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Date : 09/01/2003
Source: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
Title: Moosa: Presentation of WSSD outcomes scroll


DRAFT SPEECH OF MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM, MOHAMMED VALLI MOOSA, ON THE OCCASION OF THE PRESENTATION OF THE WSSD OUTCOMES SCROLL TO THE SKIPPER OF THE INSPIA 2041, Cape Town, 9 January 2003

Her Excellency the Mayoress of Cape Town;
Distinguished Guests;
Ladies and Gentlemen

As this is the beginning of a new year with so many possibilities for us all, let me start by wishing you all an "annus mirabilis".

In case you wonder why it is that I see in 2003 a year with great possibilities, let me haste to remind you all that we are meeting today barely a few months following the successful hosting of the groundbreaking World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD). Important to note about this event is that it was a great human effort whose clarion call is world poverty eradication.

WSSD mandated all of us, governments, civil society groups and business to unite in action towards the building of a better, sustainable and prosperous world for ourselves and our future generations. We welcomed the world to our country as a people conscious of the social catastrophe caused by centuries of abuse, believing that as we strive to end poverty and underdevelopment in our own country, we should also speak out against environmental degradation in the world and do all we can to ensure that a healthy and sustainable global partnership between people and the planet prevails. We believe that the Johannesburg Summit has achieved much and that the gains must be consolidated in this new year and the years to come.

As Africans we are well aware that our greatest challenge lies in the ability to achieve unity, development and co-operation amongst the peoples of our continent. Whilst recognising the progress made through the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) opening new space for the economic advancement of the continent, we know that this will only become sustainable through partnerships, participation and commitment that spread across governments, civil society and business.

Most inspiring has been the increasing unconditional commitment illustrated by business and civil society in this crusade to rid our planet of the problems of hunger and wanton environmental destruction. The notion of Public Private Partnerships can only be achieved in a large scale through efforts such as this one that we are affirming here today. The Cape to Rio Race on this yacht, INSPIA 2041, constitutes a mature sense of what we want to achieve as a nation and the peoples of the world. It is also in this context that I must express my appreciation that members of Coco Cola (from the business sector) and loveLife (a civil society organ) will be part of the crew on the INSPIA 2041.

Our heartfelt congratulations also go to Prof Robert Swan whom we have come to know through his unselfish efforts in seeking to highlight issues relevant to a sustainable livelihood. The successful Mission Antarctica and the recent Earthship Mission Possible undertaken by you with young people of the world and our country are living examples of what collective human effort can achieve. We are indeed proud that through your participation in this mission you continue to educate nations about the importance of environmental stewardship.

To the skipper of the INSPIA 2041 yacht and his crew, please ensure that as you deliver this scroll to Her Excellency and my counterpart in Brazil, Minister Maria Osmarina Marina Silva, to reiterate the appreciation of the people of South Africa to Brazil for its constructive and valuable role pre and during WSSD. It can be only correct for us to recognise their role in enabling us to deliver a positive outcome at WSSD.

I thank you

Source: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (http://www.environment.gov.za)

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