Chairperson and hon colleagues, I greet you all.
A review of the past 15 years and an analysis of the challenges for the next decade clearly indicate that unemployment, inequality, HIV/Aids and poverty stand out as the foremost challenges of our time. We cannot talk of a better future without decisively tackling these types of challenges. Secondly, transforming a state and building its capacity to act as a co- ordinated, cohesive and effective instrument of change is another important challenge.
The mobilisation of all sectors of society, including their resources, behind a shared vision is required. Such a vision should be a concrete expression of how the National Planning Commission intends to mobilise the different sectors of our society around a shared vision.
In order to effectively tackle these challenges, there is a need for both a transformed and a developmental state that works effectively with the different sectors of our society behind a clearly articulated shared vision. There is a need to establish a unifying agency for the overarching shared vision around which the state, civil society, communities and the private sector will work together to build a better future for all of us. This overarching shared vision will go some way towards answering the economic, social and political questions around the kind of society that we are seeking to build.
Some countries, such as Brazil, India, Malaysia and Tunisia, have already adopted a firm and unshakeable position to establish and implement long- term strategic planning in order to set a coherent vision backed by clear and measurable objectives.
The aim of the long-term planning was not to sacrifice the medium- and short-term needs of societies, but to ensure that there was a long-term horizon, of about 10 to 30 years, which caters for both medium- and short- term planning.
From international best practices it becomes clear that, for this long-term planning to succeed and ensure sustained growth and development, is largely dependent on the mobilisation of the public service and all other members of society at large.
Parliament is a constitutionally mandated forum for public participation on matters of national interest. The Green Paper, as a consultative and a discussion paper, was considered in a manner that accommodated public interest and allowed for national consultation. Parliament has also provided the platform for matters of national interests to be debated and considered. It has played its role as a representative of the people.
During the public participation process it became clear that there was general consensus on the need for the establishment of this unifying planning body, which will co-ordinate and advance the policy direction and priorities of government in the long term.
There is, therefore, an urgent need to act swiftly and expedite our actions so that, as a country, we are able to address the challenges of economic growth with equitably shared benefits; decent jobs and sustainable livelihoods; accessible quality education and skills development; reduction of poverty and inequality; rural development; improved health care for all; community safety; and social cohesion in a united nation, in a way that is structured from the short to the long term. Thank you.