacing thermal power plants that produce carbon dioxide with hydroelectric plants based in river basins of the country.

4. To conserve ecosystems, Equatorial Guinea has created large natural reserves—Ureka on Bioko Island and Monte Alén on the mainland.

5. "In light of the imminent danger that the excessive use of timber could provoke further desertification," the government has reduced the exploitation of its forest reserves by 25 percent and requires value-added processing of wood.

"The forestry policy of the government is aimed at protecting endangered species and conserving ecosystems through legal norms that protect species that have been declared in danger of extinction," he said. The policies on forests and natural areas are in line with the recommendations of the Central African Forest commission (COMIFAC).

About Equatorial Guinea

The Republic of Equatorial Guinea (República de Guinea Ecuatorial) is the only Spanish-speaking country in Africa, and one of the smallest nations on the continent. In the late-1990s, American companies helped discover the country's oil and natural gas resources, which only within the last five years began contributing to the global energy supply. Equatorial Guinea is now working to serve as a pillar of stability and security in its region of West Central Africa. The country hosted the 2011 Summit of the African Union. For more information, visit http://www.guineaecuatorialpress.com.

SOURCE Republic of Equatorial Guinea

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