Pretoria - Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini says the Declaration on the Right to Development is a critical international instrument to support the Post 2015 Development Agenda and its goals on ending poverty and hunger.
Minister Dlamini was speaking during an interactive dialogue on ending poverty and hunger, held at the 70th session of the United Nation’s General Assembly, in New York, on Monday.
She said by committing to the outcome document of the Post 2015 Development Agenda Summit titled “Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, they are renewing their pledge to people to work towards implementing this institutional framework for sustainable development on a global scale.
“In this regard, we cannot over-emphasise the urgency with which the issue of poverty eradication is to be treated,” said Minister Dlamini.
On Sunday, President Jacob Zuman told world leaders at the UNGA that South Africa has endorsed the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, along with a set of bold new Global Goals.
Minister Dlamini said South Africa is pleased that the outcome document recognises that eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty, is the greatest global challenge and that the eradication of poverty is an indispensable requirement for sustainable development.
“It is our experience that sustainable development cannot be achieved without mutual support between and among countries. As we combine efforts to eradicate poverty in pursuit of sustainable development, we must be cognisant of the differentiation among countries, based on our individual national circumstances.”
Within the context of ensuring that all countries have the resources and capacities to eliminate poverty and hunger, the Minister said it is necessary that all countries are able to exercise the right of full sovereignty over all their natural wealth and resources as agreed to in the Declaration on the Right to Development.
She emphasised that the neglect of economic and social rights serves to undermine the full protection of civil and political rights that empower people to claim their rights to food, housing, education, work, social security and health services.
“South Africa is focusing … on the implementation of our National Development Plan: Vision 2030 to address the triple challenges of poverty, inequality and unemployment, which continue to inhibit our own development. Through government’s concerted efforts, more people than ever have access to basic services.
“Additionally, our social protection system plays a crucial role in alleviating poverty and reducing inequality in South Africa,” Minister Dlamini told delegates at the UNGA. – SAnews.gov.za
