The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, today opened the third and final meeting of the G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) under South Africa's Presidency.
Speaking to delegates from G20 member states, invited guests and international organisations, Minister George highlighted why Cape Town makes for the perfect backdrop to host this gathering.
"This is where mountain and ocean meet, where natural beauty and human enterprise coexist. It reminds us that people, nature and prosperity are connected. From this point at the southern tip of Africa, we look outward to the world with one purpose: to strengthen cooperation and move from words to action," he said.
This week's deliberations will culminate in the Cape Town Declaration, the first G20 environmental outcome crafted on African soil. The Minister said it is expected that this would mark a new phase of practical cooperation between the world's major economies.
"The Declaration will not simply record what we have discussed. It will show how the G20 can act decisively," said Minister George.
Under South Africa's Presidency of the G20, the ECSWG has produced twenty technical papers across six priority areas. These priorities form the foundation for Ministerial discussions later this week.
Minister George said South Africa's Presidency has focused on implementation credibility, highlighting that a plan without delivery is only a promise. The minister further emphasised that every policy must be designed for delivery, with clearly defined responsibilities, costings and timelines.
"For the first time, the G20's environment and climate discussions are being held on African soil. That carries weight. It shows that Africa is not on the edge of global discussions but at the centre," said Minister George.
He closed by calling for unity of purpose. "Let the Cape Town Declaration stand as proof that global cooperation can deliver results that are fair, practical and lasting. Progress is not a promise for tomorrow, but a commitment we make today."
For media enquiries, please contact:
Thobile Zulu-Molobi
Mobile: +27 82 513 7154
E-mail: tmolobi@dffe.gov.za
Chelsey Wilken
Mobile: +27 74 470 5996
E-mail: cwilken@dffe.gov.za
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