South Africa must continue to be the champions

President Thabo Mbeki says South Africa has an obligation to ensure a sustainable environment. The president was speaking at the Union Buildings in Pretoria where he received the Champions of the Earth Award from Environmental Affairs and Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk.

Minister Van Schalkwyk received the award on behalf of President Mbeki and the people of South Africa at a glittering event hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) at the UN Headquarters in New York last week.

South Africa was recognised for its commitment to cultural and environmental diversity and its strong leadership role on the African continent through the environment component of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (Nepad).

Accepting the award today President Mbeki said it presented challenges to all South Africans to continue to be the "champions."

"We also need to improve inter-state development with regard to issues pertaining to the environment."

"It is also our responsibility to promote peace and stability in the entire continent."

The Champions of the Earth award was created by UNEP in 2004 to honour individuals or groups who have made a significant and recognised contribution to the protection and sustainable management of the Earth's environment and natural resources.

South Africa was also honoured for its efforts towards achieving the goals and targets encapsulated in the 2000 Millennium Declaration and the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) Plan of Implementation, particularly in the area of clean water and sanitation.

According to the Environmental Affairs and Tourism Department, South Africans have not just made substantial progress in the sustainable development of their own country, but have also provided leadership and support to the continent.

South Africa has also enacted a wide range of domestic legislation backed up by specialist environmental courts to protect South Africa's environment.

Six other recipients of the award were the King and people of Bhutan, the late Highness Sheik Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates, the Prince of Orange of the Netherlands Ms Julia Carabias Lillo of Mexico and Mr Zhou Qiang and All-China youth Federation.