SOUTH AFRICA TO ATTEND THE 2ND INTERNATIONAL

UNCLAS PRETORIA 000518 SIPDIS DEPT FOR OES/PCI/LBRUTTEN/DROCHBERG AND AF/S E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV ECON SOCI EAID KPAO SF SUBJECT: SOUTH AFRICA TO ATTEND THE 2ND INTERNATIONAL FORUM ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIPS FOCUSED ON WATER AND ENERGY IMPLEMENTATION REF: STATE 12206 ¶1. Mr. Blessing Manale, Director for Sustainable Development Coordination at the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT),confirmed to us on February 1 that the South African Government (SAG) would attend the Second International Forum on Sustainable Development in Marrakech, Morocco on March 21-23. SAG also participated in the First International Forum in Rome in 2004. Manale said that SAG regarded Type II partnerships as a critical outcome of the Johannesburg Summit on Sustainable Development and remained committed to implementing them wherever possible. ¶2. Manale told us that SAG began initial discussions on how best it could support Morocco to ensure the success of the forum. DEAT has also requested that the Department of Minerals and Energy (DME) and the Department Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) consider participating in the forum. Manale said that it was urgent that his Minister, Mr. Marthinus Van Schalkwyk, receive an invitation to any ministerial level event being planned for Sunday, March 20 as soon as possible. ¶3. As it stands, Ms. Pam Yako, DEAT Chief Operating Officer and slated to become Acting Director General by the end of February, will head South Africa's delegation to the forum. Other delegates will be as follows: -- Mr. Alf Wills, Deputy Director General, International Cooperation -- Ms. Judy Beaumont, Chief Director, Planning and Coordination -- Mr. Zaheer Fakir, Head of International Liaison and Coordination -- Mr. Blessing Manale, Director for Sustainable Development coordination. Frazer