African cities to address the sustainability question

Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma will address Agenda 2063 at the African Capital Cities Sustainability Forum, which forms part of Sustainability Week, taking place from Tuesday, 23 to Thursday, 25 June at the CSIR International Conference Centre. 

Africa’s forecasted growth is undeniable. The United Nations’ report on urbanisation found that continuing population growth and urbanisation are projected to add 2.5 billion people to the world’s urban population by 2050, with nearly 90% of the increase concentrated in Asia and Africa. How to prepare a sustainable future for Africa that improves the quality of life for civilians while drastically reducing the environmental footprint will be the topic of discussion at the African Capital Cities Sustainability Forum, hosted by the City of Tshwane. Dr Dlamini-Zuma will join mayors from the African capital cities of Abuja, Mbabane, Harare, São Tomè, Dodoma, Kinshasa, Banjul and Abuja, amongst others, as they seek to find sustainable solutions to the sustainability imperative. This significant pan African dialogue will lay the foundation for expanded African cooperation at the city level, and at the urban scale. Mayor of the City of Tshwane, Honourable Cllr Kgosientso Ramokgopa will provide a local perspective on the sustainability needs and solutions facing South African Cities as well as the vertical integration of sustainability principles. With a wealth of experience in urban and economic development, local governance and housing, Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi, Secretary General of United Cities and Local Governments of Africa will address enhanced cooperation among African cities at the Forum. Mbassi is the man behind the Africities Summit and is the Deputy Secretary General of the China-Africa forum of local governments and current Chairperson of the Cities Alliance Interim Management Board. Professor of Sustainability at Curtin University in Australia, Peter Newman, who has written on Green Urbanism and how to overcome automobile dependence will share from his experience having worked with local and national government in the area of sustainability. Other riveting speakers include Tlou Ramaru, Senior Policy Advisor: International Sustainable Development and Trade Cooperation at the Department of Environmental Affairs; Seana Nkahle, Chairman of the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA); Prof. David Everatt, Executive Director, Gauteng City Region Observatory; and Erky Wood: Director at GAPP Architects And Urban Designers. The Forum will end off with a mayors’ round table discussion on finding consensus on the opportunity for capital cities to take a leadership position in relation to sustainability. The African Capital Cities Sustainability Forum will look at how appropriate policies, design ingenuity, innovation, technical proficiency and infrastructural investments can ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for the next generation. The Forum forms part of Sustainability Week which brings together a wide variety of stakeholders from a range of sectors to discuss sustainability under specific themes: green building, food security, transport, manufacturing, energy and water amongst many other riveting seminars. An exhibition space will also show case eco-friendly technology, energy and water efficient appliances and other projects that relate to sustainability. Sustainability Week, hosted by the City of Tshwane takes place from Tuesday, 23 to Sunday, 28 June 2015. For more information on Sustainability Week and to participate in the African Capital Cities Sustainability Forum, visit www.sustainabilityweek.co.za.