A report back on the implementation of goals set by the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) last year showed there was a good deal of enthusiasm and dynamism involved in the follow-up to the conference.

Speaking at a media briefing in Johannesburg last night, Blessing Manale, director of Sustainable Development Co-ordination, a unit formed by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, said there was consensus on the sharper focus on implementation.

"Many issues are in the process of being resolved or have already been resolved. The government has implemented the Basic Income Grant for those needing it.

The anti-retroviral issue has been resolved with medication to be made available to the people, while Education Minister Kader Asmal has taken care of providing better facilities for learners sitting under trees".

Manale said the issue of basic housing for people had been dealt with and housing targets had been met, while people had access to basic provision of water.

"There are obviously impediments and the worry about where the money will come from, but we are attempting to deliver and doing our best..." The report back follows a high level panel and audience of key policy-makers who converged at the Sandton Convention earlier yesterday.

The high level roundtable dialogue brought together ambassadors, senior government officials, heads of United Nations agencies in the country, business, labour, research institutes, academia and politicians.

Politicians engaged with the panel, sharing their experiences and reflecting on how their specific sectors were contributing to the implementation of the Johannesburg Programme of implementation adopted at the summit.

Tourism Minister Valli Moosa said on Wednesday the discussion took place exactly on the date in which the Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development and the Johannesburg Programme of Implementation was adopted.

"It should therefore be seen within the broader affirmation of national pride for South Africa's successful hosting of the WSSD, and the enhanced status on a global level as a result of the role we played as chairperson of the summit".

Some of the key issues to be discussed are how government can organise itself to ensure more effective inter-sectoral co-ordination for delivering of services in the areas of water, sanitation and human settlement. – Sapa.