Issued by Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
United Nations, 19 April 2001
Mr Chairperson,
Firstly, allow me to thank and commend you for your able stewardship of our deliberations in the Ninth Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development this year.
Mr Chairperson,
The role of energy in sustainable development is crucial for poverty eradication, fulfilment of basic needs and sustained economic development.
For the developed world, a key issue is diversifying energy supply sources and increased energy efficiency. While these issues are important to the developing world, our fundamental concern must be to ensure adequate access to energy for millions of the urban and rural poor.
The need to widen access to energy resources and maximise its contribution towards sustainable development should be addressed from a wide basket of available energy resources in an affordable, reliable and environmentally sustainable manner.
There is a need for an increased commitment to meet the challenge of access to energy for the world's poor. This commitment requires constructive partnerships between the North and the South that are action oriented, measurable and set against agreed targets and timeframes.
Such partnerships require assistance in the form of transfer of renewable technologies; capacity building; skills transfer and technical know-how; research and development; as well as access to finance through increased private sector investment and overseas development assistance.
Mr Chairperson,
As we work towards increasing the access to energy for the world's poor, we are very aware of the imperative to protect the global atmosphere. We note that the developed countries have the greatest share in historical and current polluting emissions and therefore must take the lead in efforts to combat global atmospheric pollution, based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. We call on the highest emitters of polluting emissions to take responsibility for addressing greater efficiency measures. In the same way, we call on developed countries to assist developing countries to obtain the necessary financial and material support for capacity building and transfer of environmentally sound abatement technologies.
Mr Chairperson,
We recognise the imperative for a well planned and integrated transport systems. These systems must be adapted to local needs for sustainable development. In making choices for investment in transport, we note the interlinkages between the issues of transport, energy and atmosphere. We therefore advocate the need for greater investment in sustainable public transport systems and in particular, in the promotion of rail as a least energy consumer.
Mr Chairperson,
Creating a more-enabling economic environment for sustainable development is fundamental, if we are to address all of these challenges in a meaningful manner.
Urgent attention needs to be given to the review of the international financial architecture in order to create a global framework that provides a real opportunity for developing countries to participate in, and benefit from, globalisation. Furthermore, we note with concern that the current environmental governance regime is fragmented, uncoordinated and under-funded. There is a critical need to establish a well co-ordinated and adequately funded international governance system which will empower effective participation on an equal basis by all countries.
The developed world has failed to meet its financial commitments made at Rio in 1992 to implement Agenda 21 and the other Rio agreements. Commitments to achieve the official development assistance target of 0.7% of GNP have not been met due to sustained lack of political commitment. There is a need to replenish multilateral mechanisms for funding implementation of multilateral environment agreements. Although many developing countries have taken important measures to attract greater flows of private capital, especially foreign direct investment, more support from the international community is needed in this regard.
Greater and more equitable access to the markets of the developed world is of fundamental importance in creating a more-enabling environment for sustainable development, both through bilateral initiatives and more equitable terms in the World Trade Organisation multilateral framework. We note also that the rules of the World Trade Organisation must take into account considerations of sustainable development and poverty alleviation.
Mr Chairperson,
South Africa would again like to thank all the members of the United Nations for their endorsement of South Africa's hosting of the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development. This Summit must ensure a renewed commitment to sustainable development, in all its social, economic and environment dimensions. Such a commitment should be based on a constructive partnership between the developed and the developing world which recognises our common, but differentiated, responsibilities for working towards sustainable development. It must clearly address the international challenges outlined in my address, particularly on the creation of an enabling environment for sustainable development.
This is no small challenge. Our discussions during CSD 9 must therefore be seized as an important opportunity to take forward this debate and advance us a long the Road to Johannesburg in 2002.