18/04/2005: Ministers
Van Schalkwyk, Sisulu, Sonjica and MEC Tasneem
Essop joins second week of WSSD Review session
(CSD 13) amidst expectations that discussions
will end with commitments that will strengthen
implementation of NEPAD. Also expected are
Valli Moosa as President of the World Conservation
Union and Executive Mayor Amos Masondo as
President of the international local government
association, ICLEI.
Speaking about the relevance of CSD 13 that
is being held from 11-22 April, the Minister
of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Marthinus
van Schalkwyk said: “This meeting will review
global progress on the Johannesburg Plan of
Implementation, with particular reference
to the targets on water, sanitation and human
settlement.”
The Minister further adds “This year, 2005,
is the third anniversary of the World Summit
on Sustainable Development and the fifth anniversary
of the Millennium Development Goals which
will be globally reviewed at a special session
of the UN General Assembly, in September.
CSD13 will help us to strengthen the links
between the WSSD targets and the Millennium
Development Goals. It will also be a critical
opportunity for us to emphasise obstacles
like financing and capacity gaps in addressing
these challenges in Africa.”
South African participants at CSD 13 also
include prominent personalities in the business
and civil society sectors like Reuel Khoza,
Chairperson of Eskom, Bheki Ntshalintshali,
deputy General Secretary of Cosatu, and many
others. “The nature of the South African team
speaks to an affirmation that our country
and the world can become a better place for
us and our future generations only if we work
in partnership between spheres of governments,
civil society, labour and business. This is
significant as our country is looked to by
many across the world as a beacon of hope
that a sustainable world is possible” said
Minister Van Schalkwyk.
One of the highlights during the week will
be on Tuesday, 19 April 2005 when Minister
Van Schalkwyk will receive, on behalf of President
Mbeki and the people of South Africa, the
"Champions of the Earth" award from
the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
This award recognises outstanding commitment
to cultural and environmental diversity, as
well as for the leading work done by South
Africa on issues of sustainable development.
“This is global recognition of the hard work
that has seen our country making major progress
in looking after our biodiversity and putting
people at the center of our environmental
management efforts,” said Minister Van Schalkwyk.“It
is a great honour and greatly motivating for
our continued and intensified efforts.”
Another highlight will be on Monday, 18 April
2005 when the Minister of Finance, Trevor
Manuel will be a joint moderator of a panel
of Finance Ministers. The outcomes of this
session will inform discussions related to
economic benefits of implementing sound policies
on water, sanitation and human settlements
at country, regional and global levels.
