August 27, 2004
By Philippa Garson
LEST we forget the lofty ideals and ambitious targets that circulated at the World Summit on Sustainable Development two years ago, a wide-ranging follow-up conference is set to take place from 1 - 4 September at the Sandton Convention Centre.
The Johannesburg +2 Sustainable Development Conference will see leaders from government, business and the NGO sector from around the continent taking stock of the progress made since thousands of delegates descended on Johannesburg two years ago to hammer out the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation and the Millennium Development Goals.
Said Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism director-general Crispian Olver: "The anniversary offers South Africa the opportunity to assess the implementation of the Johannesburg targets, refine our sustainable development vision and framework and mobilise key stakeholders and partners behind this vision. It will also provide a platform to enhance dialogue on progress and challenges in implementation."
The conference will also be accompanied by a huge exhibition showcasing best practice in sustainable development. A total of 150 exhibitors are expected at the show, set to attract around 5 000 visitors.
With the focus on Africa this time, the conference will explore business growth and opportunities for the continent as well as host workshops on doing business here. The Department of Trade and Industry is a key supporter of the mini summit. DTI director general Alistair Ruiters said the conference would provide opportunities for the promotion of intra-African trade, one of the goals of Nepad (New Partnership for African Development).
As host and therefore a major player at the World Summit two years ago, South Africa's own sustainable development initiatives were placed under the spotlight. The conference gives the country an opportunity to revisit its own commitment to sustainable development and assess its own progress - as well as the progress of other countries - since then.
Themes for the conference and exhibition include: water and sanitation, human settlements, energy, agriculture and food security, technology, natural resource management, regional development and Nepad.
The conference will also give Johannesburg another opportunity to showcase itself and its offerings to a large audience. When the city successfully pulled off the World Summit two years ago - the largest global event ever hosted here - the country entered the big league for other major international events. It gave the country (and Joburg in particular) a competitive edge with regard to the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conference and Events) market.
"The World Summit may well have contributed to the success of the 2010 soccer bid. And the fact that we are hosting the Pan African Parliament seat at Gallagher Estate can also be attributed to this," said Blessing Manale, director of Sustainable Development Co-ordination in the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. "Joburg now needs to market itself as 'summit city'."
For more information on the conference, contact Marang Setshwaelo on 011 234 8650 or e-mail her at Marang@dreammultimedia.co.za, or contact Blessing Manale from the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism on 012 310 3457 or e-mail Bmanale@deat.gov.za.
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