Latest news with #HamburgSustainabilityConference
IOL News
5 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Urgent R32 million budget for water security in the Western Cape
Anton Bredell, Western Cape's local government and environmental affairs minister, backing a bold R32 million push to upgrade ageing water infrastructure and secure the province's future supply. Image: Independent Newspapers Archive In response to mounting climate pressures and growing demands on municipal services, the Western Cape Government has committed R32 million in the 2025/26 financial year to assist local municipalities with critical water and wastewater infrastructure upgrades. Western Cape Minister for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell, announced the allocation during a panel discussion on food and water security at the Hamburg Sustainability Conference on June 2. Bredell painted a stark picture of the challenges facing the province. 'We also have the added complexity of poverty, inequality and a fast-growing population,' he said. 'These socio-economic dynamics make it very challenging to plan, budget and construct the water and wastewater infrastructure we need to provide future water security in our region.' The R32 million allocation for the 2025/26 financial year will be used to support municipalities as they upgrade and expand critical infrastructure, a move seen as urgent given the province's limited potential for new bulk water storage facilities. Bredell said there are only limited opportunities for additional bulk water storage in the Western Cape, and as such, future water security will have to come from improved supply and demand management, alternative sources such as groundwater, the re-use of water, and desalination. While the Western Cape boasts the lowest per capita water use in the country, at 160 litres per person per day, compared to the national average of 216 litres, much of that water is lost or unaccounted for. According to Wouter Kriel, spokesperson for Minister Bredell, the Western Cape manages to generate revenue from 70.4% of water supplied to consumers, meaning that 30% of water is either lost in the system, or it was delivered to a consumer without generating any revenue. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ "A portion of the non-revenue water is water supplied free of charge to poor and vulnerable residents. This is part of a dignity basket which also includes a set amount of free electricity and other basic municipal services," said Kriel. Bredell said the current national threshold of free water is no longer realistic. 'Our research on what constitutes water dignity found that the current 6 kilolitres a month per household, as prescribed in South African legislation, is not sufficient, and it should be much higher, at 15 kilolitres per household,' he said. 'These findings raise serious questions on our approach to water management in South Africa and especially in our local governments where rate payers are being pushed to pay more for services to also help subsidise the dignity basket to an increasing number of indigent households.' Kriel confirmed the provincial support, saying; 'The Western Cape Government is budgeting R32 million for the 2025/26 financial year to support municipalities with water and wastewater infrastructure projects.' IOL News Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
New global alliances, commitments for a sustainable future at Hamburg Sustainability Conference
BATHINDA: The Hamburg Sustainability Conference (HSC) concluded its second edition, reinforcing its position as a vital global platform for advancing sustainable development. Around 1,600 participants from all across the world—including a notable number of high-level representatives from politics, international organizations, business, academia, and civil society—convened in Hamburg on June 2 and 3 to forge new alliances and accelerate progress toward the United Nations 2030 Agenda. HSC 2025 marked the launch of important initiatives and the achievement of new consensus, such as the agreement on the Hamburg Declaration on Responsible AI for the SDGs. German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Reem Alabali-Radovan: 'At a time when nationalist tendencies are jeopardising international cooperation, the Hamburg Sustainability Conference stands for the spirit of cooperation that binds the world together. Hamburg sends out a strong signal for solidarity and cooperation, an encouragement to us all. The conference has made progress on concrete solutions for some of the key challenges that we must face in the future: for cities of the future that will be liveable places for more and more people despite climate change, for the common fight against inequality or for artificial intelligence that benefits all people. First Mayor of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg Peter Tschentscher: 'The 17 Sustainable Development Goals aim to give 8 billion people worldwide a good life and a secure future, with access to education, health, participation, peace, security, and prosperity. Implementing this is a mandate and a great responsibility for the international community, because global developments can only be achieved through cooperation and joint efforts. ' UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner: 'The Hamburg Sustainability Conference is a moment to challenge conventional wisdom, redefine possibilities, and craft a new narrative—not one of division and decline, but of unity, cooperation, and collective progress. The Hamburg Declaration on Responsible AI for the Sustainable Development Goals marks an important milestone in this journey. Initiated at this conference in 2024, this landmark declaration has just been endorsed by representatives from over 40 governments, private sector organizations, civil society, and leading research institutions. This outcome represents a crucial commitment to harnessing AI responsibly, ensuring it promotes equity, connect communities and addresses global inequalities. This collaboration does not end here. Our task now is to work together to ensure AI's extraordinary capabilities drive sustainable development, benefiting everyone, everywhere, equally.' Honorary Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Oto Group Michael Oto: 'Everyone has a role to play in tackling global challenges. At the same time, it is crucial that policymakers establish enabling frameworks and the scientific community drives innovation. The initiatives built upon since last year, together with the new alliances forged at HSC 2025, show that the conference brings the right stakeholders to the table—and that it's driving real impact. ' Hamburg Declaration on Responsible AI for the SDGs: On Monday, UNDP and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development endorsed the Hamburg Declaration on Responsible AI for the Sustainable Development Goals, together with over 40 governments, private sector organizations, civil society, and leading research institutions. The landmark initiative – the first global declaration focused specifically on AI in international development – outlines shared principles and commitments to promote the equitable, inclusive, and sustainable development and deployment of artificial intelligence worldwide, with particular emphasis on empowering developing countries. SCALED: Unlocking Private Investment for Sustainable Development: The members of the Hamburg Sustainability Platform (HSP) signed a joint declaration of intent, reaffirming their commitment to removing barriers to large-scale sustainable investment. Rebranded as 'SCALED – Scaling Capital for Sustainable Development,' the initiative brings together public and private institutions to enhance coordination. By the end of 2025, SCALED plans to launch a dedicated company to mobilize private capital more efficiently for projects such as solar farms or entrepreneurship support. It aims to help close financing gaps in developing countries and could unlock several billion USD in private capital over the coming years. Launch of the Global Alliance against Inequality: The Global Alliance against inequality, was officially launched. The coalition unites governments and partners in a bold effort to tackle the systemic roots of inequality undermining social cohesion and democratic governance worldwide. Germany and Sierra Leone, alongside the Pathfinders Initiative, signed the declaration of intent committing to evidence based policies that address economic and social disparities. The Alliance emphasizes crossregional collaboration, dialogue, and policy innovation to rebuild trust in public institutions and foster peaceful, just societies. Among the other notable agreements, signings, and announcements during HSC 2025 are the Memorandum of Understanding between the Deutsche Gesellschaf für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and Euler Hermes to strengthen support for German exports and investments in developing and emerging countries within the framework of sustainable development; the new Biodiversity Fund of the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF), with an initial capital of €500,000 aimed at supporting biodiversity conservation projects particularly within global textile supply chains; The addition of one new signatory to the Hamburg Declaration on Green Aviation, and two new signatories to the Hamburg Declaration on the Decarbonisation of Global Shipping — both initiated at HSC 2024; The Joint Statement of stakeholders across sectors on Enhancing Municipalities' Access to Private Capital; and the presentation of the concept for the 'Institute for Sustainability Arbitration' (ISA), which is envisioned as a specialized body dedicated to ensuring legal certainty in sustainability-related disputes through expert arbitration.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
German finance minister wants quick results from state investments
Germany's Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil wants to see results from the planned billion-euro investments in infrastructure before the end of this year. "I think this is also very important in the fight against right-wing populism, to show people that the country is modernising, that something is happening and that life is becoming easier thanks to investments in infrastructure," said the Vice-Chancellor at the Hamburg Sustainability Conference (HSC). "My goal is for people to see that something is happening this year." He also appealed to German businesses, "now is the time to invest." At the same time, he called on Europe to speed up political decisions, saying there is too much bureaucracy and too little politics. He pointed out that the presidential election in Poland did not turn out well for Europe, and that 2027's presidential election in France is approaching. "No one knows what will happen then," he said. He expressed confidence in the outcome of the trade dispute with the United States. Germany and Europe's clear message to the United States is "We want a common path and are looking for a common solution." With regard to China, Klingbeil said that Germany should definitely cooperate with Beijing, but at the same time the clear message is that if Taiwan is attacked, everything will change. Klingbeil said that Germany would remain a reliable partner in development financing, "especially now that other important donor countries are reducing their support." Germany is on track to become the world's largest donor of official development assistance, he added.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Hamburg declaration on responsible AI: Global leaders commit to responsible AI for sustainable development
BATHINDA: At the Hamburg Sustainability Conference (HSC), global leaders from the public sector, business, science, and civil society have jointly endorsed the 'Hamburg Declaration on Responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)'. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The landmark initiative – the first global declaration focused specifically on AI in international development – outlines shared principles and commitments to promote the equitable, inclusive, and sustainable development and deployment of artificial intelligence worldwide, with particular emphasis on empowering developing countries. The declaration centres on ensuring that AI technologies uphold human rights, serve and protect marginalized communities, and combat disinformation. Co-signatories further commit to improving the resource efficiency of AI systems, expanding access to AI education for women and girls, and supporting the growth of local AI innovations in developing countries. Achim Steiner, UNDP administrator, said 'Artificial Intelligence is one of the most transformative forces of our time, yet its potential remains unrealized for most developing countries. The Hamburg declaration on Responsible AI for Sustainable Development represents a crucial commitment to harnessing AI responsibly, ensuring it promotes equity, connects communities, and addresses global inequalities. The Declaration underscores our collective responsibility. Our task now is to ensure AI's extraordinary capabilities drive sustainable development, benefiting everyone, everywhere, equally'. Germany' federal minister for economic cooperation and development, Reem Alabali-Radovan said 'Improving access to fair and sustainable AI worldwide is one of the great challenges of our time. Too many people remain excluded from the benefits of digital innovation. The Hamburg Declaration marks a turning point, AI must become a force for good, a driver of inclusion, equality, and sustainable development'.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Sustainability conference in Germany urges action despite conflicts
A major conference on sustainability and development opened in the northern Germany city of Hamburg on Monday, as participants warned that global environmental issues are being sidelined by conflicts. Around 1,600 people from some 110 countries are expected to attend the Hamburg Sustainability Conference, which is centred on the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The two-day event, first held last October, is being jointly organized by the German Development Ministry and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) along with local foundations. Hamburg Mayor Peter Tschentscher said "in recent years, the world has changed." "Crisis, wars, and conflicts increasingly overshadow the focus on climate change and the global pressures on nature and the environment," he argued. Tschentscher said the SDGs "aim to give 8 billion people worldwide a good life and a secure future with access to education, to health, participation, peace, security, and prosperity." "Implementing this is a mandate and a great responsibility for the international community of states, because global developments can only be achieved through cooperation and joint efforts," the mayor added. UNDP head Achim Steiner admitted that "the world has not exactly moved forward" since the last conference in October, and that "this is not a good moment to encourage people to believe in the scope, value, and potential of international cooperation." "My hope is that here, out of Hamburg, out of this Hamburg Sustainability Conference, emerges a new way to actually think about the future and not only to think, but to act on it," Steiner added.
