President Chowdhury

Esteemed Colleagues

Ladies and Gentlemen

On behalf of the South African Parliament, I wish to thank the people and Parliament of Vietnam for hosting the 132nd IPU Assembly in your beautiful country, which is steeped in such rich culture and history.

We are in the midst of a seminal year for global development. The South African Parliament welcomes this crucial debate on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s), specifically the emphasis on “turning words into action”. It is indeed high time that we start focussing on the implementation of real solutions to the world’s challenges.

Mr President

The post 2015 agenda offers the space for Africa to move beyond simply talking about the importance of service delivery, infrastructure, inclusive growth, decent jobs and inequality.

The Common African Position (CAP), which includes the African Union’s Vision 2063, the New Economic Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) and nationally tailored development plans are the cornerstone and foundation of Africa’s Development Agenda going forward. The CAP affirms the Rio principles, especially the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, the right to development and equity, and mutual accountability and responsibility, amongst others.

The CAP also underscores that the issue of financing for development cannot be addressed in isolation. Major changes have taken place in economic and geopolitical power and influence. Confidence in old forms of multi-lateral co-operation and  governance  such as Bretton Woods has declined. New forms of regional and “like minded” cooperation are emerging, BRICS for example is in the process of establishing a BRICs Development Bank and special reserve fund.     

We are therefore insisting on our right to contribute to the rules that dominate world trade, finance and investment. We have also called for developed countries to meet the target of 0, 7% Gross National Income for Development Assistance, and for  resource mobilisation from a variety sources.   

South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP), which is our action plan for the next 30 years elaborates the measures, markers, mechanisms and partnerships that makes accelerated advancement possible. The National Plan therefore prioritises, inclusive growth, the expansion of productive employment, redistribution of income wealth, social protection and investments in health and education, as well as  environmental sustainability.

Taken together these policies bring about the actions that are needed to broaden the  base of our economy and, leave no one behind in the creation and spreading of wealth.

Mr President

The South African Parliament, firmly supports the IPU’s call, that legislatures should be “fit for purpose”. As legislatures, we cannot, sit idly by, and wait for the world’s negotiators to reach global agreements.

In this regard, the South African Parliament has worked with regional and continental parliamentary structures such as the Southern African Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) and Pan African Parliament (PAP) to exchange knowledge and best practice to ensure that we are equipped to achieve the SDGs.

The South African Parliament has also taken bold steps in support of Sustainable Development, through our daily parliamentary work. This includes amongst others-

·        Through the mainstreaming of our National Development Plan;

·        Awareness and advocacy training for Members and staff, and  training on monitoring and evaluation methodologies;

·        National consultative seminars, with key stakeholders in government, civil society and national, provincial and local government legislators;

·        The establishment of a Parliamentary Budget Office, which provides strategic budgetary support to committees;

·        Extensive scrutiny of departmental budgets;

·        Debates, questions and Members Statements;

·        The building of dynamic partnerships with amongst others, UN agencies, academia and civil society and;

·        Putting in place the necessary mechanisms to ensure that we monitor and report progress through the African Peer Review Mechanisms (APRM).

Mr President

The voices of Parliamentarians as the representatives of the people are the strongest voices of persuasion at local, national, regional and international level.

Let us also send a clear message from the global parliamentary community to the United Nations, through the IPU’s Declaration on the Sustainable Development Goals, and let us use this Declaration as a platform for our future work on sustainable development.

Mr President,

We are indeed the first generation that can end poverty, inequality and injustice; it is  an opportunity that we may never again see in our lifetime. Former President Nelson Mandela stated and I quote: “We pass through this world but once, and opportunities you miss, will never be available again”.

I thank you