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Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation and Chairperson of the National Planning Commission, Jeff Radebe gave an address themed, “South Africa's role in the SDGs and achieving water and sanitation for all”, at this year’s Global Citizen Festival which took place on, Saturday, September 24, 2016 in Central Park, New York.

The festival theme - water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) – has been the focus of the past few months of research and advocacy. So far, over 1.3 million health actions have been taken by global citizens everywhere.

Also in attendance were be the Congressional Honorary Host Committee, which is made up of nine congressional representatives and one senator. Rihanna, Metallica, and Kendrick Lamar were headlining the festival’s music acts.

“The “National Development Plan 2030” is South Africa’s very own master plan to get us to a country that is significantly better off than it is today in 2016. It is about the long term - planning for the country that you want and the future you wish for generations to come. At the core of all our global frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals, Agenda 2063 and our very own National Development Plan sits the urgency to address the triple challenge of poverty, unemployment and inequality to improve the lives of ALL our people. Through these initiatives, South Africa stands for employment, global water and sanitation, and a brighter future for our youth.

And today, on behalf of President Zuma, I am proud to announce South Africa’s commitment to a better tomorrow by ending the practice of open defecation in South Africa by 2030 or sooner.

Through our leadership on the High Level Panel on Water, our Government also commits today to ensure the panel champions proper sanitation and waste management services in cities around the world. We support a world in which children thrive instead of suffering from disease, malnutrition, and stunting. A world in which everyone has the opportunity for a dignified and full life”, said Minister Radebe.

Minister Radebe attended events on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) from 22-23 September 2016 amongst them were, the Continental Business Network (CBN) high-level panel which convened leaders to discuss practical initiatives and opportunities to mobilise institutional asset owners to invest in African infrastructure. Minister Radebe made inputs and remarks on the topic entitled, “The impact of the strategy to mobilize institutional asset owners to invest in African infrastructure on the related NEPAD Presidential Infrastructure Championing Initiative (PICI) -a South African perspective.

Minister Radebe also participated in the High Level Side Event on implementing Agenda 2063 and Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development in an integrated and coherent manner in Africa. The side event brought together African Heads of State and Government and other high-ranking officials, African Group in New York, heads of Pan African Organizations, heads of international organizations as well as development partners and stakeholders

Minister Radebe also delivered the keynote address at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)  and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)  special event convened by South Africa entitled, “ Measuring and Tackling Poverty in all its Dimensions”.

The event was also held to mobilise and promote the first United Nations World Data Forum which will be hosted in Cape Town South Africa from the 15-18 January 2017.

Issued by GCIS on behalf of the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation