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A re
port 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.
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