Page turns for green options
SA embraces comprehensive Partnership for Action on the Green Economy at ministerial conference at CTICC
SOUTH Africa’s vision of transitioning towards a green economy was embraced at the highest political level, said Minister of Environmental Affairs Nomvula Mokonyane.
She gave the key address at the opening of the the 3rd Partnership for Action on the Green Economy (Page) Ministerial Conference at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) yesterday.
A moment of silence was observed for Mokonyane’s predecessor, former minister Edna Molewa, who died last year in September after a period of illness, aged 61.
Mokonyane said the two-day conference would focus on advancing inclusivity and sustainability economies in robust discussions that address practical solutions and reverse the inequalities of the past.
“This platform supports countries and regions to put sustainability at the heart of economic policies and practices to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This is an important conference given that it follows the conclusion of the international climate change talks in Poland, where the Paris Agreement work programme was adopted, setting out the rules of implementation,” she said.
Mokonyane said the natural capital dialogue at the conference should contribute to the formulation of the post-2020 Agenda for Nature.
Page was launched in 2013 as a response to the call at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) to support countries wishing to embark on greener and more inclusive growth trajectories.
About 500 delegates, including 17 ministers or deputy ministers of Environment, Finance, Business, Science and Technology and Development, are going to discuss tools and strategies for shaping greener economies.
A series of parallel sessions with high-level speakers will tackle topics on green finance, strategies and policies for a green economy, social and economic inclusion, and sustainable consumption and production and the circular economy.
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) director-general Guy Ryder said the organisation was proud to celebrate the start of its centenary year with the Page conference.
“Page responds to very important and pressing international ambitions that we all share. It provides processes and interventions to tackle three dimensions of sustainability. Page makes it possible for us to say we can sustain decent jobs, sustain improved living standards while at the same time protecting the planet,” he said.
Finland’s Minister of Environment Kimmo Tiilikainen said the conference was successful in bringing together the different forms of expertise in sustainable development.
“In Finland we have noted that a small percentage of our plastics was ending up in our landfills, while over 90% of our plastics and aluminium was being recycled. We need the world governments to show leadership and engagement of green and inclusive economic policies and methods. Page is a great example of successful partnership between the Northern and Southern hemispheres,” he said.
The conference ends today.