THE GREEN ECONOMY HAS A PIVOTAL ROLE TO PLAY WITHIN THE
MEDITERRANEAN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT CONTEXT
--- LEO BRINCAT, MINISTER FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, THE
ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE :
LAUNCH OF THE REVIEW OF THE MEDITERRANEAN STRATEGY FOR
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
It is an honour for Malta to host this launch event, linked as it is
with our proud hosting of the Presidency of the Steering Committee
of the Mediterranean Commission for Sustainable Development.
Malta is committed to the review of the Mediterranean Strategy for
Sustainable Development, and will continue to do all that is feasibly
possibile to support the process during this biennium while it holds
the Presidency of the Steering Committee of the Mediterranean
Commission for Sustainable Development. We believe in the
importance of a guiding strategy to inspire and direct activities in
the area of sustainable development in a coherent way that involves
all key stakeholders in the region.
This is in line with Malta’s ongoing commitment to the MAP process
and the Barcelona Convention, which we also see as a bridge for
peace in the Mediterranean region.
The Mediterranean region has a special importance for us Maltese –
linked not only with our central position within the Sea, but also
with our cultural links, due to our history of being a Mediterranean
melting pot, like many of the Mediterranean port cities.
The Mediterranean region contains many similarities, some that
immediately come to mind since they relate to shared geographical
conditions, such as water shortages and vulnerability to climatic
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changes, but others that while being less obvious are not less
important, and include common approaches to problems, similar
levels of technology and other socio-economic and cultural
similarities, brought about by our shared history over millennia. It
continues to make sound sense therefore for us to seek common
solutions to common problems. For us Maltese, placed as we are as
a small island at the centre of our common sea, it is a matter of
keeping our common house clean.
I augur that the review of the MSSSD will result in an agreement in
2015 of an updated strategy that will reflect the ongoing
developments at a global and regional level.
Encouraged by the fact that we need to provide a new impetus to
our programmes and projects, I feel that we can ill afford to miss
out on this sterling opportunity to highlight the inevitable and
natural linkage between the Green Economy and Sustainable
Development even within a regional context.
There may be different approaches, visions, models and tools
available to each country to achieve sustainable development but
you will no doubt agree with me that the Green Economy is
considered one of the important tools, guided as it is by the Rio
Principles, Agenda 21, the Johannesburg Principles of
Implementation and also by contributing to the Millennium
Development Goals which should hopefully soon evolve into
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS.
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Malta is currently actively promoting the modal shift to a green
economy by putting into place a strategy from which an action plan
should emerge throughout the current year. Concurrently we have
just launched a resource based waste management plan, strategy
and waste minimization plan for the period 2014-2020 which puts
sustainability at its very core.
But no strategy or action plan on the Green Economy can translate
itself into positive results unless we combine the environmental
dimension with the socio-economic dimensions; particularly since
green economy policies hewn on sustainable development even at a
regional level must address inter alia :
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National sovereignty over natural resources
Participation by all relevant stakeholders
Sustained and inclusive growth
International co-operation on finance
Curbing trade discrimination
Filling technology gaps
Putting poverty eradication at the heart of our activities
Establishing social protection floors
Overcoming poverty and inequality
And seeking practical ways of promoting sustainable
consumption and production.
In past months we have had intensive exchanges as a country on
these inter linked subjects both at a Ministerial EU Level as well as
in the Gulf countries that have realized that they need to go for
sustainability and plan well ahead inspite of their generous oil
reserves.
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If a green economy within a context of sustainable development
matters to them, it should matter even more to us all, as
Mediterranean citizens, governments, and decision makers.
Each country can choose the approach that it may deem most
appropriate. The same goes for its reliance on resource efficiency,
equitable growth and job creation but so long as it can introduce a
balanced mix of social, environmental and economic factors in its
decision making process, partnerships, networks, and positive
experiences will result both nationally amongst the region’s various
sovereign states, as well as regionally within the Mediterranean
area and zone that binds us together. Something that should be
facilitated even more in this day and age thanks to the ever growing
recognition of the power of communication technologies as well as
the linkage between finance, technology and capacity building.
What may sound as a daunting challenge should also be looked
upon as a common post-2015 goal to drive the five big
transformative shifts forward :
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That of leaving no one behind
Putting sustainable development at the core
Transforming economies for Jobs and Inclusive Growth
Building Effective, Open and Accountable Institutions for ALL
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And also forging a new regional partnership in a new spirit of
solidarity, co-operation and mutual accountability – pre-requisites
that must underpin the post-2015 agenda.
It is only with these ingredients at the fore that we can aspire for a
people centred new partnership based on mutual respect and
mutual benefit.
I am confident that all those present are prepared to share these
objectives, ideals and goals.
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