South Africa strikes optimism at Rio+20

The International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane has struck an optimistic tone as the final agreements in Rio de Janeiro took place. The summit is expected to act as a compass document for future sustainability.

The minister emphasised the importance of the document’s implementation and confirmed that South Africa will now focus on how to move forward in an efficient way. It is important to illuminate the divide between politicians and civil society activists.

“Civil society has a responsibility to keep pushing us to take heed of the sense of urgency that we should not be overwhelmed by the current global economy meltdown and do nothing, so we need to take advantage of this challenge as an opportunity to do things right,” said Nkoana-Mashabane.

However, the omission of a $30 billion fund that would have made financing sustainable development predictable was a disappointment for the Africa group.

SABC