Protocol
The Consul-General of South Africa Mr Vika Khumalo
The SA Pavilion Director Ms Grace Khoza
Distinguished guests from various state institutions in the People’s Republic of China
Representatives from other African countries gathered here today
Senior officials from South Africa
Ladies and gentlemen
Welcome to you all to the occasion of the official opening of the Environment and Climate Change theme at the South African Pavilion here at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo. Your presence here today is truly appreciated. South Africa’s participation here at the Shanghai Expo signifies the maturation of a friendly and strong relationship between our two nations. The Shanghai World Expo is of global significance, providing a unique opportunity for us to bring South Africa to the world and engage with other countries on this formidable stage. Congratulations to the People’s Republic of China on the successful hosting of this spectacular event.
Let us take a moment to reflect on the overall theme for the expo namely, “Better cities: better life” and what this means in a global context from a sustainable development perspective. Just last month, leaders of the world met in New York to review the Millennium Development Goals or MDGs as we know them. We came away with the realisation that there is still much more that needs to be done globally if we are to attain these targets, which our heads of state committed to ten years ago. Working together we can achieve more and the “Better life” which so many people aspires to.
The South African theme for our pavilion is “South Africa: The rise of a modern economy - Ke nako”.“Ke nako” literally translated from Sesotho, one of our officials languages means “it is time”. And yes indeed distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, it is time! It is time for decisive action to safeguard our environment for present and future generations and to combat the ravages of run-away climate change. Hence the appropriateness of the theme for this month “Environment and climate change” which bears testimony to the pressing need for us join forces and act decisively and to act now!
South Africa is moving “Towards a resource efficient, low carbon and pro- employment growth path”. We are keen to pursue “labour intensive green growth” that contributes to sustainable development and the eradication of poverty.
During the course of this month, we will afford you information about our unique biodiversity and natural heritage, as South Africa is blessed with a rich and diverse abundance of animal and plant species. We will share with you our pioneering transfrontier conservation work in Southern Africa, which is about conservation beyond the borders of our country, an important step towards playing a meaningful role in conserving the natural estate of the region.
Being a water-scarce country, South Africa is facing a challenge of water quantity. Climate change may worsen this situation. Through innovative conservation measures, we would like to share our experiences in tackling these multiple challenges through rainwater harvesting and desalination as well as water recycling.
Air quality is an important and challenging environmental issue particularly in urban and industrial areas not only in South Africa, but in some of the developing countries. In this regard we are taking concrete steps through the implementation measures prescribed in our national air quality legislation, innovation and exploration of cleaner technologies. Furthermore we are proud to say that we have an active Oceanographic and Atmospheric Science Research programme, with research stations in the Southern Ocean and Antarctica.
Climate change is one of the most serious and urgent global challenges, which demands a global solution taking into account different historical responsibilities we have for current levels of emissions, and the common responsibility we share for the future. As a responsible global citizen South Africa is committed to contribute its fair share to the global effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and is also identifying, in detail, the current and future impacts of climate change to inform the formulation of adaptation strategies and programmes.
On 6 December 2009, President Zuma announced that South Africa would take nationally appropriate mitigation actions to deviate its emissions trajectory relative to business as usual scenario based on current emissions levels depending on the provision of financial support, technology availability, transfer and capacity building. We believe that implementing nationally appropriate adaptation and mitigation programmes within our respective countries is vitally important. We are here to share experiences and best practices in this regard and my colleague, the Minister of Science and Technology will be holding a joint seminar on this issue later this month.
South Africa and China are members of the BASIC Group of countries together with India and Brazil. The BASIC Grouping is emerging as one of the most important formations in the climate change negotiations. As like-minded developing countries in the international climate change arena, where the stakes are high and the pressure to find a fair and equitable solution is becoming more and more pressing, we are very pleased to have China as a partner in advancing the position of the developing world on climate change issues.
Ladies and gentlemen, you will be pleased to know that a little more than six weeks ago during the Presidential visit to China; the Governments of the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa signed the Memorandum of Understanding thereby formalising our cooperation relationship in the environmental field. The MoU creates a platform for exchange of expertise, enhance our capacities to perform environmental monitoring, compliance and enforcement, as well as promote environmental technology for mutual benefit for the people of both our countries.
Since our government’s decision to participate in the Shanghai World Expo, we have worked tirelessly to showcase the diversity and the attractive features of South Africa to the world. The putting together of the Environment and Climate Change Theme represents the culmination of much hard work on the part of the officials from the South African Departments of Environmental Affairs, Science and Technology, Water Affairs as well as department of Energy.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the government of the Peoples Republic of China for so graciously hosting us and providing us with this opportunity to showcase our beautiful country on a global stage here in the wonderful city of Shanghai.
As this pavilion represents a little piece of South Africa I would like to in closing repeat a Confucius saying which states: "friends have come from afar, how happy we are!" With that said, it gives me great pleasure to declare the environment and climate change theme at the South African Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo officially open.
I thank you.
