Hon Chair, hon Minister, Deputy Minister, colleagues, distinguished guests, South Africans, South Africa has a future to expect. It is expectant of a future - I am trying to make the right choice of words. I wanted to use the word "pregnant", but I needed to consult first on whether it would not be problematic to do so. [Laughter.] In order to arrive at this expectation, which is called a sustainable future, there are particular soldiers that we need to field to fight this battle. One is sustainable economic development, two is sustainable trade and industry, and three is sustainable environmental development. These three will guide us towards achieving a sustainable future.
As you all know, last year South Africa hosted the 17th Conference of the Parties. In preparation for that, South Africa had certain positions. The first position was that the conference should come up with a convention outlining the targets for Annex 1 parties and actions for non-Annex 1 parties, legally binding support for developing countries, and a legal framework for adaptation. That was what the convention should have come up with.
The second position was that there should be an amendment to the Kyoto Protocol to include the second commitment period. In other words, the Kyoto Protocol should be extended. Our third position in preparation for that conference was that time and space needed to be given to developing countries to transition to low-carbon economies and to adapt to unavoidable impacts. That was South Africa's position.
After that conference, firstly, the second commitment period of Kyoto Protocol was secured as the only international and legally binding mechanism that we have to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Secondly, a political agreement to work towards a legally binding global climate regime was achieved - this was also in acknowledgement of the shifts in the global economy. Thirdly, an agreement was reached on the implementation of the Green Climate Fund, on condition that it is under the guidance of and accountable to the Conference of the Parties.
Of importance to us is that, beyond that conference, economic development and processes towards greening the economy continue in different countries in different ways. Our context is South Africa as it relates to Africa, South to South, as well as South to North economic relations, including Brics, of course. However, we need to pause for now and look at South Africa in relation to the economy or trade and industry internally, and that takes us to the Industrial Policy Framework Plan, Ipap.
Ipap is aimed at creating jobs, growing the economy and greening industry, among others. In this plan, there are 14 key areas or pillars, if you like, including manufacturing, industrial financing, leveraging, procurement, developmental trade, competition policy - I can go on and on. I hope all of these have been read and understood by the hon Ambrosini as positive steps in the right direction.
We would want to go a little deeper into Ipap to look at some of the key areas, such as the development of special economic zones, SEZs. What are these? That is the first question. We said the SEZs are geographically designated areas of a country set aside for specifically targeted economic activities, which are supported through special arrangements and systems that are often different from those that apply in the rest of the country. I think that is clearly understood.
Furthermore, an SEZ is an economic development tool to promote rapid economic growth by using incentive packages to attract the targets for investment and technology. These zones act as a magnet for investment in desirable activities in specially designated areas by providing quality infrastructure, contemplated by attractive incentive packages; business support services; cluster development; and minimal red tape.
I want to conclude by saying that the biggest question, which becomes our homework from here, is what role are we - and by this I mean the entire nation - playing in ensuring that the successful implementation of Ipap is realised and achieved. The ANC supports Budget Vote 36 - Trade and Industry.