25/04/2005:The WSSD Review
session, known as the Commission on Sustainable
Development Thirteen (CSD 13) ended on 22/04/05
with the adoption of a agreement that defines
a common international agreement on water,
sanitation and human settlement. This session
was held at the United Nations in New York
, USA from 11 to 22 April 2005 .
“The outcomes of CSD 13 reaffirm our resolve
that this is the African century. The adopted
agreement confirms the world community's resolve
to turn the tide against practice that will
ultimately deny us and our future generations
a save and healthy planet” said Minister of
Environmental Affairs and Tourism , Marthinus
van Schalkwyk as he reflected on South Africa's
impression on the outcomes of CSD 13.
Delegates at CSD 13 included representatives
from over hundred fifty country countries
with Ministers of portfolios that include
the environment, finance, development, housing,
water, etc, Also attending was over five hundred
civil society and business representatives.
The involvement of all stakeholders in all
aspects of this CSD process is considered
a significant achievement since it sets the
trend for upcoming CSD sessions that will
focus on areas like energy, climate change,
etc.
Ministers of Environmenal Affairs and Tourism
, Water Affairs and Forestry and Housing led
South Africa 's delegation. Also attending
was the Western Cape MEC of Environment and
Development Planning, Tasneem Essop, Executive
Mayor of Johannesburg Metro, Amos Masondo,
who was also attending in his capacity as
President of the international local government
network, ICLEI, Valli Moosa in his capacity
as President of the world conservation union,
IUCN, Reuel Khoza from Eskom and Cosatu Deputy
General Secretary Bheki Ntshalintshali.
“In South Africa we have committed to clear
the backlog of water by 2008 and sanitation
by 2010 and intend to have eradicated informal
settlements by 2015. We now have commitment
from the global community that we will get
support in the form of funding, capacity and
technology transfer as we strive to realise
these goals “ said Buyelwa Sonjica, Minister
of Water Affairs and Forestry as she emphasised
the significance of the outcomes of CSD 13.
“Knowing that this year, 2005, is the third
anniversary of the World Summit on Sustainable
Development and the fifth anniversary of the
Millennium Development Goals, we believe that
CSD13 will helps us to strengthen the links
between the WSSD targets and the Millennium
Development Goals. At the Millennium Declaration
Review scheduled to take place in September
2005 we will start discussions against the
appreciation that there must be emphasises
on obstacles like financing and capacity gaps
in efforts to address challenges in Africa.
” further added Minister of Housing, Lindiwe
Sisulu
Some of South Africa 's highlight at CSD
13 included:
Monday, 18 April 2005 when the Minister of
Finance, Trevor Manuel was a joint moderator
of a panel of Finance Ministers . This session
informed discussions related to economic benefits
of implementing sound policies on water, sanitation
and human settlements at country, regional
and global levels; and
Receipt of the "Champions of the Earth"
award from the United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP) on Tuesday, 19 April 2005
. This award recognises President Mbeki and
the people of South Africa 's commitment and
contribution towards cultural and environmental
diversity as well as implementation of globally
agreed sustainable development efforts.
