South Africa to host the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) Conference in Cape Town
08 January 2018
The Minister of Environmental Affairs, Ms Nomvula Mokonyane, will host the Partnership for Action on the Green Economy (PAGE) Ministerial Conference at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on 10 and 11 January 2019. South Africa joined the global programme in 2015, following identification of potential to enhance multilaterism and support for climate action.
Cabinet concurred, and approved in September 2017, the hosting of the PAGE Conference by South Africa.
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. Hosting of the PAGE Conference will advance inclusive growth, and the adoption of a low carbon and climate resilient economy, domestically and on the African Continent.
“Hosting the PAGE Conference will advance the agenda of inclusive growth, and the adoption of a low carbon and climate resilient economy, domestically and on the African continent,” said Ms Mokonyane.
The 3rd PAGE Ministerial Conference, under the theme Advancing Inclusive and Sustainable Economies, follows two successful conferences which were held in Dubai in 2014 and Berlin in 2017, respectively. And South Africa hosting this high level conference on the heels of the successful Global Climate Conference, which adopted the Paris Agreement Work Programme setting out the Rules of implementation, is opportune.
Approximately 500 delegates, including 17 Ministers/Deputy Ministers of Environment, Finance, Business, Science and Technology and Development are to participate in robust discussions on tools and strategies for shaping greener economies to achieve the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
Among the featured speakers are Guy Ryder, Director-General of the International Labour Organization and Kumi Naidoo, Secretary General of Amnesty International, together with more than 15 Ministers/Deputy Ministers of Environment, Finance and Industry from all over the world.
The Conference will kick off with a CNBC televised media debate on the topic of “What makes your country wealthy” on the evening of 9 January.
Through a series of parallel sessions with high-level speakers from South Africa and abroad, the Conference will share the latest thinking and evidence on four thematic themes. These are green finance, strategies and policies for a green economy, social and economic inclusion, and sustainable consumption and production and the circular economy.
The PAGE Programme aims to strengthen cooperation, coordination and capabilities required by South Africa to implement the transition to a low-carbon, resource-efficient and pro-employment development path. The Programme commenced in 2016 in South Africa, and will be implemented for a period of three years with a sustainability close out phase in 2020.
The South African Government has been at the forefront of championing green economy. The 3rd PAGE Ministerial Conference will provide an opportunity for member states to reinforce the commitment to transition to a green/sustainable economy and to demonstrate implementation of the tools and strategies to accelerate, scaling up and to sustain the momentum on deepening green economy principles in the heart of socio-economic and environmental planning frameworks.
South Africa has adopted several green economy-related strategies in line with the National Development Plan Vision 2030, which committed our country to an environmentally sustainable and equitable transition to a low carbon economy. The country is currently implementing programmes inclusive of renewable energy and energy efficiency, green transport, sustainable housing and climate resilient agriculture.
Further PAGE information can be accessed by visiting:
For media enquiries contact:
Albi Modise
Cell: (+27) 083 490 2871
Editors note:
PAGE was launched in 2013 as a response to the call at Rio+20 to support those countries wishing to embark on greener and more inclusive growth trajectories. It places sustainability at the heart of economic policies and practices to advance the 2030 United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development, and supports nations and regions in reframing economic policies and practices around sustainability to foster economic growth, create income and jobs, reduce poverty and inequality, and strengthen the ecological foundations of their economies.
PAGE brings together five United Nations (UN) agencies – UN Environment, International Labour Organization, UN Development Programme, UN Industrial Development Organization, and UN Institute for Training and Research – whose mandates, expertise and networks combined can offer integrated and holistic support to countries on inclusive green economy, ensuring coherence and avoiding duplication.
The Partnership represents a mechanism to coordinate UN action on green economy and to assist countries in achieving and monitoring the emerging Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 8: "Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.”