South Africa
Mr. Chairman, South Africa aligns itself with the statement made by Pakistan on behalf of
G77 and China.
South Africa, like all developing countries needs accelerated socio-economic and industrial
development, enhanced productivity and the transport of goods to markets in order to
achieve economic growth. This requires intensive use of energy, which is accompanied by
increased air pollution and GHG emissions with its attendant health impacts.
It is our view that in order for us to achieve the sustainable development goals as outlined in
Agenda 21 and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, it is critical that air pollution be
addressed in an integrated manner, at national, regional and international levels taking into
account its inter-linkages with the other three thematic areas of Energy for Sustainable
Development, Industrial Development, and Climate Change. As a developing country, South
Africa believes that efforts to tackle air pollution must be carried out in a manner which does
not hamper our economic and social development initiatives. In addition, we believe that to
succeed in this effort, we require the full and unwavering involvement of all UN member
countries in line with chapter 9 of Agenda 21 and the relevant sections of the Johannesburg
Plan of Implementation.
Mr. Chairman, for developing countries, particularly in Africa air pollution has huge
implications for health and poverty. Indoor air pollution is one of the major causes of
respiratory diseases among women and children, especially in rural areas, where access to
clean and affordable energy and combustion technologies are virtually non-existent.
In urban areas, poor land use planning, unregulated emissions from vehicles using high
sulphur fuels, coupled with dangerous industrial emissions, exacerbate the public health
burden in urban areas of our countries. In all these instances it is the poor who bear the brunt
of this problem, as they neither have the ability choose where they live, nor the resources to
meet the health costs associated with air pollution.
POSSIBLE ACTIONS
We do agree that the design of policies and strategies to combat air pollution is essential, but
remain convinced that the impacts of these policies often come to naught if not backed by the
necessary technical and financial resources to ensure their effective implementation. It is in
this regard that we call on all member states, particularly developed countries to show real
commitment by taking concrete steps to facilitate access by developing countries to
environmentally sound technologies as well as the necessary financial assistance, in line with
the Rio principle of common but differentiated responsibility.
Some of these steps, which are outlined in detail in a document which we will circulate
through the secretariat, include the following actions:
? The promotion of research at national and regional levels aimed at quantifying the
contribution to air pollution by various sectors, such as transport and industry, and
their impacts on human health.
? Financial and technical assistance to developing countries on favourable terms with
respect to implementation of policies at national and regional level.
G77 and China.
South Africa, like all developing countries needs accelerated socio-economic and industrial
development, enhanced productivity and the transport of goods to markets in order to
achieve economic growth. This requires intensive use of energy, which is accompanied by
increased air pollution and GHG emissions with its attendant health impacts.
It is our view that in order for us to achieve the sustainable development goals as outlined in
Agenda 21 and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, it is critical that air pollution be
addressed in an integrated manner, at national, regional and international levels taking into
account its inter-linkages with the other three thematic areas of Energy for Sustainable
Development, Industrial Development, and Climate Change. As a developing country, South
Africa believes that efforts to tackle air pollution must be carried out in a manner which does
not hamper our economic and social development initiatives. In addition, we believe that to
succeed in this effort, we require the full and unwavering involvement of all UN member
countries in line with chapter 9 of Agenda 21 and the relevant sections of the Johannesburg
Plan of Implementation.
Mr. Chairman, for developing countries, particularly in Africa air pollution has huge
implications for health and poverty. Indoor air pollution is one of the major causes of
respiratory diseases among women and children, especially in rural areas, where access to
clean and affordable energy and combustion technologies are virtually non-existent.
In urban areas, poor land use planning, unregulated emissions from vehicles using high
sulphur fuels, coupled with dangerous industrial emissions, exacerbate the public health
burden in urban areas of our countries. In all these instances it is the poor who bear the brunt
of this problem, as they neither have the ability choose where they live, nor the resources to
meet the health costs associated with air pollution.
POSSIBLE ACTIONS
We do agree that the design of policies and strategies to combat air pollution is essential, but
remain convinced that the impacts of these policies often come to naught if not backed by the
necessary technical and financial resources to ensure their effective implementation. It is in
this regard that we call on all member states, particularly developed countries to show real
commitment by taking concrete steps to facilitate access by developing countries to
environmentally sound technologies as well as the necessary financial assistance, in line with
the Rio principle of common but differentiated responsibility.
Some of these steps, which are outlined in detail in a document which we will circulate
through the secretariat, include the following actions:
? The promotion of research at national and regional levels aimed at quantifying the
contribution to air pollution by various sectors, such as transport and industry, and
their impacts on human health.
? Financial and technical assistance to developing countries on favourable terms with
respect to implementation of policies at national and regional level.
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