Read Q&A with Jean-Gabriel Randrianarison, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Economy and Industry and Co-President of the WAVES Steering Committee, Madagascar

1. What do you think is the most urgent issue to address in regards to Madagascar's Natural Capital?

A: That the country takes ownership of the mechanisms and tools to carry out natural capital accounting so they are sustainable in terms of institutional structure and technical capacity. The key question is how to engage the different stakeholders (technicians, decision-makers, etc.) effectively. Madagascar should have a tailored communications and outreach strategy within coming months.

2. WAVES in Madagascar has a big agenda, starting with conducting natural resource accounts in several sectors. Is there widespread support for this work in the Government? What do you hope will be gained from conducting the accounts, and what changes would you like to see implemented?

A: There is strong support from the Government for this work including:

·         Cabinet endorsement of Madagascar’s involvement in the partnership;

·         Formal establishment of a national Steering Committee with high- level technical representation.

·         Government endorsement of the Gaborone Declaration and communiqué arising from the Summit on Sustainability in Africa related to the implementation of natural capital accounting.

·         Co-financing of US$ 500,000 for WAVES activities in and around protected areas.

The key outcomes of this work—the mechanisms and tools for natural capital accounting—will show how effective policy making and investments aimed at natural resource management can support economic development and poverty reduction. In addition, they will be incorporated in the development planning and may change the decision-making process (in term of natural resources management planning and budget allocation for the priority policy linkages).

3. What communities stand to benefit most from WAVES activities? Statistics show that 77% of households in Madagascar live in poverty. Will any of the economic benefit from valuing natural resources help those most in need?

In economic terms, natural capital constitutes 49% of total wealth in Madagascar and natural resources are often the principal source of income for those households—most of which live in rural areas.

The tools that WAVES will establish allow the economic value of natural resources to be integrated into analysis and monitoring of macro-economic performance. In the medium and long term, Madagascar will have better management of its natural resources, leading in part to job creation and long-term sustainability of natural resource-based activities to support economic development and poverty reduction. Better management of natural resources will not automatically lead to poverty reduction. Madagascar also needs conducive political, institutional and governance frameworks.