Advancing Inclusive, Green and Sustainable Economies

The global plan of action for people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnership which is enshrined in the Sustainable Development Goals must begin to pivot from aspirational words to real change in the lives of people and nations, through actions on the ground.

The international community has a unique opportunity, within the next 12 years, to lift millions of people out of poverty, secure jobs for approximately 600 million, reduce inequality, address gender inequality, and lay the foundations of sustainable economies through firmly grounded sustainable production and consumption patterns, which are the key features that underpin the greening and transformation of sectors into levers of economic inclusion. Such action would create the much-needed jobs in an environmentally sound manner and revitalise economies by reconfiguration of Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) into enterprises driven through innovation and which are supportive of entrepreneurship.

The rapid advances in technology with automation at an unprecedented pace and demographic changes across societies create both opportunities and challenges. Such economic and structural transformations have crucial bearings for the future of work and the sustainability of the future. There is a growing realisation that economic and financial systems must act as drivers of change, inclusion, and prosperity for all and, that the private sector and small and medium-sized enterprises, in particular, will need to play a central role in generating jobs, income and prosperity in a world.

South Africa has been at the forefront of championing green economy and the Third PAGE Ministerial Conference will provide an opportunity for South Africa along with other PAGE 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.