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NEWS RELEASE
IUCN and South Africa strengthen conservation and sustainable development commitments and joint efforts
Gland, Switzerland, 20 June, 2001 (IUCN) - In a move symbolizing years of conservation cooperation between the Republic of South Africa and IUCN - The World Conservation Union, Ambassador S.E.M. Sipho George Nene, today signed an agreement that further strengthens IUCN's role in promoting the global sustainable development agenda.
"We are delighted to conclude discussions about IUCN's presence in South Africa. It is a recognition of the role that IUCN has played since 1994," said Achim Steiner, IUCN's new Director General, during the signing ceremony formally establishing a country office in Pretoria. "I would like to pay tribute to the South Africa government's willingness to share in hosting international organizations and events."
"To seal the process is an expression of the South African government's concern and commitment to your work," Ambassador Nene said, referring to the country's commitment to promote sustainable development by agreeing to host the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg next year. "If we are not considering the environment then we are not considering the future."
The South African government, an active state member of IUCN since 1993, will also host the IUCN-organized Fifth World Congress on Protected Areas in Durban in 2003. "The IUCN Country Office looks forward to continuing to play a supportive and facilitating role so that IUCN's expertise and networks will be available to the South African government in its efforts to make the Summit and Parks Congress a success," Steiner said.
The establishment of the Office advances IUCN's ability to service the needs of its substantial membership in South Africa. Presently, there are 21 other members in the country: two government agencies, one international non-governmental organization (NGO), three affiliates and 16 national NGOs.
"IUCN has been instrumental in helping to facilitate the development of a comprehensive national resource management and environment policy for South Africa," said Dhesigen Naidoo, of South Africa's Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, which has been partnering with the IUCN South Africa programme for the past three years.
In addition to providing a supportive role for the Earth Summit and Parks Congress, "IUCN's South Africa programme will also focus on environmental governance, water resources management, conservation and development, as part of its daily activities" said IUCN's South Africa Country Program Coordinator, Saliem Fakir.
The agreement "to strengthen this cooperation" by supporting IUCN in "initiating and managing its conservation activities in the Republic of South Africa," will be automatically renewed every five years, and provides immunities and privileges "accorded to officials…of diplomatic missions to the Government."
For further information, contact:
Wendy Goldstein, Head of Communications
Tel: 41 22 999 0282 Fax: 41 22 999 0025, wjg@hq.iucn.org
IUCN - The World Conservation Union was founded in 1948 and brings together 79 states, 112 government agencies, 760 NGOs, 37 affiliates, and some 10,000 scientists and experts from 181 countries in a unique worldwide partnership. Its mission is to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable. Within the framework of global conventions, IUCN has helped over 75 countries to prepare and implement national conservation and biodiversity strategies. IUCN has approximately 1000 staff, most of who are located in its 42 regional and country offices while 100 work at its Headquarters in Gland, Switzerland.
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