Cape town: For the first time in the history of the Group of Twenty (G20), South Africa has successfully placed issues of air quality and crimes that affect the environment on the forum’s agenda. Both issues were adopted by G20 through the Ministerial Declaration on Crimes that Affect the Environment and the Cape Town Ministerial Declaration on Air Quality, signalling global recognition of their urgency and cross-cutting impact on people, ecosystems, and economies.
According to South African Government News Agency, the declarations address the daily realities faced by citizens, including air quality, the safety of natural heritage, and the rule of law protecting these elements. Under South Africa’s presidency of the G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group, the nation has prioritized these critical issues, aiming to protect both people and the environment, ensuring that justice and health are interconnected.
The Cape Town Ministerial Declaration on Crimes that Affect the Environment calls fo
r stronger global cooperation to combat illegal wildlife trade, deforestation, mining, waste trafficking, and other transnational crimes undermining environmental security, societies, and economic integrity. It commits G20 members to foster synergies among different policies and sectors, mobilize financial resources, improve data and monitoring, and scale up support for communities most affected by air pollution.
Together, the two declarations mark a turning point in the global environmental agenda and reflect South Africa’s leadership in linking environmental stewardship with social and economic well-being. The Minister noted that the outcomes will inform the G20 Leaders’ Declaration to be considered at the upcoming Summit in Johannesburg.
As highlighted by the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, Dr. Dion George, this approach represents practical cooperation that improves lives and strengthens the connection between nature, people, and prosperity. Echoing the words of Archbishop Desmond
Tutu, the Minister emphasized the importance of hope and cooperation in moving closer to the desired global outcomes.