Ministers of the Environment and Climate reached two historic firsts for the G20-the Cape Town Ministerial Declaration on Crimes and the Cape Town Ministerial Declaration on Air Quality.
Both issues were included on the G20 environmental agenda last week, for the very first time in the forum’s history.
The Cape Town Ministerial Declaration on Crimes calls for stronger global cooperation to combat illegal wildlife trade, deforestation, mining, waste trafficking and other transnational crimes that undermine environmental security, societies and economic integrity.
The Cape Town Ministerial Declaration on Air Quality commits G20 members to foster synergies among different policies, sectors and to organise financial resources, improve data and monitoring, and scale up support for communities most affected by air pollution.
Dr Dion George, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, said this is significant because the issues “speak to the daily realities of our citizens, the air they breathe, the safety of their natural heritage, and the rule of law that protects it. Under South Africa’s Presidency of the G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group, we brought these critical issues to the top of the global agenda, protecting our people and our environment, ensuring that justice and health walk hand in hand.”
The Declarations mark a turning point in the global environmental agenda and reflect South Africa’s leadership in linking environmental stewardship with social and economic wellbeing.
These outcomes are expected to inform the G20 Leaders’ Declaration, to be considered at next month’s Summit in Johannesburg.
Picture: Supplied