Turning to the environment, we in the SADCC reqion strongly believe that our economic development programmes should be designed in such a way that they promote development that is sustainable not only in the short term but also in the medium and longer term. This will ensure that improvement of the living standards of the present generation will not be at the expense of future generations. Achievement of that noble objective is, however, not easy for poor countries such as ours. RH/16 A/S-18/PV. 5 67 (Mr. Mogae. Botswana) We are well aware that poverty is a major contributor to environmental degradation. Poor people are compelled by the need for survival to cut down trees indiscriminately for use as sources of enerqy and for building materials and for sale to earn an income. Poverty, coupled with a lack of access to modern farming technologies, leads to inefficient use of the land, resulting in soil erosion, desertification and overgrazing. Pollution of groundwater resources around major settlements is a result of lack of adequate sanitation facilities. These problems are oompounded by rapid popUlation qrowth rates which are not commensurate with the capacity of our economies to provide the necessary social services. Durinq the 1990s our countries will give emphasis to the development and implementation of appropriate population policies. We believe it is quite fitting that this special session is giving prominence to the question of the development of human resources. Needless to say, the greatest asset and potential source of wealth for any country is its people. Currently the shortage of trained manpower remains one of the foremost constraints to the realization of SADCC's objectives. This problem therefore needs to be addressed urgently and effectively. The shortage of management skills in both public and private sectors in our 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the importance of sustainable development in the Southern African Development Community (SADCC) region, highlighting the relationship between poverty, environmental degradation, and population growth. It emphasizes the need to address these issues to ensure the well-being of both present and future generations.

**Category**
Economic development, Natural resources and environment