Natural Resources
The sustainable use of natural resources is one of the main prerequisites of economic progress in developing countries. The two focus areas in Iceland's Strategy for International Development Cooperation in relations to natural resources are: Fisheries and Energy.
Fisheries
Progress in fisheries is of particular importance to improve livelihoods in many developing countries. Improved management of fish stocks and improved handling of catches, together with an increase in the supply of fish from fish farming and aquaculture, should improve the food security of the communities in question and create a basis for increased export revenues. The development and implementation of fisheries management programmes based on scientific advice is also important to help developing countries adapt to the effects of climate change.
Fisheries have proved to be a challenge for many developing countries. The sector has been at the core of Iceland´s bilateral development efforts since its inception, as a result of requests from developing countries for cooperation in an area where Iceland possesses both expertise and experience. Iceland has built up significant knowledge of development cooperation in the fisheries sector through the years, and today the fisheries sector is included in both bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
The Reykjavík Declaration on Responsible Fisheries in the Marine Ecosystem of 2001 emphasised the importance of development cooperation in the fisheries sector. At the UN Summit on Sustainable Development in the following year, development agencies' focus on fisheries was sharpened, which resulted in greater attention to the fisheries sector in recent years. With the above in mind, Iceland will continue to play an active role in this field.
Energy
Energy is also highly important in relations to the Millennium Development Goals and UNDP has pointed out that the goals will be impossible to achieve without greater access to energy for the poor. Approximately 1.6 million people live without electricity, and about two billion people meet their energy needs using primitive methods such as burning wood and biomass. These means to household heating and cooking causes pollution which often has particularly severe consequences for women. It is important to support developing countries in meeting their energy needs through the use of clean and renewable energy resources where possible and thereby limit the impact increased energy production can have on the release of greenhouse gasses.
Energy has been a growing area of focus in Iceland's development cooperation in recent years. In addition to the work of the UNU Geothermal Training Programme (UNU-GTP) that has represented Iceland's principal involvement in the energy sector since 1979.