NEWS & MEDIA

Development Now a Real Possibility for All

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and Valli Moosa
 

At the end of intense and often difficult negotiations, the World Summit has opened the way for the world to take new strides in the foremost challenge of our time - the eradication or poverty and the closing of the gap between rich and poor, combined with protection of the environment.

What mattered as representatives of more than 180 countries grappled with difficult issues was that there should, at the end of it all, be a critical mass of agreement on a new agenda for practical action that could decisively alter the global framework for sustainable development.

The agreements reached in Johannesburg constitute basic minimum responsibilities for all governments and peoples.

They are a guide to action for us to take forward the UN Millennium Summit Declaration and decisions of world bodies since the Rio Summit 10 years ago.  They should inform the system of global governance.

Since Rio, the world has changed in ways that make sustainable development even more urgent.  Growing poverty and vulnerability of the poor, climatic disasters and deterioration of the environment highlight the need for a more integrated approach.

We have learnt that high sounding declarations, on their own, do not amount to much.  Practical programmes are required joining together governments and all sectors of the world's peoples, including NGOs and business.

At the same time, the world has never been better placed to tackle these problems.  The strengthening of regional blocs and better communication through information technology have opened new possibilities for a more coherent approach. 

We set ourselves the task of ensuring a balance among the three pillars of sustainable development - economic, social and environmental - and a focus on poverty eradication.  It was essential to mobilise new resources and new energy behind a practical implementation plan. 

In the give and take of negotiations, not all that everyone might have wanted on particular issues was possible.  But that critical mass of global agreement and commitment has been won and with it far-reaching practical programmes, new resources and strengthened means of implementation.

The biggest success of WSSD has been in getting the world to turn the ambitious development plan goals set in the Millennium Declaration to halve world poverty by 2015 into a concrete set of programmes and to mobilise funds into those porgrammes.

The Summit brought to the fore the need to pay particular attention to the most marginalised sectors of society, including women, youth, indigenous peoples and people with disabilities.

The Implementation Plan includes programmes to deliver water, energy, health care, agricultural development and a better environment for the world's poor.

In a departure from previous global conferences and summits, WSSD has shifted the focus of world leaders from policy debates to the real task of "making it happen" and achieving high-level commitment by heads of state and leaders from business and civil society.

As testimony to this, many concrete actions, partnerships and funding targets were announced by countries and stakeholders.  WSSD saw over 300 partnerships launched, including 32 energy initiatives, 21 major water programmes and 32 programmes for biodiversity and eco-system management.

There have also been significant pledges of resources by a number of countries.  For example, Germany has pledged 500-million euros over the next five years to promote cooperation on renewable energy.  The United States has pledged $53-million over the next three years for a major initiative on forests.

We are proud as South Africans that we were able to host one of the largest gatherings of the UN and the world's peoples, in pursuit of objectives that are profoundly relevant to our own programme of reconstruction and development.  Some of our own programmes already surpass targets and time frames set by the WSSD.  But our own reality of stark poverty and inequality demands that we intensify all our programmes.

We can be sure that, as our guests return home, they will take with them special memories of a warm people and a country alive with possibility.

We are also proud of those whose peaceful marches and other activities not only highlighted their strong views on global matters, but also the practical meaning of our constitutional right to free expression.

Congratulations to all South Africans, the citizens of Johannesburg, the security services and airport staff, all Jowsco and government staff, the media, employers and employees in the hospitality and other industries, and all who worked together to make WSSD a success.

Special thanks and congratulations to the thousands of volunteers and performers and those whose arts and crafts brought home to every visitor a graphic presentation of who we are as people.

In the final analysis, South Africa and other developing countries may not have got everything they wanted.  Nor can anyone be totally satisfied with the outcome.  But the most critical issue is that out of Africa and Joburg has emerged a new agenda for practical action to build a better world.

Dlamini-Zuma is Minister of Foreign Affairs and Moosa is Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism

--The Pretoria News