South Africa
1
STATEMENT BY SOUTH AFRICA AT THE INTERACTIVE THEMATIC
DISCUSIONS ON INTERLINKAGES, CROSSCUTTING ISSUES AND MEANS
OF IMPLEMENTATION AT THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL PREPARATORY
MEETING FOR THE NINETEENTH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION ON
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
NEW YORK, 3 MARCH 2011
Thank you Mr Chairman,
On behalf of South African delegation, I would like to thank the distinguished
panelists for their interesting and informative presentations. Chairman, South
Africa associate itself with the views expressed by the Group of 77 and China.
The five themes under discussion should be addressed in a coherent and
integrated manner since they are closely intertwined. Sustainable consumption
and production could play a central role in promoting coherence of the policy
decision on the current themes and by ensuring that they are mutually
reinforcing. Sustainable use of natural resources is essential in achieving the
overriding objective of sustainable development namely that of poverty
eradication.
The developing countries still face various implementation challenges related
to the current thematic areas. Limited capacity and inadequate specialised
technical skills in specific areas impedes their ability to attain the internationally
agreed targets relating to the themes.
Throughout the thematic areas, it was highlighted that there is a need to be more
resource efficient and employ more environmentally sound management
practices, and this requires specific skills. An urgent focus on new knowledge,
capacity building in terms of acquisition of technical expertise and human resources
development, through the promotion of focused partnerships, and knowledge transfer
is unavoidable. Having identified data gaps throughout the thematic areas, data
collection should be prioritised in order to augment research and development.
South Africa recognizes that, the technology needs for various thematic issues
differ from country to country and are informed by different situations. This then
calls for developed countries to provide well researched and customized
technology coupled with transfer of skills or training. This is necessary in
order to overcome barriers towards technology deployment and transfer,
including institutional arrangements, and partnership development, while
avoiding technology dumping practices.
Mr Chairman, international financial institutions could play a greater role in
accelerating investment in developing countries. CSD 19 should further urge
countries to fulfill the ODA commitments in order to expedite implementation of
policy options relating to the themes under discussion. Innovative financial
solutions, private sector and public-private partnerships, and improved
governance structures are also crucial in this endeavor.
Thank you Chairman,
STATEMENT BY SOUTH AFRICA AT THE INTERACTIVE THEMATIC
DISCUSIONS ON INTERLINKAGES, CROSSCUTTING ISSUES AND MEANS
OF IMPLEMENTATION AT THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL PREPARATORY
MEETING FOR THE NINETEENTH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION ON
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
NEW YORK, 3 MARCH 2011
Thank you Mr Chairman,
On behalf of South African delegation, I would like to thank the distinguished
panelists for their interesting and informative presentations. Chairman, South
Africa associate itself with the views expressed by the Group of 77 and China.
The five themes under discussion should be addressed in a coherent and
integrated manner since they are closely intertwined. Sustainable consumption
and production could play a central role in promoting coherence of the policy
decision on the current themes and by ensuring that they are mutually
reinforcing. Sustainable use of natural resources is essential in achieving the
overriding objective of sustainable development namely that of poverty
eradication.
The developing countries still face various implementation challenges related
to the current thematic areas. Limited capacity and inadequate specialised
technical skills in specific areas impedes their ability to attain the internationally
agreed targets relating to the themes.
Throughout the thematic areas, it was highlighted that there is a need to be more
resource efficient and employ more environmentally sound management
practices, and this requires specific skills. An urgent focus on new knowledge,
capacity building in terms of acquisition of technical expertise and human resources
development, through the promotion of focused partnerships, and knowledge transfer
is unavoidable. Having identified data gaps throughout the thematic areas, data
collection should be prioritised in order to augment research and development.
South Africa recognizes that, the technology needs for various thematic issues
differ from country to country and are informed by different situations. This then
calls for developed countries to provide well researched and customized
technology coupled with transfer of skills or training. This is necessary in
order to overcome barriers towards technology deployment and transfer,
including institutional arrangements, and partnership development, while
avoiding technology dumping practices.
Mr Chairman, international financial institutions could play a greater role in
accelerating investment in developing countries. CSD 19 should further urge
countries to fulfill the ODA commitments in order to expedite implementation of
policy options relating to the themes under discussion. Innovative financial
solutions, private sector and public-private partnerships, and improved
governance structures are also crucial in this endeavor.
Thank you Chairman,
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