---------- (1) COM(86)16 final - 2 - - Mais le developpement de l'Afrique s'inscrit dans un contexte de degradation croissante de ses ressources naturelles, qui trouve son expression extreme dans le processus de deserti- fication, ce qui rend urgent d'entreprendre une politique systematique de protection et de restauration de l'environ- nement ; urgent, puisque le long terme commence aujourd'hui et la degradation va en s'accelerant.
---------- (1) COM(86)16 ./. - 2 - iii) However, development in Africa is taking place against a background of growing deterioration of its natural resources, the most extreme form of which is desertification, and this makes it urgently necessary to adopt a systematic policy for environmental conservancy and restoration. This matter is urgent because the starting-point for the long-term is today, and the pace deterioration is steadily accelerating.