The World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) held in Johannesburg, South Africa, generated a new momentum for achieving sustainable development goals. The Johannesburg Plan of Implementation focuses on enhanced implementation through meeting specific targets and commitments, greater integration of economic, social and environmental dimensions and better linkages between global deliberations and regional and national implementation [1].
Most importantly, the WSSD widened the scope of what has been defined as sustainable development and view the concept as a globally encompassing efforts towards a people centred and practicable human development within the scope of governance and political economy of development when it stated that The rationale for discussing sustainable development in a governance context is predicated on the pivotal role of governance in the sustainable development process. According to the World Summit on Sustainable Developments Plan of Implementation, the basis of sustainable development are sound environmental, social and economic policies, democratic institutions responsive to the needs of the people, the rule of law, anti-corruption measures, gender equality and an enabling environment for investment. [2]
Following this is the Rio + 20 summit held in Rio-de Janeiro Brazil in 2012. As a result of that summit, which came amidst consideration for reaching a new international development consensus and action plan against the deadline of 2015 for the MDGs, there are now talks that one holistic policy might replace both the goals and target for sustainable development and the Millennium development goals. In effect, it is being speculated that a Sustainable Development Policy might articulate a new set of holistic development goals with another deadline for their achievements.
The working documents on the Rio +20 Summit reveals consideration for improved science and innovation policy, especially for Africa, the consideration for reduction of youth employment and other issues crucial for the continent are susceptible to appear in the new anticipated proposed policy document. The strengthening of Africas institution for results orientation, ownership and functional capacity that matches the level of action required to move forward the post 2015 Development Agenda has also been identified as one of the issues that are likely to be addressed in the Agenda.
3psmars will register its presence as a facilitator for future development agenda and therefore hopes to continually animate debates on the Sustainable Development Policy as regards the effective participation of African institutions, governance, leadership and public management apparatus.
[1] http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/documents/agenda21/english/agenda21toc.htm
[2] See World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), 2002. Plan of Implementation, Advanced Copy, September 2002, www.un.org/wssd