South Africa
South Africa’ intervention: Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals
Focus area 1 and 2: Poverty eradication, building shared prosperity and promoting equality and Sustainable agriculture, food security and nutrition, 5 May 2014
Focus area 1: Poverty eradication, building shared prosperity and promoting equality
• South Africa views the eradication of poverty and hunger, as well as combating inequality at all levels as essential to creating a more prosperous and sustainable future for all.
• It is of critical importance that the three dimensions of sustainable development, that is, an inclusive economic growth, social development and environmental sustainability are integrated in a balanced manner. This should be done without giving specific prominence to the environmental dimension.
• The Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (JPOI) agreed that countries are primarily responsible for their own sustainable development and poverty eradication in the context of national policies and development strategies. However, the international community has the responsibility to implement internationally agreed poverty-related targets and goals at all levels.
• In the context of the above, South Africa regards it as being important that countries should have the necessary policy space as well as that any decisions taken should allow for the principle of CBDR.
• South Africa is of the view that it is not only Governments that have a role to play in the eradication of poverty but that all stakeholders, including civil society and the private sector, have an obligation to contribute towards this goal.
• With regards the co-chairs’ text, South Africa is of the view that we should avoid qualifying poverty in any form. It is therefore important to refer to poverty in all its forms. The word “absolute” should therefore be deleted as poverty remains poverty in whichever form.
Focus area 2: Sustainable agriculture, food security and nutrition
• South Africa acknowledges the importance of sustainable agriculture and the increase of productivity to improve food security and nutrition in order to achieve the right to adequate food and eradication of hunger.
• South Africa stresses that countries should have the necessary policy space in the context of decisions on sustainable agriculture, food security and nutrition. There should therefore be an allowance for the principle of CBDR.
• South Africa reiterates the commitments that were made at the JPOI towards sustainable agriculture, food security and nutrition.
• South Africa supports the efficient use of water in the agricultural sector as well as the elimination of toxic chemicals.
• We also strongly support a call for addressing harmful agricultural subsidies.
Focus area 1 and 2: Poverty eradication, building shared prosperity and promoting equality and Sustainable agriculture, food security and nutrition, 5 May 2014
Focus area 1: Poverty eradication, building shared prosperity and promoting equality
• South Africa views the eradication of poverty and hunger, as well as combating inequality at all levels as essential to creating a more prosperous and sustainable future for all.
• It is of critical importance that the three dimensions of sustainable development, that is, an inclusive economic growth, social development and environmental sustainability are integrated in a balanced manner. This should be done without giving specific prominence to the environmental dimension.
• The Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (JPOI) agreed that countries are primarily responsible for their own sustainable development and poverty eradication in the context of national policies and development strategies. However, the international community has the responsibility to implement internationally agreed poverty-related targets and goals at all levels.
• In the context of the above, South Africa regards it as being important that countries should have the necessary policy space as well as that any decisions taken should allow for the principle of CBDR.
• South Africa is of the view that it is not only Governments that have a role to play in the eradication of poverty but that all stakeholders, including civil society and the private sector, have an obligation to contribute towards this goal.
• With regards the co-chairs’ text, South Africa is of the view that we should avoid qualifying poverty in any form. It is therefore important to refer to poverty in all its forms. The word “absolute” should therefore be deleted as poverty remains poverty in whichever form.
Focus area 2: Sustainable agriculture, food security and nutrition
• South Africa acknowledges the importance of sustainable agriculture and the increase of productivity to improve food security and nutrition in order to achieve the right to adequate food and eradication of hunger.
• South Africa stresses that countries should have the necessary policy space in the context of decisions on sustainable agriculture, food security and nutrition. There should therefore be an allowance for the principle of CBDR.
• South Africa reiterates the commitments that were made at the JPOI towards sustainable agriculture, food security and nutrition.
• South Africa supports the efficient use of water in the agricultural sector as well as the elimination of toxic chemicals.
• We also strongly support a call for addressing harmful agricultural subsidies.
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