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Newsletter No 6: July 2002 - The WSSD and Poverty: From Bali to Johannesburg

3. The SADC Prepares for the WSSD
 
Delegates from SADC countries representing government, civil society and business met in Mauritius from 17th to 19th September 2001 for sub-regional consultations in preparation for the WSSD. In a statement issued after the meeting they noted that achievements since Rio included:
  • Ratification of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Convention to Combat Desertification and the adoption of appropriate mechanisms to implement the conventions.
  • Increased regional economic cooperation and integration, the development of a number of protocols including those on trade and shared watercourses in the sub-region, and mainstreaming gender development.
  • Improved environment awareness, with many countries strengthening policy, legislative and regulatory frameworks to support sustainable development.
The conference outlined the following challenges:
  • Although globalisation provides opportunity and prospects for future sustainable development, including combating poverty, most countries in the sub-region continue to be marginalised and impacted negatively by it. Globalisation has increased the capacity of developed countries, particularly in the areas of trade, finance and information communication technology (ICT).
  • Africa still does not have adequate access to markets in developed countries for its products. This limits the resources available for sustainable development on the continent.
  • Countries in the sub-region continue to receive extremely low levels of foreign private capital investment and official development assistance (ODA). They use a substantial proportion of their export earnings for debt servicing making it impossible to achieve sustainable development.
  • Inequality in the international trade environment continues as a result of subsidisation of certain sectors in the developed world.

SADC Key Priorities for WSSD

Key Priority Focus
Poverty Poverty eradication is the key to sustainable development
Peace Security and stability Peace, security and stability are the basic requirements for sustainable development
Financing for sustainable development Improved resources for sustainable development through:
  • better access to the Global Environment Facility
  • improved market access for developing countries
  • reconsideration of debt relief, in particular review of HIPC criteria and wider access
Health Investment by the international community in affordable curative and preventative health care to reduce the disabling burden of diseases like HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria that worsen poverty
Waste Re-commitment to international and regional agreements to manage waste, including hazardous waste, and improve management and monitoring
International Environmental Governance Improved participation by less resourced countries in international environmental governance (IEG) through
  • A single centralised political council
  • A single coordinating organisation for environmental issues
  • Clustering of multi-lateral environmental agreements
  • Sustainable resources and funding to maintain the system
Food Security Increased food production and access to food, improved support and appropriate training in agriculture and agro processing, and protection against dumping, particularly of genetically modified food.
Energy Biomass remains the main energy source in rural areas. Research and development is needed for clean coal technologies, efficient energy supply and use, and affordable renewables adapted to African conditions.
Climate change Concern over the potential rise in sea level and increase of extreme weather conditions calls for rapid agreement on the UN Convention on climate change and the Kyoto Protocol
Biodiversity The sub-region must benefit from the scientific and economic opportunities represented by its wealth of biodiversity. The OAU model laws on access to biological resources and biosafety should be implemented and the world should support an accelerated effort for the sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity.
Water Scarcity, poor distribution, and frequent droughts and floods are problems, particularly for the poor. Millions still lack access to basic water and sanitation. The WSSD should agree on and resource a global strategy to deliver the Millennium targets on safe water and sanitation.
Land degradation and desertification Most people in the sub-region depend on the land. Poor management and inappropriate practices persist in some areas. The WSSD should accelerate implementation of the Convention to Combat Desertification.
Marine and coastal management Coastal communities and some national economies, particularly small island states depend on coastal and marine resources that are threatened by unsustainable development. over exploitation and climate change. WSSD should harmonise and coordinate regional and international laws and agreements on the seas and improve compliance and enforcement. The sub-region needs technology to monitor and protect fish stocks and more support for sustainable management and development of coastal areas.
Market access The benefits of economic globalisation need to be shared fairly across nations with a shift in emphasis from aid to trade agreements that facilitate sustainable development in the region.
Capacity building and technology transfer The widening technology gap needs to be addressed through technology transfer, information exchange and technology partnerships to improve access, build capacity and secure affordable sustainable development technologies. SADC countries are committed to developing and promoting Indigenous Knowledge Systems and technology.


The meeting reaffirmed the New African Initiative (NAI) (a precursor to NEPAD) as the cornerstone of sustainable development in Africa and noted that sustainable development is dependent on a vibrant social, economic and environmental strategy for the planet. It called for stronger dialogue between North and South at the WSSD, and for meaningful participation and outcomes that would further the sustainable development objectives of the South and halt its marginalisation through globalisation. The North should work in partnership with the South to restructure the global sustainable development governance regime and agree on a plan of action to meet sustainable development targets.


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