South Africa participated in the policy session of the nineteenth Session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) that was held at the United Nations Headquarters, New York from 2 to 13 May 2011.
The CSD was meant to explore, identify as well as negotiate concrete policy actions and measures to expedite implementation of sustainable development targets outlined in the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (JPOI) relating to the thematic areas of transport, mining, sustainable consumption and production, chemicals and waste management.
South Africa contributed substantively in the negotiations and the High-Level Segment in order to ensure that CSD 19 is a forward looking and action oriented excise. We look forward to a policy outcome that will inspire action at international, regional and national levels to address challenges identified at CSD 18.
“The CSD 19 themes remain critically important in advancing the sustainable development agenda. South Africa views the development of the 10 Year Framework of Programme on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns as a catalyst for a paradigm shift towards a resource efficient trajectory that promotes poverty eradication.
The development of this framework as agreed upon in the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (JPOI) is critical to promote partnerships in scaling up national and regional initiatives that promote sustainable consumption and production patterns. It will serve as a vehicle for a transition towards a green economy in order to expedite the attainment of sustainable development agenda,” said Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi.
On the mining theme, South Africa look forward to a policy outcome that promote value addition of mineral commodities particularly in developing countries in order to increase employment opportunities and eradicate poverty. These policy instruments should strike a balance between economic, social, and environmental impacts over the mining activities.
Transport sector is critically important in promoting economic growth, connectivity and trade in the African region. Therefore, the CSD 19 decision should underscore the importance of cooperation between governments and development partners in the areas of sustainable infrastructure development such as Bus Rapid Transit Systems, Railway and high speed rail systems.
"The waste management and chemicals issues are interrelated and should be addressed in an integrated manner. The integrated waste management policies should therefore focus on the 3r approach which are reduce, re-use and recycling. Therefore, CSD 19 outcome should foster synergies of relevant conventions in both chemicals and waste management.
"The decisions should promote accessibility of information and reliable data to all users of chemicals. It should further advance the implementation of Global Harmonised System in order to ensure that health and environmental impacts associated with the use of chemicals are addressed effectively," said Deputy Minister Mabudafhasi.
On the upcoming United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD) also known as Rio + 20, the international community should seek to unlock the potential synergies and cooperation among United Nations agencies, governments, civil society and business to expedite implementation of the sustainable development agenda. These institutions should harmonise their programmes in order to ensure concerted efforts to achieve the overarching objective of eradicating poverty.
On the green economy countries should explore and harness the benefit of a transition towards a resource efficient trajectory. Developing countries should be provided with the policy space to undertake the transition within their capacities.
The commitments at international, regional and national level to ensure financial resources and technological support will underlie the effective implementation of the CSD 19 decisions.
Source: Department of Environmental Affairs
United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development nineteenth session (CSD19)
