Hon Minister, before we continue, let me remind members that you only have two minutes for a follow-up question.
Question 145:
The MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES: Hon member,
prior to this declaration of intent being signed there was no specific co- operation on environmental issues with the Kingdom of Denmark. Both parties agreed that it would be beneficial to formalise our co-operation on environmental issues given the global environmental challenges being faced currently.
The Declaration of Intent is nonbinding ant its primary objective is to provide an overarching framework for co-operation between South Africa and the Kingdom of Denmark on the following areas: The circular economy and industrial symbiosis, environmental monitoring,
compliance and enforcement, sustainable consumption and cleaner production, greening of the economy and climate change adaptation.
Furthermore, the declaration creates the opportunities for South Africa and Danish stakeholders both public and private to foster partnerships particularly in the field of the green transition sustainable development and climate change adaptation. It also creates an enabling environment to stimulate mutually beneficial exchanges of information, best practice and lessons learnt as well as joint projects and initiatives.
Furthermore, the declaration will also create an opportunity for organising technical training seminars, study groups and so on.
South Africa has already joined the Partnering for Green Growth, P4G, and the global goals 2030 initiative as part of our collaboration as part of our collaboration with the Danish government.
The P4G programme aims at addressing and advancing innovative solutions both with start up and scale up funding support options within the thematic areas inclusive of cities renewable energy,
water, food and agriculture and other areas that would be aligned to government's programme of action.
The next phase of our discussions will focus on developing and implementing the plan for the Declaration of Intent which will identify more specific areas collaboration.